ADULT DEVOTIONAL
December 1 Consider This… Ever wondered how we got here? How did a holiday that is about a baby born in a manger turn into stories about reindeer, sitting on Santa’s lap and asking for presents, and drinking eggnog. Maybe I’m the only one on the eggnog train... but the question remains, how did we get so far off the path? We wonder what it might look like to re-embrace the true Christmas story. We wonder if it might bring some sort of revolution... like the first Christmas did. That’s what this advent devotional is all about. It was put together by a Life Group at South Fellowship Church in Littleton, Colorado. We hope it is meaningful to you this Christmas season.
LCR’s Adult Faith Formation Team Sue Logan Pastor Dave Helfrich Karin Storla Chuck Storla Betsy OIson Mark Olson Carrie Peeples
Adapted from materials provided by South Fellowship Church in Littleton, Colorado.
Additional materials available at LCRmarietta.org/Advent
December 2 Stale Cookies & Sour Milk by Ryan Paulson My son used to love the movie "UP." I think I have watched Up more than 30 times. Here's the thing about Up... it's a great movie! The first time I saw it I was captivated by the story. I loved the grandpa in the story; maybe its because his cynicism and humor reminds me of my grandpa (and his looks to a certain extent). The way that he interacted with Russell, and the way that he eventually came around at the end. You could see it coming from a mile away, but I liked it nonetheless. And, can we all just take a moment and agree that tying enough balloons to your house to cause it to lift off the ground would be pretty epic? But something happened to me around the fifth time I saw the movie. I knew what was going to happen, I was no longer surprised at any of the scary parts in the movie (those dogs were vicious!), and jokes lost a bit of their humor. Because I knew what was going to happen, so much of the life as drained out of the movie. A movie that used to bring great joy and fun to watch, had become dull; it had become very normal. I think that's how the Christmas story has been for many of us.
. The shock value has been lost, the amazement has been dulled down significantly, and story has become stale. The true Christmas story has turned into stale cookies and sour milk. How sad! But, before we just resolve ourselves to being lost in Christmas doldrums, let's retell ourselves the story one last time. And, can I encourage you to not just read it, but to focus on really hearing it.
God creates... everything (that a pretty big God... and a pretty impressive feat). God creates us for relationship with him (that's a pretty amazing invitation). We screw everything up (that's what the Bible calls sin, but let's not lose the story in the churchy language). God comes for us; this is where the boring old Christmas story fits into the big picture. God rescues us, that same God that created everything, by becoming a human to make a way for us to be back in relationship with him. Jesus gives his life as a bridge; faith lets us walk across that bridge... back to the God that created us for himself. Now, instead of being eternally separated from that life-giving God, we get to eternally enjoy him (that's significant). So, are we telling ourselves THAT story has become mundane? That story has become boring? I can see how UP starts to lose a little bit of it's luster, but the Christmas story never should. The fact that God clothed himself in humanity to rescue us should never become stale. I don't know about you, but I need to constantly remind myself of that. The Christmas story is like so many other aspects of following Jesus; we need to remind ourselves of how breath-taking they really are. Daily we need to remind ourselves of the goodness of the gospel! Daily we need to remember we walk in grace. daily we need to remind ourselves to really HEAR the truths we believe. Take some time today (maybe write in a journal) to think about how CRAZY it is that the God of the universe would pursue you, come for you, and rescue you. Spend some time praying that the Christmas story would be fresh once again this year!
December 3 The Waiting Game by Ryan Paulson
We found out in June that we were going to have our third child in February. That’s almost 8 months to get used to the idea, to get ready for his arrival, and to try to explain to the two other kids that they are going to be getting a baby brother (I’m still not sure they really understand). If you’ve been in this position before, then you know in one sense the time flies by, but in another sense it seems to take forever! I have so many questions that bounce around in my head. What will he look like? What will his little cry sound like? Will he be more like me or more like his mom? And, the longer we wait, the more the anticipation builds. A few years ago I realized I am not very good at waiting. The Israelites had become pretty ‘good’ at waiting. They had been given a promise. It was a promise that would completely change the way they lived. It would have turned their oppressed existence on its head. It would have brought prosperity, hope, and joy. Listen to the promise they were given by God through the prophet Isaiah: [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. - Isaiah 9:6-7
Sounds great doesn’t it? The government will be on His shoulders and not the shoulders of the Roman Empire. There will be peace and joy. And his Kingdom will never end. It does, the only problem is that they had to wait 700 years for the promise to be fulfilled! Can you imagine? I wonder if they started to doubt that God would be good on his word. I wonder if the words started to become a little bit hallow. I wonder if the anticipatory nature that a promise like this should evoke started to wane. Christmas is a time when we have the opportunity to step back and remember that God makes good on all of His promises. It’s a time to remember that even when it seems like He is silent, He is still at work.
