First Family Church Advent Devotionals
What is Advent? Advent is the four week period leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day and ending on Christmas Day. This year, Advent begins on November 28, 2010. The word “advent” means “coming.” The birth of Jesus Christ was the first Advent, and we, the followers of Jesus, are awaiting his return—the second Advent. The season of Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation and longing. The first week of Advent is symbolized by hope; the second by peace; the third by joy; and the fourth by love. We encourage you to follow along with these daily devotionals, individually or as a family, for the next 30 days. As we rush to prepare for festivities, decorate our homes and buy gifts, let’s not neglect the preparation of our hearts in the anticipation of the real reason for the season—Jesus!
Sunday, November 28 Written by Randy Hentzel
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25
HOPE - week 1 -
I was in Haiti two months after the earthquake this spring. It was the most difficult experience of my life. Amidst all the devastation, destruction, death and despair I noticed colorful shacks that dotted the grey and black landscape. In just a short time vendors set up these new, clean and bright spots to offer hope to the survivors of this heart wrenching tragedy. But it was a false hope. These vendors were selling lotto tickets—and the people were buying them, people who had lost their homes, family, and friends, and some even an arm or a leg. How could they come up with the money? Why choose a lotto ticket rather than food? Most were living in huts smaller than a refrigerator box along the roads or in the fields. It became evident, that in this time of basic survival, they needed motivation to continue. They needed hope, but hope that is seen is no hope at all. We were there to help when nearly everyone was disoriented, confused and on the edge of death. The road we traveled weaved between collapsed buildings, piles of rubble and groups of makeshift homes. What could we truly offer that would make a difference? Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is very difficult to understand how God came to earth to take on flesh, revealed Himself to us through His Son, and then sacrificed His life to atone for our sins. Yet, the power of that very gospel’s redemptive story is this—I can surrender my life and all of its shortcomings, pain, mistakes, sins, suffering and weaknesses and receive eternal life in return. We are saved when we acknowledge our need for a Savior and recognize Christ’s sacrifice as the only sufficient payment for our sins—past, present and future. Truly, it is in repentance to and faith in Jesus that we find hope. While we are saved in this hope that is unseen, we do find evidence of His love through personal time in the Bible and in prayer. We receive guidance, comfort, strength and peace. We start to recognize our ability to live selflessly rather than selfishly. I see the rest of the world differently after returning from Haiti. The discovery is that the rest of the world is really not that different. People are still disoriented, confused and on the edge of death, just hiding it better. Frankly, everyone needs hope, not just Haitians. What can you offer to people like this? Give them the real hope of Jesus!
hope
Monday, November 29
Tuesday, November 30
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19, 20
Written by Sheila Kelly
HOPE - It’s the feeling you get inside when you watch a spectacular sunrise. With each nuance of color, you know something beautiful is about to happen and so you watch and wait. The softest yellow, the first blush of pink, then apricot and then the brilliant fingers of crimson -- all just a prelude of the sun bursting forth in all it’s glory! Hope is like that. It can bubble up inside when we remember something that has been promised. When Jesus came, He brought us the hope of His promises. God’s Word says “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” ( Jer. 31:3); “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” ( Matt. 11:28); “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it,” (Luke 9:24); “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” (John 8:36); “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me… I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-3) Meditate on God’s promises, especially when your circumstances seem cloudy or stormy. We don’t have to feel hopeless because of failed yesterdays. We have hope through Christ -- for this day. Lamentations 3:21-23 says, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” His working through us is like the beautiful beginning of each new day. As joy and peace spread through your heart and mind, it’s like each new color of the early morning sky—overflowing with hope just as the sun bursts forth in glorious day.
hope
Written by Keith Fortenberry
God has gone the extra mile in seeing that we have strong encouragement to hold fast to our hope in him. He wants us to be encouraged and have the assurance that all his promises will come true for us, and that our future is firmly in his hand for our good. He not only makes promises to his children, but he takes an oath and swears that he will bless them. He swears by the highest and most precious reality in the universe, himself (v. 13). There are two things, not just one—a promise and an oath—that secure our hope. Verse 18 says that he took an oath “so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” In other words, he wants us to have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope he has sworn will be ours. The promise and the oath are meant to give us the deep confidence that we will inherit all that he promises us in Jesus. He wants us to experientially “hold fast to” it. What does it mean to be told that God has secured a future for us with a promise and oath and that we are to “hold fast to” it? What does “hold fast to” mean in real life experience? It means you can bank on that hope. Trust in it. Feel secure in it. Be satisfied with it. Long for it. Expect it. The writer of Hebrews turns from the promise and the oath to give us another image that he hopes will stick in our minds and give us solid assurance about our future. The image is an anchor. What is the anchor in this image? It says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope…” But let’s be precise. You can use the word “hope” in at least three ways: 1) a subjective feeling or conviction in the soul (“I hope to go to heaven.”). 2) A future objective reality that you hope for (“Heaven is my hope.”). 3) A person or event that makes your confidence sure (“Jesus’ death is my only hope of escaping judgment.”). Which of these three is meant in verse 19? The answer is given in the preceding verse 18. It says, “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” The hope is something “set before us.” It is the future objective reality that we hope for. It is heaven and the blessing promised in verse 14 and the sum of all the good that God has sworn to be for us in Jesus. This is the anchor of verse 19 which continues from verse 18: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.” In other words: What anchors our soul is not our subjective confidence, but the sure objective reality that God has promised. This is our anchor. And this is what we are to lay hold of. So the writer’s point is that what we are hoping for is absolutely sure. He uses three descriptions of the anchor to stress this. In verse 19b he calls the anchor (the hope), “a (1) sure and (2) steadfast and (3) a hope that enters the inner place behind the curtain.” The anchor is sure, certain and safe. The anchor is steadfast, firm and reliable. The anchor is lodged within the veil. This advent season may your anchor be in the sure objective reality that God has promised, Jesus Christ.
