Advent Devotional 2015
Introduction The word Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is a time of waiting, a time when we are reminded of how much we need a savior. And while we look forward to festive gatherings with friends and family, our focus should not be on these good times. Instead, we should be anticipating the birth of our Savior, God’s only son who came to save the world. Advent is a time to prepare for, to long for this miracle. Each Sunday during Advent, the Covenant family lights candles placed around a wreath. The circular wreath represents eternity, and each candle symbolizes an aspect of the coming of Jesus Christ. On the first Sunday in Advent, we light a purple candle, which represents hope and the expectation of Christ’s arrival and second coming. On the second Sunday, we light a second purple candle that represents peace. The following Sunday, we light a pink candle to represent our joy. Finally, on the last Sunday before Christmas, we light a purple candle that symbolizes love. On Christmas Eve, we light the white candle in
the center of the piece. It represents Jesus Christ, the light of the world. The four sections in this devotional correspond to the four weeks of Advent. Like the candles, the sections represent hope, peace, joy and love. Covenant members contributed the passages in this book. You will find touching anecdotes about the writers’ families and friends, or deeper explanations of the scripture. These thoughtful devotions inspire readers to think about their own lives and how each of us is preparing for Christ’s arrival. We encourage you to meditate daily over these passages and use the extra space at the end of the devotions to record your feelings. Pray and take time to embrace the season’s true meaning. This Advent season, let’s remember the reason for Advent—Jesus coming into the world. Let’s watch with expectant home for Jesus to come again. Let’s celebrate how much God loves us as we remember that the Savior has come, and let’s share that love with all we meet.
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Hop e
NOVEMBER 29, SUNDAY
Jesus—The Hidden Christmas Treasure Psalm 110; Psalm 140; Amos 1:1-5, 1:13-2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:5-13 by harold skaggs
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ittle Wheels Rockin’ Doll, my hunting Brittany, was in a long, lazy lope ahead as we headed back to the truck. The hunt for quail had been pretty sparse and, despite her best efforts, we had been skunked. Still hunting, how beautifully she ran, full of joy and anticipation that surely there were birds—somewhere. We walked and talked, paying her little mind until, mid-stride, her head snapped to the left and she landed pointing ninety degrees to her former path. Nose to the earth, right foreleg up, back straight, trembling—she was on point! Dolly had found what we had been looking for, the elusive Bob White Quail. Every year, Advent signals the ramp-up to Christmas. You know: parties, vacation for the kids, frenetic
shopping and those unwanted pounds gained from too-rich food. But moreover, Advent is the time when we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. Long before Isaiah, in Psalm 110, David tells of his Lord to come. Such a savior will take his rightful place at the right hand of God and will vanquish all foes, including the “thief in the night” mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. This Advent, may we each “go hunting”—seeking the savior the prophets foretold. Seeking Jesus, God’s gift, who came in flesh and blood to walk among us, to teach and admonish us to love one another and to give his life for our sins on the cross. Who knows? We may find Christ hidden amid the Christmas hubbub—but we’ve got to keep looking.
• Prayer Father, We are blessed that You love us enough to send Your Son to earth, to live among us, to model for us a life that pleases You, even to the Cross. Open ALL our senses this Advent season to perceive and delight in Your presence that is all around us. Amen.
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NOVEMBER 30, MONDAY
Hope IS a Strategy Psalm 67; 2 Peter 1:1-11 by christy milam
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t a parenting seminar about cyber-safety, I heard the phrase, “Hope is not a strategy.” As much as I tried to wrap my brain around that concept, I just couldn’t come to terms with it. As a Christian, hope is ABSOLUTELY a strategy and I can’t live my life without it. In Psalm 67, an assurance of hope, these words stand out: May, Will, Then, Shall. It is a Psalm of all the wonderful things that God’s grace CAN provide. God has a plan for us—a plan for a hope and a future. We can be scared about the unknown and create a strategy to avoid potential loss, trouble, and unhappiness. But wouldn’t you rather create a strategy of hope?
I am sure Mary and Joseph were hopeful (and scared) about the impending arrival of the Christ-child. Mary had to hear the call and be eager to accept it. And how fully she had to accept it! I hear the call daily about helping lead my own children in a way that reflects Christ’s love. Yet, it is a burden that doesn’t even compare to the call Mary had to answer. I equip myself with knowledge, information and all the parenting books I can read, but ultimately, the strategy for raising two boys in today’s world IS hope. I must hear the call, answer it, pray and HOPE! “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.” If I can see God’s face shining on me, I can better listen to His call. And it is my HOPE that my children will feel His face shining on them, too, making them ready to answer.
• Prayer Dear Lord, It is so easy to get caught up in all of the dangers we encounter in everyday living. It is also easy to think we are equipping ourselves in order to protect ourselves from those dangers. And while we know that information is good, help us to instead rely on the hope that You alone can provide. Amen.