It’s a time to allow ourselves to once again, in a fresh way, ANTICIPATE all that He will do in and through our lives. Take a few minutes today, pause, and think of some of the promises of God that you are clinging to.
December 4 What If... by Kristine Colwill
What if Jesus hadn't been born two thousand years ago? What if his ministry began now? What type of people would be his followers? Who would be his enemies? Sometimes we hear the story of Jesus being born in a stable, and the subsequent stories of his ministry, so many times that it starts to take on the qualities of a fable or folklore in our hearts. There is a book out called “Eli” by Bill Myers that puts the story of Jesus birth and life into a fresh light; pulling it out of the past and into a present in a way that makes you ask yourself:
If Jesus had started His ministry today, would I follow Him? In the book, Eli (Jesus): •
is born in a laundry room of a motel in LA
•
apostles include a former white supremacist biker, and a former adult filmmaker
•
can communicate to the masses through television and other modern technologies
•
feeds a crowd with a burger and side of fries instead of fish and loaves (it's set in America, after all)
•
tells the story of the prodigal son to a group of porn stars, transgender, and prostitutes
•
trashes a gift shop in a overly-elaborate mega-church, instead of throwing out the money changers from the temple
I read this book when I was a new Christian and it was revolutionary to me. I now "get" why Jesus was so controversial and such a threat to the establishment. It’s an eye opener about how shocking his ministry was, and the book made this story that I had heard a billion times news to me. When Jesus (Eli) dies on a tree towards the end of the book, you are reminded what a beautiful marriage of justice and mercy His death is, and how those two things only makes sense and have their puzzle pieces fit together perfectly on the cross. What would you do if you were watching CNN and they reported that the son of God came to earth today? Would your heart be so overwhelmed that you would put down those dishes you were washing, or the shirt you were about the buy at the store; would you drop everything and follow him? Even if He wasn’t the Jesus you thought He would be? The truth is that you can right now, today, set down the things that are holding you back, and follow Him. Jesus was willing to be controversial and love everyone despite what the world said about them. Imagine the beautiful work you could accomplish for the kingdom if you were willing to do the same.
December 5 Why Christmas Matters by Timothy Keller
Originally appeared in Relevant Magazine We sing it every year in our Christmas carols, especially in “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, when we cry out: “Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity.” The Apostles’ Creed doesn’t use it, but it teaches the doctrine of it when we read, “conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.” Incarnation. If you understand the word incarnation, you’ll understand what Christmas is about. Christmas is frankly doctrinal. The invisible has become visible, the incorporeal has become corporeal. In other words, God has become human. This is not only a specific doctrine, but it’s also unique. Doctrine always distinguishes you. One of the reasons we’re afraid to talk about doctrine is because it distinguishes us from others. Here’s why the doctrine of Christmas is unique. On one hand, you’ve got religions that say God is so immanent in all things that incarnation is normal. If you’re a Buddhist or Hindu, God is immanent in everything. On the other hand, religions like Islam and Judaism say God is so transcendent over all things that incarnation is impossible. But Christianity is unique. It doesn’t say incarnation is normal, but it doesn’t say it’s impossible. It says God is so immanent that it is possible, but He is so transcendent that the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ is a history-altering, life-transforming, paradigm-shattering event. Christmas is not just frankly doctrinal; it’s also boldly historical.
The manger, the resurrection, the story of Jesus is not just a story. It’s true.
This goes completely against what the average person believes. The average person says they’re parables. They’re legends. They didn’t happen. The point of Christmas is that Jesus Christ really lived, and He really died. It happened in history. He did these things. He said these things. You may think: What’s the big deal? You’re being doctrinaire here. No. People say: “I like the teachings of Jesus. I like the meaning of these stories- to love one another, serve one another. I like that. But it doesn’t matter if these things really happened. Doctrine doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re a good person.” The great irony is, that is a doctrine: it’s called the doctrine of justification by works. What they’re saying is that it doesn’t matter that Jesus actually lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died; all that matters is we follow His teaching. That is a doctrine that says: “I’m not so bad I need someone to come and be good for me. I can be good. I’m not so cut off from God and God is not so holy that there has to be punishment for sin.” The Gospel is not that Jesus Christ comes to earth, tells us how to live, we live a good life and then God owes us blessing. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died, so when we believe in Him we live a life of grateful joy for Him. If these things didn’t happen, if they’re just parables, what you are saying is that if you try hard enough, God will accept you. If Jesus didn’t come, the story of Christmas is one more moral paradigm to crush you. If Jesus didn’t come, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere around these Christmas stories that say we need to be
sacrificing, we need to be humble, we need to be loving. All that will do is crush you into the ground, because if it isn’t true that John saw Him, heard Him, felt Him, that Jesus really came to do these things, then Christmas is depressing. First John 1:3 says, “Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son.” “Fellowship” means that if Jesus Christ has come, if Christmas is true, then we’ve got a basis for a personal relationship with God. God is no longer a remote idea or just a force we cower before, but we can know Him personally. He’s become graspable. If Jesus Christ is actually God come in the flesh, you’re going to know much more about God. You’re seeing Him weep. You’re seeing Him upset. You’re seeing Him cast down. You’re seeing Him exalted. If Jesus is who He says He is, we have a 500-page autobiography from God, in a sense. And our understanding will be vastly more personal and specific than any philosophy or religion could give us. Look at what God has done to get you to know Him personally. If the Son would come all this way to become a real person to you, don’t you think the Holy Spirit will do anything in His power to make Jesus a real person to you in your heart?