hope
Wednesday, December 1 Written by Angela Squires
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” (Titus 2:11-13) If ever there is a passage of Scripture that captures and summarizes what it means to live as one who has hope, this is it. I know as well as anyone that the pressures and the temptations of this life are enough to make a person short-sighted. In America, where life is easy and comfort is king, we so often fail to look past the present. We succumb to choosing an earthly and instant gratification instead of stopping to consider eternity; and in doing so, we have forgotten to consider Jesus—and the hope that we have in Him. Jesus, in His life, death, and resurrection—Jesus, in His anticipated return—is our only hope for salvation and eternal life. 1 Peter 1:3-4a says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away.” Because of what Jesus did in His first coming—died and rose again—salvation has been made available to all who will believe. Although we are saved the instant we put our faith in Jesus Christ, our salvation will not be fully realized until the appearing of Jesus at His Second Coming. This, the completion of our salvation at the return of our great God and Savior, is our “inheritance” and our “blessed hope.” Since Jesus is coming again at an hour you do not know, “what sort of [person] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11b)? Are you living in such a way that reflects the hope that you have in Jesus Christ? God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die that I might live; and thank You for the hope that I have as I look for His return. Please continue to work in me as I strive to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age while looking to the age to come.
hope
Thursday, december 2 Written by Nate Pritchard
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-24 I must confess to you, this time of year is pretty rough. Year after year I have found myself running the holiday rat race with parties to attend, presents to wrap, and relatives to endure. On top of those things work seems busier, the weather is colder, and people seem snottier. I soon find that my “Christmas Cheer” comes out more like a low exhausted groan. My heart becomes full of frustration, greed, covetousness, and selfishness. All these external pressures and internal failures threaten to overwhelm me and leave me without hope. Sometimes, it just seems like too much. But God is too great for that. He loves me far too much to let me wallow for long. In his compassion, he has given me a new start each and every day. His compassion and love will never run out. Each new day through Jesus I can resist sin because it no longer holds me as its slave. Each new day I no longer need to be conformed to this world and its pressures because Christ has overcome the world. He has given me a brand new day. So this Christmas season, let’s be thankful our bad days can only last a day. Because then God’s compassion is renewed and we are given a brand new day with absolutely everything we need for that day. Even the worst of days can be filled with hope—for His brand new day. Great is His faithfulness!
hope
friday, December 3
saturday, december 4
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1-2
“In His name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21
Written by Chris Eller
Our first son was born in the month of January. It was a bitterly cold month, and we were new parents. About three weeks into his little life, the strain and pressures of parenthood started to overwhelm us. We worried every time he moved (or didn’t move) in the middle of the night. Our sleep was interrupted every two or three hours by his hungry cry. I cannot describe to you the sense of despair I felt when I would hear him start to whimper at 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. My wife suffered with postpartum depression, and I felt like life would never be the same again. To make matters worse, our little boy suffered with “pyloric stenosis,” which is the fancy label. We understood it much better when the doctor simply said the words “projectile vomiting.” In short, this little seven pound bundle of nothing could shoot a stream of vomit six feet across the room plastering the wall. In an effort to share the load, my wife and I agreed to take turns with the night-time feedings. I would take the 11:00 p.m. feeding, she would take the 2:00 a.m. feeding, and I would take the 5:00 a.m. feeding. Have you ever noticed how much more difficult something is in the middle of the night? Sickness seems worse, loneliness intensifies, fear can overwhelm us. In the darkest hour, life feels hopeless. A funny thing happened, however, during those cold January nights in 1994—one night I was sitting in our little boy’s room quietly rocking him and feeding him his bottle. The shades to the window were open that night, and I stared out at a frozen landscape. I could see soft plumes of gray smoke rising from the furnace chimneys on the houses around us. Beyond these little wisps of smoke, there were no signs of life. Suddenly, across the street from our house, I saw the most amazing thing—a light turned on in our neighbor’s house. It was the light in their kitchen, and he was there making his first pot of coffee for the day. This sounds crazy to say now, almost 17 years later, but I felt a sense of hope rush over me. I wasn’t alone. The next morning, as I repeated the 5:00 a.m. feeding, I sat in the chair watching intently for the light over my neighbor’s kitchen sink. Sure enough, as regular as the morning sun, that light turned on. Over the years, I often thought of that simple illustration of hope. For centuries creation waited in darkness. The close fellowship with the Creator had long been severed in the garden, and judgment fell on all living beings. Yet, God spoke words of hope through His prophets and His Word. Isaiah, for example, declared majestically, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1-2). It is true: at the darkest hour, even a glimmer of light brings hope. Are you traveling through a dark valley right now? Turn to the Light of Jesus, believe in Him and He will give you hope. Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your son, Jesus Christ to be the light of the world.
