Putting the Saternalia Back in Christmas?

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

Philippians 2:2-4 (English Standard Version)

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Saternalia was a pagan festival celebrated around winter solstice that celebrated the Roman god Saturn. It was a carnival-like festival filled with banquets, raucous parties, greenery decorations, gift giving, and days off from work for everyone - even slaves. Saturnalia even pushed back on the social norms of the day allowing slaves to sit at the head of the table while being served by their masters! (https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia)

Eventually, the festival of Saternalia was redeemed by Christianity to celebrate the incarnation of our savior, Jesus Christ. During this season, do we celebrate the Christ-centered redeemed holiday of CHRISTmas, reminding others that Jesus Christ, the Son of God took on human flesh, or do we simply join in the pagan festivities all around us? Or maybe we really do emphasize putting “Christ back in Christmas” this season by upending our social norms, preaching Jesus, giving to others and showing Christ’s love for a short time only to slip back into the rut of normalcy for the rest of the year. 

Christmas reminds us that we follow our servant-King who took human form, humbled himself, and was completely obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. To truly acknowledge Christ’s birth, we must live into the upside-down world where the meek are blessed, the poor are made rich, the weak are made strong, the humble are given grace and the proud are opposed by God. We must live daily into a Kingdom where where we  count others more significant than ourselves, and look to the interests of others all year round! 

Let’s be careful to not put Saternalia back into Christmas. Instead, let’s live into God’s redeemed Kingdom where, birth and resurrection, remind us each day that we live in a world God has turned upside-down: A world where every day should be a celebration of Christmas and Easter.

Merry Christmas!

Servicio en Español

Ve Dilo en las Montañas

Chorus:

Ve, dilo en las montañas, en todas partes y alrededor; Ve, dilo en las montañas: que Cristo el Rey nació

Verse 1:

El mundo ha esperado que Cristo el Rey de paz, Viniera a esta tierra trayéndole solaz

Verse 2:

Llegó como un niño de noche en Belén; Del cielo las estrellas le alumbraron también

Verse 3:

Y los que son de Cristo debieran proclamar, Que Cristo al mundo vino los hombres a salvar

A Media Noche Resonó

A media noche resonó

Glorioso y sin igual.

Un canto angélico de amor,

Sublime y divinal;

Brillante luz resplandeció

En densa oscuridad,

Y a los pastores anunció

La voz angelical.

Alzad la vista sin temor,

Mortales por doquier.

Mensaje de gran gozo os doy,

Que es para todo ser:

Os ha nacido hoy en Belén,

Del pueblo de David,

Un Salvador y Redentor

Que es Cristo el adalid.

Mensaje grato proclamó

Celeste multitud,

Que por los campos resonó

Con gozo y gran virtud:

"¡En las alturas gloria a Dios,

Y al mundo salvación,

Al hombre buena voluntad,

Paz, gozo y bendición!"

La Noticia Sin Igual

La noticia sin igual el ángel la dio A los fieles pastores del campo en Belén; Y aunque el frío invernal en la noche cundió,Las ovejas estaban cuidadas muy bien.

Coro: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Hoy ha nacido el Rey de Israel.

Agnus Dei

Verse:

Aleluya, Aleluya Reinas tu poderoso Dios Aleluya, Aleluya Reinas tu poderoso Dios Aleluya

Chorus:

Santo, Santo
El Senor Dios, poderoso
Digno eres tu, Digno eres tu, Tu eres Santo, Santo
El Senor Dios, poderoso
Digno eres tu, digno eres tu, Amen

Bridge:

Venid adoremos, Venid adoremos, Venid adoremos a Cristo el Señor

(Repeat)

Digno eres tu, Digno eres tu, Tu eres Santo, Santo
El Senor Dios, poderoso
Digno eres tu, digno eres tu, A--men

Advent Worship Service - Peace

Call to Worship - 1 Kings 17:8-16

Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ ” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-16)

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad

I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart

Lighting of the Advent Candle - Video

Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed[a] 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!”[b]

Scripture and Welcome

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (2 Kings 4:1-7)

Go Tell It On the Mountain

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, 
whose forms are bending low, 
who toil along the climbing way 
with painful steps and slow, 
look now! for glad and golden hours 
come swiftly on the wing. 
O rest beside the weary road, 
and hear the angels sing! 

For lo! the days are hastening on, 
by prophet seen of old, 
when with the ever-circling years 
shall come the time foretold 
when peace shall over all the earth 
its ancient splendors fling, 
and the whole world send back the song 
which now the angels sing.

Offering

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (Mark 6:30-44)

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are; 
bearing gifts we traverse afar, 
field and fountain, moor and mountain, 
following yonder star. 

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, 
gold I bring to crown him again, 
King forever, ceasing never, 
over us all to reign. [Refrain]

O star of wonder, star of light, 
star with royal beauty bright, 
westward leading, still proceeding, 
guide us to thy perfect light. 

Frankincense to offer have I; 
incense owns a Deity nigh; 
prayer and praising, voices raising, 
worshiping God on high.

O star of wonder, star of light, 
star with royal beauty bright, 
westward leading, still proceeding, 
guide us to thy perfect light. 

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume 
breathes a life of gathering gloom; 
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, 
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]

O star of wonder, star of light, 
star with royal beauty bright, 
westward leading, still proceeding, 
guide us to thy perfect light. 

Glorious now behold him arise; 
King and God and sacrifice: 
Alleluia, Alleluia, 
sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]

Children’s Blessing

Hallelujah

I've heard about this baby boy Who came to earth to bring us joy I hope you that you don’t mind if I sing to you It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know He came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A perfect man who died to give life to you My sins would drive the nails in Him
That rugged cross-stained for my sin
Still every breath He drew was Hallelujah Hallelujah

I know you’re travelin’ down a road With pain and sorrow’s heavy load But that is not the burden God gave to you The Father gave His only son To live and die and make us one He rose again so we sing Hallelujah Hallelujah

One day He will return again, The King, the warrior, judge of men, To heal this land, and fill his promise to you But we don’t have to wait that long To join the everlasting song The Holy Spirit fills us, Hallelujah! Hallelujah

Message:

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, 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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 

“ ‘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.’ ” 

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:1-15)

The Kingdom Principle of Abundance: The Gautreaux Rule

1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Mark 6:30-44; Matthew 2:1-15

• Why do you think we so often operate from an assumption of scarcity?

• What does it mean to instead function as though God’s kingdom is one of abundance?

• Spend a few moments praying for opportunities to share God’s bounty with others.