Christmas is an invitation by God to say: Look what I’ve done to come near to you. Now draw near to me. I don’t want to be a concept; I want to be a friend.
December 6 A Journey of Worship by Rob Colwill
He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.� -Augustine Three kings of the Orient with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, bowing down before a baby in a manager and worshiping Him. That is the story we hear and the story we tell. Inspired by a song we remember much better than the words of scripture that tell the historical record. There is another story within this story, one of commitment and likely doubt, of perseverance and faith. A story of deep, real worship. A worship purchased with a price far greater than the gold, frankincense and myrrh. Let’s start this story over some where other than the little town of Bethlehem. Before that first Christmas Eve and far away from Bethlehem, maybe on the other side of the known world, there were kings who had heard or read or dreamed of a new king, a greater king. These kings had a strong faith in this new king. They had studied the sky in anticipation of a sign, a star perhaps or a cluster of stars or an alignment. One night the sign was above them. They sent messages to each other and convened for counsel to decide if this was indeed what they had been waiting for. Leaving behind their kingdoms and all that they ruled, they crossed the land into places they did not know. They followed that sign in the sky that led them to a baby born in a manager in a small city in Israel but perhaps not a baby, perhaps an 18-month old toddler running around the rental house of a transient carpenter and his young wife.
What must have run through their minds at the end of that long journey? Did they doubt the sign they had been given to follow as they looked upon the humble scene? I would guess in their humanity there is a good chance that they did. For a group of wise men accustom to the pomp and circumstance that went with their station, they saw instead pure humility in Joseph’s eyes, a quiet belief in Mary’s, and a plain baby boy in front of them. But their hearts couldn’t bear the crushing weight of glory that rested upon that home and they knew who He is.
Only one response was adequate of that recognition - worship. You see, the word worship that we encounter in the bible is derived from an old English word that meant something was worthy and translated from both the Greek and Hebrew root words, which mean “to bow down” and “kiss the hand of”. Those wise men from the other side of their world knelt into the dirt floor and presented with whatever dignity they could muster in the cramped home, gifts fit for the King. The world still recounts this act of worship millennia later. But was it the gifts that were the worship? A master sculptor strikes his hammer against the chisel and a piece of stone breaks off perfectly. Was it the first 100 strikes or just that last one that achieved perfection? I believe that the wise men began their worship of Jesus when they first had faith in His sign in the sky and they continued worshipping him with every step across the desert into the unknown. With every conversation they had along the way with strangers asking them where they were headed, they worshipped Jesus.
Long before they arrived at a humble home in Bethlehem, they had many time declared Jesus worthy. Worthy of the effort it takes to journey into the unknown. Worthy of their time, worthy of dust and sweat and weariness, worthy of staking their reputation on, worthy, worthy, worthy. Worship. A journey of worship that defined their lives. The story of the wise men is often told but the lessons of the wise men are not often preached. Our lives are a journey of worship. With every step we say He is worthy of everything we are. With every decision we choose that path that leads to Him. With your heart and through your faith and actions, declare Jesus worthy this Christmas season. Seek, journey, worship.
December 7 A Devastating Invasion by Ryan Paulson
Earlier this year I got a call from my dad. It was a call that I knew was coming, but I still wasn’t ready to hear the news. My grandfather was 91 years old. I knew he wasn’t going to live forever, he was sick and we knew that he was going to meet Jesus face-to-face soon; but we just weren’t ready for the news. My dad called and let me know that he has passed away. It’s one of the phone calls that I will remember for the rest of my life. I’m sure that most of us have those. My guess is that’s similar to the way that Mary felt when the angel made its ominous announcement to her. The angel stated, [26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. -Luke 1:26-31 ESV Here is my translation of the angel’s announcement, “Greetings ‘favored’ one... your life as you know it is over. You husband is most likely either going to leave you or have you stoned because you are pregnant and he knew quite well the baby isn’t his. The dreams and hopes you had for your life are now dashed.” Favored one? We see the announcement through the way things eventually turned out, but try for a moment to put yourself in Mary’s place.
