MARCH 10 | Open Your Heart to God

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:25–40
KEY VERSES: Luke 2:36–38

There was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty–four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Anna’s husband died when she was quite young. They had been married only seven years before death took his life. Alone she took up the mantle of prayer and devoted herself to seeking God for the coming of the Messiah (Luke 2:37).
How many of us would have done this? There’s no mention of worrying about her state of widowhood or how her needs would be provided. No record of anger over being left without her husband, her friend, and her beloved at such an early age. These elements are especially important when we look at her life in the context of Judaism.
Most women were married and had children. To be barren was a disgrace, but not for Anna. Her devotion was solely to the Lord. Day and night, her heart’s desire was to seek audience with almighty God through prayer. Times of fasting gave her a spiritual sensitivity that few experience.
When Christ came to earth, one of the first places He went was to the temple. Even as a baby, Jesus was God. He had heard this woman’s fervent petition, and with His birth God answered her call.
Prayer transports us into the presence of God. Anna did not concern herself with the talk and gossip of her day. She was focused on the coming of the Messiah. Have you made the decision to open your heart only to God?

Lord, I focus my attention upon You right now as I kneel in Your presence. I open my heart to You.

Stanley, C. F. (2000). Into His presence (p. 73). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 25th | Leave room for God

But when it pleased God … Gal. 1:15.

As workers for God we have to learn to make room for God—to give God ‘elbow room.’ We calculate and estimate, and say that this and that will happen, and we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never looked for Him to come? Do not look for God to come in any particular way, but look for Him. That is the way to make room for Him. Expect Him to come, but do not expect Him only in a certain way. However much we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that at any minute He may break in. We are apt to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. All of a sudden God meets the life—“When it was the good pleasure of God.…”
Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.

Chambers, O. (1986). My utmost for his highest: Selections for the year. Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering.

12.28.24 EChurch@Wartburg NT Wright: The Birth of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? | The Wartburg Watch

Photo by Harvey Reed: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-cardinal-bird-on-tree-branch-905248/

‘A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson link

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.

St. Augustine of Hippo – AD 354-440 link

Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.
Amen

Liturgy of the Hours, Fridays in Advent link

All-powerful God,
help us to look forward in hope
to the coming of our Savior.
May we live as he taught,
ready to welcome him with burning love and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen

Benediction link

Go into the world with assurance, hope and promise:
the grace of the Word of life rest upon you;
the love of the Source of life embrace you;
and the transforming power of the Breath of life
help, strengthen and surprise you,
this day and all your days.
Amen.

https://thewartburgwatch.com/2024/12/28/12-28-24-echurchwartburg-nt-wright-the-birth-of-jesus-fact-or-fiction/

12.22.24 EChurch@Wartburg Dr John Lennox: A Christmas Message | The Wartburg Watch

public domain

I apologize for the lack of EChruch messages in the last two weeks. I was stressed due to an unexpected, highly unusual opportunity to discuss this blog. I can’t say much until it is released sometime in the next few months. This situation also brought unpredicted and welcome attention to some victims of abuse about whom I have written. I saw a divine orchestration of events and look forward to explaining this soon.

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Advent Prayer by Henri J.M. Nouwen link

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.

Advent Prayer link

Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.

Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!
Amen

Advent Prayer link

Oh, Emmanuel,
“God-with-Us,”
You have touched me;
you are God-with-Me.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.

Refine and purify my heart
with the hottest flame of your love.
Give me the courage of your prophets
and let me do what is right
even when others don’t understand.

Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come!
Amen

Benediction link

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
the obedience of Joseph,
the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the determination of the magi,
and the peace of the Christ child.
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
Amen.

https://thewartburgwatch.com/2024/12/22/12-22-24-echurchwartburg-dr-john-lennox-a-christmas-message/

Sunday, December 22, 2024 | Advent Fourth Sunday in Advent

Old Testament                                            Micah 5:2–5a

Psalm                                            Psalm 80:1–7

Epistle                                            Hebrews 10:5–10

Gospel                                            Luke 1:39–45 (46–56)

Index of Readings

Old Testament

Micah 5:2–5a

²  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

from ancient days.

³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

to the people of Israel.

