Messages from Heaven is a unique devotional for the Christmas season. Each of the 31 readings focuses on God’s words to the people involved in the first Christmas—through angelic messengers, dreams, and prophecies. Each one still speaks meaning and hope to us today, preparing our hearts to receive Him in our world.

By the time Jesus came, the Israelites were desperate for God’s promised Messiah to rescue them from tyranny. The Romans had invaded their homeland and made their lives miserable. They wanted a King to rescue them. Little did they know God would answer their pleas by sending them a baby, not the King they asked for, but the King they needed.

Some of the enemies who tyrannize us today are sickness, broken relationships, financial worries, work stress, family problems, and addictions. Sometimes it seems like God is silent as we beg and plead with Him to send us a rescuer. Like the people who prayed for the Messiah, we yearn for God’s rescue, but we’re not always prepared for how He answers.

The people in Jesus’ day expected a military leader to conquer their enemies and reclaim their land. If we’re honest, that’s what we want too. We want God to fight our battles and solve our problems. However, God has so much in mind for us than we can even imagine!

This Christmas, revel in the wonderfully personal messages God gave to the participants in Jesus’ first appearance—from the birth announcement to John the Baptist’s parents, to Jesus’ own words to Mary and Joseph when He was 12 years old. Each recipient longed to welcome God’s Son, and was willing to do whatever God asked them to, even when it brought misunderstanding and rejection. Let God’s Messages from Heaven speak to you, and prepare you for Jesus’ presence. Let Him lead you to fresh insights and astound you with His miraculous and surprising ways.