Advent Devotions 2006
We have our Advent Devotions now online for each day
of the Advent Season and also a devotion for Christmas Day.
These devotions were written by members of Bouldercrest.
Select the day of the month to access
the Advent Devotional for that day!
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Thanks to all who have written devotions for our church
and to everyone who has read them. May this bring
additional purpose and meaning to the Season of Advent.
“Thank God for
you”
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
by Wilda Galbreath
"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of God because of you?" (1Thess. 3:9)
Paul was writing these words to his friends at the church in Thessalonica. If we think of these words in relation to what God did for us in sending the Christ at Christmas, they are very relevant to the Advent season.
"How can we thank God enough for you..." We can never thank God ENOUGH for the gift He gave us by sending His Son Jesus into the world. Most "people" would not be willing to give such a precious gift to others, especially since God knows what was to come and how evil the people of this world can be. Nevertheless, God loved us enough to send this wonderful gift -- Jesus -- to a sinful world.
"(I)n return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you." We know that because of what Jesus has done for us, we can have the gift of eternal life, which will be pure joy from being in the presence of God. Without the gift of Jesus, we could not experience this joy. Therefore, we should truly focus on "thanking God" this Advent season because of the significance of his Gift to the world in Christ Jesus.
Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians in verses 12 and 13 is also appropriate for Advent. He says, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else." This tends to happen during the Advent season as people get into the spirit of giving. With God's help this spirit of giving can extend past the holidays and become an expression of Christian love throughout the year.
Finally, in verse 13 he says, "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes." The only way for us to be "blameless" is through faith in Christ and by His forgiveness. So, as we worship the Christ child, let's be mindful that it is through Him that we can be "strengthened," "blameless and holy." May Paul's words point us to the Greatest Gift of Christmas.
“Learning to
trust”
Psalm 25:1-10
by Rick Gattoni
Between my 9th and 16th year, my parents’ marriage fell on some very rocky ground. It was then I quickly learned the importance of trust in a relationship, not just in terms of emotional need and marital fidelity, but also in the aspects of trusting someone with your finances, your integrity and your identity.
In the opening verses of Psalm 25, the psalmist puts his hope and trust in God. He prays that God will teach him the truth and guide him through life. He asks that he not be “put to shame.” That’s what it is like when people loose trust in each other. They are ashamed and embarrassed.
But unlike those wavering, uncertain human relationships, our relationship with God is always a “sure thing”. It is like a house built on solid rock, withstanding all that life can hurl at it. God is constant, neither changing nor faltering. His Word guides us and supports us; it comforts us in troubling times. His Spirit is present to lead us in our prayers, our thoughts and our actions. By His Son’s death and resurrection, He has promised eternal life to those who believe, and He will never shame or forsake His own. I’m glad I know and worship a living, interactive God.
During this Season of Advent, I invite you to know Him too. Don’t let sin, pride and the feelings of shame tell you otherwise. God welcomes each of us back into His strong, loving arms when we put our trust and hope in Him through Christ Jesus.
“Lessons from a
Fig Tree”
Luke 21:25-36
by Betty Smallwood
In our area, fig trees are usually called fig bushes, but we have two in our backyard that are definitely fig trees. They are as tall as a two-story house. In this scripture passage, Jesus called them fig trees.
Jesus had been sharing with his disciples things that would occur before His return. The disciples asked him when these things would happen and what signs would there be before these things would come to pass. In verses 25-26, Jesus said there would be signs in the sun, in the moon, in the stars, distress of nations upon the earth with perplexity, roaring of the sea and waves, fearful hearts, and the powers of heaven would be shaken. After all these signs, we shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. He said look up, lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.
In Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, he tells us that when leaves and buds appear on the trees, it’s a sign that summer is nigh. Signs are given as cautions/warnings so we can be prepared and ready for Jesus’ return. These verses remind us not to get bogged down with cares and worries of everyday life, but to watch and pray and be ready for God’s return.
Let’s concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas. May God bless you and your family and grant you His peace.