⁴ And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

⁵ And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land

and treads in our palaces,

then we will raise against him seven shepherds

and eight princes of men;

Psalm

Psalm 80:1–7

¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

you who lead Joseph like a flock.

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

² Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,

stir up your might

and come to save us!

³ Restore us, O God;

let your face shine, that we may be saved!

⁴ O Lord God of hosts,

how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears

and given them tears to drink in full measure.

⁶ You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,

and our enemies laugh among themselves.

⁷ Restore us, O God of hosts;

let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Epistle

Hebrews 10:5–10

⁵ Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body have you prepared for me;

⁶ in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

⁷ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,

as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

⁸ When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), ⁹ then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Gospel

Luke 1:39–45 (46–56)

³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴² and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

[

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

]¹

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¹  Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary. (2009). Concordia Publishing House.

His Return – Hark The Herald Angels Sing | Pastor Jack Hibbs

His Return – Hark The Herald Angels Sing

December 20, 2024

Over 2,000 years ago, the angels proclaimed the arrival of a newborn King. That King grew to become a Man who died to save the world. The Bible says this King will return, and believers all over the world eagerly await His coming. Pastor Jack talks more about this King in today’s episode of Real Life TV.

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Why Do We Sing at Christmas? | Ligonier Ministries

Throughout history, people have loved singing. Whether at baseball games or birthday parties, we sing eagerly, sometimes publicly exposing our lack of native musical talent. Singing in groups—especially at Christmas—is a cultural institution. But why does singing carols and hymns, even if we’re doing it professionally and have no interest in the meaning of words, make such an impact on us?

Singing in worship has always challenged both pulpit and pew with how and why it should be done. In 1861, John Wesley wrote a set of “Directions for Singing” intended to instruct the Methodist community on that subject. Since its publication, it has influenced more than just the Methodists. Two of these directions are below:

Sing lustily – and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead or half-asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.

Sing modestly – do not bawl [to be] heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation that you may not destroy the harmony but strive to unite your voices together so as to make one melodious sound.

Despite our limitations, it is at Christmas that we “lift our voice with strength.” It may be because we really know the songs. Indeed, familiarity is the glue that encourages participation. The Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God” no matter our level of skill (Col. 3:16).

One of the easiest places to begin learning how to sing is in church. We easily recall psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for life. We never forget them as we age because the act of singing (according to experts) activates our brain’s threads of memorized words and pitch. At nursing homes during Christmas, previously uninvolved residents come alive to sing “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”

Besides just giving us pleasure, many Christmas songs teach—they are doctrinally rich. Martin Luther used song as a major component for growth in the young Lutheran churches established in the 1520s and beyond. They sang chorales and the catechism for good reason—song was a major teaching tool for the new churches.

Music continues to form us in Christian community. At Saint Andrew’s Chapel, R.C. Sproul often took time to explain the “why” of worship instead of merely doing it reflexively. After a song he asked, “Do you realize what you were just singing?” For him, singing was a vital enzyme in digesting the Word of God.

How does theology function in Christmas carols? Let’s look at some examples.

“Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come”

Sung to ANTIOCH, a tune “arranged from Handel” by Lowell Mason. Isaac Watts’ text explores themes of glory, sovereignty, holiness, truth, and grace. It is a catalog of God’s attributes for any preacher to quote.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Sung to VENI EMMANUEL, a plainsong (early chant) melody. This hymn is a passionate plea for Immanuel’s arrival, beginning from Isaiah and moving through multiple references to the child Jesus’ nature and purpose.

“Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”

Sung to THIRSTING by Louis Bourgeois, a composer of the Genevan Psalter, based on Isaiah 40:1–2. This seventeenth-century text by Johannes Olearius offers Christian teaching on the Word’s prophetic power, plus God’s purpose in sending a Savior.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Sung to ST. LOUIS by L.H. Redner. This nineteenth-century tune displays a clear fulfillment of a prophecy in Micah 5:2. Phillips Brooks’ 1868 text paraphrases Luke account of Jesus’ birth with a clear gospel prayer in verse 4:

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in;
Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.

“Thou Who Wast Rich”

Sung to QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE, a French carol arranged by Charles H. Kitson, and text by Frank Houghton.