A Prayer for Grieving at Christmas

By: Dena Johnson, as written for Your Daily Prayer Devotional, posted on crosscards.com

“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." - John 10:10 NASB

I’ve spent the last eight months doing everything I can to keep my faith strong, to trust God. But this week, I am losing the battle. I am collapsing under the weight of this year. The last few days, I find myself simply falling apart. I can’t hold back the tears another moment. I can’t put a smile on my face and pretend I am doing just fine. I can’t hold in the grief that is filling every inch of my being. Perhaps you understand. Perhaps you too feel as if this year has been a nightmare, destroying your peace and security. Perhaps you feel as if your very life is crumbling, collapsing. Perhaps you can no longer hold in the tears, no longer pretend everything is just fine. If you are consumed by grief this Christmas, you are not alone. Can we just take a moment to pray?

Lord Jesus,

I am so overwhelmed. My heart is heavy, burdened. The losses this year are crushing me, overcoming my peace and joy. I know you tell us you are close to the brokenhearted, but I don’t feel you. I feel lost, hopeless, abandoned.

I know this is a season, a season that has a beginning and an end. But right now it feels like it will never end. I need hope, hope to believe you will truly restore me, strengthen me. I need hope to believe you will one day have me put together and on my feet for good. I need a vision of the future you have for me, a future of hope and blessings from you.

It’s so easy to become distracted, to focus on the many losses I have experienced. Forgive me. Help me to put my thoughts, my attention on you. Help me cling to you, to your word, to your promises. Help me be fixed on you because I know it’s the only way to enjoy your perfect peace.

As I walk through this holiday season, give me a fresh glimpse of who You are. Help me remember the suffering You experienced as You watched your Son on the cross, a gift given just for me. Help me remember with joy and wonder the amazing gifts we have simply because you gave, a precious baby born that Christmas morning. Help me focus my heart and mind on Immanuel, God with me.

You are my hope, my only hope, for Christmas and every day on this earth. May I always carry your hope with me.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Seeing God’s Goodness in the Midst of Difficult Circumstances

By: Kia Stephens as written for Encouragement for Today Devotional; posted on Proverbs 31 Ministries

“The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.” Genesis 32:31 (NIV)

“Take another step,” I told myself, as my body countered with pain. Everything in me wanted to stop, turn around and quit, but my little family of four had gone too far to turn back. After hiking up a 3,000-foot mountain the day before, we now found ourselves trekking into a 1,000-foot canyon with stunning river and waterfall views. Despite the fact that I was aching everywhere, we continued to inch down to the bottom in hopes of getting a closer look at the rushing waters. On all sides, we were surrounded by canyon walls, towering trees and audacious wildflowers. It was breathtaking, but I was distracted by my pain. Sore muscles, gasps for air and fatigue all competed for my attention, and nearly won. God’s spectacular creation was up close and personal, and all I could think about was when it would be over. The more I thought about my inability to fully enjoy my surroundings, the more I realized I had been in this place before. Pain had clouded my perspective on more than one occasion and prevented me from seeing obvious glimpses of God. Exhaustion with raising my kids, disappointment in failure, overwhelm in hardship and sickness of a loved one have all made it difficult to see God’s goodness at times. I think Jacob may have experienced something similar after wrestling all night, as recorded in the book of Genesis.

Scripture tells us that Jacob wrestled a man until daybreak. We do not know if this man was an angel or God Himself, but we do know His strength was superior to Jacob’s. During the course of their battle, the man touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they fought. In the middle of this life-changing battle, Jacob was debilitated in a matter of seconds. Though pain may have shot through his body, Jacob refused to let go of the man until receiving a blessing. In response, the man gave him a new name: Israel. Jacob went from being known as a deceiver to one who struggled with God. Jacob’s new name would be that of God’s chosen people. Jacob was blessed, had been given a new name, was heir to Abraham’s promise and yet he also now had a limp. Genesis 32:31 says, “The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.”

The name change was a demonstration of God’s promise-keeping goodness at work, but I am convinced that God’s goodness can also be seen in Jacob’s dislocated hip. Since we do not know if Jacob’s hip ever healed, it is probable that Jacob walked with a limp for the rest of his days. Every day, Jacob had a vivid reminder of his weakness in comparison to God’s supernatural strength. Daily, he would be encouraged to rely not on his deceptive tendencies but rather on his almighty God. This too was a display of God’s goodness. Just as the goodness of God can be seen in Jacob’s difficult circumstance, it can also be seen in mine. I saw God’s blessings in the amazement of my children once we finally made it to the bottom of that canyon. I witnessed His sovereignty as I took in His creation. I experienced His grace as we made our way back out of that canyon. Though difficult to see, God’s goodness is present in our most challenging life experiences. It may seem as if God is not present at all when we face difficulties, but God is always present. He has a perfect plan for the things we deem good, but also for what we perceive as difficult. When we choose to adjust our perspectives, we can see His goodness, even in life’s difficult circumstances.

Dear God, thank You that Your goodness is evident in my difficult circumstances. Please show me Your goodness where I cannot see it in my life. Help me to trust and believe that Your ways are always good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

2 Corinthians 12:7b, “… Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” (NIV)

Free Ice Cream for Life?

Look to the past for support in the present

By Ryan Denison

Baskin-Robbins is in the news today after recently celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary by awarding a prize for each year they’ve been in business. 

While most of the winners will receive gift cards or even free ice cream for a year, one lucky person will walk away with free ice cream for life. 

All you have to do to enter is share a quick story about your favorite memory involving Baskin-Robbins with the hashtag #BRSweepstakes.

For me, it’s a toss-up between going for a cone of strawberry with my family after tae kwon do practice as a kid and, more recently, taking my kids there after school. After all, there’s just something fun about recreating childhood memories with your own children. And I suspect that will be a common theme among many of the entrants. 

It’s a common theme in the Bible as well.

What are you modeling for future generations?

One of the most important tasks God gave his people in Scripture was teaching future generations to follow him well. 

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

While he gave clear instruction for how they were to do that (Deuteronomy 6:5–9), far too often the example they set failed to reinforce the values they taught. They would go through the motions of worshiping the Lord, but too often it resembled empty sacrifices typical of the transactional faiths found in the nations around them. 

As such, by the time of Christ, the majority of good Jewish families raised their children in the synagogue and emphasized the importance of remaining loyal to the Lord, but there was often no real relationship. How could there be? Generations upon generations had been raised to prioritize largely empty acts of worship over the pursuit of a genuine interaction with God.

We cannot afford to make the same mistake in our communities of faith today.

Reflect to renew

To that end, one of the best safeguards against teaching a lifeless faith to others is by remembering the times when our walk with the Lord was the most vibrant. Doing so can renew our passion for God while also providing a framework for helping others grow in their faith as well. 