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DECEMBER 1, TUESDAY
Just Another Advent? Psalms:94, 146; Matthew:21:12-22 by jessie white
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review of scripture again reveals it to be timeless. As in the time of King David, we find ourselves in the midst of a wicked and corrupt environment. We too can put little trust in this world. And we experience God's love and we are consoled by His ever present fortress! God watches over us and is our refuge. May the study and contemplation of this Advent season create an acute awareness of God’s plan for each of us. During World War I, the concept of “goodwill to all” was lived out by enemy soldiers on no-man’s land on Christmas Day. English and German troops shared photographs of loved ones and chocolate. They even sang Christmas hymns together, the sound of God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen and Stille Nacht, Heilige
Nacht filling the sky in two tongues. The only aggression recorded was on the soccer field! As a result of this consorting with the enemy, some were court marshalled, the pardoning coming only years later. God’s promise and the spirit of the season can be so powerful that enemies put aside their bayonets and become brothers and sisters in Christ. How will we respond to this Advent season? Will we use this time to thank and praise God? Will we recognize His plan for us, speak out when we witness injustice, fill the world with the joy of His promise and love? Will our lives somehow be changed during Advent? How long and strongly can we maintain the anticipation and spirit of the season on that special Christmas so long ago?
• Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, Set us on the right path. Mindful of the season, guide us in a path that will free us of the ways we choose to be held captive. Thank you for sending your Son to sinners. May we send forth your spirit in our daily living. Be for me guide, strength, savior and Lord all the days of my life. Place within me steadfast love and devotion so I may worship and serve You. Amen.
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DECEMBER 2, WEDNESDAY
Hope is the Last Thing that You Lose Mathew 21:31 by evangeline herring There is saying in Spanish “La esperanza es lo ultimo que se pierde,” hope is the last thing that you lose. My parents divorced when I was 15. That was a hard time for me and my family since my dad started a new life with a new family. We did not see him for months and sometimes years at a time. My mom was raising three teenagers by herself. Without my dad's financial support, many times our house did not have food on the table and the bills were always behind. I started going to a small church in our neighborhood and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In that moment Jesus became my one and only hope. When I became a parent, my anger toward my father increased to the point that when he died, my heart felt nothing. For years, I did not talk or think about
him. Then God showed me my own sin and brokenness. My own sins are not smaller than the sins of my father. I was not obeying God's word. How do I expect for God to forgive my wrong doing, when I could not forgive my father? I was not better than him just because I was following a life in Christ. I never lost hope, even when frustration, anger and anxiety surround me. Are you losing your hope? Who do we need to forgive or ask for forgiveness? When are we going to answer God's calling? When are we going to let go of things that we cannot change? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' name”
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DECEMBER 3, THURSDAY
Living While We Wait 2 Peter 3:11-18 by dave ashton
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t Advent, we wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christ the Messiah. In this letter, Peter instructs believers how they should live while awaiting the second coming of Christ. Two thousand years later, we are still waiting. In the preceding verses, Peter states “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise…but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” and “the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” No one knows when the second coming of Christ will be. But it will be spectacular and we will experience “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” In the meantime, we wait.
How should we live while we wait? We should strive to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” We should not be distracted or led astray by the “ignorant” or “lawless people” and not follow their ways. Of course, we are human and always fall short of being “without spot or blemish,” but Christ’s grace saves us from being held accountable for our failures. However, we still need to direct our lives toward the ways God directs us in the scriptures. Bonhoeffer wrote, "Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes." During this time of waiting to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us also contemplate how we live our lives while we are waiting for the second coming of Christ.
• Prayer Dear God, As we await the coming of Jesus, give us the wisdom to discern the ways in which You want us to live and the strength to follow those ways. Amen.
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DECEMBER 4, FRIDAY
An Eternal Banquet Matthew 22:1-14 by charlene cole The wedding banquet is all ready, but none of the invited guests will come. When the king sends his servants out with reminders to come, not only do the guests refuse but they mistreat and kill the king’s servants. So the king decides to invite everyone that can be found. As I read and meditated on these verses, I was reminded of reunions my family had years ago. It was all started by my great aunt. My grandmother and all her living siblings and their children and grandchildren all came. The turnout was always huge. Everyone contributed to the meal and my cousin’s house was always overflowing with relatives. We all talked, laughed, played games, and just caught up with what was going on in everyone’s life. For some of us, it was the only time we saw each other during
the year. It was a joyful time that made some wonderful memories, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the love we shared. I think of how hurtful it would have been to family members if some had refused to go, and how many memories and wonderful moments we shared that would have been missed. We have all been invited by God to His wonderful and eternal banquet. Just as the invited guests in Matthew, we can all go, but we have to be willing and choose to go. We have to be willing to cast off our garments of self-righteousness and trust in the righteousness provided by God through Jesus Christ. I’m not sure my mind can totally grasp the wonderful memories that will be made at that banquet table. So my question for you is—what will you do? Will you accept God’s invitation to His eternal banquet?
• Prayer We praise You God, for Your loving faithfulness. You never give up on us. Thank You for the hope You give us for all eternity. Amen.
