Advent Daily Devotional: December 21

Perhaps the waiting really is the hardest part of Christmas. God's people had waited a long, long time for the promised arrival! But only a select few actually knew what they were seeing....
Keep ReadingThe story of Jesus missing from the caravan home can seem a little overblown, but it became a teaching moment for His parents and for us to see what the true work of the Father was and remains. Jesus has work to do, even at a young age, and He diligently sets about it by visiting His Father's house and speaking the Word with any who would...
Jesus formative years were a learning experience for everyone. Even though we get very little information about his growing up, we see in at least one little snippet how committed He is to His Father's purposes and plans to bring rescue. Even when his parents didn't "get it," He still pursued His work....
Every family celebrates Christmas a little differently. But the whole point for parents and singles alike is to point others to the One who came to redeem sinful people and bridge the chasm that separates us from our Creator....
Jesus was always in the sure hands of His Father, even when His earthly mom and dad lost track of Him. Isn't it good to know that we, too, can rest secure in the gentle and expert care of our Father?!...
When we think of the birth of Jesus, sacrifice isn't really the most prominent theme we consider. But sacrifice is at the heart of all that God intended to accomplish through His Son's work in the world....
Christmas is now behind us, but the reality of Christ's arrival now sets in for us. How will we respond as He works in our lives today?...
The Christmas story, though clouded by modern commercialism and distractions, is one that forces people to respond to the God who comes to save them from sin and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. How will you respond today?...
Frenzy, chaos and anxiety are words that we could easily use to describe the modern Christmas experience. But Advent is a reminder to pause and ponder the depths to which God's love is gloriously displayed. So pause and worship this King born to set you free!...
The most precious parts of Christmas are the moments we share with those we care about as we recall the grand story of redemption that began for us in that little manger. It's a salvation available to all, and in that we rejoice!...
Christmas comes at the end of the calendar year, but the Christmas story is just the start of all that God seeks to accomplish in and through those He came to save. Just like everything He does, there is purpose in the method in which He stepped into our circumstances. And it all leads us to rejoice in the God who comes for us!...
Perhaps the waiting really is the hardest part of Christmas. God's people had waited a long, long time for the promised arrival! But only a select few actually knew what they were seeing....
Keep ReadingMary bore the Savior she, too, needed to overcome the sin in her life, and as we retell the Christmas story, we acknowledge all humanity's need for Christ Jesus to come for us....
Keep ReadingDon't let the wildness of the modern Christmas experience distract you from soaking in the truth that makes the season so special....
Keep ReadingAdvent isn't really that complicated. Understanding it does not necessitate a seminary degree or advanced study or oratorical eloquence. In fact, it's a pretty simple story with a clear message that hope and joy and peace are available for us if we would only believe....
Keep ReadingJesus comes to us in an unexpected way, and we ought to rejoice in the humble and personal way in which He arrives....
Keep ReadingMary and Joseph are making their way to Bethlehem. Can you imagine the struggle they must have endured physically, emotionally and relationally to get them through?...
Keep ReadingThe REAL magic of Christmas isn't in the glitz and glitter of presents and trees and lights but rather in the reality that God would move heaven and earth to come to us and for us. Now, that's some Great News for everyone!...
Keep ReadingThere's something about the Christmas season that brings out special memories for those who believe and obey God's Spirit as He moves in us, and sometimes the most seemingly insignificant things can have the greatest impact for His Kingdom....
Keep ReadingOutside of the Christmas story, there's not much mention of Joseph. About all we get about him comes in the simple phrase "being a righteous man..." So what can we possibly learn from this man spoken so very little of in Scripture? And how can we exalt God better because of it?...
Keep ReadingAdvent is a season of peace as we pause to remember God's merciful compassion on mankind, to whom He offers redemption through His only Son sent to set us free and guide our feet into the way of peace....
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