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Written by Keith Ryan
In early November, signs that Christmas is approaching can be seen everywhere. Stores set up their Christmas displays, people begin hanging lights, and pine trees pop up in living rooms across the nation. One would think that with all this focus on Christmas, everyone must be filled with the hope that Jesus brought to the world. Too often though, family parties, decorations, gifts and vacations take center stage; becoming the main focus. The word hope is only used in the context of “I hope I get that new toy from Santa!” Many have lost sight of the reason for the celebration, the gift of hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ. Before the birth of our savior, God was hidden from the people behind a veil in a temple; accessible only to the highest priests. Worshippers had to sit and wonder if their sacrifices were acceptable. They doubted their salvation; they had no hope. All that changed when a small child was born to a virgin mother. That birth was the first of many events that would lead to the ultimate gift from God, our salvation. With salvation we now have hope, made possible through Jesus Christ. So, what will you do with the gift of hope that God has given to you? Will you open it? Will you share the story of your gift with others? Unlike that new toy, this gift is never sold out and you don’t need to wait until Christmas morning to open it.
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Sunday, DECEMBER 5 Written by Ellen Diehl
“For unto us a Child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
PEACE - week 2 -
Rounding the corner towards my home, I passed by numerous holiday displays of twinkling Santas, reindeer and snow men. After a day at work, I was weary from the complaints about the busy season, who to buy for, and hearing about the cost of “having Christmas.” How did it ever get to this? I asked myself. Was this what God meant when He sent our Savior to earth? Where was the joy? What happened to the peace the Scriptures spoke of? Did anyone remember what this whole celebration was all about?? And then, I saw it—the gentle reminder of the true Christmas. Nestled at the back of the yard, tucked among the trees and snow mounds sat the nativity scene our family had set up since our youngest was about 6 years old. While years had faded the display, and left it a bit tacky, I found myself drawn to it still. Memories fleeted by, not only of the family setting it up every year, but beyond that... memories of a cold stable, where wise men and shepherds came to worship the Prince of Peace. As I stopped the car in front of it, I remembered the eternal proclamation: For unto us a Child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This was Christmas… wrapped in a roughly cut cloth, and nestled in the arms of a loving mother, who took a step of faithful obedience, and found her Savior. Somehow, the hassles of the season melted away, as I sat in my idling car, worshiping, not the plastic form before me, but the real, living, breathing, Prince of Peace. Somehow, it no longer mattered what others thought of the season. It only mattered that my heart was ready to receive the greatest Gift of all time. My Christmas gift would last forever. My Christmas gift would be opened every day, through good and bad days, joys and sorrows. And best of all, my Christmas gift could be shared with those around me. My Christmas gift? Everlasting Peace. It is a gift that can be yours also. Is the Prince of Peace guiding your Holiday Season? Let Him be the gift that never leaves you and never forsakes you. Let Him be your Peace today.
PEACE 13
Monday, dECEMBER 6
Tuesday, dECEMBER 7
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14
As I meditate on this verse, I am struck by the fact that Jesus did not promise to remove the troubles and conflicts in this world, but rather he promised to give us peace in the midst of troubles. I often think of peace in terms of “absence of conflict,” but Jesus tells us that his peace is available even when there is conflict all around us. This promise comforts me, especially during the month of December. The stress of a busy schedule, finding gifts, expectations of others, family conflict, and hosting or traveling responsibilities threaten to move my focus away from Christ. However, all the trials that arise during this time of year cannot steal the authentic peace that Jesus gives. My next question is, “How do I access this peace from Christ?” Jesus promises peace, but why don’t I always sense peace in my soul? I found the answer in Philippians 4:6-7:
I’ve often wondered if the shepherds living out in the fields were truly able to comprehend this magnificent proclamation. How did they interpret the “peace” that the heavenly host spoke of? Did they see it as a proclamation that Roman rule would finally come to an end? Perhaps they thought that the physical and mental stresses of their daily occupation would be removed, and life would be more calm and tranquil. Whatever their interpretation, it is difficult to believe that they truly understood the long-term ramifications of this proclamation. The “peace” that the angels spoke of would come years later on the cross. It would be then that the baby born in Bethlehem would pay the price for the world’s sin and open the door for all to find peace with God. This leads me to ask the question: When we think of peace with God, do we hold a short-term or long-term perspective? Though our hope may be that God will provide tranquility to our daily lives (or tranquility during the Stressmas season!), we would be wise to realize that it is a longer term tranquility that we should desire. The peace in knowing that because of Christ’s birth and death, we have the awesome opportunity to be forgiven for our sins and spend eternity with God. So as the stresses of the season (or our daily lives) look to steal our joy, remember the long-term peace that God provides to us through his Son. If we can keep that perspective, the short-term struggles will pale in comparison to what we have yet to enjoy.