The announcement had to seem more like a curse than it did a favor! The opportunity of a lifetime must have felt more like the end of her life than the greatest privilege any human being has ever received. From this side of Jesus’ birth we think, “How blessed Mary was to be the mother of Jesus.” But when she first found out, everyone around her probably thought, “poor girl!” I think there are some times in life that the blessings God brings into our lives feel a little bit like curses. Announcements that are meant to lead to joy sound initially like devastating news. As we see the story afresh, one of the things we are challenged with is that the things God brings into our lives to lead us into joy may initially feel like a curse. I wonder if there is anything in your life going on right now that feels painful and maybe even devastating that God may initially use to lead you in to joy. If we are to be people who worship fully, then we must be people who worship constantly. That means that even in the dark times of life we find reasons to worship. We trust that God is good even when it feels and seems otherwise. How is He inviting you to worship more fully this Christmas?
December 8 Real Joy by Ryan Paulson
I was rereading the Christmas story again this week. My prayer this year has been that I can hear the story fresh again. As I was reading through Luke 2 this morning, one of the things that angels said stood out to me. In the angels’ announcement to the shepherds they state, “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.” If you read through the Christmas story, there are a significant number of mentions of joy. I think this passage in Luke is the pinnacle. Can you imagine the heavens opening up and angels declaring that the JOY of the Lord is coming to earth in the form of a little baby that has been born in Bethlehem? Wow. However, I think we can agree that joy is an elusive idea. It’s something that we have a hard time explaining, and something that we often have an even harder time experiencing. In fact, I think that we often tell people (maybe subtly) that joy isn’t something you experience, it’s just something you know cognitively. As I read through the story, I was struck by the fact that I think for many years I have misunderstood joy. I’ve often taught, and heard taught many times, that the joy that God brings is a joy that comes regardless of circumstances. It is an inner cheerfulness or happiness that is detached from reality, but grounded in God (or something like that...). Many people say it is detached from the things in life that we are going through, and therefore, whatever you are facing in life you can still have joy. While that’s a comforting idea, I do not think it is a biblical explanation of joy... at all.
Here is the problem with the previously stated view of joy; joy in the scriptures in general, but definitely in this passage, is directly tied to circumstances. The angels announcement does not read, “Take heart, don’t fear, nothing in your life is going to change... but you will now have joy.” No, no, no! The angels state that everything is changing because a savior is going to be born! The coming of a savior is directly tied to our joy... it was back then and it is today. And it was the coming of the savior that changed their circumstancesO maybe not materially, but in a definite real way. I think that the problem for us is that Christianity and faith in general has become such an ethereal thing that we fail to realize that our salvation actually does change our circumstances! Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3, “We have been (past tense) blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ...” Instead of thinking that joy comes without regard to circumstances, biblical joy says that God has directly and eternally changed your circumstances. Biblical joy says that what you have in Christ, now, today, is better than anything difficult you could ever go through. Better in a very real way! That’s where Paul lands in his great exposition of joy in the book of Philippians. Yes he’s in jail. And yes his situation is difficult, but for him Jesus is simply better (Phil 3:7-11). We just have such a hard time believing that; it’s easier for us to keep it as an otherworldly thing altogether. But that isn’t biblical joy.
Biblical JOY boldly states that Jesus has come… and He has changed EVERYTHING.
December 9 Leaving a Legacy by Kristine Colwell
I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically And leave that kind of legacy -Nicole Nordeman, Legacy Have you ever taken up a pen and paper and written out your family tree? It’s a fun exercise to try with your kids, and with a quick phone call to your parents you can usually get a few names for the blank spots. Most of us have written one at some point for a school project; sketched one of those things that look like some upside down root system making it look like generations of people have led up to you walking around in your jeans and T-shirt on the earth. It can be an egocentric exercise and make you feel small at the same time. What we don’t often think about is starting the tree with ourselves. Did you ever pause and think that someday someone’s tree is going to have you up there somewhere on top? There will be a point when no one can think back further than you, and there you will rest, pointing down to someone else’s bottom of the tree moment.