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, All for love’s sake becamest poor; Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.

Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love’s sake becamest man; Stooping so low, but sinners raising, Heav’n-ward by thine eternal plan.

Thou who art love beyond all telling, Savior and King, we worship thee. Emmanuel, within us dwelling, Make us what thou wouldst have us be.

Why do we sing Christmas songs? Surely, they provide joy, help us recall Jesus’ birth and life, and form us spiritually. Leading up to Christmas, we recite doctrines of creation, glory, incarnation, and atonement (to name just a few) in familiar hymns and carols. In the process, we are encouraged to daily live out the gospel of Christ.

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Awaiting His Return | Ligonier Ministries

There is a widespread fascination with the end of the world. Throughout history, we have witnessed the bold assertions of soothsayers, naysayers, and doomsdayers. Every day, self-proclaimed prophets of the end times make whimsical predictions about the future. Claiming to have biblical authority, they tout their cleverly devised schemes about the end of the world as we know it, and by reading between the lines of the Old Testament prophetical books, they carefully contort the words of sacred Scripture to fit their fictional fantasies about the second advent of Christ.

Christians throughout the world have become so enamored with some obscure aspect about the second advent of Christ that they construct their entire systems of doctrine upon what might happen—not upon what has happened. We are, indeed, called to live with eager expectation of the second advent of Christ, but we should only do so in light of the first advent of Christ. In remembrance of Christ’s first advent, it is not enough simply to wish Jesus a happy birthday. In fact, to do so borders on blasphemy. Instead, we are called to remember and to celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, the eternal Logos.

At the first advent of Jesus Christ, the fullness of time had come and God sent forth His Son into this fallen world. As the prophets foretold, He was born of a virgin who was richly blessed of God. He was born under the law of God, not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. As was necessary to redeem those under the Law, He fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law and took upon Himself the sins of His people, His sheep for whom He laid down His life.

As His people, we confess that Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead. We believe He will return to this world not as a babe in a manger but as the King of all the earth, in power and glory to manifest His reign over the new heavens and the new earth.

We confess His return because of what He taught us at His first advent and on account of the hope that is within us. For this reason, during the wonderful Advent season that comes each year, we should eagerly await the second advent of Christ as we celebrate the first advent of Christ. Nevertheless, let us always be mindful that although Christmas day comes only once a year, we are called to remember and celebrate the eternal work of Christ—past, present, and future—each day of our lives coram Deo, before the face of God.

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December 17 | Christians and Christmas

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord.

Romans 14:6

The Puritans in early America rejected Christmas celebrations altogether. They deliberately worked on December 25 to show their disdain. A law passed in England in 1644 reflected a similar Puritan influence; the law made Christmas Day an official working day. For a time in England it was literally illegal to cook plum pudding or mince pie for the holidays.

Christians today are generally not opposed to celebrating Christmas. The holiday itself is nothing, and observing it is not a question of right or wrong. As Paul wrote, “One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God” (Rom. 14:5–6). Every day—including Christmas—is a celebration for us who know and love Him.¹

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¹  MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : a daily touch of God’s grace (p. 378). J. Countryman.

Advent Sunday Week 3: The Prophet in the Manger | Blog – Beautiful Christian Life

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Beautiful Christian Life LLC may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through its links, at no cost to you.

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” — Mark 9:2-7

You will always have people talking to you. Whether it’s through the daily dose of news, magazine articles, Youtube celebrities, advertisements that pop up in social media, or just friends, family, or even on occasion a total stranger, people always have something to say—be it opinion or information, good or bad, trustworthy or false. 

God’s prophets communicated God’s word to God’s people.

Words and communication are so important that God had a special group of individuals whose job it was to communicate God’s word to God’s people so they might know what God’s will was for them. These people were called prophets. Their job was so serious that if they told false information concerning God’s message, they were to be severely punished. 

With all the information out there and the many messages we receive on a constant basis, God knows that it is vital we receive his message because his message holds life and liberty for all those who hear it and accept it. 

The baby in the manger was the perfect prophet of God to whom the Old Testament prophets pointed.