Written by Aaron & Alice Crabb
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” How do I usually handle the trials of the holiday season? My natural response is to fret and worry—about finding the right gifts, planning the perfect meal, or anticipating travel with a car load of kids and gifts over snowy roads. Is there a better way? I believe so. Jesus will give us peace if we respond to him by turning these trials and worries into heartfelt prayers laced with thanksgiving. I am going to endeavor this Christmas season to pray about the trials instead of simply worrying about them. I encourage you to resist the temptation to be anxious this season and instead, lay your concerns at the feet of the One who has overcome the world. Take some time right now to pray through the concerns that threaten to steal your peace during the weeks ahead.
PEACE 14
Written by Erich & Betty Baker
PEACE 15
Wednesday, dECEMBER 8
Thursday, dECEMBER 9
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Written by Lisa Naert
Written by Lisa Behrends
When you think of peace, do you first think of world peace? The absence of anger, hatred, fighting, violence? Instead, think for a moment about an internal peace. Do you feel a peace within your heart? Or is there turmoil in your life that is blocking you from Christ’s Peace? Are you worried over job losses and financial hardships? Are you struggling to maintain healthy, loving relationships? Do you fear the results of recent medical tests and treatments? Are you grieving over the loss of a loved one? Is the hustle and bustle of your daily life getting you down? We all deal with hardships that keep us from focusing on Christ and feeling his peace. As Christmas approaches, do you long for peace in your life? Do you long to cast your cares aside so that you can focus on the true meaning of Christmas? But how do you do this? Scripture tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). Pray to the Lord and cast all your cares upon him. In turn, he will give you a peace that you cannot even comprehend, that can only come from Christ. The peace to which this refers is the peace we have in the coming of Christ Jesus, who gave his own life as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we can spend an eternity with Him in heaven. So, this Christmas, cast all your cares upon Jesus, thank God for sending his son, and rest in Christ, our Prince of Peace.
This day? Are you sure? Maybe last Sunday when I was in the presence of God with my brothers and sisters in Christ singing praise songs and hearing from the Word of God. But today the children are screaming, my spouse is overworked, finances are tight, and my body is tired. Yet I know it’s true. God made this day. He is skillful, crafty, wise, and meticulous. Like snowflakes and people, no two days are the same. So what about today? As the forecast is often hard to predict, so is our every day life. Typically, the agenda we have “planned out” never goes accordingly. Much of what the day holds is out of my control. So here it is—another day. I did nothing to deserve it. I just woke up this morning and here it is. Just like Christmas morning when I wake up to find a present waiting for me, a brand new day. Today is a gift. And it has my name on the tag. This present from God is filled with blessings. Some difficulties and challenges tailored to fit my size, but nothing that God is not already aware of. HE isn’t surprised! This day comes equipped with opportunities to make the most of what HE has given me. I can be joyful and praise God for the blessings. After all, I am blessed to be a blessing, so that HE in turn is blessed! I can even find peace during those difficult times and challenges. I can prove my faithfulness to God and trust in Him. God can show up anywhere. This very day, the circumstances of any given moment could suddenly be a divine appointment with the Creator. What we think are interruptions in our daily schedule are often opportunities. That makes this day very special indeed. Here it is, this day God has made for me. For all I know, it could be my last. So, let’s rejoice in every day we are given and find peace in our Savior Jesus Christ.
PEACE 16
PEACE 17
Friday, dECEMBER 10
Saturday, dECEMBER 11
Written by Amanda Pitts
Written by Sue Czizek & MaryAnn Czizek
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” Colossians 3:15
“I’m pregnant.” “What?! How can this be? We are only engaged? We have not been together??” Can you imagine the thoughts and emotions that ran through Joseph’s mind, as he learned that his bride to be was with child? Knowing that they had not yet been together, there was only one explanation. I am sure he felt all sorts of emotions… confusion, anger, frustration, sadness, betrayal. All of which are no where near to the feeling of peace. However, the Bible says that he did not want to shame Mary publicly, so he was going to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:20-21 says that while Joseph thought about these things, an angel came to him in his dreams. “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” In the depths of Joseph’s despair and confusion, God brought him peace. God delivered him a message, which offered an answer for him to rest in. God let Joseph know that He was in control, and all was according to what God had already planned. God was responsible for bringing peace to Joseph’s life, in the midst of a circumstance, that from a human standpoint was anything but peaceful. It is important to note that Joseph trusted God. He chose not to look at it from an earthly standpoint, but to trust that God had a plan and a purpose. As believers, we have access to complete peace through the Holy Spirit—it is one of the fruits that should be present in our lives. You see, peace is not the evidence of a life without stress, problems, mishaps or changes in our plans. It is the evidence of a real relationship with the God of the universe, whose plan to save us from eternal death included the supernatural birth of his Son. A birth, that first appeared to Joseph, as a very confusing, frustrating, un-peaceful situation, until God provided peace for Joseph. Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.” When we experience anxiety and worry, we need to ask ourselves if our minds are steadfast on the Lord. The word steadfast means firmly fixed, immovable, unwavering, firm in belief. Praise the Lord he is our Rock, our support, our foundation and refuge. In Him we can trust! We know this because Jesus told us. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Jesus promises us peace! Jesus also said, in John 16:33, “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” We will have trouble in this world. We live in a fallen world. We will have a busy Christmas season, we may have ordered gifts that won’t arrive on time for Christmas day, and the turkey dinner might not turn out like we hoped. We may experience sickness during the holidays, a job loss, or a myriad of other things. But whatever happens that causes our hearts to race, our blood pressure to rise, stress to start mounting, and the hustle and bustle of the season, we can choose peace, for we are followers of the Prince of Peace. We can’t let our circumstances rob us of a truly peaceful Christmas. So fix your mind on the Lord this Christmas. Let Him rein over all the distractions and chaos that get in the way of peace. Remember: Know Jesus, know Peace. No Jesus, no Peace.
