Day 1

Read: 

Exodus 14:1-15:18

Dig Deeper:

Ever heard the phrase, "Red Sea Moment"? Today's reading is where it came from. The People of God find themselves trapped, facing certain execution and imprisonment--stuck at the Red Sea with nowhere to go. But God...God intervenes, parts the sea, and even dries the river bed so their sandals don't get wet. 

Close your eyes for a second and imagine that moment: 

You can hear Pharaoh's army clattering along just a few miles away, and at first you think that's what that deep, low rumbling is until you and your family realize the noise is coming from the sea itself! It begins to split in two until all that's left are a couple of unlucky fish left flopping on the ocean floor. The leader of your tribe yells, "Everyone go, but carefully! No pushing or shoving. God has made a way for us!" You begin to cross through the walls of water. You look to your right and see glints of light as a school of small fish swim by. And once everyone has made it across, the walls crash back down consuming your pursuers. Your face becomes warm and wet as tears of joy run down your cheeks.

This moment would mark the nation of Israel with a sense of Wonder for the rest of history. In fact, it stirred up so much wonder, that Jewish families continue to celebrate this miracle moment with a special holiday and celebration every year.

As we enter into this Christmas season, it can sometimes feel like our own wonder gets lost. Whether it's because of the pressure to do the most, spend the most, and have the most fun, or maybe you're entering in to this season having experienced some loss, or maybe you're simply not feeling that Christmas magic this year, I want to invite you to discover a sense of wonder that can transform not just your December, but quite literally, your entire life. Just like He worked a miracle for the Israelites, He can work a miracle in your life as well.

Over these 12 Days leading up to Christmas, we'll take a look at some miracle moments, ancient prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, found throughout scripture that have great significance to our own lives. In doing so, we'll find reasons along the way to experience some true awe in the person of Jesus Christ.

Declaration: Say this next statement out loud as a declaration of what you have learned today.

God worked miracles in the past, and He still does them today. Just like He has worked in the lives of others, He's working in my life too.

Pray:

God, you are mighty and powerful. Even when I can't see it, I know you are working behind the scenes. I pray that as I focus on you this Christmas, that you would renew a sense of wonder in me. I want to see the world through your eyes. Amen.