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DECEMBER 5, SATURDAY
Find Your Strength in God Jude 20–25 by jib butterworth Can you imagine wanting to control every aspect of your life, whether it is a death in your family, a lost job, or something as simple as your friends having a good time at your bar-b-que? I can! I think we all can. It’s easy to get caught up in the “daily grind” and let the stress and anxiety creep in. But we are not alone. All the decisions and worries aren’t for us to bear alone. We can’t forget that God desires a relationship with us. Not a “see you next week” relationship, but one that we spend with him daily, like he is part of the family. When we live our lives with God we don’t have to carry the burden of hard decisions, missed opportunities,
or distress. God is with us every day and wants to be the One we look to for guidance when we are in need. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21) When we begin to walk daily with God we become “conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37b) As Christmas approaches and we begin preparations for eating good food, gift giving and spending time with family, let us remember who loves us and praise Him for the ultimate gift we have been given. Let us look to Him for guidance and strength in the good times and the hard times.
• Prayer God, Let me look to You daily so that I may be given the strength to love and persevere. For I know that You are with me always. Amen.
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Peace
DECEMBER 6, SUNDAY
Peace in Restoration Amos 9:11-15 by jill williams
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he book of Amos concludes with promise: Better days are coming. The exiles will return and rebuild the gardens. God Himself will be the Gardener, replanting the nation. The Lord will “plant” his people and they will flourish in the land he gives them. After the destruction will come rebuilding. What has been ruined will be renewed. Peace and plenty will rule the day. These verses are addressed to the situation of loss, promising that the time will come when God will restore what has been lost and will transform the world to make it better than before. “The time is surely coming," says the Lord. God does for us what we cannot do ourselves. God will be the one who turns ashes into beauty, mourning into gladness, and despair into praise.
It will get better. We who find ourselves weary can take heart—God will heal us and help us. This is good news for all of us who look out on the terrain of our lives and see ruin and debris. God is the God of new beginnings and second chances. The promises of God for peace, justice, mercy, renewal and salvation can be trusted. This brings peace to our souls. Breathe deeply the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. God is doing a work of renewal and we are invited to participate in this beautiful work with the Living God. We are called to reach out to our neighbors in love. What is one way you can participate with God in the rebuilding of God’s world this advent? Who in your family could you move toward in order to rebuild that which is broken?
• Prayer Faithful God, As You did for Israel so many centuries ago, You continue to do for us. You tend us with loving care, giving us everything we need for fruitful living. Thank you. You call us to seek the well being of our neighbors and all creation. Show us how and where we can participate with You to make the world better. Fill us with your gift of peace, we pray. Amen.
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DECEMBER 7, MONDAY
Jesus—The Connection Psalm 62; Psalm 147:12-20; Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 4:9-5:5; Matthew 25:1-13 by melanie dixon
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salm 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. My daughter, Victoria, attends college a 23-hour drive away from me. When she is away, my house is quieter. There can be no direct communication between us and I can’t enjoy her company. She is doing well in her sophomore year, but sometimes I suspect she gets a tiny bit homesick. On Saturdays we try to have Skype visits so we can see each others' faces and talk. The Skype technology becomes the connector for us during this time of separation. Since the fall of Adam and Eve until Jesus’ birth, humanity had been in exile from the perfection of the garden of Eden, and communion and relationship with God. People had been spiritually separated from God, disconnected, incomplete, restless, homesick.
Some have said death is just another word for separation from God; darkness, lack of communication, longing, homesickness for his presence. Jesus came to put an end to sin and death and to become the mediator, the connector to reestablish the relationship between humankind and God. Does the busyness of the season create a perceived distance between you and God? Do you feel like you can’t hear His voice? Are you feeling lonely? The promises in God’s word can bring you comfort and help you get closer to Him. During this season may we find time to read and reflect on these Advent scriptures, many of which relate the prophecies containing the promises regarding the coming of the Messiah. They help us remember that God sent Jesus to fulfill the prophecies, to become the salvation of all humanity and to restore the connection between God and his children.
• Prayer Father, Thank You for the gift of Jesus, who became the bridge to reconciliation with You. Thank You for the miraculous opportunity to know You now and for the promise of eternal life. Help us rejoice in the hope of the expected second coming and be sustained in Your love. Amen.
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DECEMBER 8, TUESDAY
To Whom are You Called to Show Mercy and Justice? Zechariah 7:9-10; Revelation 5:9 by clark weatherby
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his week, we focus on the peace that Christ brought into the world and, in turn, the peace that we bring to the world when we go out in His name. Justice, mercy and compassion unquestionably bring peace. But are we just, compassionate and merciful? We do not expect to be perfect or get these right every time. We study the Bible, meet, and hold one another accountable in our families and small groups. We have a support structure in the church that points us in the right direction and provides gentle correction when we stray. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, there are those we exclude from that peace. We may do this unintentionally, or we may see some as outside God's provision. They may look or act different or make choices
we see as sinful. All too often, we find a difference to use as a wedge rather than finding ways to show mercy or compassion. Is this ever okay? Revelation Chapter 5 says: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” Every tribe and language and people and nation. That is to whom we are called to be just, merciful and compassionate. Even, perhaps especially, when we feel justified in turning away, when we are uncomfortable, or find a person or group undeserving. Jesus is sending us to take them His peace. To whom are you called?