“Fear Not”
Luke 1:28-31
by Penny Douthit
Think back, if possible, to the time when you were young, innocent, and had your whole life before you. You were looking forward to one of, if not, the most important events of your life and suddenly you were faced with an event, not of your own making, that would change the entire course of your life. How would you react to this change? Would you be excited, nervous, non-reactive, or simply scared to death?
In this passage of Scripture, we find Mary facing just such a situation. First of all, a heavenly messenger greets her, this in itself would be frightening to most of us; but this messenger brings news that is both a blessing and also a matter of great concern to her. Secondly, she has to face how to deal with the news and how it is going to affect the other people in her life. The messenger assures Mary that God’s Blessing will make a change in the lives of people for the rest of eternity. By naming the promised baby Jesus, all people everywhere could have the assurance that “the Lord saves” and salvation would be granted freely to all people who would accept this free gift.
Mary faced a difficult situation, we face difficult situations; but this heavenly messenger assured her and with her willingness to deal with God’s plan, we like Mary can face any situation that comes our way without FEAR. We can FEAR NOT just as Mary was told.
“When Angels
Speak”
Luke 1:35
by Alma Hollis
Over the period of the last two and half years I believe angels have been speaking to me. When your world has been turned upside down you meditate and turn inward for that inner peace. As I drive along the highway with traffic rushing by I rely on God and those angels to guide me safely on my journey. In my daily life I also depend on them to safely guide me day by day in everything that I do.
Do the angels speak too loud or too soft for you to hear them? Are we missing their voices because of the noise around us and are we listening?
What if Mary had not listened when the angel spoke to her? But she did. “The angel said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
“God’s Love”
John 3:16
by Rick Gattoni
I have finally reached the age where I cannot remember the first time I heard John 3:16. It has been a part of my life for so long that it almost feels like forever. The truth is that God’s love really has been around us forever! His love was present in creation, as He made us in His likeness. His love was there in the Garden of Eden, as He punished man for disobeying (ever spank a child in love?). His great love was on the mountain, as He stayed Abraham’s hand just before he was to slay Isaac. And God’s love was supremely manifest when He sent Christ Jesus to a lost and dying world. God chose not to stay the hands of men as they crucified His only son; it was His love that allowed Jesus to die for my shortcomings and for yours. What a gift, available just by believing! Salvation and eternal life in the presence of God! All sent in the form of a baby so many years ago . . . for God so loved the world.
“Peace on Earth”
Luke 2:14
by Ed Galbreath
Perhaps there is no clearer time for a prayer for Peace on Earth that in our own day. As I write this devotion, our nation is at war in Iraq. Some statistics have placed the death toll among Americans in Iraq at a number over 2800. Estimates tell us that some 21,000+ have been wounded. Some have listed the death toll among the Iraq Civilians to be in the neighborhood of 47,249 – 52,414. This is all overwhelming.
Our world lives on the edge of tension and conflict. Tension in the Middle East has risen to an all time high. There is concern today about Terrorism. This is clearly seen in the attack of the New York Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked theses sites. In addition to the 19 hijackers, 2,973 people died, and another 24 are missing and presumed dead.
There is the concern over the possible access of Nuclear weapons on the part of North Korea and other places around the world. We wonder when, and if, peace will ever return to our world.
The angelic proclamation in Luke 2:14 declared:
“Glory to God in the
highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men.”
This year as we sit by the fireplace, by the Christmas Tree, at the kitchen table, or in a pew at church, let us offer a new prayer for peace. Let us remember those who have lost their lives and those in their families in search of peace. Let us pray for peace as we celebrate the “Prince of Peace” this Christmas.
“Our God is doing
a good thing”
Philippians 1:3-11
by Betty Smallwood
In this passage, Paul is writing to the Philippians to let them know he remembers them, thinks of them often, prays for them, and to thank them for being committed partners in spreading the gospel and to encourage them. Verse 9 says: “And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”
Paul used the methods of communication available at that time (primarily word of mouth and letter writing) to share God’s message of salvation with all people. Modern technology has made it possible for us to share the gospel with others world-wide in many ways (TV, radio, Christian movies, phones, computers, etc…)
We give thanks and praise to our god because He is a great God and He does good things. In His mercy, he hears us, he knows us, he loves us, he forgives us, he saves us and he leads us. God loved us enough to send His Son to live, love, die and be raised from the grave for us. The first verse of one of my favorite hymns, “Because He Lives,” says:
“God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon;
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future, and
life is worth the living just because he lives.”
