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O Holy Night

12/16/2023

Hebrews 4:14-16
Long lay the world pining apart from her God. We had no advocate. We had no intercessor. We could not keep God’s perfect law. We were guilty and doomed to the judgment. Then: O Holy Night. Hope was born! Jesus came! And even more exciting, another holy night or day is approaching when Jesus will come again. Every tongue will praise Him, and eternity will open. How is Christmas meant to prepare us for Christ’s second coming?

Angels from the Realms of Glory

12/15/2023

Job 38:4-7
All those Christmas angels saw creation unfold. They actually looked on as God threw stars into space with His word and pulled man out of the dust. They witnessed Satan’s temptation of Eve, and they heard God’s punishment for Adam and Eve’s sin. No doubt they mourned as sin corrupted and destroyed God’s beautiful world, and maybe they even wondered, “God? Are they worth it?” But that first Christmas, the same angels broke out in praise, like they had at creation, because they saw God (again!) doing something amazing!
For Deeper Thought…
Acts 17:21
Christmas sometimes becomes dull to those of us who crave new insight or interesting point of contemplation. Occasionally, we see the Star in the East and become enamored with the Star instead of enthralled with the King. The truth is the star is just a trinket -- the King is infinitely more intriguing. Right now is the perfect time to approach God and ask for Him set your eyes firmly on His Son this Christmas.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

12/14/2023

Romans 5:8-11
All of ancient history looked forward to it, and all of modern humanity looks back on it. Christ’s birth was the beginning of God’s staggering sacrifice to redeem men from their rebellion. By our own sinful choices we were God’s enemies, but God was determined to reconcile us to Himself by healing the breach between us in the person of Jesus. Christmas is a yearly celebration of God, His never-failing faithfulness, His limitless love, His boundless wisdom, His perfect humility, and you can keep going.
What particular characteristic of God do you want to focus in on this holiday season? How will you do that?

Angels We Have Heard On High

12/13/2023

Psalm 124:6-8
Yes, glory to God in the highest, but why did the angels sing such songs? What did the shepherds leave the flocks to see? Why are we invited to join them and kneel beside a feeding trough?
Christmas comes around every year. “It’s just Jesus.” No. This is Jesus – the One Who will save His people from their sins. He is salvation! They sing because this is JESUS!
Dear Father, please make this truth so very personal to us this year. We sing because of Jesus and the salvation and fullness He brings. Glory to God in the highest!

What Child is This?

12/12/2023

Galatians 3:26-29
President or pauper – Christmas comes to all. Christ has offered Himself to reconcile the human race to God – slave or free, rich or poor, no ethnicity excluded, neither men nor women favored. No one is barred from “owning” Jesus. What does it mean to own Christ? Do you?

For Deeper Thought…
No one is excluded from Jesus. No one is beyond God’s saving grace. Who do you look at and think, “They could never be saved.”? You are wrong. How should this realization change your attitude, your actions, and your Christmas?

O Come All Ye Faithful

12/11/2023

John 1:1-5
Think of it: The King of angels was born of woman, but not of man. He was in human form, but not created. Christ the Lord was God in the flesh and flesh that was God. For if He was not fully God – He would have no strength to save humanity. And if He were not fully human – He would not be able to take our place and satisfy the wrath of God. But fully God, fully Man Jesus to Thee be all glory given.
What song does that make you feel like singing? Why not sing it?

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

12/10/2023

Habakkuk 2:20
“Holy fear” is an antiquated concept for many today, but it needs revived. Without it our picture of God is incomplete. The Presence of God is fearsome in His holiness, fierce in His justice, and fearful in His power. In the Presence of Almighty God speech is unnecessary and may even detract from the worship we desire to bring.
What are some ways you can practice silence in the Presence of God this season?
For Deeper Thought…
What is the significance of Solomon’s statement: God is in heaven and we are on earth (Eccles 5:1-2)? How does humility bring even greater joy to Christmas?

Lift Up Your Heads

12/9/2023

Ezekiel 36:25-27
Many of the Christmas carols speak of us opening our hearts to Jesus. This is more than an emotional love of Christmas or an intellectual acceptance of the story of Christ’s birth. The song writers are talking about a life-changing realization of Who Christ is, followed by a wholehearted belief in what He has done. This belief results in daily obedience and submission to Christ and His commands. Here our hearts are made new and truly open for Him.
Right now is a good time to have a conversation with Jesus about your heart.
For Deeper Thought…
Psalm 24:7-10
Is David really talking to wood and hinges in these verses? Gates do not lift up their heads by choice -- people do. Doors do not swing wide on their own – people open them or God calls to them. Inanimate objects obey their God instantaneously and without question. Only people have the choice to lift up their hearts to God. And the new heart they receive in return is for a very specific purpose (Ezekiel 36:27). So, David is not singing to the architecture in Psalm 24. What is God saying to you in Psalm 24:7-10?

While By Our Sheep

12/8/2023

Psalm 98
Thanksgiving is past but only the holiday. A spirit of thanksgiving rings throughout Christmas time. We sing as we enjoy our friends and family. Our prayers are infused with gratitude to God for our faith and His salvation. This gratefulness then overflows in testimony to others. And through our thanksgiving, our lives receive joy from the Spirit of God who dwells in us.
This seems like a great time for a Christmas “Thank You” list. Even you have enough time to write down five things that God has blessed you with this Christmas.
For Deeper Thought…
Cherish is an action. How will you cherish the gift of God well?

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

12/7/2023

Isaiah 52:7-10
The world was dying under Satan’s power when Christ left heaven to rescue us. That is what Jesus was born to do! Even though we were rebelling against Him -- He walked this earth to call us back to Himself. That is what Jesus lived to do! Knowing that our sins have doomed us to death – Jesus offered Himself in our place. That is what Jesus died to do! And understanding that in ourselves we have no strength to desire or obey God – He sent us His Holy Spirit to help us. That is what Jesus is doing every day around the world! No wonder we are merry! And no wonder, any other focus to Christmas defaces it.
For Deeper Thought…
What did Jesus rise to do? What will He return to do?

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