• Prayer Lord Jesus, You alone bring true justice, mercy, and peace in to this world. You have asked us to be our messengers, and sometimes we do not like the people or places You call us to go. Lord, empty us of all our own fears, assumptions, biases and desires, and fill us with Your peace, that we may carry it into the world, even and especially to those who have been told or shown they do not deserve it. Amen.
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DECEMBER 9, WEDNESDAY
Justice Is On The Way Amos 6:1-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 by thais kilday
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ruthfully, I’ve been struggling with creating an Advent devotional out of these passages. When I think of Advent, I think of Christmas music, shepherds, stars, peaceful nights, messages of joy and love. “Woe to you who are complacent…and to you who feel secure” wasn’t what I had in mind. I realize with increasing discomfort that I am the one Amos writes about who lives in my highly-rated city, lounging on my couch, enjoying the luxury of fine food, wine and lotions. I am the one whose “feasting and lounging will end.” I read in the letter to the Thessalonians that God is right and just, and I know that to be true. I typically take pride in myself as an advocate for justice, but this gets more complicated when I am faced with the
truth that God may not be a fan of my personal comfort and complacency. What if God’s justice isn’t just “out there” for “those people”? What if God’s coming justice means He sees and cares about my selfishness? Thomas Jefferson once said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” Perhaps we should all tremble. I wonder if in this season, I can be transformed into finding peace in knowing that there is an end to all injustice, even knowing that it will require changes in me. I pray God will grow us and use us to bring His justice on Earth closer to the way He orders it in heaven. Paul writes that God’s justice is on the way. Let us rejoice and be glad.
• Prayer Dear mighty and merciful Father, I pray the prayer of Paul that your justice will come, and that You will make us worthy of your calling. Amen.
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DECEMBER 10, THURSDAY
Waiting is the Hardest Part Psalm 62 by donald g. davis, jr.
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aiting is hard. Whether it is waiting and longing for something good that one knows is coming, or whether it is waiting and dreading something that seems inevitable. The fact that we seldom know for sure what it is that we’re waiting for doesn’t help much, either. The Psalmist knows what it means to wait. He mentions it specifically, twice (1, 5)—“For God alone my soul waits in silence.” Four times the word “alone” appears in this Psalm. For the writer, no other answer is adequate. No other source of help will do. There is no question about who is the foundation of the author’s hope. God is the only hope. But the real issue is how long before this help comes and when confidence will be restored. In the end, no
matter how long it takes and whatever form it takes, the only answer to this plea for God’s presence and action is to wait and to continue to trust him. Advent, the weeks before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God coming in human form, is a period of waiting—waiting in anticipation of the promises of God and what God will do to fulfill them. We, like the Psalmist, can only put our trust in a sovereign God who is loving and just (vs. 11-12). There is no other. We know that. It’s the waiting that we find difficult. So we need God’s strength, even as we wait for His coming.
• Prayer Sovereign and loving God, We confess our fear of pressures that people and circumstances shape our lives. We talk about joyous freedom, yet often find ourselves succumbing to concerns and cares of life around us. Cause us, especially at this season, to wait expectantly for what You will do in our lives. Be a rock and a refuge for us. In the name of Jesus, for whom we wait. Amen.
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DECEMBER 11, FRIDAY
Seeing God’s Presence Psalm 16, 148 by lilly hargrave “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure.” Psalm 16:8-9.
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raise the LORD for He is with us always! No matter what stage of life you are at, it is good for us to hear that God is with us always. He is with us in every part of our day, good and bad. He’s there when we wake up, during our commute, during times of anger and stress in our day and during times of gladness and praise. How amazing is that!
We serve a God who is with us always, but sometimes in our day-to-day lives we don’t recognize that He is with us. Sometimes, we turn our heads and chose not to see Him standing there next to us. It’s never easy to constantly see God at our side working for us every day. A lot of times, it’s hard to imagine Him there when we are having a really rough day. It’s hard to understand that if He is always with us, why do we still have bad days? While I don’t know why we have bad days, I do know that God is faithful and will stand with us when we are hurting. “Let them praise the name of the LORD for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the Earth and heavens.” Psalm 148:13.
• Prayer LORD, I praise You for being with us always. Help us to see Your presence daily. Amen.
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DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY
A Bigger Picture Haggai 2:4-5, Revelation 3:2, Matthew 24:13 by patrick schmidt
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e may approach Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s birth, much as we would highly celebrated events in our lives: monumental birthdays, joyous weddings, longed-for family gatherings. Yet, Christmas also marks the beginning of Christ’s life of conflict, struggle, tests and the ultimate sacrifice. His acceptance of the human condition necessitated that He experienced a range of emotions—from elation to near-despair. Such highs and lows also enter our lives, and today’s verses guide us to persevere and put our trust and faith in God. “For I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not
fear.” (Haggai 2: 4-5) Still, we are convicted to actively, “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of God.” (Rev. 3:2) Taking stock of our lives and strengthening our relationship with God is the bigger picture. We must pay attention to the longer journey. How surprised and amazed we are at the quick passage of our lives! The moments so quickly become years, and in the passing years, we face many tests, deceptions and distractions. But, with and through Christ, “he who stands firm will be saved.” (Matt. 24:13) We can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. We can’t lose sight of our need for an ongoing relationship with Christ.