I did something a little unusual a few years ago and began to think of my family tree this way from the start of motherhood. There is a legacy that you will leave to the people that come after you, whether they are your own children or nieces and nephews. What will be their 2-3 second blurb to describe your life when they go down the roots and explain their tree to the class? What are they all going to say you passed down to them? Not everyone has a family tree they are proud of, and not every has been given a legacy they want to share with the class. But all of us have the opportunity to start over our family tree, or at least add a new branch if we want to. We can do it spiritually, emotionally, and even financially. We can pass on something new, something good, and something that has been planted and rooted in God’s perfect love. Joseph and Mary did this in a way. They left what they knew, and the lives their families had laid out. They turned away from the traditions of their Jewish faith by not staying to live with their extended family, and perceivably having a child out of wedlock. They instead submitted themselves to God’s path for them. They started a new tree with “a child that was holy”. (Luke 1:35) And because they were brave enough to do this, it changed the entire world. From generation to generation, he is merciful to those who fear him. (Luke 1:50)
December 10 On the Horizon by Kristine Colwell
But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. -Luke 2:19 Have you ever thought about the first two years of Jesus’ life? About the fact that it’s likely when the wise men found Jesus he was already 18 months old? Joseph, Mary and Jesus shuffled around quite a bit those first few years. It’s believed that they first lived in Nazareth until Jesus was around 2 years old, then they lived in Egypt until Herod died, and eventually they returned to Nazareth. I often wonder what was going through Mary’s mind during various times during the early years. She left her family, and gave up her reputation, to move around in hiding with what seemed like an ordinary baby boy. Was there anything to set him apart from other babies? We can only assume that there was nothing profoundly different about Jesus during his baby and toddler years. Did Mary every wonder “Why?” Maybe sometimes she wondered what in the world was going on; why God sent her to have this child and then hide out from the world for so long. We all have seasons like that. Sometimes God has us lay low and heal, or wait on Him to lead us to what’s next. Or maybe we don’t hear anything from him at all, and we might be wondering why nothing is happening. Our vision can be limited, but His plan for us is greater than we can imagine. He can't wait to reveal it to us. How amazing and great was God’s plan for Mary, Joseph and Jesus even if they couldn’t see it when they were hiding out in Egypt? God’s vision has no limits for us. It’s quite possible that what’s next is going to be amazing.
December 11 Advent Beauty by John Piper
Tilting on her yearly track Advent beauty circles back, Flying faster with the years, Hardly giving time for tears First to dry upon the cheek— Has it been more than a week
Since we laid both young and old In the ground now winter cold? Has there really been a spring When the birds began to sing? Has there been both summer, fall Since the Baby in the stall Called us with a Christmas bell to sing, O Come, Immanuel?
Tilting on her yearly track Advent beauty circles back, Flying faster with the years— Ah, but overtaking fears. Let the Lord of advent lift Every care (an early gift!); See the Savior and the Son Shine in advent candle one
December 12 Everyday Miracles
“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” -Luke 2:7 We often fail to see many ordinary things that could become miracles or that are miracles. God is constantly working for those who have eyes to see. As I prepare for the birth of my third child in February, I am often struck by how amazing it is that a life is growing inside of me. It is an ordinary (people have babies everyday) and yet extraordinary occurrence. God is so evident in the birth of a child, but we don’t always call it a miracle because it happens all the time. Christ’s birth is similar in that it was an everyday occurrence that a baby was born to a young couple. Those who were spoken to by God and chose to have faith were the only ones that saw the miracle in this seemingly unimpressive event. This baby was God making his debut on earth. You would think that this miracle would be an extraordinary event, but God had the most humble beginnings so that those who had faith were the only ones who really saw the miracle. Those whose eyes are open will see that in everyday events, there are miracles. I pray that my eyes would be open to what God is doing and that I would see His miracles all around me.
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” -Luke 2:19 Mary knew that her baby was a miracle, and she knew that he was the savior of the world. She saw what God was doing and thought about these things in her heart. She chose to see what God was doing and take those things to heart. It is easy to get caught up in everyday life and overlook the miracles of God. How much joy and life we would experience, if we were aware of these miracles. Let’s pray that our eyes would be opened so that we do not miss our Savior.
December 13 Christmas Chaos
The new unofficial beginning to the holiday season is the news story highlighting someone getting trampled at Wal-mart. It seems like it happens every year now. If you just sit back and watch objectively, you have to come to the conclusion that these people are insane. But, how different are the rest of us? Sure, we may not head out to a department store in the middle of the night (some might!), but for many (even followers of Jesus), this season is filled with the insanity of buying things for people that they probably don’t need and for people that you may not even like! As I’ve gone back through the Christmas story there is only one place where we see the giving of gifts. In Matthew 2:1-14 it reads, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” [7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
The only gifts given in the Biblical Christmas story are TO JESUS and they are given IN WORSHIP. I wonder how Christmas would change for us if we were willing to embrace this as a principle that we let guide us. What if we gave gifts that were in response to what Jesus has done for us and in worship of him? It might pretty radically change things!