Like Paul, and many others, we need to get His message of love, offer of salvation, and promise of eternal life to all people.
Prayer: Thank you God for being a great God and for doing great things and for letting us be a part of your ministry. Amen.
“Preparing the
Way”
Malachi 3:1-4
by Donna Hardin
I know for many of us, preparing for the holidays takes a lot of hard work in our homes, as well as our church. Trying to find all the right decorations, Nativity, Advent Wreath and Candles…. also the perfect tree is time consuming. After all the work is done, we share in the beauty of it. Preparing is hard work, but worth it.
But the Prophet Malachi calls us to a deeper kind of preparation as we anticipate the coming of God. He calls us to a more serious preparation. Malachi says there will be a messenger to prepare they way. No doubt he had in mind the kind of messenger who prepared the way for the Kings as they traveled. Christians know that the messenger who prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming was John the Baptist. He came wearing camels hair garment with a leather belt around his waist quoting Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Malachi had a message of warning. He said that the coming of the Lord means judgment. He asks who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For many of us, the Bible is a beautiful treasure chest of wisdom calling all of us back to God. Be ready and be prepared. Merry Christmas and God bless you all.
“A Voice Crying in
the Wilderness”
Luke 3:1-6
by Debbie Gattoni
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Most of us, if we have lived on this earth very long, have either been a voice crying in the wilderness or we’ve heard one. It may have been the voice of doubt, confusion, or grief over the loss of someone we love, as my family is experiencing now. It may be the wilderness of questioning God, wondering why He does what He does or why He doesn’t seem to answer our prayers. We may experience the wilderness of loneliness, sadness, depression, self-doubt or any number of other feelings.
John the Baptist was called to be a different kind of voice crying in the wilderness. And different he was! Not your average Joe dressed in camel hair and eating locusts and wild honey. He was called to tell the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, who would bring salvation to all people. Maybe some thought John was crazy, but some listened. What if John had not done what he was called to do?
What are you called to do? Maybe you are called to “be Jesus” to someone who needs his love. Maybe it is a ministry to children, youth, the elderly, homeless, or a ministry of being a prayer warrior, administration or another ministry. Are we doing what we are called to do? All around us there are voices crying in the wilderness who need the love of the God we know. This Advent season, and always let us share Him with others.
“Immanuel – God
with us”
Matthew 1:22-23
by Wilda Galbreath
The “virgin birth” is a unique miracle of Christmas. How this could happen is unimaginable to the human mind. It is truly divine intervention into human history. It is part of why Jesus is so unique.
While a virgin birth defies scientific explanation, the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, had foretold this in his Messianic prophecies many years before. The Jewish people had heard this. They probably did not understand it anymore than we can. This is a unique act of God that requires us to respond in Faith.
Verse 23 says, “and they will call him Immanuel”, which means “God with us.” This is such a beautiful, comforting name for Jesus. The very concept that “God (is) with us” in time of difficulty and sorry brings a comfort that no human words can provide. God’s presence can guide us in our ministry to others and in times of doubt and confusion.
As we celebrate Advent, may we feel God’s presence and recognize his goodness to us in our celebrations and worship. Let’s not get caught up in the shopping, decorating, cooking, and partying and forget the Christ Child whose birth we celebrate. If we make Christ the focus of our giving, and our gatherings, then we may really feel his presence among us.
As we worship Immanuel we need to be mindful of the people around us who do not know the peace of God that Immanuel brings to our lives. So, let’s share the good news of Christmas with friends, colleagues, and people we encounter as we go about our daily lives. Christmas brings a perfect opportunity to share with others the joy and salvation that comes with faith in Christ. Remember, Immanuel – God is with us!
