Christmas Devotion: An Ordinary “Yes” to an Extraordinary God
Bible Verse: Luke 2:25 — “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. he was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
Theme: Eagerly Waiting— Saying Yes to God’s Extraordinary Plan .
Date: December 24, 2025
Introduction: The Third Day of a Three-Day Christmas Devotion
Today we arrive at the third and final day of our Three Days of Christmas Devotion.
- On Day 1, we reflected on Eagerly Waiting — learning from Simeon that God honours a faithful heart in seasons of waiting.
- On Day 2, we explored Putting Your Hope in the Right Place — discovering that hope anchored in God’s faithfulness stands firm through every storm.
- And on this Day 3, we focus on Humbly Saying Yes to God.
Our simple theme is this: “An ordinary yes given to an extraordinary God is the beginning of a miracle.”
Christmas itself began with ordinary people saying yes — Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Anna, Simeon. Their obedience opened the doorway for God’s promises to unfold. Simeon’s story reminds us that one quiet act of faith can change not just a life but the world around it.
- The Power of a Simple Yes
Luke introduces Simeon with just a few words: “righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel.” His life might not have looked spectacular. He wasn’t a prophet like Isaiah, a ruler like David, or a priest like Zechariah. He was simply a man who walked in faith and responded to the Spirit’s prompting.
Then comes a defining moment: “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts” (Luke 2:27).
There’s the entire secret. Simeon said yes to the Holy Spirit’s quiet nudge.
He could have ignored it. He could have told himself, “It’s just another ordinary morning. I’ll go another time.” But his obedience to that small whisper positioned him for one of Scripture’s most sacred encounters — meeting the Messiah in the flesh. Every divine story begins with a simple yes. God’s extraordinary breakthroughs often arrive through our small acts of obedience. The miracle was not just that Jesus was in the temple; the miracle was that Simeon was there too — ready, willing, and attentive.
Your yes might seem insignificant — a yes to pray, to forgive, to show up, to trust again, or to follow God’s leading when you don’t understand. But when given to an extraordinary God, that yes becomes the intersection where heaven meets earth.
- The Obedience That Opens Eyes
Simeon’s faith allowed him to see what others missed. Many people entered the temple courts that day, but only Simeon recognized the Savior. When he took the child in his arms, he said, “My eyes have seen Your salvation.” Why did Simeon see what others didn’t? Because spiritual perception always follows spiritual obedience.
When you walk in obedience, your heart becomes tuned to God’s voice. The Spirit reveals divine things not to the curious but to the committed — those who say yes, even in uncertainty.
It’s easy to say yes when you know the outcome. But God often calls us to say yes before we understand — before we see results, before we feel ready, before we have clarity. Simeon’s yes came without detail or timeline, only trust.
If we wait to obey until everything makes sense, we’ll miss the miracle when it quietly walks by. But when we respond in faith — even trembling faith — God meets us in that obedience and reveals His glory in unexpected ways.
- Ordinary People, Extraordinary Encounters
At Christmas, God’s pattern is consistent: He works through ordinary lives surrendered to Him.
- Mary said yes to something impossible — and carried the Messiah.
- Joseph said yes despite his fears — and became protector of the Savior.
- Shepherds said yes to an angelic invitation — and became the first witnesses of grace.
- Anna said yes to lifelong prayer — and her old age became her ministry.
- Simeon said yes to the Spirit’s prompting — and his waiting was fulfilled with holy wonder.
Each story holds the same truth: What seems small and hidden on earth often echoes loudly in heaven.
Your obedience may feel unseen, but God never overlooks faithfulness. Every prayer whispered in the dark, every act of kindness, every choice to trust when hope seems thin — these are the ordinary yeses that shape extraordinary testimonies.
- The Reward of Saying Yes
What did Simeon gain by his yes? Peace. Pure, unshakeable peace. His words were simple yet profound: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” This peace wasn’t dependent on circumstances; it flowed from completed purpose. Simeon didn’t live to see the cross, the resurrection, or the spread of the gospel — yet holding Jesus in his arms was enough. His heart rested, not because life was perfect, but because he had witnessed God’s promise fulfilled.
That’s the reward of saying yes. When you obey God, your heart finds peace even before the circumstances change.
Simeon’s story reminds us that peace is not found in control, but in surrender. The miracle isn’t just that God’s plan comes to pass — it’s that our hearts are changed in the process.
- How One Yes Can Change Everything
When Simeon said yes to the Spirit’s leading, several miraculous things happened:
- His waiting found fulfilment. Years of expectation culminated in one divine encounter.
- Others were strengthened. His prophetic words encouraged Mary and Joseph, confirming that their child’s destiny was truly from God.
- Hope spread through witness. Simeon’s praise proclaimed salvation not just for Israel but for “all nations.” His yes rippled outward far beyond himself.
The same is true for you. Your obedience will always touch lives beyond your own. A quiet yes can inspire a household, a community, even generations after you. The miracle may start small, but when God breathes on it, its impact multiplies.
- Saying Yes in Your Christmas Season
Maybe this Christmas, God is asking you for a simple yes.
- A yes to forgive someone who hurt you.
- A yes to believe again after disappointment.
- A yes to serve, to reconcile, to step into something new.
- A yes to place your hope fully in Him, even when you don’t know what’s next.
Your yes might not make headlines, but heaven will notice. You never know which moment of obedience will become the beginning of your miracle.
An ordinary yes in the hands of an extraordinary God always carries divine purpose.
- Living the “Yes” Life
As our Three‑Day Christmas Devotion comes to its close, remember this rhythm we’ve walked through:
- Day 1: Eagerly Waiting — Trusting God through the silence.
- Day 2: Putting Hope in the Right Place — Anchoring your heart in God’s faithfulness.
- Day 3: Humbly Saying Yes — Letting obedience open the door to miracles.
These aren’t just three reflections for Christmas — they’re three lifelong truths. The Christian life is a continual journey of waiting, hoping, and saying yes again and again. And every yes deepens the miracle of God’s work within us.
Conclusion: The Yes That Changes Everything
An ordinary yes to an extraordinary God will always lead you into unexpected grace. Simeon’s yes changed his life — and through his testimony, continues to strengthen ours. The world measures greatness by achievement, but heaven measures greatness by surrender. Every soul that whispers “Yes, Lord, I’ll trust You” becomes part of the miracle God is writing. So, on this third day of Christmas, echo Simeon’s faith. Say yes to God again — fully, freely, faithfully. Lay down control, embrace trust, and watch as your yes becomes the birthplace of something extraordinary.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, may your heart echo Simeon’s words: “My eyes have seen Your salvation.”
Say yes to God again. Yes, to believing. Yes, to forgiving. Yes, to following. Yes, to letting His Spirit move freely in you.
Because one ordinary yes, given to an extraordinary God, still has the power to begin a miracle — even now.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for these three holy days of reflection. Thank You for Simeon, who waited, hoped, and obeyed. Teach us to do the same. On this Christmas Eve, help us to say our own yes to You — a yes of trust, surrender, and faith. May our obedience open the door for Your miracles and bring light to those around us. As we welcome Christmas Day, fill our hearts with peace and wonder, for in Jesus, Your promises are all fulfilled. In His name we pray, Amen.
God bless you abundantly.