December 14 All I Want by C.S. Lewis Profile of a Glutton: “All I Want‌â€?
Screwtape continues his profile of gluttony in action: The real value of the quiet, unobtrusive work which Glubose has been doing for years on this old woman can be gauged by the way in which her belly now dominates her whole life. The woman is in what may be called the 'All-I-want' state of mind. All she wants is a cup of tea properly made, or an egg properly boiled, or a slice of bread properly toasted. But she never finds any servant or any friend who can do these simple things 'properly'--because her 'properly' conceals an insatiable demand for the exact, and almost impossible, palatal pleasures which she imagines she remembers from the past; a past described by her as 'the days when you could get good servants' but known to us as the days when her senses were more easily pleased and she had pleasures of other kinds which made her less dependent on those of the table. Meanwhile, the daily disappointment produces daily ill tem-per: cooks give notice and friendships are cooled. If ever the Enemy introduces into her mind a faint suspicion that she is too interested in food, Glubose counters it by suggesting to her that she doesn't mind what she eats herself but 'does like to have things nice for her boy'. In fact, of course, her greed has been one of the chief sources of his domestic discomfort for many years.
-from The Screwtape Letters
December 15 With Us by Charles H. Spurgeon
"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." -Isaiah 7:14 Let us to-day go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, "The seed of the woman," not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to His human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Fail not to note His humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King! Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.
December 16 Vulnerable by Ryan Paulson
I have a confession to make... I was terrified when I first became a father. There were a lot of things that scared me. I had never held a baby before (that’s right, NEVER!). I had never changed a baby’s diaper before. I never had the experience of trying to console a baby when he/she was crying. I guess when I think about it, I was rightfully scared! So, when Ethan was born my learning curve was pretty steep. I can remember walking out of the hospital with Ethan in the car seat, loading him into the car, and starting to drive home. The feeling that I was in charge of this little life hit me like a ton of bricks. I wanted to walk back into hospital and ask if any of the nurses wanted to come home with us to help us out. I think I had come to the realization that this little life was absolutely precious and extremely vulnerable! He was vulnerable to the extent that he couldn’t even hold his own head up. As someone who hadn’t held a baby before, I was nervous that I was going to do it wrong. He was vulnerable because he needed someone to feed him every two hours. He was vulnerable because he could do NOTHING for himselfO he needed us for everything. I think one of the things often lost in the Christmas story and the endearing pursuit by God that we see in the incarnation is that GOD made himself vulnerable in the form of Jesus. He needed Mary for everything. He was completely dependent on a teenage girl to feed him, make sure he was warm at night, to hold him and care for him. The same God who spoke the stars into space made himself vulnerable.
For the first time in history, God needed something from humanity.
When I spend time reflecting on the fact that Jesus was born a baby, the sacrifice that he made for us becomes more real. He made himself vulnerable in order to pursue relationship with us. Today, reflect on the fact that Jesus was actually born a BABY. What a sacrifice. What a risk.
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.� -C.S. Lewis
December 17 The Risk of Love by Ryan Paulson
In light of this insightful quote from the prolific author C.S. Lewis, let’s look at one of the most popular passages in the entire Bible; John 3:16. It reads: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The fact that God has loved (and has loved with great persistence and great passion) means that he has made himself vulnerable. See, in the Christmas story we not only see that God made himself physically vulnerable (through being born as a baby), but we also see that God has opened his heart up to his people. He has loved and thereby opened himself to rejection. I love that we serve and love a God who models for us what it takes to truly give ourselves to others. It requires that we love which means that we are going to have to risk. It means that we are going to have to open ourselves up to being hurt. It means that we are going to be vulnerable with some of the people in our lives. When was the last time you opened up enough to really let other people in. When was the last time you loved in a way that made you vulnerable? God’s invitation to us is to a life abundant and one of the ways we step into this life is through life-giving relationships with other people. Is there anybody in your life you sense God asking you to open up to (it might be a spouse, a friend, etc.)?
Follow Jesus’ example… risk and LOVE!
December 18 Put Down Your Phone, Daddy... by Ryan Paulson
I can remember the day like it was yesterday. I had just walked in the door from work and I got an email from someone. It was an email that I had been waiting for, so I really needed to reply (I thought, right away). So, I hopped on my phone and started to compose a message. As I wrote the message, my son Ethan started to climb all over me - like only boys can! He started to get frustrated because I didn’t engage with him in our normal wrestling banter. After trying to get my attention for a few minutes, he gave up. As he was walking away, he said to me, “I WISH YOU’D PUT YOU PHONE DOWN DADDY!” Those words cut straight to my heart like a knife! See, my son had experienced something that many of us know, but it’s something that we have a tendency to forget.
