The Twelve Steps Adapted To the Christmas Story

Adapted from the Journey to Wholeness

The Christmas story is the story of an omnipotent God choosing to live among ordinary people. These people, like you and I, encountered Him in moments of uncertainty, weakness, and hope. Shepherds watched through the darkness of night. Mary said yes without knowing all the answers. Joseph chose faithfulness when the future felt unclear. Simeon and Anna waited for years, trusting God to keep His promises. All had past stories, doubts, and fears—but all were willing.

In this special December reflection, the Twelve Steps of Journey to Wholeness are reframed through the lens of the Christmas story, shaped by themes of hope, humility, repentance, and renewal. Together, they remind us that recovery is about making room for Christ to do His restoring work in every part of life.

This reflection invites readers to engage the Twelve Steps not only as ideas, but as a shared spiritual response to the Christmas story. Each step pairs a moment from the birth narrative of Jesus with a corresponding recovery principle, reminding us that God meets people in ordinary places and unfinished lives.

Facilitators may choose to use this reading in a variety of ways:

  • Read the first line of each step aloud, inviting the group to read the bolded response together

  • Pause after each step for silent reflection or brief sharing

  • Encourage participants to notice which step or character resonates most during this season

This is not meant to replace step work, but to deepen it—especially during Christmas season, when themes of waiting, hope, humility, and renewal are already present. As always, facilitators are encouraged to foster an environment of safety, grace, and respect, allowing God to lead the work of healing in His time.

As we remember that in Jesus Christ, God Himself came near to us, may this season invite us into deeper honesty, stronger community, and a renewed commitment to the journey of wholeness—one step, one day, one act of grace at a time.

God’s divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.

2 Peter: 1: 3, 4, Good News Translation

The Twelve Steps – An Advent Journey

Step One –  Honest About Our Need

The shepherds desired renewal, and kept watch through the darkness of night.
We admit that we are powerless over our compulsions, obsessions, and addictions, and that our lives had become unmanageable.

Step Two – Hope Announced

The angels overflowed with joy, proclaiming good news to those overcome by fear.
We come to believe that Jesus Christ is a Power greater than ourselves, able to restore our lives to wholeness.

Step Three – Willing Surrender

Mary chose submission, trusting in God’s word without knowing all the details.
We choose to place our will and our lives in God’s care.

Step Four – Obedient Self-Examination

Joseph chose integrity, acting faithfully when the future felt uncertain.
We make a fearless and honest inventory of our lives, choosing truth and integrity.

Step Five – Strength Through Vulnerability

Mary found strength through honest vulnerability with Elizabeth.
We admit to God, to ourselves, and to another person the true nature of our sins and struggles.

Step Six – Readiness for Change

The wise men left familiar paths to seek for greater promises.
We become ready for God to remove the character defects that no longer belong in our lives.

Step Seven – Learning Humility

Christ came in humility as a helpless babe.
We humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings and reshape us in His likeness.

Step Eight – Longing for Peace

Simeon patiently trusted in God’s ability to accomplish the impossible.
We become willing to seek peace by acknowledging those we have harmed.

Step Nine – Faithful Restoration

Anna looked beyond past hurts, and spoke of redemption to all who were waiting.
We make amends where possible, participating in God’s work of healing and restoration.

Step Ten – Living Awake

Some remained alert and did not miss what God was doing.
We continue to examine our lives daily and promptly admit when we were wrong.

Step Eleven – Growing in Daily Communion

Faithful worshipers eagerly sought God’s presence, and witnessed promises come to life.
We seek through prayer, Bible study, and reflection to deepen our daily relationship with Him and to know His will.

Step Twelve – Living the Good News

Those who encountered Christ were changed and shared the news.
We carry this message of hope to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Conclusion – Precious Promises

Each person in the Christmas story sought the Savior-Child until they found Him.
We practice each step, each day, in His promised strength, trusting His very great and precious promises, until His promised return.

The Journey to Wholeness is a 12-step program for recovery from harmful hurts, habits, and hangups — anchored in Christ — offered through the Adventist Recovery Ministries (ARMin), a ministry of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

Learn about ARMin
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