“Waiting”
Luke 2:6
by Ed Galbreath
Waiting can be incredibly frustrating. My family and I sat in our car on Interstate 75 for the longest time while a man tried to decide whether to jump off the bridge. There were cars and trucks everywhere. During that period of time, “seconds” seemed like “minutes” and “minutes” seemed like “hours.” Many of us have found ourselves waiting in the doctor’s office, the hospital, or the auto repair shop. We have waited for the mail to come or an appointment to arrive. Waiting can get tiring for all of us.
I can remember the time many years ago when there was a period of waiting as we looked forward to the birth of a child. There is all kinds of things to occupy that period of waiting. There is the visit to the physician on a regular basis, there is the preparation of the baby’s room, there is financial preparation, as well as the emotional preparation of everything that is ahead. There are so many details to consider and while time seems to move slowly, that time can also get here before we know it.
Who could ever imagine the mind of Mary and Joseph during this time? They had so many things to consider and the world they faced was incredibly different from the world we face. The very idea is overwhelming that the baby she is carrying for those months would be the child sent from God as the Savior of the world. The very idea of all of this is perplexing and amazing.
There are two overarching themes to the season of Advent. There is the Advent (“Coming”) of God through the Christ Child. There is also in the background, the idea of our waiting for the Second Advent of God as we ponder the return of Christ. Waiting can be a unique opportunity to renew our strength, find refreshment for the days ahead, and serve as a time to prepare ourselves for whatever will come.
“Finding Hope”
Luke 1:34
by Ed Galbreath
Hanging on to Hope can be a challenging thing at times. In recent months, in just the Atlanta area, we have seen many people lose their jobs through the closing of the General Motors Plant, the closing of the Ford Plants, the closings of Military bases, the uncertainty in the airline industry, and many other businesses that have gone out of business. Starting over and searching for a new job can be challenging. This is especially true as more and more people have moved into metro Atlanta looking for jobs and places of security.
What is our response when many of our hopes and dreams have been shattered by everyday life? As we approach this holiday season, many people have lost loved ones by death this year and it’s just not the same anymore. There may be a search for a new hope and direction, but life just seems to be out of sorts.
Some days I just identify with the writer of Psalms who often raises the question of why the righteous suffer and the wicked finds refuge. Are there innocent people in prison and guilty people going free? Where is Justice in our land? Who is it that cares if the hungry get food or the needy get medical care?
Is Medicare Plan D the answer for the hurts that Senior Adults face? Who will fight for our children and help them to learn not only the ABC’s but that somebody loves them?
Mary had to ask a very honest question when she said: “How will this be?” The angel comes to offer Mary words of hope. The angel says “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you”. Mary had many issues to sort out and they were not always easy. She came to praise and doxology when she uttered those words, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Let us look around during these days of Advent and Christmas. Maybe on the street corner, in our homes, or at church, we may find that lost friend called hope!
“Trusting in the
Lord”
Isaiah 12: 2-6
by Curvin Fowler
Time passes swiftly, and another year has almost passed. I have attended two Weddings and two Funerals in the year 2006. Richard & Lynne, my daughter & son-in-law, had both of their daughters to get married in 2006. It’s wonderful to know that they married wonderful men, who are trusting in Jesus. We all trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
There is so many things in our world today that could mislead us. So, let us keep our guard up so it won’t happen to us. All Jesus wants is for us to put him first in our lives. So let us love him with all our heart, mind, & soul. Let us keep on trusting Jesus as Lord & Savior as we go through life. Some day we will hear the Lord say, “Well done my faithful servant.”
Merry Christmas and Love in Christ Jesus!
“The Messiah is
Coming”
Luke 3:7-18
by Mike Tallant
As John the Baptist continued his work of baptizing those who came to him, he let it be known that being the descendants of Abraham would not give you salvation. John answered them all,
“I baptize you with water. But one more powerful
than I will come. The thongs of whose sandals
I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Like John the Baptist we should share with others that only through Jesus Christ can a person receive salvation and eternal life. It’s not who you are or how great you may have become over the years; nor is it clean living and good deeds; likewise, altar sacrifices and special clothing won’t open the gates to Heaven. The only way to the Father is through the Son. This is total acceptance. After this, a person can have peace of mind and assurance of everlasting fellowship with our Lord. This is the first step of our journey in our walk with God. What a beautiful trip we have ahead of us…..one step at a time.
