Dec 25
I hope that this Advent Devotional has blessed you with the presence of Jesus each and every day, and that the reflections shared on these pages have been used of God to make your heart ready for your Christmas celebration. What a gift to have these four weeks to focus and prepare to look again …
Dec 25
For a child has been born for us, A Son given to us; Authority rests upon His shoulders; And He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV) So here we are. Merry Christmas! This is the day we have waited for. This is the culminating day of Advent. …
Dec 24
She will bear a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel,” which means, “God …
Dec 24
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20 The front door flew open. Jonathan burst in, looking wildly around the house as he ran from room to room. “MOM! MOM! MOM!” Running up to her, glee beaming …
Dec 23
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Take a few moments to think about what it may have been like for Mary that night looking into the face of her child who was to be the Messiah. She pondered and treasured these moments… picture her depth and …
Dec 23
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:1–2 Isaiah …
Dec 22
After the shepherds had seen Him (the Christ Child), they told everyone. They reported what the angel had said about this Child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:17–18 (NIRV) Extra! Extra! Read All About It! “Good news! Good News! The Messiah is born in Bethlehem and …
Dec 22
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15–16 How do …
Dec 21
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6 My mom taught me a Christmas carol when I was a little girl that I rarely hear sung these days, but I …
Dec 21
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” Luke 2:13–14 (NLT) How startling and thrilling it must have been for the shepherds to see not just one angel—but, suddenly, a vast number …