• Prayer Heavenly Father, grant me the gift of perseverance to seek You in the moment and the string of moments that make up my life. Amen.
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Joy
DECEMBER 13, SUNDAY
Joy = Perspective Shift Matthew 22:23-33 by stacey grooms
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t’s easy to miss the point. Sometimes the truth is right there, in front of us, but we are so not used to seeing it, we are blinded to it. It’s like a big red circle in the center of the target and we are looking anywhere else. Instead we are looking all around the edges for the truth we want to see or are more comfortable seeing. The truth we expect rather than the truth that is. When I first read these passages, I could not see the connection to the Advent theme of the week: joy. Much like the Sadducees, I thought I was pretty familiar with these passages and they are not the traditional joy themed choices. But I did find something I had not noticed before: Jesus points out to the Sadducees that they are off target. It’s not just that the Sadducees aren’t getting the point of how things are in heaven for human relationships, there is a second
thing they aren’t seeing. A bigger truth. Jesus reminds them that God says, “I am” the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Not “I was.” It’s a tiny word—am. But so much power. So much hope. So much joy. Jesus isn’t going to let that go. When we are off target, Jesus calls us on it. We miss the point. We don’t see the truth because we don’t want to or because we are afraid to. Sometimes we aren’t even really looking for it. Jesus points us to the truth. Redirects us. Reveals our hearts. To ourselves. We can look away, or we can shift perspective and see the truth. There is sorrow, sure, but there is joy, if we let ourselves be redirected by Jesus. You may not be ready for the shift yet. It’s okay. When you are, Jesus will be there. Ready to redirect you to the God of life. Not the "I was" God, the I AM God.
• Prayer Lord, Thank you for life and relationship with You, now and forever. Redirect me to the truth and the joy that is found there. You are the Great I AM.
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DECEMBER 14, MONDAY
Joy of the Holidays Psalm 146:3-10 by caleb green
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uring Advent, we put a lot of time, effort and trust into the people we hold dear, often relying on friends and family for the joy we seek from the season. Although it is wonderful to spend time with others to celebrate the birth of Christ, it is too easy to focus on the good time being had rather than the birth of our Savior. The joy of the holidays always seems to die down as we go back to our boring, everyday lives, though. To feel this wonderful joy eternally, we must turn to the cause of Advent, Jesus.
with this scripture involved the youth mission trip to Oklahoma City. To help me decide whether to go, I turned to family and friends, but received mixed opinions. As the date came closer, I turned to prayer for guidance. As I prayed, I felt that I was being called to go and serve on this trip. Four months later, I’m still overwhelmed with how much I enjoyed and learned. My experience showed that when you search for guidance, joy and love, you will never fall short in the eyes of God.
This scripture states we must trust in the eternal love of Jesus, not the varied and conditional joy that comes from words and actions of man. I have witnessed how short-term joy caused by others is flawed and can never compare to the endless, unconditional love of our Lord and Savior. My most recent experience
The most important point of this devotional is that no matter how hard a decision is or how empty you may feel, God’s love will always be enough. His love is never ending and the joy that comes from it will never fade.
• Prayer Dear Lord, Please help me to remember today and every day that Your love for me is greater than anything in this world. Guide me in Your ways and show me the path to Your eternal love. Amen.
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DECEMBER 15, TUESDAY
Not Sparkling Psalm 94 by florita sheppard
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t this time of year, we expect all to be merry and bright. And may that be your experience! But listening to the news, we continually hear about murder, war and senseless conflict. We worry about someone close who is going through a difficult time. We mourn for a loved one who is not here for the holidays. Finances or looming deadlines worry us. We may feel like the only one who is not sparkling with seasonal merriment. Psalm 94 assures us that God, who affixed our ears, can hear and who created our eyes, can see what is
going on. He blesses those He trains and instructs and gives them relief from days of trouble. God does not walk away or desert His people. He is our fortress and rock. He is there for us. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul. If you don’t feel merry, you may decide to skip a party, but don’t try to hide your face from God. Turn to Him for strength always.
• Prayer Dear Lord, I worry. I slip and fall. Please lift me up and calm me down. Thank You for your deep, abiding love. Amen.
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DECEMBER 16, WEDNESDAY
Grandma's Letters Psalm 147 by tom hutchison
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his week we light the candle of joy in the advent wreath. Reflecting on this theme I hear the words of an old hymn How Can I Keep From Singing in a more recent version recorded by Enya. It begins, "My life flows on in endless song, above earth's lamentations..." As I write this, 90 days before you are reading it, I am reflecting on the letters that our children have received from their grandma, my mother-in-law Helen, often at times of "growing pains" when "joy" seemed hard to grasp. They were always filled with very good advice from a perspective of someone who had written letters to a new husband flying planes in Europe during WWII hoping, praying and trusting that he would return safely to her. They were also filled with encouragement and a guarantee of unconditional love. I suspect many of them are still tucked safely away as "treasures".