“Joy in Knowing
‘Christ”
Philippians 4:4-7
by Kay Tallant
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God, in all His wisdom, knew that I needed to be reminded of these four scripture verses that were assigned to me this year, because they are exactly what gave my husband and me the strength to overcome several hurdles in our life between April and October. Because we have the joy of knowing Christ and His great capacity for love, caring for others, gentleness and patience, and because the Bible tells us we will have tribulations to overcome in the world, we turned our problems over to the Lord through Faith.
We should stay close to Jesus and try not to be anxious about worldly problems, because the Lord is in command. Through prayer and with His help we can face and endure the difficult times that occur in our lives. Remember to rejoice in the Lord always and thank Him for His many blessings.
“The Announcement”
Luke 2:11
by Debbie Gattoni
“For there is born to you this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Have you ever been so filled with good news that you were about to burst with excitement? You couldn’t wait to share what had happened! Chances are, you’ve received or sent an announcement. It may have been a graduation, wedding or birth announcement. Or maybe you just found out that the one you love also loves you, or you got into the college you wanted or got the job! Sometimes I call friends with the good news that God has answered the prayer we have been praying about!
The announcement made by the angel that is recorded here in Luke wasn’t your everyday “shoppers now in the center aisle” kind of announcement. It was even so much more than those momentous occasions such as graduations, weddings, and births that we share when they happen to us. It was a birth announcement, but it was more than telling that Mary and Joseph had a new baby boy at their house. Notice that is says that the Savior, Christ the Lord was born to YOU. That includes us! Were it today, it could have been on every news network and the headline of every newspaper. He was born to us and for us! Hallelujah!
“A Baby in a
Manger”
Luke 2:12
by Jean Gower
" This will be
a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:12 NIV
Today we receive many forms of birth announcements but
none even closely compare to the birth announcement of Jesus. His birth was
announced by an angel to lowly shepherds in a field keeping watch over their
flocks.
Interestingly, shepherds were not esteemed members of society but viewed
as lowly, often despicable by the Orthodox, "religious " people. Yet, God chose
them to be the first to receive the news of the birth of His Son, the Lamb of
God who takes away the sins of the world.
How would these shepherds recognize the Savior, Christ the Lord? He
would be a new-born baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a
manger. This would be the sign to them!
There is nothing sweeter and more precious than a new-born baby, and
nothing more touching and stirring to parents than their first-born. So, the
shepherds found Joseph and Mary alone with Jesus in a stable and Jesus was
lying in a feeding trough, a manger.
When we consider the humble birth of Jesus, His birthplace, and the
announcement to the lowly shepherds, we, too, should feel humbled at this
Christmas Season--humbled that God chose us to be the recipients of His love,
mercy, and salvation.
We, too, have receive an announcement from Jesus. In John 10:10 He
says, "I am come that they (you) may have life and have it more
abundantly." Let's accept His gift and thank God for it. Peace and
Blessings!
“A day for
Shepherds”
Luke 2:20
by Mike Tallant
Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things they had heard
and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The shepherds had completed the trip they were asked to take by the angel of the Lord. They were filled with excitement and the desire to share their story of the Christ child they saw in Bethlehem. This must have been a wonderful time in the lives of the shepherds, filled with so much enthusiasm and love,
During the year we too experience those things our Lord blesses us with, and we also need to share this with others. Glorify God for His blessings and share with others. Sounds easy to me. Do we always do this? As Christians I would say yes. It’s very natural and uplifting to praise God. Telling others strengthens everyone, including the nonbeliever who might be listening in. How many times have you heard, “God answered our prayers this week about….”? Sure, many times. Some blessings are ours and some are others. They still need to be told and more than once. Have you ever shared one of God’s blessings that happened in your life years ago? Yes, we do this over and over. Telling of God’s love for us is rewarding in many ways.
Like the shepherds, show excitement and happiness to others when you praise God for His blessings in your life.