That’s not to say that everyone’s relationship with the Lord will or should look the same. After all, when done right, that relationship is as unique and personal as a relationship with a spouse, good friend, or loved one. 

But there are certain principles and, just as importantly, a genuine sense of joy and engagement that should be common among all who call God their heavenly Father. 

So whether you have small children, grown children, or no children at all, take a moment to reflect on the times that your relationship with the Lord has seemed the most real and intimate, then ask him to help you gauge how that compares to your walk with him today. 

Doing so can reinvigorate your faith while also positioning you to help others do the same.

“The Gift That Lives On”

By Robin Wiley

I’ll admit, I am not the best writer. I learned to improve my writing when I entered graduate school in 2012, where in seminary, you have to write hundreds of papers by the time you finish whatever degree plan you worked towards. I truly enjoy reading other people’s work and exploring different points of view on religion and psychology, which were my concentration in grad school. 

Going over to my father-in-laws’ is a real treat because he is a collector – a collector of books, movies, articles, memories, and pictures. He is always showing me some of his treasures when Scott and I visit. From his treasures of articles – I found some real gems I would like to share with all of you over this month’s devotions from me. They all really touched my heart, and I hope they bring a little joy to yours as well.

This story I am sharing in today’s devotional has been around for a very long time. It is entitled: “The Gift That Lives On”. It is the story of Teddy Stallard, and it’s from the book Man to Man by Swindoll (1996). This one makes me cry every time! No kidding – I dare you to read it and not cry!

Teddy Stallard certainly qualified as “one of the least”; disinterested in school; musty, wrinkled clothes; hair never combed; one of “those kids” in school with a deadpan face; an expressionless, glassy, unfocused start. When Miss Thompson spoke to Teddy he always answered in monosyllables. Unattractive, unmotivated, and distant, he was just plain hard to like.

Even though his teacher said she loved all in her class the same, down deep inside she wasn’t being completely truthful. Whenever she marked Teddy’s papers, she got a certain perverse pleasure out of putting Xs next to the wrong answer, and when she put the Fs at the top of the papers, she always id it with a flair. She should have known better; she had Teddy’s records and she knew more about him than she wanted to admit. The records read:

1st Grade: Teddy shows promise with his work and attitude, but poor home situation.

2nd Grade: Teddy could do better. Mother is seriously ill. He receives little help at home.

3rd Grade: Teddy is a good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

4th Grade: Teddy is very slow, but well behaved. His father shows no interest. 

Christmas came and the boys and girls in Miss Thompson’s class brought her Christmas presents. They piled their presents on her desk and crowded around to watch her open them. Among the presents there was one from Teddy Stallard. She was surprised that he had brought her a gift, but he had. Teddy’s gift was wrapped in brown paper and was held together with Scotch tape. On the paper were written the simple words, “For Miss Thompson from Teddy” When she opened Teddy’s present, out fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume.

The other boys and girls began to giggle and smirk over Teddy’s gifts, but Miss Thompson at least had enough sense to silence them by immediately putting on the bracelet and putting some of the perfume on her wrist. Holding her wrist up for the other children to smell, she said, “Doesn’t it smell lovely?” And the children, taking their cues from the teacher, readily agreed with “oohs” and “aahs.”

At the end of the day, when school was over and the other children had left, Teddy lingered behind. He slowly came over to her desk and said softly, “Miss Thompson…Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother…and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked my presents.” When Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her.

The next day when the children came to school, they were welcomed by a new teacher. Miss Thompson had become a different person. She was no longer just a teacher; she had become an agent of God. She was now a person committed to loving her children and doing things for them that would live on after her. She helped all the children, but especially the slow ones, and especially Teddy Stallard. By the end of that school year, Teddy showed dramatic improvement. He had caught up with most of the students and was even ahead of some.

She didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then one day, she received a note that read:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.

Love Teddy Stallard”

Four years later, another note came:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I like it.

Love Teddy Stallard”

And four years later:

“Dear Miss Thompson:

            As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. 

Love Teddy Stallard”

Miss Thompson went to that wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat. She deserved to sit there; she had done something for Teddy that he could never forget.

______________________

Robin W. comment: So here I am at the end of the story -yet again in tears. I challenge you to become an agent of God like Miss Thompson – I know I became one when I started as the youth pastor here at FBCW. If we let Him, God can use each of us to love, encourage and buildup others around us in our sphere of influence. Be that change!   

Prayer:

Father God, forgive any thoughts I have in my heart that are displeasing to you. Fill me with your loving kindness and show me ways I can be an agent of change to do good here where I live. In Jesus Powerful Name – Amen.

A Prayer to Our Prince of Peace

By: Lisa Appelo, as written for Your Daily Prayer Devotional, posted on crosscards.com

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:1-2 [NIV]

This passage talks about stumps and shoots. We have several big oak trees in our yard and when one of them started endangering the house, we had it cut all the way down to a stump. A few months later? New green shoots with glossy green leaves began growing right out of that stump. That’s the picture that the prophet Isaiah uses. Seven hundred years before Jesus was ever born, Isaiah prophesied that a Messiah would come from the root of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David, an ancestor of both Mary and Joseph. While nearly all of King David’s royal line would be wiped out, God promised a Messiah would come from the stump of Jesse.  Out of what looked like a dead royal line -- when a pagan, Roman government rather than a Hebrew king ruled over Israel -- God brought about that new shoot: the Messiah – Jesus. Jesus, didn’t rule like King David with an earthly palace or majestic throne or royal robes conquering enemy nations through a mighty army. Instead, Jesus came in poverty and humility, to reveal a heavenly kingdom and to conquer the curse of sin through his own death.

Advent Prayer:

O Father, we praise you that before the foundation of the world You chose Jesus, our Messiah, to come to earth and show us the Way to the heavenly kingdom and to be the Way to the heavenly kingdom. We thank you for making room for us who are redeemed in Your heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus, we worship you as King of Kings and Lord of lords. You are my King. You have rule over my heart and my life, my thoughts and time and goals. I bow to You only and give you full and free reign over my life. Help me not to grip anything so tightly that I am unwilling to release it to You. You are a just King; our Prince of Peace. Help me to desire Your kingdom above that of my own making and bow to Your will above my own.

Holy Spirit, lead me in the ways of the heavenly kingdom. Teach me wisdom from above and guide me in truth. Help me to have eyes that see and ears that hear all that God has for me. Help me to know the Lord, to fully understand His might, to fear turning away from Him and to know His grace.

We love you Lord. With all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind and all of our strength we love you. We lavish you with our worship. We come to adore You today. Amen.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

*adapted from Countdown to Christmas: Unwrap the Real Christmas Story with Your Family in 15 Days.

