Tonight is Christmas Eve! On this night we light the final candle of our Advent wreath—the Christ Candle. The Christ Candle reminds us that God is with us and that He has brought us salvation. The candle’s white color signifies celebration and purity.
[Read more…] about God with UsAdvent
The Angels Candle
Today is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. On this day we light the Angels Candle to remind ourselves of Christ’s divinity and the blessings He brings to us. This candle’s purple color emphasizes Jesus’ royalty. Our Messiah is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
[Read more…] about The Angels CandleThe Miracles of Christmas
The Christmas story is full of miracles. For many people, the Virgin Birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) is the first Christmas miracle that comes to mind. With God as His Father and Mary as His mother, Jesus came into this world as the God-Man, fully God and fully man.
[Read more…] about The Miracles of ChristmasThe Joy of Forgiveness
Advent is a season of anticipating, of longing, of waiting for God to meet our needs. The author of Psalm 130 expresses his longing as a cry to God for mercy and forgiveness.
[Read more…] about The Joy of ForgivenessGod’s Joy
We enjoy giving presents to our friends and loved ones. God delights to give, too. Although we may not often think about Christmas from God’s perspective, we shouldn’t be surprised that He finds joy in giving Himself to us, because our God is a generous God.
[Read more…] about God’s JoyThe Focus of Our Joy
On Christmas morning children all over the world will wake up and head for the Christmas tree. They’ll eagerly open their presents and then burst into expressions of happiness. Most will remember to thank their parents and others who gave them their gifts. Then they’ll turn their focus back to their new toys, games, clothes, candy, books, and whatever else they received.
[Read more…] about The Focus of Our JoySharing the Joy
Have you ever been so excited about something that you just had to tell someone? You didn’t have to force yourself to share your joy; the words just tumbled out spontaneously. That’s what the shepherds experienced when they saw Jesus in the manger.
[Read more…] about Sharing the JoyGod Will Give Joy
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
That opening line from one of our best-known Christmas carols announces the good news that Jesus has invaded our broken world and has brought us joy.
[Read more…] about God Will Give JoyThe Shepherds Candle
Today is the third Sunday of Advent. It’s the day we light the only pink candle on the Advent wreath—the Shepherds Candle. The Shepherds Candle emphasizes the joy of finding the Christ Child and sharing this joy with others. The color pink points us to the joy of the Advent season—pink in the midst of purple, joy in the midst of seriousness and repentance. As we’ve considered before, the joy of Christmas is set against a backdrop of sorrow and longing. Our joy at receiving God’s gift grows as we long for Jesus’ arrival.
[Read more…] about The Shepherds CandlePreparations
This past Sunday we lit the Bethlehem Candle to remind ourselves of the preparations Mary and Joseph made for Jesus’ birth. As we close this week, let’s review the four main New Testament passages that tell us how Joseph and Mary prepared for Jesus’ birth. Try to imagine what they thought and felt as they were getting ready for Jesus’ arrival. If you don’t have a Bible handy, click on the link for each passage so you can read the text. If you’re pressed for time, choose one or two sections to work through now, and save the rest for later.
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