It’s possible to be present physically, but absent in every way that matters. I don’t think I’m the only one who struggles with this. In fact, I think there are many men who very rarely enter into the lives of the people around them in a way that matters. We have a tendency to substitute physically occupying space for being present. I’ve noticed that for me, this struggle continues to escalate as my phone gains more and more features. I have more ways to be somewhere else. I have more people that I can talk to. I have more options. And when I have more options, there is more of a pull to be somewhere other than where I am.
Many of us use the excuse that we are trying hard to provide for our families. I get it, we are, but I’ve been reminded of a key truth lately:
People don’t usually remember presents, but they always remember presence. We all have a choice every single day: Will we choose to be present, or will we simply occupy space? Maybe this Christmas season you choose to turn the phone off when you get home. Maybe you choose to log out of Facebook and instead of interacting with people through cyber space, you interact with the people right in front of you. I’m thankful for the reminder from my son... I’m hopeful that I won’t need it again any time soon.
December 19 The Giving God by Charles H. Spurgeon
"For your sakes he became poor." -2 Corinthians 8:9 The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious, and exalted; but "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor." As the rich saint cannot be true in his communion with his poor brethren unless of his substance he ministers to their necessities, so (the same rule holding with the head as between the members), it is impossible that our Divine Lord could have had fellowship with us unless He had imparted to us of His own abounding wealth, and had become poor to make us rich. Had He remained upon His throne of glory, and had we continued in the ruins of the fall without receiving His salvation, communion would have been impossible on both sides. Our position by the fall, apart from the covenant of grace, made it as impossible for fallen man to communicate with God as it is for Belial to be in concord with Christ. In order, therefore, that communion might be compassed, it was necessary that the rich kinsman should bestow his estate upon his poor relatives, that the righteous Saviour should give to His sinning brethren of His own perfection, and that we, the poor and guilty, should receive of His fullness grace for grace; that thus in giving and receiving, the One might descend from the heights, and the other ascend from the depths, and so be able to embrace each other in true and hearty fellowship. Poverty must be enriched by Him in whom are infinite treasures before it can venture to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness ere the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe His people in His own garments, or He cannot admit them into His palace of glory; and He must wash them in His own blood, or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of His fellowship. O believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus "be came poor" that He might lift you up into communion with Himself.
December 20 The Perfect Gift by Kelly Paulson
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” - Matthew 13:44 One of the greatest things about the holiday season is giving that perfect gift to someone that you love. My sister lives in Panama City, Panama and married a man from there. Last year they were married in April in California, and our good friends took pictures at the wedding. I spent hours creating a wedding album for them with the pictures and gave it to them last Christmas. It was one of the greatest feelings to show my love for them through this gift. I had given them a gift that no one else could give them; a gift that they valued and a gift that brought them a great amount of joy. Every year God gives us that perfect gift, his son. While it is easy to get caught up in all of the stocking stuffers and gifts, He wants us to focus on His gift this year. He wants to see our joy as we open the most valuable gift that has ever been given. It is a gift that no one else could give us. It is a gift that should floor us every time we open it. It is the only gift that we will ever really need, and the most important gift that we can share with others. God has spent so lavishly on this gift, let’s follow Him in spending our time and money on the gifts that have true value. The gift of God’s son is like the treasure in the field, and we should give all we have for that field. As we spend this holiday season, think about spending less on the trivial things and more on what will last forever. The best part about giving someone that perfect gift is watching them open it. Show God your joy as you open up the gift of His son once again this year.