PEACE 18
In this Christmas season, what rules in your heart? Are you wrapped up in doing what the world wants you to do, or are you letting Christ rule your daily life? Whatever rules your heart will directly affect your actions toward others. Allow God to lead you in your actions with others; He is the God of Peace. When Christ’s peace is in our lives, we can go about our lives, even with a chaotic schedule, knowing God is in control. As members of the Body of Christ, let us choose to let peace rule in our lives this Christmas season.
PEACE 19
Sunday, DECEMBER 12 Written by Shawn Cumming
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to ALL people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
JOY - week 3 -
In August of this year, after a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness during a fishing trip, four of the nine people on board were spared the instant death of the others and were stranded, all alone. They knew, in that vast landscape, and in that weather, they may not live long. They were desperate and lost. Finally, after many hours trapped inside the plane, they heard the unmistakable sound of a search craft flying directly over them. When asked what it felt like when he heard the search plane for the first time, former NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe said “It was elation, it was unbelievable. We were saved!” They were overJOYed because they had been SAVED from a horrible fate. Let’s do an exercise to better evaluate the sources our own joyful experiences. The front of the Pottery Barn catalog says “Joy is celebrating with friends and family.” Think about what will bring you “joy” this Christmas, then start to imagine taking away those things one by one. Take away the decorations (Christmas tree, lights, etc.). Take away the family gatherings. Take away the gifts. Take away the fudge, egg eggnog, and treeshaped sugar cookies. Take away that infectious excitement your children exude that takes you back to your own childhood. Take away the candle light services and Christmas pageants. Take away the roof over your head. Take away your whole family. What do you have left? Do you have anything left that lifts your spirit? But wait—Imagine a condition that is inconceivably worse. Imagine that your salvation through Christ had been taken away. Oh my! How desperate and lost and DOOMED we would be! Yet, we are saved! Hallelujah! Recall once more the joyful exaltation of Elizabeth when she exclaimed, after hearing from Mary, “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe (John the Baptist) leaped in my womb for JOY!” (Luke 1:44) If this baby, a whole three months from being full term, knew that the Savior had come and rejoiced, how much more can we as adults having knowledge of all this that has come, rejoice? So go forth and jump for JOY, “for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.” Luke 19:10
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MONday, dECEMBER 13
TUESday, dECEMBER 14
“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.” Luke 1:14
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24
Written by Dave & Joyce Hansen
Many this Christmas season will have a variety of reasons why they may not feel the joy of Christmas. Unemployment, financial strain, family dysfunction, health issues… the list can go on and on. However, we have to let our reasons and society’s reasons for having no joy go. We have to capture all things that steal our joy and allow the light of our Lord to begin to shine in our heart. Certainly present trials, situations, and issues may weigh us down to the point of crushing us and giving us little or no hope. Yet, as Christians, we know there is a power much greater than all of our problems and trials. The power of Christ’s joy is an invincible power, and the wise choice to make. A good friend of ours sums it up humorously, “It is up to me to choose joy in life. Once I chose not to… I didn’t like that… so I am choosing not to go there again.” The power of Christ’s joy cannot be put down, lessened, snuffed out, or erased. The power of the joy of Christmas can provide a future of blessings that are hard for us to even imagine. The gifts, trappings, and trimmings of Christmas may never be what you might want or expect, yet the joy of kneeling down next to Him in the manger, the joy of holding Him next to your heart… that joy is eternal and that joy is His gift to you. This Christmas, choose joy!
JOY 22
Written by Greg Davidson
Joy to the world! Our Lord and Savior is come! We were created by God to worship Him and enjoy Him forever. We tend to connect the presence of joy with external influences as we do with the many “feel good” emotions. Unfortunately for the world, “external influences” are the only place where a person will be able to find joy. This joy will always be short lived. Not true for the Christian. For the person who knows Jesus Christ as their Savior, joy will be a matter of faith and not of external, worldly influence. The consequence of it will be eternal. We will know joy forever. Despite the negative, external circumstances that surround our lives, we as Christians are overfilled with joy knowing that we are saved, (1 Peter 1:8; John 5:24). Although some external circumstances of our lives require our being responsible to work through difficult situations, God’s children know that He is with us, (Romans 8:38-39; Matthew 28:19-20). Our Lord will not forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5). Despite influences in general that want us to doubt God’s Word, we as believers have joy because we know that our LORD God can not lie (Titus 1:2). The joy that Christians experience, the joy that is everlasting that cannot be taken away from those of “the way” (Acts 9:2) is joy that proceeds from being controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. This control can only be had if one is saved. The Bible is clear: if you place your trust in the person of Jesus Christ, that He died for you paying the penalty of your sin, was buried three days and afterward rose again and now is at the right hand of the throne of God in heaven, He will forgive you and give you eternal life (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 15:1-5). As this season passes, please do not let the joy that our LORD God has brought to you pass with it. Your joy was eternally realized when you said, “Yes, Lord, I believe.” So please share with the lost how God saved you. God has given you the words, His Words to communicate to the lost. God desires to bring others into His kingdom, others that will yield their lives to the control of His Spirit. You have the privilege to offer eternal joy!