She also wrote letters to God that are preserved for us in her journals. These are reflective of the Psalms like the one in our reading today. They all reflect a deep and abiding trust in the relationship she has with our Lord and His grace filled love that envelops her. As I write this, Helen is approaching her "forever" joyful reunion with her husband of 73 years who died in April. It will be a sweet and joyful reunion surrounded by loved ones and our Lord. This season of Advent we all reflect on God's amazing letter of love and grace, which came to us in a manger in Bethlehem and closes with the words “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” As we read and re-read God's love letter written in our own hearts, how can we keep from singing "Joy to the world! The Lord is come..."
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DECEMBER 17, THURSDAY
Promise Keeper Luke 1:1-25 by whitney bell
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s a child, I would often fall prey to the old “I made you a promise, but my fingers were crossed behind my back” trick. I was quite trusting, so this happened all the time. As I got older, I started wondering if everyone did that, if each time someone gave me their word, they had their fingers crossed behind their back. I became skeptical and untrusting. This affected the way I saw God. I wondered if He could be trusted. Today’s scripture points us to the part of God’s character that is faithful, the ultimate promise keeper. That He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. In this passage, God makes an unbelievable promise to Zechariah. It seems impossible. How could he possibly give
Zechariah and Elizabeth a baby? And why now? Yet, He kept His word. Elizabeth became pregnant with a baby boy who prepared the way for Jesus. All too often, I assume that because people have not kept promises, the same is true for God. And it isn’t. He is a promise keeper. He is dependable. Advent leads up to one of His most audacious promises—the Messiah. He kept His word and sent us Jesus. As we ponder the character of God who keeps His promises, I wonder what makes it hard for you believe God keeps his promises? Will you today search your heart for those unsure areas and ask God to remind you of His faithful character?
• Prayer Faithful Father, Thank You that You are a God who keeps His promises. Thank You that Jesus was the promised Messiah and He has come to rescue us all. Help us to trust You. Help us to believe that You are a God who keeps His promises. Amen.
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DECEMBER 18, FRIDAY
Just Because Psalm 146 by kelly dwyer Our family had a very challenging, humbling year. We had a sick child, and for many months that illness deprived us of the simple pleasure of having our family under one roof. The past 12 months have been quite a roller coaster—confusion, sadness, fear, humility, surrender, gratitude, joy. Several times over.
the ebb and flow of the events in my life. And how seldom, if ever, that I truly set my own concerns aside and give our God the unconditional praise to which He is entitled. How much more “right-sized” my relationship with our God would be if I made a practice of approaching Him from a posture of pure praise!
Our God was with us on that roller coaster. We implored Him, we wrestled with Him, we submitted to Him, we thanked Him, and we saw Him daily in the community that supported us. These 12 months brought me closer to God, no question about it. But when I reflected on Psalm 146, I was reminded just how much closer He calls me to Him.
“Praise the Lord.” This challenge to the congregation —“Hallelu Yah”—begins and ends Psalm 146. It is an unqualified, plural imperative—“people, praise God.” Not because of what we require of Him. Not because of what He has done for us. Not because of what He will do for us. Not for any of the 10,000 other reasons He has given us to praise Him.
This scripture highlighted for me the extent to which I allow my relationship with God to be defined by
Just, praise Him.
• Prayer Hallelu Yah! Heavenly Father, this Christmas season gives Your people so many opportunities to praise You—in solitude, among our Covenant congregation, with neighbors and co-workers, with family and friends. Fill us with joy and awe and courage that we may praise You more boldly than ever before. Hallelu Yah!
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DECEMBER 19, SATURDAY
Openings Revelation 6:1-17 by laura tuma
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y childhood Christmases were modest. Compared to today, everyone’s Christmases were more modest. But ours were particularly meager because my mother was raising three daughters by herself, making a paltry salary at the local bank in our small south Texas town with nowhere to shop even if she had the time or money. On Christmas morning we took turns going around the circle opening one gift at a time to stretch out the experience and be grateful for what we received. Revelation 6 is also about a series of openings. In this case, it’s a series of six seals that break open to release conquest, injustice, famine, plague and natural disaster on the world. Those are not the gifts we want, but
we bought and paid for them back in the Garden of Eden. When our ancestors Adam and Eve decided they wanted to be God rather than trust God, they unleashed pain and suffering that continues to this day. “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” ask those who suffer. (Rev 6: 10) God doesn’t tell us how long we must wait, but He assures us there is a seventh seal to be opened—the gift of His judgment when all will be set right. For now, we open the gifts that are before us, express gratitude for what we receive, care for those who suffer, and know with certainty that the best gift of all is still to come.
• Prayer Jesus, We look forward with great anticipation to Your arrival. May You ignite in us a spirit of justice, compassion, and love for all those who suffer, and may Your will be made manifest in our daily thoughts and deeds. Amen.