Advent Worship Service - Joy

Call To Worship - Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;[a]
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[b]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.[c]
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.

8 For I the Lord love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrong;[d]
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
    and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations,
    and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
    that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to sprout up before all the nations.

Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
That all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy, unspeakable joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul, never let's me go

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy, unspeakable joy
And overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul, never let's me go

Lighting of the Advent Candle - John 1:6-8; 19-28

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight[a] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Baptisms

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

It’s Christmas

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh

It's Christmas
The angels are singing
And I know the reason
The Savior is born
It's Christmas
The bells are ringing
And I feel like shouting
Joy to the world

Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
And bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there

It's Christmas
The angels are singing
And I know the reason
The Savior is born
Yes, it's Christmas
The bells are ringing
And I feel like shouting
Joy to the world

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

And ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look, now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy, Holy are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb
Amen

Sermon

O Come Let us Adore Him/Agnus Dei

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
Christ the Lord

Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy, Holy are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the Lamb
Amen

Spanish Service

Isaías 61:1-4,Isaías 61:8-11

61  El Espíritu de Jehová el Señor está sobre mí, porque me ungió Jehová; me ha enviado a predicar buenas nuevas a los abatidos, a vendar a los quebrantados de corazón, a publicar libertad a los cautivos, y a los presos apertura de la cárcel; 

2 a proclamar el año de la buena voluntad de Jehová, y el día de venganza del Dios nuestro; a consolar a todos los enlutados;

3 a ordenar que a los afligidos de Sion se les dé gloria en lugar de ceniza, óleo de gozo en lugar de luto, manto de alegría en lugar del espíritu angustiado; y serán llamados árboles de justicia, plantío de Jehová, para gloria suya. 

4 Reedificarán las ruinas antiguas, y levantarán los asolamientos primeros, y restaurarán las ciudades arruinadas, los escombros de muchas generaciones.

8 Porque yo Jehová soy amante del derecho, aborrecedor del latrocinio para holocausto; por tanto, afirmaré en verdad su obra, y haré con ellos pacto perpetuo. 

9 Y la descendencia de ellos será conocida entre las naciones, y sus renuevos en medio de los pueblos; todos los que los vieren, reconocerán que son linaje bendito de Jehová. 

10 En gran manera me gozaré en Jehová, mi alma se alegrará en mi Dios; porque me vistió con vestiduras de salvación, me rodeó de manto de justicia, como a novio me atavió, y como a novia adornada con sus joyas.

11 Porque como la tierra produce su renuevo, y como el huerto hace brotar su semilla, así Jehová el Señor hará brotar justicia y alabanza delante de todas las naciones. 

Al Mundo Paz

Verse 1:

Al mundo paz nació Jesús, Nació ya nuestro Rey El corazón ya tiene luz, Y paz su santa grey Y paz su santa grey Y paz Y paz su santa grey

Verse 2:

Al mundo paz el Salvador, En tierra reinará Ya es feliz el pecador, Jesús perdón le da, Jesús perdón le da, Jesús, Jesús perdón le da

Chorus:

Gozo inexpresable gozo Canto con júbilo En mi corazón Gozo inexpresable gozo Me regocijare En Tu gran poder

Verse 3:

Al mundo el gobernará, Con gracia y con poder, A las naciones mostrará, Su amor y su poder, Su amor y su poder, su amor, su amor y su poder

Chorus:

Gozo inexpresable gozo Canto con júbilo En mi corazón Gozo inexpresable gozo Me regocijare

En Tu gran poder

Angeles Cantando Están

Verse 1:

Angeles cantando están

Tan dulcísima canción;

Las montañas su eco dan

Como fiel contestación.

Chorus:

Gloria
a Dios en lo alto, Gloria
a Dios en lo alto,

Verse 2:

Los pastores sin cesar

Sus loores dan a Dios;

Cuán glorioso es el cantar

De su melodiosa voz.

Verse 3:

¡Oh! venid pronto a Belén

Para contemplar con fe

A Jesús, autor del bien,

Al recién nacido Rey.

Es Navidad

Verse 1

A- llá en el pesebre, do nace Je -sús
La cuna de paja nos vierte gran luz Estrellas lejanas del cielo al mirar
Se inclinan go- zosas su lumbre a prestar

Verse 2

Pastores del campo, teniendo te-mor, Cercados de luz y de gran resplandor, Acuden a prisa buscando a Je- sús

Nacido en pe- sebre del mundo

Chorus 1

Es Navidad los angeles cantan Hoy ha nacido Cristo el Senor Es Navidad campanas sonando Yo alabando Al mundo paz

Verse 3

Extraño bullicio despierta al
Mas no llora el Niño, pues es puro amor;
Oh vélanos, Cristo Je-sús, sin ce- sar!
Y a-sí bien fe- lices siempre hemos de estar.

Chorus 1

Bridge

Vé dilo en las montañas, En todas partes y alrededor; Vé dilo en las montañas, Aue Cristo el Rey nació

Chorus 2
Es Navidad los angeles cantan
Hoy ha nacido Cristo el Senor Es Navidad campanas sonando Yo alabando Al mundo paz
Al mundo paz
Al mundo paz

¿Qué Niño es Éste?

¿Qué niño es éste que al dormir En brazos de María Pastores velan, ángeles Le cantan melodías?

Coro:
El es el Cristo, el Rey,

Pastores, ángeles cantad;

Venid, venid a él, al hijo de María.

¿Por qué en humilde establo así

El niño es hoy nacido?

Por todo injusto pecador

Su amor ha florecido.

-Coro-

Traed ofrendas en su honor

El rey como el labriego,

Al Rey de reyes, Salvador,

Un trono levantemos.

Noche De Paz

¡Noche de paz, noche de amor!
Todo duerme en derredor,
Entre los astros que esparcen su luz Bella anunciando al niñito Jesús, Brilla la estrella de paz,
Brilla la estrella de paz.