JOY 23
wednesday, dECEMBER 15
Thursday, dECEMBER 16
“…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17
The Cost of Joy If happiness is your desire, it is not hard to obtain. Spend a little money, collect a few things, surround yourself with some really cool stuff and you will be a happy camper. It worked for the king in Ecclesiastes 2. He was livin’ large and it lasted for… well… not very long. After all was said and done, he concluded that happiness, as an objective, was meaningless! It was all about him. There is a way to experience a lasting joy so rich that it is hard to find words to describe it. Jesus gives us a perfect example in Hebrews 12:2 “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Do you see the difference? Joy wasn’t His objective; his objective was obedience to His Father’s will—death on the cross; the ultimate selfless act! Joy was the result of His sacrifice. It was His reward. You see, joy comes from serving others. This principle is laid out in Proverbs 11:25 “…one who refreshes will himself be refreshed.” Giving of yourself for the benefit of others will bring joy to the giver. Give it a try! As the Christmas season approaches, look for ways to serve others. Look for opportunities to give your time to someone in need. Ease somebody’s financial burden. Use the resources God has given you to benefit others. Yes, serving will cost you something. You will have to make sacrifices, but there is a wonderful return for your investment. Genuine sacrifice brings genuine joy. Merry Christmas!
Joy is sought after by all. Everyone is in search of joy and contentment of the heart. The problem is this: Joy is unattainable through human effort. Happiness, however, is a man-made product. But it seems to fade. It doesn’t last. We have to constantly feed happiness over and over again to sustain it. In fact, our search for happiness is often the demise of many into a sinful and lustful life. Our fix, or focus, is set on what makes us happy instead of understanding what true joy is, joy that makes God happy. Some search for joy/happiness through a bottle, while others may seek joy/happiness through sexual addictions, while still others seek to satisfy their peers by doing anything they’re asked just to belong. Some steal, cheat, gamble, lie, flirt, dress, drive, and play for joy/happiness. Others mask happiness by giving to charity. Still others may seek joy/happiness by running or moving far away from their environment like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-31. Worse yet are those who seek joy/happiness through the means of false spirituality. This is a dangerous place to be. You can’t trick God by being spiritually washed on the outside and dead on the inside (Mathew 23:27). God knows the difference and so do people. Joy, on the other hand, sustains itself. Joy is complete. It needs no taking care of. It needs no feeding, watering, walking, pruning, mowing, spoiling, scooping, changing, driving, or giving of my time to live my life in a way that demands more and more of me. Joy needs nothing and controls nothing. Joy is a gift from God. It is the fruit of the Spirit. So sit back, relax and let God be God. He wants you, as his child, to live life to the fullest. This includes enjoying all the gifts He has given to you. One of them being JOY! True biblical joy can only be found in salvation, the gift of God, Romans 6:20-23. True joy will never be found or stumbled upon. True joy can only come from God. So guard your joy with all your heart. It is a precious gift. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus this season and allow no room for the devil to steal your joy! Being identified with Christ is the true mark of salvation and the devil is coming after you. So stand up and let the world know you belong to Jesus! Let the enemy come, for he who is in us is stronger than he who is in the world 1 John 4:4.
JOY 24
JOY 25
Written by Brad Miller
Written by Bob McConnell
friday, dECEMBER 17
saturday, dECEMBER 18
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.” 2 John vs. 4
“After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2:9-10
Written by Jody Halsted
Written by Kris Parlee
2 John is a personal note, only 13 verses long, written to help Christians renew their commitment to God and expose false teachers. Christmas, while it has Christ in its name, has become a holiday focused on consumerism and materialism. As you prepare for the Holy-day, observe yourself. Are you walking in the truth, as children of God? Or are you worshipping false idols, indebting yourself to purchase insignificant items to show your love and overlooking the true joy of the season? The true joy of Christmas is not found in a gaily wrapped package or in a filled stocking; the joy of Christmas came to us as a tiny babe born in the most humbling of circumstances, the ultimate gift from our Father who loves everything about us. As you prepare your gifts and festivities this year, prepare also your heart to share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Great joy is what the magi experienced when they saw the star. This star was the one that stood over the place where the “Child” was. Biblical joy is described as gladness, great pleasure, happiness (an outward expression of what they had experienced). What is your response to Him? Oh be filled with this joy, rejoice and be glad.