“Memories for
Mary”
Luke 2:19
by Bobbie Smith
Lots of special, priceless things stand out in our memory book of our own children. It would be impossible for us to even begin to comprehend all Mary’s memories about Jesus. There was the time of his conception, his birth, his life, death and resurrection. Even the thoughts are overwhelming to us. How about Mary? Having the angel Gabriel tell her that she, a virgin, would have Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world!
A host of Angels announced His birth in Bethlehem. Shepherds came and later the wise men came bringing gifts to Jesus. Years followed and Jesus grew tall and wise, and was loved by God and man. Jesus started his ministry (public) at about 30 years of age. Jesus was crucified and rose from the tomb on the 3rd day.
We can only imagine what memories Mary had of this. Yes, Mary had countless memories which she quietly treasured in her heart and often thought of them.
“Can we sing
Mary’s Song?”
Luke 1:46b-55
by Betty Cochran
“And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.’” Luke 1:46-47.
Did you notice the title? Can we sing Mary’s song? Mary had come to Elizabeth, uncertainty in her heart and mind, weary of travel, and possibly “queasy” with those early signs of pregnancy. How could she possibly sing a song? She could sing because she realized that God had put a great honor and blessing on her, and in turn she would praise and honor Him. So, instead of a rest and retreat, she sings and rejoices, and magnifies God. How can we sing Mary’s song? By forgetting self, and praising God for His blessings all the day long.
Mary was “unwed” in today’s language. She was in disgrace in the eyes of the world in that day. But, according to the scripture, she recognized that God was doing a great thing in her and she submitted to His will. She saw God’s mercy and grace in exalting her, the lowly person that she was. She praised Him as she recognized that “His mercy is on them that fear Him.” And, so, she became a part of God’s plan, submitting to His will, and found great joy in it.
Back to the question! We can sing Mary’s song as we renew our hearts and minds by celebrating the birth of the Savior (v.47). We will view it as God’s greatest gift to this world, the blessing He bestowed on Mary becomes our blessing. Mary sings that He regards all who submit their lives to Him (v.48), and is merciful to those who fear Him (v.50). He helps those who have fallen (v.54), and He fills those who are hungry (v.53). Sing and rejoice!!
“A time for
Rejoicing”
Luke 2:13-14
by Rebecca Galbreath
The Christmas season is filled with rejoicing and celebration. We take time with our loved ones to rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We look forward to the Christmas season as we continue to rejoice in Christ’s birth just as was done so long ago on the very night he was born.
Luke 2:13-14 states that “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
This passage reminds us to thank God for sending us His Son on that Christmas night. We have so much to thank God for: health - from disease; safety – from war; the necessities of life – food, shelter, etc; friends and family; prosperity versus poverty; freedom from tyranny; freedom to worship. Life is full of blessings. The greatest blessing comes at Christmas with God’s gift to the world, his beloved son Jesus.
“A Savior is born”
Luke 2:11
by Ed Galbreath
The waiting is over! This is a day of celebration and new hope. We rejoice as we remember the birth of the Christ Child in the manger in Bethlehem. There had been months of speculation, anticipation, and preparation. How could anyone fully capture everything that was happening during this time? Someone has described the seven last words of the church in this way: “We’ve never done it that way before!” Mary could testify that this was a new beginning and nothing had ever happened this way before.
Our journey this year in the season of Advent began four weeks ago on December 3rd. On that day, in our worship at church, we had the lighting of the Advent Candle representing the Candle of Hope. Our thoughts went back to the prophets who had foretold that one day a Savior would be born. That day was not just someday, but that day we remember and celebrate today!
It is now Christmas Day! The lighting of Candles is coming to completion. We share gifts and love to other people as we remember the ultimate gift that came to our world. The waiting is now over and the celebration is here. We join with others around our world in gratitude and praise for what our God has done in our world.
Christmas is not the end, but a mere beginning. When a baby is born into our families, that signifies the beginning of a new era in our lives. There is so much that lies ahead and there is so much that we will experience. But today is a day of celebration and rejoicing. I hope that this is a joyful day for you and your family. Merry Christmas to you!