Venid Adoremos/Aleluya

Venid adoremos, Venid adoremos, Venid adoremos a Cristo el Señor

Digno eres tu, Digno eres tu, Tu eres Santo, Santo
El Senor Dios, poderoso
Digno eres tu, digno eres tu, A--men

A Prayer for Abundant Life

By: Lindsay Tedder, as written for Your Daily Prayer devotional; posted on crosscards.com Dec 10

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10

We’ve heard it all before. The enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. His entire life’s mission is to steal our joy, destroy our souls, and kill our bodies, ruining our chance at eternity with our Creator. When I take a minute to think about what this looks like in my life, I’m met with immense overwhelm. I let random and unimportant life situations steal more joy than I’m happy to admit. I have been tempted to partake in activities that could ultimately destroy my soul. I pray against the enemy’s schemes daily, because I know how susceptible I am to his tricks. Think about it: Your eyes burst open from the depths of a deep slumber. You were in the midst of an intense dream. You can tell by the rapid beat of your heart and the sweat on your brow. You try to get settled back into bed, praying for slumber to return, only to wrestle your pillow for a few hours. Then when you’re finally back asleep, your alarm blares in your ear reminding you of the busy day ahead. As you continue through your morning, you run out of toothpaste because you forgot to stop at the store last night. “Grrr…today is going to be great” you sneer to the mirror, your words dripping with sarcasm. As you make your way to the car, your shoe breaks, forcing you to turn around and change, wasting more time. Then, as you’re driving, someone cuts you off, almost causing an accident. By this point, you are fuming. The way in which your morning has gone has now become an assumptive prediction of the way the rest of the day will unfold. You muddle through the day getting more frustrated with every passing hour. Nothing is going your way. We’ve all been there. Overwhelmed by a barrage of poorly timed frustrations. But… are they really poorly timed? Is it truly a coincidence? Or are we allowing the enemy to grab hold of the slightest piece of our heart, leading to an entire day of enemy strongholds?

When we willingly hand the enemy the tiniest snippet of our joy it can quickly become a breeding ground of discontent, which leads to a disconnect from our Father. Jesus’ words in John 10:10 tell us that the enemy is real. The enemy is on the move. The enemy wants us. He wants to distract us with trivial things that seem anything but trivial in the moment so that he can continue to have one foot in the door of our lives. Jesus, however, comes to give us life. He doesn’t stop there, though. Not only does Jesus come to give us life, but rather life “more abundantly.” How beautiful a picture does that paint? Our Father loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to just have life, but He wants to overflow His abundance upon us. What would it look like to have an abundance of the life He intended for us to live? I can promise you that those days where nothing is going your way, surely are not what He has in mind!

What are you allowing the enemy to steal, kill, or destroy?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you. Thank you for loving me so much that you want me to have an abundant life. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me. Thank you for informing me of the enemy’s tactics and tricks. Thank you for the protection from the stealing and killing and destroying, the enemy tries to hurl my way.

Lord, I pray fervently that you open my eyes to the tricks of the enemy. Allow me to walk through today with a discerning heart, as I traverse the mundane details of this earthly life. I pray that you never allow these lessons to be wasted. Remind me when I fall victim to the days where nothing is going my way, that I need only YOU. I surrender my attitude to you, Lord. I surrender my thoughts that say, “nothing is going my way.”

I willingly exchange the enemy’s attempt at death and destruction with your abundant and free-flowing life. Guide me today and every day and continue to remind me who I am.

In your matchless name, I pray.

Amen.

Following The Good Shepherd In Tumultuous Times

By: Dr. Steven K. Parker

Reflection on the week:

·      Reflect on your experiences the last few months.  Do you think God has been using your circumstance to shape you in some way or teach you something?

·      Discuss your thoughts on what God might be doing in your story.

·      Take a few moments to prepare your heart to receive God’s word.

 Approaching God’s word: Read these words slowly, prayerfully, and thoughtfully, focusing on vs. 6.

Reading the text:

1      The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2       He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3       He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5    You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6       Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Reflection on the passage:

·      What is the Psalmist affirming in these lines?

·      Restate this verse in your own words.

Pastoral Thoughts:

In the midst of this maddening pandemic and all the economic woes and political frustrations that have accompanied this challenging year, we’ve let ancient Psalm echo among us.  We’ve read and re-read these lines asking, “What does it mean to worship the living God in tumultuous times?”  We’ve considered God’s status as our shepherd and how embracing God’s providence challenges our consumerist approaches to life, ministry, and worship.  We’ve considered the nourishment, refreshment, and re-creation that come from resting in God’s presence.  We’ve thought about what it means to be led in God’s righteous paths.  We’ve reflected upon God’s presence even in the darkest days of life and the comfort that comes from His protective correction.  We’ve considered what it means to commune with God and one another at His table.  As we look toward Christmas in this odd year, this ancient Psalm speaks to us about Eternal Life in the Shepherd’s Home.  As we get to the conclusion of this great Psalm, it reminds us that even in a controversial election cycle, even in a pandemic, even in a time of great uncertainty and hardship, our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  That great message grounds us in this hope that is the cornerstone of our faith; a hope that cannot be shaken, even in the most difficult circumstances of life!  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  

When we trust Christ and receive His forgiveness in our lives, He becomes our Good Shepherd…our Divine Host forever.  When we follow Jesus by faith, we begin a journey that has no end.  We discover an abundant life with God that has no end and cannot be conquered, even by a grave.  Life eternal is a life with the quality of eternity…a life lived with an awareness of God’s presence every day and with the promise that we will be with God in the life to come.  Because of what Jesus has done for all of us, we can embrace this invitation to Eternal Life in the Shepherd’s Home.  We can live through the roughest days life throws at us because we know God is with us today and that we will be with God when we close our eyes for the last time in this life.  There is coming a day when there will be no more political disagreements, no more coronavirus, no more suffering, and no more death.  We can live today in the light of that great promise and join in the Psalmist’s praise saying: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Further Reflection:

●      How does this promise of eternal life in the Shepherd’s home both change us today and prepare us for eternity? 

●      Spend a few moments praising God for His good, eternal blessings.

Praying together: Thank You, God, for the promise of life eternal through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Forgive us for when we fixate so much on things that are temporal that we fail to set our eyes on the things that are eternal.  Forgive us also for when we look toward heaven without thinking about the impact eternity should have upon our daily spirit and conduct.  Help us to live today like people who will spend forever with You!  Amen.  In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

Looking ahead:  If you’d like to look back at this study on the 23rd Psalm titled: Following the Good Shepherd in Tumultuous Times you can access those services by clicking here.  This Sunday we will continue our in-person parking lot service.  You can come and worship in-person or join the live online broadcast at 11 AM. 

Bethlehem

BY: Dr. O.S. Hawkins

Let Us Go to Bethlehem

Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us. 

Luke 2:15

It was a dark night… yet there was light! The Light of the world had come. Bethlehem almost missed it. No room. So the young, pregnant Jewish girl found herself without the decency of even a clean sheet or a simple cot. In her hour of labor, her bed was straw in a stable. And, when the babe was born, she herself, with trembling fingers, wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in the feeding trough.

Down the hillside a group of shepherds had a surprise visit from heaven. They rushed to the stable, found the babe, and returned “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20).

Let’s become Bethlehem ourselves. We find in this little village a place of potential, providence, and privilege. The Lord longs for you to become a Bethlehem in your own right. That is, to awaken to the fact that you are a person of potential, providence, and privilege.