JOY 26
JOY 27
Sunday, DECEMBER 19 Written by Jamie Olcott
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
LOVE - week 4 -
Throughout the holiday season we are often encouraged to think about others. We are encouraged to “love” them. This caused me to ponder what do we mean when we say, “Show the love of Christmas to others.” I can think of many ways that I can show love to someone else, especially a friend! I might buy them a gift or perhaps a Christmas card. It may be as simple as calling someone on the phone to see how they are doing or to merely wish them Merry Christmas. I may go out of my way to stop by in person. Or lend a hand to someone in need. Where it becomes difficult is when I ask myself, “How will I show love to a stranger? How will I show love to the person who is not too good a friend? That person who doesn’t deserve love in my opinion because they…” When I think of my own shallowness when it comes to love, I am called immediately to a place of conviction. Are you there with me? A simple verse that most of us know pretty well spells out God’s love pretty clearly—John 3:16. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” It is amazing isn’t it? God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die for us! Not because we earned it. Not because we followed a bunch of rules or customs. Simply because God chose us and imparted to us the faith to simply believe in Jesus Christ. The perfect, one and only sacrifice for our sins! The second part is even more amazing and incomprehensible to me. God sent his son; he loved us before we ever loved him. In fact we were enemies of God, lost in our sin. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God sent his Son to die for the ungodly, his enemies, you and me. Let’s love like God during this time of Advent. Let’s show love especially to strangers and our enemies, just like God once showed to us.
LOVE 29
MONDAY, dECEMBER 20
TUESDAY, dECEMBER 21
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9
Written by Tammy Lamb
After a long day, I love a hot shower where I can wash my outer person of the dirt and stress of the day. I feel clean, refreshed, and ready to take on the next day. These verses in Ephesians speak to the fact that Jesus wants to wash our inner person of the sins that we hang on to using the cleansing power of the Word of God. What a privilege we have as Christians to know that we can be clean on the inside, and not only clean, but without spot or wrinkle - holy! Jesus loves his church (you and me) so much that He desires to cleanse us with His Word to present us without blemish. Are you spending time reading the Bible and allowing Jesus to wash you with the water of the word, to cleanse you of every inner spot and wrinkle?
LOVE 30
Written by Amber Flinn
When my husband and I were blessed with our first son he was very ill and almost died shortly after birth. Although he was rescued from death at the time, he confronted many obstacles in the months that followed. Throughout his first year of life, our son was poked, cut open, and prodded more times than I care to remember. On one such occasion, our son was still in the NICU and there was talk of yet another medical procedure on the horizon. At the mere mention of another procedure, I became almost sick to my stomach. I wasn’t sure I could witness more suffering and another scar on my son’s body as a constant reminder. I wondered if God wasn’t perhaps a little crazy or unloving or maybe both. While I sat confused in my grief and despair, a picture of God’s own Son was brought to my mind. In that moment I knew that God the Father understood my grief, for He also had a beloved Son that had suffered much. God the Father once chose to witness His son born as a human in some of the most unclean and humble surroundings. God the Father once chose to witness His son being misunderstood and mistreated by those whom he loved. God the Father once chose to witness His son suffer incredible physical agony leaving deep scars. Moreover, God the Father orchestrated those events and circumstances before time because it was the only perfect plan to rescue a people he loved. Through the intense parental love that I felt for my son, I saw more clearly the depth of the Father’s love for all of His sinful children. There is no way I would have chosen for my son to suffer, but our perfect Heavenly Father chose for his Son to suffer in order to demonstrate his love. My love for my son is the smallest of fractions compared to the love of God. God’s love was made new to me by the unexpected sufferings and trials of my own son. I’m sure God is showing you the depth of His love if you are willing to see it even in the most unexpected or trying circumstances. Christmas season is the perfect time to contemplate and celebrate the depth of God’s love for you and all His children. Let Jesus’ own surprisingly humble birth surroundings remind you of the depth of our great Father’s love. Ponder how something challenging or unexpected this past year showed you the extent of God’s love.
LOVE 31
Wednesday, dECEMBER 22
Thursday, dECEMBER 23
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“...BUT because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ...” Ephesians 2:1-10
Written by Marti Skow
Caleb has been in my life for the past nine years and two months (nine of which were in-utero). For these three thousand plus days, I’ve learned all there is to know about him up to this point. He was a HUGE baby who put strains on my body I never thought possible. He liked to kick my ribs and frequently got the hiccups just as I was trying to fall asleep. Now, as an eight-year old boy, he sleeps with his eyes partially open and awakes with the sun. Earlier on weekends. He has a knack for anything mathematical and scientific. He wants to know the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’ and the ‘because’ behind the ‘I said so.’ He wants these answers out of a genuine desire to gather more information, not out of a spirit of rebellion. He started reading when he was five and has been devouring books ever since. He begs to stay awake at night and finish, “Just one more chapter… please?” For breakfast he likes french vanilla syrup squirted onto his Rice Chex cereal. For dinner, he doesn’t want any dressing on his salad. His absolute favorite meal is tuna noodle casserole followed by a homemade cinnamon roll and milk. His hair is super thick. He pleaded with us to grow it out this fall. After a month and a half he was ready to get it cut stating, “I just don’t think it’s going to work.” He’s practical. He’s a sensitive spirit who knows when something just isn’t quite right. I have been sick for five days and yesterday when he came home from school, he said, “Mom, I was praying for you today that you wouldn’t be really sick.” He is captain of the boys’ make-believe playtime. He rounds up the troops and gets them ready for their next adventure. It could be playing soldiers outside, turning the basement into a fortress or organizing their rooms into a zoo complete with animal cages and feeding stations. His brain never stops thinking. And the questions never stop coming. Ever. You see, all of this information proves that I am “in-tune” with who Caleb is as a person. I know all of his quirks, his strengths, his weaknesses, his oddities, his talents and his annoyances. I have had the distinct privilege of seeing this child grow, from the beginning of his life until present day. And now, with great consideration, Josh and I have decided we’re going to give him away. What?! That doesn’t make sense? Why would you do such a thing? Well the answer is… we wouldn’t. We aren’t planning on giving him away to anyone. But doesn’t this notion make you stop and think? It makes me think deeply about the reality of God’s decision to send his son to earth. God the Father and Jesus the Son have an intimacy unlike any we can comprehend. They’ve had the one-of-a-kind opportunity to be in communion with one another since eternity past. Can you even comprehend that? Eternity past. It’s a bond created in an expanse of time that we can’t even begin to appreciate. When I compare the amount of bonding and love that has developed between Caleb and me in a mere three thousand days with that which has existed since eternity past between God and Jesus, it leaves me weeping over God’s act of love in sending his son to die for us.