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Love
DECEMBER 20, SUNDAY
God's Love John 3:16-21 by jon wasson One of the most important lessons we learn from the gospel of John is that Jesus is the best answer to the question, “What is God like?” This means that God’s love for the world is not an abstract concept or a sentimental idea. Instead, God’s love for the world is made concrete in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. We are told that this love extends to the entire world so that the world might not be condemned but saved through Jesus.
It makes sense why we often choose to hide. After all, the saving love of God revealed in Jesus Christ is not the sentimental version of love we find in Hallmark cards. Instead, God’s love issues an invitation to follow Christ where he can be found: near the broken, alienated and needy. These are places we would rather not go, perhaps because we have not yet faced our own brokenness and need. So we hide from the light, afraid that it might expose our facade.
That we are not condemned does not mean we are not judged. The Greek word for judgment is krisis, from which our English word “crisis” comes. We might say that the incarnation of Jesus Christ introduces a crisis that demands a decision. Will we live in the light of the salvation offered in Jesus Christ and experience the fullness of God’s Kingdom? Or will we opt instead for the darkness, attempting to hide from the light?
The good news of the gospel that we celebrate during Advent is found in the opening chapter of John’s gospel: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” Our attempts to hide in the darkness are no match for the light of God’s love in Jesus Christ. I hope you find time to celebrate this good news and to share it with those around you this Advent!
• Prayer Loving God, Thank You for showing us what true love looks like in the flesh. Help us to live in the light of salvation and to let the light peek through our lives so that others will know and experience Your salvation as well. Amen.
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DECEMBER 21, MONDAY
Hold On to the Lampstand Psalm 17; Psalm 147:1-11; Amos 8:1-14; Revelation 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12 by mike austin
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ver wonder what it means to love God? Asked to state his theology in 25 words or less, Karl Barth replied “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” But how do I, a mere human being, participate in a meaningful love relationship with an omniscient, omnipotent supreme being? Honor, respect, fear… I get those. But love? I love my wife. Through the grace of God and a great deal of patience on her part, I have learned that mistakes are not as important as what I do about them. When I make a mistake, the best way to demonstrate my love for her is to apologize, acknowledge the mistake, promise to never make it again, and then really do my best to never make that mistake again! In Rev. 2:4, God warns the church at Ephesus they must repent. That powerful word means to promise you will never, ever make the same mistake again and then do your best to never, ever make the same
mistake again, doesn’t it? And repentance is ongoing, an essential act demonstrating our love for God. In turn, God will always forgive us. That is the glorious Good News! But if we forget to repent? God tells the Ephesians He will come to remove their lampstand (Rev. 2:5), revelatory language for the breakdown that occurs when we stop acknowledging sin and fail to do our best to never, ever sin again. God knows we will sin again. The point is that when we do sin, we must demonstrate our love for God by repenting. We look to the coming of the Christ child with hopeful expectation. But let us remember we must hold on to our lampstand and keep the light of God’s love burning bright in our midst! What better time to show our love for God by acknowledging our sins and repenting of them!
• Prayer Almighty God, Just as You have demonstrated Your love for us through the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ, help us to understand that repentance of sin is one of our best ways to demonstrate our love for You. Amen.
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DECEMBER 22, TUESDAY
God’s Blessings Psalm 145 by nick marra
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eading Psalm 145, I am reminded of how thankful I am for God’s great love and the blessings he has poured out on my family. Three years ago, I would have viewed this very differently. My wife of five years had been in a treatment center in another state for several months and I felt that God had completely forgotten about my wife and me, that He didn’t love us, and that He was ignoring my prayers. The life together my wife and I had discussed was not going according to our plan. I was alone in our house, hating my job, and struggling with the idea of not being able to have kids. I felt like I had nothing, but at night I would get in bed, fold my hands together, close my eyes and pray to God, “God, please help my wife. Take everything from me, anything I have left
here, any small pleasures I enjoy. Please take them all and just heal my wife.” God has and continues to heal my wife and without question, that is an answered prayer. He did love me, does love me, and doesn’t ignore prayers. Sometimes, though, they aren’t answered in the way or time we expect. Those eight months without my wife were incredibly difficult, but His grace brought us to where we are today. About a year after my wife returned, we were able to provide a home for two of my cousins and we became a family. I wouldn’t have thought this is where I’d be today, but thankfully, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8) and He blesses us in unimaginable ways.
• Prayer God, Thank you for all the blessings You have given me. Thank you for every way in which You’ve touched my life. Amen.
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DECEMBER 23, WEDNESDAY
Praise The Lord! Psalm 148 by beth mcmullen daniel
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he season of Advent is reaching its peak. We are filled with anticipation of celebrating what God has done in and through Jesus. We are prompted to ponder all that God continues to do—and all that God has promised to do—in and through Christ. We cannot grasp or fully comprehend what it all means, but in faith we know that it is trustworthy and true and good. As we contemplate all of these things, surely everything in our being is compelled to “Praise the Lord!” It is appropriate that today’s text is dedicated to thanksgiving and praise. Two days before Christmas, we reflect on a Psalm that is two Psalms from the conclusion of the Psalter. The movement into doxology—speaking/singing the glory and splendor of God—is almost complete.