December 21 Campaigning for the Throne by Ryan Paulson Praise be to GOD the election is over! I don’t think I could have handled one more political add. For some reason, it seemed the campaigns this year were worse than those previous. In 2012, there was over $2,000,000,000 spent on the two campaigns combined. That’s a whole lot of money spent with the explicit intent to get people to like what you say! When you think about it, both Presidential candidates that year were trying to convince you of their ideas and their ideals, they were trying to sell you on their vision for the future of the US, and they were trying to win your vote. The irony of all of the money spent is two-fold. One, there was no change in office. So, we spent $2,000,000,000 to end up exactly where we were! Second, in a matter of years people will remember very little about either of the men on whom the money was spent. Sure, we might remember president Obama, but his influence will fade beginning the day he leaves office. I think many who follow Christ would rather He had shown up on the scene with a large campaign budget and with the intent to win the approval of the masses. However, Jesus shows up on the scene with no campaign budget, unimpressive pedigree, and a ludicrous plan to ascend the throne. Luke 2 presents us with a picture of contrasting campaigns; listen to the way the gospel writer invites us into the tension: “[1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” In contrast, he writes about JesusO “[4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of
David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” So, we have Caesar Augustus. He has the big army, the massive budget, and all the worldly influence the world could ever want. He didn’t spend 2 billion dollars on a campaign, but he didn’t need to. He just killed the people that at tempted to remove him from the throne. He had all the worldly accolades anyone could hope for. In contrast you have Jesus. He is born in what today would probably be a garage and was immediately laid in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). His parents are poor and by all accounts unimportant. His rise to the throne would not be on the back of campaign dollars, but on the influence of love. Let me ask you a very simple question: these days, do you hear more about Caesar Augustus or Jesus Christ? This is the irony to end all ironies. The fact that we even know Jesus’ name is a impressive, but the fact that billions of people around the globe worship him as Savior and Lord is nothing short of a miracle. The truth of the matter is that we worship a king in a manger rather than a dictator on a throne. I think many of us would be more comfortable with worshiping the dictator on the throne. But this Jesus had a different plan. Jesus was going to ascend the throne by giving his life for the very people who hated him. He was going to gain power by giving everything up for the sake of others. Because of this unreal act of love, one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This Christmas let’s be reminded of the fact that we worship a king in a manger, not a dictator on the throne. And as we bow in the dirt and dust at his bedside, may we be reminded of power of love. It has the unique ability to change the world. There’s a little story about a man named Jesus that proves it’s true.
December 22 Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado from ‘He Chose the Nails’
God Entered Time.
“They will sing about what the LORD has done, because the LORD’s glory is great.” -Psalm 138:5 When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet. I wonder, was he ever tempted to reclaim his boundlessness? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment? If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave in to them. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort. With one word he could’ve transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn’t. With a wave of his hand, he could’ve boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn’t. With an arch of his brow, he could’ve paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. But he didn’t.
December 23 Messy Love by Kelly Paulson
“We love because he first loved us.” -1 John 4:19 When my husband and I were first married and lived in Portland, we would often go with other students from the seminary to talk to people in the downtown area. We would listen to the stories of many of the people who lived on the street. The holiday season is a time of celebration for many of us, but for others, it is a time of great sorrow. We met one young man who had recently become homeless and would spend the Christmas holiday on the streets. We heard his story and offered our support, giving him our number if he needed anything. To our surprise, he called us asking for help one night. We talked to him on the phone and prayed for him. Looking back, I wish that we had done more, but love gets messy, and it’s easier to keep people at a distance. We didn’t do more for this young man because of fear. It was out of our comfort zone to bring him to our home and really take a step of faith and love. Over time, I’ve realized that God gave up everything to love me. It was more than messy to send his son to die on the cross. God not only stepped out of his comfort zone to love, he stepped out of heaven, put on flesh, and died.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” -Matthew 25:40
It isn’t easy to love all, but Christ has called us to love all, and He has loved all. This holiday season, pray for opportunities to love in big ways and to step out of your comfort zone. It may be inconvenient or awkward to take the extra step to really love someone, but we can love out of Christ’s love for us. I continually pray to have the eyes of Christ and see people as he sees them. I get so busy with my own life that I forget to really look to the needs of others and to take the time to stop and help when someone needs it. Let’s not get so busy this holiday season that we miss opportunities to love. Let’s not rush so much that we walk right past someone who we could love like Christ.
December 24 Inner Revolution by Oswald Chamber from ‘My Utmost for His Highest’
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ’God with us’ ―Matthew 1:23 His Birth in History. “...that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of - He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate - God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord’s birth was an advent; the appearance of God in human form. His Birth in Me. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you...” (Galatians 4:19) Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. “You must be born again.” (John 3:7) This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that “Christ is formed” in me. And once “Christ is formed” in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me. God Evident in the Flesh. This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.
Christmas isn’t over after Advent!
Celebrate Christmas with Lutheran Church of the Resurrection! December 3 5:45 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Dinner* Christmas Hymns at Atria Senior Living Facility Advent Worship: Worship Fully
December 7 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Christmas Pageant Advent International Dinner
December 10 5:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Dinner* Collection & Blessing of gifts for Brumby Elementary Advent Worship: Spend Less
December 17 5:45 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Dinner* Project Linus Blanket Tying Advent Worship: Give More
December 21 ELCA Good Gifts Donation Deadline December 24 5, 8, 10 p.m. Christmas Even Worship: Love All Nursery care provided at all services *Please RSVP for dinner at LCRmarietta.org by noon on Tuesday
4814 Paper Mill Rd Marietta, GA 30067 / 770.953.3193 / LCRmarietta.org