Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-23 As we approach a time we celebrate starting anew it is refreshing to know that God’s mercies are new every morning. I am so glad for his faithfulness. I am …
December 2013 archive
Dec 25
The Birth
Scripture Reading Luke 2:7 Devotion The Birth. Don’t worry, even though the birth of Jesus was a real human birth, we won’t get into the details of all that. But let’s talk about the humanity of Jesus. When you think of Jesus do you ever think about him as a human? As a real human? …
Dec 24
The Baby
Scripture Reading Luke 2:21 Devotion Jesus. The baby born was named Jesus. Jesus was the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua. And it means “one who saves.” The angel said to name him Jesus because “He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus came to save. What an amazing thought. This helpless baby, …
Dec 23
The Fullness of Time
Scripture Reading Galatians 4:4-7 Devotion God always has the right timing! He is never early, and never late. God is always on time. It makes perfect sense, because after all, God created time. And when the fullness of time came … when the right time came … when the time which was set aside by …
Dec 22
The Angels
Scripture Reading Luke 2:13-14 Devotion The baby announcement is special! We tell our friends, we call our relatives, and we send out little cards telling everyone – a baby is coming! Angels! They are all over the Christmas story! They bring the proclamation to the world of the good news! This is as they say …
Dec 22
Week 4 Activity – Serve!
Be Prepared Research places in your community that need assistance during the holiday season. Service could be at a homeless shelter, a food pantry, raking leaves or shoveling snow, assisting a Senior Adult in your church (help them decorate for Christmas!) or anything else that involves serving. You might consider finding several choices and then …
Dec 21
The Angel
Scripture Reading Luke 1:5, 26 Devotion The angel Gabriel and the angels we meet later in the Christmas story with the Shepherds are apparently a sight to behold. (“Zechariah…was… overcome with fear.” Luke 1:12, “[The Shepherds] were terrified.” Luke 2:9) The Shepherds and Zechariah seemed afraid of the angel. Mary was not. However, Mary and …
Dec 20
The Manger
Scripture Reading Luke 2:6-7 Devotion The maternity ward of a hospital is a strange thing. Everywhere else you go in a hospital, there is sickness and suffering, but most of what goes on in the maternity ward is excitement and joy! Jesus, of course was not born in a hospital. Jesus was born in stable. …
Dec 19
The Inn
Scripture Reading Luke 2:6-7 Devotion Mary and Joseph travel to an Inn in Bethlehem, but they do not get to stay there. They are invited to stay in the stable. There was no room for Jesus in the Inn. It’s easy for us to sit back a criticize the Innkeeper (who is not in the …
Dec 18
The Mother
Scripture Reading Luke 1:46-55 Devotion Sometimes we get uncomfortable with the phrase “mother of God.” But Mary was a real human biological mother to Jesus who was the real God/man, 100% God and 100% man. Mary is blessed! She had the privilege of bringing our Lord into the world. Mary recognizes the magnitude of what …