Receiving the Gift of Grace

Christmas invites us to pause and remember the grace we have received through Jesus. Whether this season feels joyful or heavy, Christ offers grace that never runs out. John describes it as “grace upon grace”—a continual outpouring that meets us daily with forgiveness, mercy, and love we did not earn. Each layer of grace builds upon the last, reminding us that God’s generosity is not limited by our circumstances. In every season, His grace is sufficient.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
— John 1:16

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YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the fullness of grace you have given us through Jesus. Forgive me for the times I overlook or take for granted the grace I receive each day. Tonight, I receive again your grace upon grace—grace for my weaknesses, grace for my weariness, and grace for the days ahead. Let your grace fill my heart to overflowing, bringing peace where there is anxiety and hope where there is pain. Help me not only to receive your grace, but to reflect it to others in the way I love, speak, and serve.
In Jesus’ holy and precious name,
Amen.

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THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Where have you seen God’s grace at work in your life recently, even in small or unexpected ways?

2. Is there an area of your life where you are striving instead of resting in God’s grace? What would it look like to receive His grace there tonight?

3. Who might God be inviting you to extend grace to this season, just as you have freely received it?

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Life Audio.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
Thank you for tuning in to your Nightly Prayer, a
podcast designed to help you rest and connect with your
Father in Heaven as the day ends, God is ready
to meet you in this moment of peace. As you
settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor,
we'll encounter tonight's devotional Receiving the Gift of Grace, written

(00:30):
by Greg Grandchamp and read by your host, Brooke McLoughlin.
Tonight's scripture out of His fullness, we have all received
grace in place of grace already given John one sixteen

(00:56):
something to ponder Christmas. From most, it may be the
happiest time of the year, for others, perhaps the most difficult.
On whichever end of that spectrum you sit, the season
is a great time to consider the grace we have
been given through Jesus. Whatever joy you have or whatever

(01:17):
struggles you face, Jesus has given each of us abundant
grace beyond measure, and Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior,
is one of the best times to celebrate that grace.
Grace is a concept that absolutely transcends language barriers. It
goes far above and beyond culture or religious philosophies. The

(01:40):
word itself, grace, cries out forgiveness, kindness, and even unearned favor.
In his Gospel, John had just finished telling us in
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. In him was life, and
that life was the light of all mankind. The light

(02:03):
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,
and I might add, never will. Then John tells us
a few verses later, in verse sixteen, out of His fullness,
we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
The ESV says it this way, for from His fullness

(02:24):
we have received grace upon grace, grace upon grace. This
verse absolutely describes what we can expect to receive when
we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Grace upon grace,
grace that will be received on top of and above

(02:45):
and beyond the grace already given, Grace upon grace upon grace,
without end, a waterfall of grace. Paul put it this
way in Onirse Corinthians two nine. No eye has seen,
no no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him. We

(03:07):
cannot even imagine the grace that God has planned for us.
This is the essence of who Jesus is and what
he offers each of us. Each layer of grace builds
on and adds to the previous layer. Each and every
experience becomes an opportunity to receive and take joy in

(03:28):
more than we can possibly comprehend. As if God's grace
is already present and abundant, it multiplies. Each layer of
grace builds upon what came before, contributing to our growth
in our relationship as well as in our transformation as
disciples of Jesus. Regardless if this is a season for

(03:50):
you of joy or pain, God's abundant grace is an
invitation to experience His love in deeper and more profound ways.
For some, this message can be one that causes our
hearts to overflow with that grace, sharing it with someone else.
Perhaps Christmas offers a time to extend a similar kindness

(04:13):
to others, helping them to feel that grace, adding to
the grace already given for others. Perhaps the overflowing grace
helps heal a broken heart. Perhaps knowing God's grace is
with you can help you look at Christmas in a
different way, your loss, coupled with your understanding of the

(04:33):
grace offered by Jesus, perhaps could also help someone else
in a similar circumstance to you. Paul tells us in
Second Corinthians one three through four that God comforts us
in our affliction so that we may be able to
comfort those who are also in affliction. Whatever we might
be feeling, let us find some peace and joy in

(04:56):
simply knowing the abundant flow of God's endless grace. Your
nightly prayer, Heavenly Father, Sometimes it is so easy for
us to overlook the grace we receive every single day.
We thank you for the never ending flow of your
grace which we receive, that is already on top of

(05:18):
the grace we have already been given. Please let your
grace warm and fill my heart to overflowing. Help me, Father,
to celebrate this joyous season by pouring out your grace
to others. This I pray in Jesus Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Three things to meditate upon. Number One, start each day

(05:42):
with gratitude when you wake up. Thank God for another
day to serve him. Thank Him for letting his Holy
Spirit guide you and lead you on level ground Palm
one three ten two. Pay attention each day to your
interactions with others. Let your conversations be full of grace

(06:02):
and seasoned with salt Colossians four to six and number three.
Engage in some act of kindness this season. Help a
neighbor or volunteer somewhere at a local shelter or food bank.
Perhaps let God's grace upon grace overflow from your heart.
Give sacrificially of your time and your money. Malachi three ten.

Speaker 1 (06:32):
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