*

Bethlehem Is a Place of Potential

But you, Bethlehem… though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth… the One… whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

Micah 5:2

Think of it. Of all the places for the Messiah to be born, God chose Bethlehem. One would have thought it might be in a much more prominent place, like Jerusalem. Bethlehem reminds us that in God’s economy the small shall become great, and the last shall be first. Bethlehem was a place of potential, and even though you may feel insignificant, like Bethlehem, so are you!

As the Lord looks at you, He doesn’t see you for what you are, but for what you could become. This is the message of Bethlehem.

God did not come to Caesar’s palace to be born, nor to Herod’s court. He arrived quietly, almost unannounced in a seemingly insignificant village.

God is reminding you today that in His eyes you have potential for greatness. See yourself as a Bethlehem. You, too, are a person of potential.

*

Bethlehem Is a Place of Providence

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting. 

Micah 5:2

Long centuries before His birth, the prophets foretold that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. But how? Joseph and Mary resided seventy miles north, in Nazareth. God put the whole world in motion to fulfill His Word. A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that everyone was to go to the place of their family lineage to pay taxes. So Joseph, because he was in the line of David, left Nazareth with his very pregnant wife on a long journey of inconvenience.

Many of the things in our lives that on the surface appear inconvenient, may just be the hand of God’s providence getting us to our own Bethlehem.

Bethlehem reminds us that what God promises, He performs — no matter what. Bethlehem is a place of providence, and so are you.

*

Bethlehem Is a Place of Privilege

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.

Galatians 4:19

What an awesome privilege to be the handpicked city to cradle the Son of God. Why Bethlehem? Why not Jerusalem, the seat of religious power? Or Rome, the center of political power? Or Athens, the center of intellectual power? God was sending a message.

The hope of our world is not in religion, politics, or philosophy. God privileged the little village of Bethlehem to send the message — the hope of the world is in a Savior!

This Christmas could become a Bethlehem moment for you. Like Bethlehem, you can awaken to a brand-new world. The same Christ born in Bethlehem can be born again in you. Paul puts it this way: “I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” If you think Bethlehem is privileged to be His birthplace, what a greater privilege for Christ to be born in you.

Open Hand

I [Robin W.] came across these beautiful, heart-felt devotions on a website for those with mental illness, written by others who are battling mental illness, while researching the topic along with suicide rates through this 10 month Covid season. Right now in Japan, more people died from suicide in October 2020 than from Covid in all of 2020. And women have been impacted most.[1] Americans are also seeing an uptick in the suicide rate as well during these past few months.[2]

I am probably like most of you out there – with being so over the social distancing and wearing masks thing but I know it is necessary to remain healthy and be part of the solution to eradicate the virus. Mental health is also so important to all of us but when you are someone who has been facing a mental health challenge during the Covid season it can be all the more stressful with the upcoming holiday season.

Last week’s advent candle was the light of HOPE. No matter what type of season we are facing, we can all participate in God’s redemptive light with waiting for Jesus Christ to come again by joining Paul in prayer that:“the God of hope might fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). 

“open hand”, posted February 17, 2020; https://offigtreesandmustardseeds.com/open-hand/, author anonymous

OPEN HAND

 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 (ESV)

As we approached our last year of living in Davenport, and all the decisions and uncertainty that came with it, our small group prayed for us. One of the women there that night asked God that we would approach him with an open hand. I remember envisioning myself opening up my palms to the Lord, letting go of my perceived control, and receiving what he had for me. It is still one of the best prayers I remember ever hearing prayed for me, it changed my whole mindset toward God’s plans.

Have you ever prayed unselfishly? Not by praying for someone else, but by being open to God’s plan for you? By knowing he is guiding your life and stands in completion of his plan for you, for all things?

He knows your heart and your desires. He knows your limits and abilities, and he knows everything you need. And he will provide it all. Jesus knew how to do this, and that’s why he taught the Lord’s Prayer.

God doesn’t lead us to guilt. Conviction, yes, but not guilt. Shame-inducing whispers and uncertainty are from the enemy, the devil. Whatever you pray, trust the Lord. Lay it all down at his feet, open and honest. He already knows it all. 

Prayer isn’t for God to know what we think we need. It’s for us—to reorient ourselves toward reliance on him. Believe what he has for you is good.

Reflection:

• Ask God how He can use your hands for some ministry around you to do good.

• Open your heart and open your hands to receive Him.

Prayer:

Father God, whatever I am dealing with right now, I turn it all over to You. You are my rock, my stronghold and deliverer. Thank you for the light of Hope, who is your son Christ Jesus. I can rest in knowing I am in good hands. In Jesus Powerful Name – Amen. 

[1] https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/28/asia/japan-suicide-women-covid-dst-intl-hnk/index.html

[2] https://abcnews.go.com/Health/predictions-suicides-overdoses-domestic-abuse-covid-coming-true/story?id=73836752

The Lord Understands

By Charles Stanley (https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions)

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 

16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do you realize Jesus knows what it feels like to have human struggles? The Lord left the glories of heaven behind to add humanity to His deity. He temporarily gave up His divine privileges and submitted Himself to do only what the Father commanded. Then He willingly gave up His life on the cross so we could be forgiven and reconciled to God. And even now, the resurrected Lord sits in heaven as our high priest, interceding for us.

Our Savior understands precisely how we feel because He went through the same types of situations we do. Though our specific circumstances don’t match the Lord’s, we have much in common with what He experienced and felt. Jesus suffered exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and pain just as we do. He also knows the heartache of being lonely, misunderstood, hated, rejected, and unjustly treated. 

Whatever you’re going through right now, remember that Jesus knows how you feel and sympathizes with your pain and weakness. He may not remove the anguish or change your situation, but He does promise He’ll always be with you.

Sunday English Worship

Call To Worship - Pastor Ray Sanchez Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear note’ say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Days of Elijah/Joy to the World

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call,
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh,
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call,
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature

sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

There's no God like Jehovah (Repeat)

Scripture Reading Mark 1:1-8 (ESV) Steven & Cindy Cortez Family

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Go Tell It On the Mountain

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Chorus:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth; Chorus:

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent out salvation
That blessed Christmas morn. Chorus:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald Angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With Angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald Angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald Angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a virgin's womb

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
The newborn King!

We Fall Down

We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus

And we cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
Is the lamb

Still We Wait For The Light (The Promise of Love Yet Fulfilled)

Verse 1:

A people in darkness see a great light a path of peace has dawned.

Oh world bathed in sin, let redemption in, and join in creation's song.

