Discover the joy of Christmas:

Joy

For weeks, we’ve been preparing for Christmas with Advent Prayers, and now Christmas is a week away! Christmas is intended to be a joyous occasion, but how do you choose joy when the world is filled with hurt and hardship?

This week, get vivid reminders of the joy of Christmas with our special YouVersion Original Christmas Plan. If you haven’t begun the Christmas Challenge yet, this is a great way to join.

To help you get started, we’ve provided the first Plan day below:


Day 1: The Story Begins - What exactly is joy? To unpack it, let’s go back to when God created the world. Imagine you’ve just been brought to life by the breath of God, and as God pulls you up from the ground, He smiles at you. From then on, whenever He looks at you, His face lights up. Life’s perfect until one day, you do the only thing God swore you could never do, and because of this act of rebellion, you separate yourself from the One who knew you perfectly and loved you relentlessly. In an instant, what was meant to be eternal closeness with God becomes eternal separation from Him. That’s what happens in Genesis 1-3… but thankfully, it’s not the end of the story.

Continue Reading

Here’s how to make sure your charitable giving has the biggest impact this year.

Man on phone

This is personal.

Remember when you first realized that God actually loved you? That he wanted a relationship with you? Moments like those are why we’re so passionate about helping people connect with God.

I grew up in church, but I didn’t really know or love God. When my grandfather died, I felt deep sorrow and depression… and even thought about committing suicide. My friend sent me a link to Joshua 1:9. I decided to download the app because of that verse. I tried a devotion, which helped me understand God and led me closer to Him. One day I was reading in Psalms, and I felt Jesus calling me: this overwhelming, reckless love pursuing me. I prayed with my pastor, and a huge weight lifted. Jesus changed my life. Now I love the Lord and serve him daily. Thank You, Jesus!

NATHAN, ALABAMA, USA

When you give to YouVersion, you’re making an investment that has an eternal return: transformed lives.

Give

Woman on phone

This is historic.

Reading or listening to God’s Word has the power to change lives. We’re leveraging technology to help this generation become the most Bible-engaged in history. When you give to YouVersion, you help us get Scripture to more people than ever, in places like India, Poland, Guatemala, and Nigeria. People like Hazel:

I had been bullied for years, and I was dealing with a heartbreak. I didn’t want to be left alone with my thoughts. One day I opened YouVersion and read the Verse of the Day. It was the perfect word of encouragement, so it became a habit. Every day I would start with Verse of the Day, then read the chapter the verse came from, then find myself in the middle of a story. I watched David remove Saul’s armor and pick up his own slingshot. I walked through the palace with Esther. I wept with Hannah. I could see myself in their imperfections and flaws. God used YouVersion to make His word come alive to me. YouVersion has changed my life, from the Verse of the Day to Plans.

HAZEL, NIGERIA, AFRICA

What would happen if every person on earth could instantly engage with God’s Word in their own language? Let’s find out, together.

Give

Woman texting on phone

This is what matters.

All over the world, more and more people are turning to God’s Word to hear what He wants to say to them. When you give to YouVersion, you’re helping us connect them with Him. Every one of those people has a name, has a story. Like Nathan. Like Hazel. Like Jenny:

Things were not good in my marriage. I was on a downward spiral, at the beginning of an emotional affair. I gathered the courage to send him ‘the’ text: the one that would change our relationship from friends to lines-being-crossed. I was terrified, typing what I knew could end my marriage. But the Holy Spirit was fighting for me. The word TEMPTATION flashed before my eyes. I didn’t know what to do, so I pulled up YouVersion and typed ‘temptation’ in the search field. As I read every verse the app showed me, the tears fell. I called on Jesus’ name, and the devil fled. I erased that text and ended the conversation. If I had not had the Bible App that day, I don’t know what would have happened. Thank you for always having His word so close!

JENNY, COLORADO, USA*

In 2008, we launched YouVersion with just 15 Bibles, in two languages. Now, thanks to the generosity of visionary partners — and the financial support of people just like you — we’re privileged to offer more than 2,000 versions, with content in over 1,300 languages.

Don’t miss this.

Give

FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email


Notes

* Name and location changed, to protect privacy.

An Advent Prayer on Joy

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:10-11 - Verse Image

This week’s Advent theme is joy: the praise-filled assurance that God is in control and working everything out for our good and His glory.

Take a moment to reflect on God’s goodness and fix your heart on Jesus with this prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the joy that entered the world when Jesus was born.
Thank you for becoming God with us.
Lord, sometimes it’s difficult to live joyfully, especially in difficult or busy seasons.
Please purify our hearts this week and remind us that You’re in control.
Help us to consider it joy when we experience trials of any kind because we know You’re creating something beautiful and eternal.
As we fix our eyes and hearts on You, fill our souls with renewed strength, courage, and hope.
Lord, you are always worthy of being praised – and we want to worship You!
Amen


Start a Christmas or Advent Plan

FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

DownloadDownload Image

This Advent Prayer is the third in a series of four.
Week 1 – An Advent Prayer on Hope
Week 2 – An Advent Prayer on Peace
Week 3 – An Advent Prayer on Joy
Week 4 – An Advent Prayer on Love

Complete a Christmas or Advent Plan…

2019 Christmas Challenge Badge

Unwrap the 2019 Christmas Challenge Badge!

The countdown to Christmas has begun! This time of year, holiday commitments can easily distract us from seeking intimacy with Immanuel, “God with us.” That’s why we created the Christmas Challenge: to reflect on the reason we celebrate this season.

Complete any Christmas or Advent Plan between now and December 31, and you’ll earn our 2019 Christmas Challenge Badge! Start any Plan below or, if you’re already doing a Christmas or Advent Plan, just keep going.

Merry & Bright: Celebrating Christmas Every Day
The Greatest Gift
All Is Calm: Receiving Jesus' Rest This Christmas
The Gift
The Characters of Christmas
A Christmas Devotional
God With Us
10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year

See More Christmas Plans

Christmas and Advent Plans 2021
Get Ready for Christmas with an Advent Bible Plan
An Advent Prayer on Hope

Christmas and Advent Plans 2021
Get Ready for Christmas with an Advent Bible Plan
An Advent Prayer on Hope

An Advent Prayer on Peace

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. - Matthew 12:18 - Verse Image

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Your Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Thank You for you caring for us, and thank You for promising to give us your peace.
Please guard our hearts and minds with Your peace.
You know the things that have been weighing us down with worry, anxiety, or fear.
Lord, please help us fix our minds on you instead, and on your Spirit. Thank You for promising to bring us life and peace.
We can lie down and sleep, Lord, because You make us safe.
Amen


Start a Christmas or Advent Plan

FacebookShare on Facebook

TwitterShare on Twitter

EmailShare via Email

DownloadDownload Image

This Advent Prayer is the second in a series of four.
Week 1 – An Advent Prayer on Hope
Week 2 – An Advent Prayer on Peace
Week 3 – An Advent Prayer on Joy
Week 4 – An Advent Prayer on Love