Merry Christmas!
For today’s reading plan, here’s the Christmas story! (Or if you’d like to get a jump on tomorrow’s reading, those verses are below.)
Luke 2:1-20 (NET)
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:
11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.
17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child,
18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said.
19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. 20 So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
Work for peace!
Today’s Reading
About This Plan
This plan is not designed to be read alone, but studied and discussed with other believers.
If you fall behind, don't worry about it. Catch up as much as possible, or just start fresh on a new day. It's more important to enjoy reading than to check off a to-do list. The plan is scheduled Monday through Friday to give two days of extra reading or to catch up on missed days. There are also additional reading and study options for the weekend.
This yearly plan will take you through the New Testament twice a year, and the Old Testament once a year. It's also divided into sections for those with different reading goals. Families might read Jesus Said and the Gospel sections together. If you are just getting started and seem overwhelmed, try as much as you can, but it's okay to only read one or two sections to start with.