Chorus:

Oh His cries from the stable in Bethlehem,

To His cries on Golgatha's hill

Proclaim to the world that our faith is secure

The promise of hope is fulfilled.

Still we wait for the Light to engulf the dark

As our struggles through life now reveal.

But His Kingdom will come and His will be done

The promise of love yet fulfilled, The promise of love yet fulfilled.

Verse 2:

We wander on dark roads, black, stained with death Our judgement looming o'r.

But Christ in our place sets our sins ablaze, Lord freedom and hope secured!

Verse 3:

The dark of this world spreads fear, angst angst and hate through loveless, bitter sin.

But Je sus' great light will set wrongs to right. God's Kingdom will never end!

Chorus:

Oh His cries from the stable in Bethlehem,

To His cries on Golgatha's hill

Proclaim to the world that our faith is secure

The promise of hope is fulfilled.

Still we wait for the Light to engulf the dark

As our struggles through life now reveal.

But His Kingdom will come and His will be done

The promise of love yet fulfilled, The promise of love yet fulfilled.

Verse 4:

All you who are chosen stand strong and sing, Our voices raised as one!

The Spirit of God reigning in us now, Our lives shining for the Son!

Way Maker/O Come Let Us Adore Him

Even when I don't see it, You're working
Even when I don't feel it (yeah), You're working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working (You're the way maker, yeah)

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Yeah, yeah
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are

O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

For You alone are worthy, For You alone are worthy, For You alone are worthy

Christ the Lord!

Sunday Servicio en Español

Llamada a la Adoración Victor Garcia Lucas 1:26-38 (NTV)

Cuando Elisabet estaba en su sexto mes de embarazo, Dios envió al ángel Gabriel a Nazaret, una aldea de Galilea, a una virgen llamada María. Ella estaba comprometida para casarse con un hombre llamado José, descendiente del rey David. Gabriel se le apareció y dijo: <<Saludos, mujer favorecida! El Señor está contigo!>> Confusa y perturbada, María trató de pensar lo que el ángel quería decir. - No tengas miedo, María, - le dijo el ángel-, porque has hallado el favor de Dios! Concebirás y darás a luz un hijo, y le pondrás por nombre Jesús. Él será muy grande y lo llamarán Hijo del Altísimo. El Señor Dios le dará el trono de su antepasado David. Y reinará sobre Israel para siempre; su reino no tendrá fin! - Pero cómo podrá suceder esto?- le preguntó María al ángel-. Soy virgen. El ángel le contestó: -El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra. Por lo tanto, el bebé que nacerá será santo y será llamado Hijo de Dios. Además, tu parienta Elisabet, quedó embarazada en su vejez! Antes la gente decía que ella era estéril, pero ha concebido un hijo y ya está en su sexto mes de embarazo. Pues la palabra de Dios nunca dejará de cumplirse. María respondió: - Soy la sierva del Señor. Que se cumpla todo lo que has dicho acerca de mí Y el ángel la dejó.

Días son éstos de Elías/Al Mundo Paz

Días son éstos de Elías Declaran palabra de Dios

Y días también de Moisés Tu siervo Justicia reinando otra vez

Y aunque libremos batallas Hambruna carencia y dolor

Aún se oye voz que en desierto clama Prepara el camino al Señor

Chorus 1

He aquí

Yeshúa viene ya

Brillando como el sol

En el cielo lo verás

Declara hoy

El año del Señor

Desde Sión llegó La salvación

Al mundo paz nació Jesús, Nació ya nuestro Rey

El corazón ya tiene luz, Y paz su santa grey

Y paz su santa grey Y paz Y paz su santa grey

Al mundo paz el Salvador, En tierra reinará

Ya es feliz el pecador, Jesús perdón le da,

Jesús perdón le da, Jesús, Jesús perdón le da

Quien fue, Y Quien Es, Y Quien a de venir.

Lectura de las Escrituras - Guadalupe y Andrea Gonzalez Marcos 1:1-8 (RVR1960)

Principio del evangelio de Jesucristo, Hijo de Dios. Como está en Isaías el profeta: He aquí you envío mi mensajero delante de tu faz, El cual preparará tu camino delante de ti. Voz del que clama en el desierto: Preparad el camino del Señor; Enderezad sus sendas. Bautizaba Juan en el desierto, y predicaba el bautismo de arrepentimiento para perdón de pecados. Y salían a él toda la provincia de Judea, y todos los de Jerusalén; y eran bautizados por él en el río de Jordán, confesando sus pecados. Y Juan estaba vestido de pelo de camello, y tenía un cinto de cuero alrededor de sus lomos; y comía langostas y miel silvestre. Y predicaba, diciendo: Viene tras mí el que es más poderoso que yo, a quien no soy digno de desatar encorvado la correa de su calzado. Yo a la verdad os he bautizado con agua; pero él os bautizará con Espíritu Santo.

Ve Dilo en las Montañas

Chorus:

Ve, dilo en las montañas, en todas partes y alrededor;

Ve, dilo en las montañas: que Cristo el Rey nació

Verse 1:

El mundo ha esperado que Cristo el Rey de paz,

Viniera a esta tierra trayéndole solaz

Verse 2:

Llegó como un niño de noche en Belén;

Del cielo las estrellas le alumbraron también

Verse 3:

Y los que son de Cristo debieran proclamar,

Que Cristo al mundo vino los hombres a salvar

Se Oye Un Son En Alta Esfera

Verse 1:

Se oye un son en alta esfera: "¡En los cielos gloria a Dios!

¡Al mortal paz en la tierra!" Canta la celeste voz
Con los cielos alabemos, Al eterno Rey cantemos
A Jesús, que es nuestro bien, Con el coro de Belén;

Canta la celeste voz: "¡En los cielos gloria a Dios!"

Verse 2:

El Señor de los señores, El Ungido celestial,
A salvar los pecadores vino al mundo terrenal
Gloria al Verbo encarnado, En humanidad velado; Gloria al Santo de Israel, Cuyo nombre es Emanuel; Canta la celeste voz: "¡En los cielos gloria a Dios!"

Verse 3:

Príncipe de paz eterna, Gloria a ti, Señor Jesús;

Entregando el alma tierna, Tú nos traes vida y luz

Has tu majestad dejado, Y buscarnos te has dignado;

Para darnos el vivir, A la muerte quieres ir

Canta la celeste voz: "¡En los cielos gloria a Dios!"

¿Quien Es Ese Rey?

Una estrella lo anunció
Un pesebre lo recibió
Ángeles cantan alrededor
Ha nacido el redentor
Reyes vinieron a ver al rey
Y le ofrecieron adoración
La palabra se cumplió
Gente pregunta ¿quién es ese rey?