Psalm 148 is a universal call to praise the Lord. The text is organized into two parallel parts: Both include an imperative call to praise, a basis for the praise and a renewed summons to praise. The first section (vv16) calls on everything from the highest heights—and in all the heavenly realms—to glorify God, for God has created and ordered all. The second (vv7-14) calls on everything from the deep—and in all the earth— to give praise, for God is incomparable in name and deed. The total effect is an overwhelming demand for all of creation to praise the God of all. Finally, the Psalmist declares God’s care for His people: claiming God gives them strength and power and describing how His faithful are close to Him. The Creator of all in heaven and on earth knows, cares and provides for His people. Indeed, God so loved the world…
• Prayer Dear God, As we celebrate the arrival of Jesus so many years ago, we ask that You will keep us in prayer. We want to always be discerning and based on Your word and truth. We know that You will keep your promises. Help us see the bigger picture even as we face personal and individual challenges. We know You will come again, just as You did that night in Bethlehem. Amen.
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DECEMBER 24, THURSDAY
Power through Weakness Psalm 114 by dustin johnson
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uxtaposing Psalm 114 on the eve of the birth of the Messiah draws out the divine paradox of strength through weakness, the all-powerful Creator of the universe in front of whom the earth trembles made a helpless baby in a manger. The Psalms perform dual service in the life of God’s people: as all scripture, they speak to us from God, but they also are ready-made prayers for us to use in speaking back to God. Praying Psalm 114 allows us to recall and celebrate God’s saving of his people from soul crushing servitude in Egypt. Israel’s God has not forgotten the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Much time has passed, but Yahweh’s memory of His people
does not fade. The Lord hears their cries and responds in power. Awesome power. The sea and mountains know the voice of their Creator and do accordingly. This God is to be feared. And yet, we find Him here on the eve of His birth in a manager. The omnipotent One, humbling Himself to being born in poverty. Once again, God has not forgotten his people. Despite the seeming silence for centuries the Lord is coming to save once again. The Exodus was just a foretaste of God’s saving action. This time, God will provide salvation once and for all through the weakness and shame of a sacrificial death on a cross. No violence, no warrior king, no “shock and awe,” just a baby, as defenseless as a lamb.
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DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS DAY
True Love I John 4:7-16 by thomas daniel
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or a long time I believed that "love" was a feeling. Growing up, I loved my parents and my two younger brothers. I had a sense that they loved me as well (most of the time). As I grew older I fell in love with a beautiful young woman from Wales. When we were together my heart would soar. Then as a parent, I discovered a new depth to love as my daughters were born. Love is one of the most powerful emotions that one can experience. As a Christian, however, I am reminded that true love is not actually a feeling so much as an action. When John writes of God's love for us it is expressed in
Jesus coming into the world, teaching us how to live, dying on a cross and rising again to new life. We find our worth not because God's love is limited to emotion, but rather that it was ultimately demonstrated through sacrificial action. Today, may we celebrate how much God loves us as we remember that the Savior has come. May we go forward demonstrating this love with all whom we encounter. Merry Christmas!
• Prayer Loving God, Thank You that You demonstrated Your love for us by sending Your Son. Help us to share this love with all whom we encounter. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Acknowledgment Thank you to all who contributed to the creation of this book. Thank you, especially, to the power and grace of God. AUTHORS Dave Ashton Mike Austin Whitney Bell JIB Butterworth Charlene Cole Beth McMullen Daniel Thomas Daniel Donald G. Davis, Jr. Melanie Dixon Kelly Dwyer Caleb Green Stacey Grooms Lilly Hargrave Evangeline Herring Tom Hutchison Dustin Johnson Thais Kilday Nick Marra Christy Milam Patrick Schmidt Florita Sheppard Harold Skaggs Laura Tuma Jon Wasson Clark Weatherby Jesse White Jill Williams
ADVENT ADVISORS Jon Wasson Nikki McNabb ARTWORK Hilary Pittman COPY EDITOR Melissa Gaskill Stephanie Schultz DESIGN AND LAYOUT Hilary Pittman PRINTER OneTouchPoint The typefaces used in this book were Minion Pro by Robert Slimbach and Blend by Typesenses.
Christmas Eve Worship Times 2:00 pm
traditional service with candlelight
4:00 pm
preschool Children Service
5:00 pm
contemporary service with candlelight
8 :30 pm
traditional service with choir and candlelight
10:30 pm
traditional service with candlelight and communion
S anctuary Sanctuary FE 200
Sanctuary Sanctuary
Christmas Events Wed,Dec. 2nd
Advent Event, step back in time to explore the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus' birth
Wed,Dec. 9th
Church-wide Carol Sing with Journey Youth Choir at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
5:30–7:30 pm 6:30 pm
Wed,Dec. 13th GraceNotes Ensemble Christmas Concert in
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