LOVE 32
Written by Sylvia Fanous
Stop. Travel back in time and think of what life was like before you met Jesus. Were you dead in your sins? The word “dead” literally means deprived of life. Were you? Did you follow the ways of this world—gratifying the cravings of your sinful nature? Did you follow your sinful desires and thoughts? It doesn’t take much “think time” to remember the past, where you once were. We all were there at one point; we were all objects of wrath. “But...” What a glorious word found in the middle of Ephesians 2:1-10. A word that offers hope, joy and life. This singular word leaves me short of breath, for the words that follow are life changing. Because of His GREAT love, and here it is... God... changed everything. In his rich mercy, He made us alive! Paul, in this passage, talks of how we’ve been raised up with Christ, and seated with him. And why? So the world may see the incomparable riches of his grace--fully expressed to us in Jesus. What love is this? A love that gave us life! A love that gave us a second chance! A love that permeates our entire being and spreads to the entire world. This GREAT love changed everything for us! What a gift! Have you mediated on the difference He’s made in your life today? Have you taken time to relish in his GREAT love, his RICH mercy, his ABUNDANT grace? Remember where you’ve been, and rejoice in where He’s brought you!
LOVE 33
friday, dECEMBER 24
saturday, dECEMBER 25
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
“Love is patient, love it kind…” 1 Corinthians 13:4
Written by Charis Fortenberry
God is love. Everything he does is because of his loving character. Sending His son, Jesus, to earth to redeem us was an extraordinary act of His love for you and me. With love shown to me in such a selfless way I can’t help but respond in worship. The wise men had heard of Jesus’ birth and that he was “king of the Jews.” They followed his star and coming upon the baby and his mother, bowed down and worshiped presenting him with treasures and gifts. Whether or not the wise men knew Jesus was the Son of God, they knew he was a king worthy of worship. I do know Jesus is the Son of God, my Savior and King of Kings, so how am I responding to his love for me? Am I giving my most valuable gifts for His use? Am I responding in worship by serving others? Am I compelled to love others as well as God with my actions or do I merely provide lip service love? With God as my example, I want to express love in action so that it will be an acceptable act of worship everyday, not just at Christmas.
LOVE 34
Written by Renni Smith
When I was a small girl, I attended a small church in a small town. There was only one church in my hometown so that’s where my family went every Sunday. Our church celebrated the Advent season and I always looked forward to it. The Advent season was a special time at our church for a number of reasons. We got an oversized Christmas tree that had to be wired up next to the organ. It was never very pretty because the ornaments were old and the paper chains were crumpled. But it lit up the church at our midnight Christmas Eve service, another significant childhood memory. The nativity scene was placed on the wooden table in front of the altar. The ceramic figurines seemed ancient when I was a kid, so I can only imagine how old they must be. I loved looking at the tiny baby Jesus in the manger and the silver painted lambs. The brass Advent candle holder took its place at center stage. Each year there were five candles: the outside ring contained three purple candles and one pink candle with a big white candle in the middle. Marjorie Moon, our Sunday School teacher who would pray for us to have “clean hands, clean words and clean thoughts,” would type out our parts and my sister and I would get chosen to go up front and say our lines. I secretly always wanted to get the verse for the pink candle representing “Love.” And over the years I had the privilege of lighting each candle in the Advent wreath except the Christ candle. It was lit only at the candlelight Christmas Eve service at the stroke of midnight. “Love is patient, love is kind.” Then I would say, “I light the candle of love.“ So I challenge all of you to practice patience and kindness as you prepare for Christmas this year. Light the candle of love in your hearts and spread it to those around you. Ask Christ to fill you with His love today. Now, as a family, sing together the song, “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.” I have fond and fearful memories of this song. My sister and I sang this song in front of the congregation in our long red velvet skirts and ruffled socks with shiny pinching shoes on a cold winter night many years ago right before the church bell rang out, announcing the blessed Christmas day. Infant holy, Infant lowly For His bed a cattle stall Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe, is Lord of all. Swift are winging, angels singing Noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
LOVE 35
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