A WORD FOR TODAY, December 5, 2025

[Peggy Hoppes]

We pray you have been blessed by this daily devotion. If you received it from a friend, you can see other devotions and studies by visiting our website at www.awordfortoday.org. 

Blessings. Peg

www.awordfortoday.org

A WORD FOR TODAY, December 5, 2025

“Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. Yahweh’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them. His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful. He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

John Jacob Niles, folklorist and singer, was in Appalachia when he overheard a young girl singing a few lines from an old folk song. He took those words and expanded them into a song for Christmas in 1933. “I Wonder as I Wander” is a haunting melody, which draws the listener into the wonderment of the reason for Jesus' birth.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.

For poor on’ry people like you and like I...

I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow’s stall,

With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.

But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall,

And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,

A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,

Or all of God’s angels in heav’n for to sing,

He surely could have it, ‘cause he was the King.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.

For poor on’ry people like you and like I...

I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

It is so easy for us to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. I was thinking about my schedule for this week, all the things I have to get done, and I don’t know how I'm going to finish all my preparation Oh, I’m sure that a few things on that list can wait, but I’m sure I’ll push myself into a frenzy until it is all complete. I’ll forget to spend time in wonderment, considering all that Jesus gave up to be my Savior. He left heaven for a stable, the glory of God for the company of men. Isn’t this an amazing thing to ponder? Shouldn’t we stop during this Advent season to think on these things?

All the while, however, we are also reminded by Bing Crosby of the beauty of the season. His song “White Christmas” has been a favorite for generations. Yet, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, let’s remember that it is not just about the stuff we do or the stuff we buy or the stuff we make, it is about the people with whom we get to share those blessings. Bing once said, “Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white.’”

So, let us wonder as we wander through the holidays what it means to be a Christian. Who is Christ, what has He done, what is He doing and what will He do in the future? What did He give up for our sake? How can we follow in His footsteps? I don’t think that Jesus was thinking that our holiday schedules should be filled with things to do, but instead be filled with music as we sing His praise. Take time this advent to just wonder and wander, to commune with God in silence and prayer, praise and son, and then share God’s grace with the world.

A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday.  A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276. Like the page to receive the devotion through Facebook. For information and to access our archives, visit http://www.awordfortoday.org.