(Coro)
¿Quién es ese rey que ha nacido en Belén?
Su trono dejó para traernos salvación
¿Quién es ese rey que ha nacido en Belén?
Su trono dejó para traernos salvación

¿Quién es ese rey?
¿Quién es ese rey?

El salvador del mundo (X3)
Él es rey, él es rey

¿Quién es ese rey que ha nacido en Belén?

O Ven, O Ven, Rey Emanuel

Verse 1

O Ven, O ven, Rey Emanuel, Rescata ya a Israel Que llora en su desolación Y espera su liberación

Chorus

Vendra Vendra Rey Emanuel Alegrate O Israel

Verse 3

Anhelo de los pueblos, ven; En ti podremos paz tener; De crueles guerras líbranos, Y reine soberano Dios

Verse 4

Ven tu, oh hijo de David, Tu trono establece aquí; Destruye el poder del mal. Visítanos, Rey celestial

Jesus, Where Are You?

By: Lysa Terkeurst, as written for Proverbs 31 Ministries, Encouragement for Today; posted December 3 on crosswalk.com

“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.” Mark 6:47-48a (NIV)

Have you ever walked through something so difficult, so terrifying, that you’ve caught yourself asking, “Jesus, where are You?”

Sometimes when life gets overwhelmingly hard or confusing, it can feel like our Messiah has gone missing. I’m sure that’s how the disciples felt in an incident that happened right after the feeding of the 5,000. They got in a boat and quickly found themselves in rough waters, tossed by strong winds. They strained at the oars as the realities of life beat against them. This storm was terrifying for them. The waves weren’t just ebbing, cresting and crashing like you’ve probably seen if you’ve ever been in rough waters. These waves were bubbling up and exploding all around them in unpredictable ways. Think what it looks like when you place a straw in a glass of water and blow with great force. They couldn't brace themselves or their boat. They were completely helpless and swallowed up by fear.

I certainly can’t blame them for being afraid in that moment. Sometimes it’s hard not to be completely consumed by fear in the midst of circumstances we didn’t see coming, isn’t it? Especially when we feel helpless, and there seems to be no good outcome in sight. Oh, how thankful I am that even when our storms cause us to lose sight of hope, Jesus never loses sight of us. While the disciples were in the boat straining, Jesus was on the mountainside praying. From Mount Arbel, Jesus could see the middle of the lake where the disciples were. “Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them” (Mark 6:47-48a). Jesus saw them. He went down to them. And they almost completely missed the miracle in the midst of their mess. The same miracle worker who multiplied the fish and the loaves was now walking on water near them, and they thought He was a ghost. They were terrified and then amazed, but they didn't understand, for the Scriptures say, “their hearts were hardened” (Mark 6:52b, NIV). What I want us to notice, though, is Jesus’ response to the disciples who missed Him and who cried out in fear, not faith. The Scripture says immediately (I love that it was immediate) He spoke to them and said, “Don’t be afraid” (Mark 6:50b, NIV). The word used here means, “don’t resist Me.” And He climbed into the boat with them.

He’s saying the same thing to you and me.

He’s not running from our messes. He’s climbing in to be right there with us. And with His presence comes peace. He wants us to see Him and know Him — truths we discover not just in this passage, but all throughout Scripture. The same God who willingly revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 33:19, 22; 34:6) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13) as He passed by them wants to reveal the fullness of His peace and the power of His presence to us as well. In the midst of whatever hurts and heartbreaks are disrupting our peace, I pray we will see Him coming. We no longer have to cry out in fear; we can call out in faith. Calm and trusting. Anxious for nothing. Because we know. We know He sees us. We know He’s for us. We know He’s in control.

Yes. The Lord is near. And we are safe.

Oh Lord, let me see this. Please don’t let the messes of life harden my heart and blind me to Your presence. Instead of being so terrified in the midst of the storm, might I keep the picture of You, watching me, always watching me. And might I find courage in the assurance that You will come to me with Your miraculous presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

A Prayer for Lost Christmas Traditions

By Meg Bucher as written for Your Daily Prayer devotional; posted on crosscards.com

Does the start of the Christmas season fill you with excited anticipation, or dread? For some of us, we get to re-live our favorite childhood traditions with our own families. For others, the past holiday seasons and lost traditions may sting our hearts.

Isaiah 9:6 reminds us we can have hope and joy this time of year, no matter how painful the past has been. “For to 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.”

Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God. He is the only one with the perfect amount of strength and courage to conquer sin for us and give us hope for this season and beyond. If you are feeling sad because of lost traditions, seek Him for restoration. Jesus came to feel what we feel, because He loves who we are. Find new ways to celebrate Christ this Christmas season, and know that the good news of Christmas is for you.

Father,

We praise You for the Christmas season, and the remembrance of Jesus’ glorious birth! You remind us in Isaiah of your powerful namesake, who came to earth for us. He could not be described by just one name or in one way. He is the One who holds the key to our peace and our freedom.

Thank You, Jesus, for coming to earth to pursue us. Thank You for the traditions that we treasure enough to miss, and those that we are blessed to continue celebrating. Forgive us for making Christmas about anything but you, Jesus. Unearth the routines that threaten to trip us up in pursuit of You, and open our eyes to recognize what matters the most.

Be with us this Christmas, Jesus. Open our eyes and our hearts to see you in a fresh, new way, whether in the midst of time-honored traditions or fresh new ways to celebrate Your birth.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

A Prayer to Put Jesus First This Christmas Season

By Debbie McDaniel, as written for Your Daily Prayer; posted on Crosscards.com Dec.1

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:7

No room for them. No vacancy. No place. Words that still seem to hang close, even today. In a world that seeks to crowd Jesus out, where busyness abounds, and hearts are stirred to focus on other things, it can be hard sometimes to choose to keep Him first. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the whole hurried dash of the holidays, and to give our attention to what seems more urgent. Our focus gets blurred; and the most important gets pushed aside. It takes an active and daily choice to put Christ first, especially in a culture that says you’re too busy to focus there. Or that life is too full. And there’s no more room. May God help us to choose wisely, what voices we listen to, and where we give our attention today. He is the One who brings true meaning to Christmas. He is the One who brings real peace in this all-too-often hectic season. He is the only One worthy of our time and attention as we slow down the maddening rush around our lives. We can know all of this in our heads, but may He help us to really believe it in our hearts... and choose to live it out this season.

Renewed.

Refreshed.

Making room for Him, first.

Dear God,

Help us to keep our focus first on Christ this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention on other things. Help us to reflect again, on what Christmas is really all about. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. Thank you that your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to remember that the gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas, but for the whole year through. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you today… and keep you first in our hearts and lives.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.