Over the years there were many good prophets, like Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. Yet, a certain little baby was born in Bethlehem who was the perfect prophet of God. In fact, in the Gospel of John, this baby is called the Word:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

Jesus is God revealed in human flesh. And not only was Jesus the revelation of God in the flesh, but he also spoke God’s word faithfully and lived out God’s commandments perfectly.

Jesus was the perfect prophet to whom the godly Old Testament prophets pointed, and in the Gospels we learn about his birth, life, and work telling sinners about the grace and goodness of God. Jesus, the perfect prophet speaking God the Father’s message, was the good message itself.

We need to listen to God’s Son, for salvation only comes through him.

Jesus preached that God the Father had provided a way to salvation, and that he (Jesus) was that way:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

As you go through this Advent season, many voices will try to get your attention. But these voices can often be distractions from focusing on the one voice that really matters: the voice of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus Christ is God, we find his word to us in the Bible—God’s word.

So as your busy holiday takes shape, remember the command of God the Father from heaven and listen to God’s Son. Spend time reading God’s word, thinking about God’s word, singing about God and his goodness, and praying to God. In this way, the voice of God, the voice of the one who was born in the manger, won’t get lost during this Christmas season. 

Click below to read the entire Advent Sunday series!

Part 1: Advent Sunday Week 1: The Story of a Warrior Child

Part 2: Advent Sunday Week 2: A Priestly Child Is Born

Part 4: Advent Sunday Week 4: A King Is Born

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This article was originally published on December 12, 2020.

Related Articles:

• Children’s Story: “Julie’s Christmas Home”
• A Mountain Range Christmas: Why the Baby in the Manger Is Also the Lion on the Throne
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Christmas—the Interrupter of Winter
• 3 Ways People Responded to the News of Jesus’ Birth in Matthew’s Gospel—and What It Means for You Today

Recommended:

Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson

https://www.beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/advent-sunday-week-3-the-prophet-in-the-manger

Nativity Scene Debuts at U.S. Capitol with Prayer, Carols, and the Biblical Christmas Story Thanks to Courageous Christian Group | The Gateway Pundit

Nativity Scene Debuts at U.S. Capitol with Prayer, Carols, and the Biblical Christmas Story Thanks to Courageous Christian Group

Credit: Sue Dorfman and ZUMA Press

A Nativity scene graced the steps of the U.S. Capitol, marking the first time in the nation’s history that such a display of Christian faith was showcased at the heart of the nation’s government.

This landmark event was made possible by Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the D.C.-based Christian Defense Coalition, who triumphed in a federal court case earlier this year, according to The Lion.

The court ruled that the Capitol steps are a public forum, affirming that peaceful demonstrations, including religious expressions, are protected under the First Amendment.

The victory came after years of struggle, including Mahoney’s arrest in 2021 during a prayer vigil.

In 2021, Mahoney sought to hold his annual Good Friday vigil on Capitol grounds, but his request was denied under restrictive policies implemented after the events of January 6. Represented by the Center for American Liberty, Mahoney filed a complaint, arguing that the policies effectively created a “no-speech zone” around the Capitol.

The case reached U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, an Obama appointee, who initially denied Mahoney’s motions. However, the tide turned in May, when a federal court affirmed the rights of individuals to assemble peacefully and express their beliefs on public property, including the Capitol steps.

“Between now and the inauguration we are only allowed five people on the steps at the same time,” Rev. Mahoney told Susan Berry of The Lion.

Mahoney was arrested during a prayer vigil held in August 2021. (Credit: X)

Rev. Patrick Mahoney said in a press release:

“We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share the joyful and powerful message of Christmas at the steps of the United States Capitol. In a hurting and wounded world, there is no more redemptive and healing message than the Christmas story.

“The hopeful declaration of ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward man,’ is one that needs to be heard and embraced by all Americans.

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“The words spoken by the prophet Isaiah centuries ago are still relevant for us today. ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

“This is also a significant victory for religious freedom and the 1st Amendment. This event has ended and won the war on Christmas in the public square. For if Christmas can be celebrated and displayed in the most powerful public square in America, it can be celebrated publicly everywhere.”

On Tuesday, Rev. Mahoney displayed the Nativity scene at the Capitol for the first time.

“The Capitol behind me, and you see the Holy Family, the shepherds, and the wise men—and, of course, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We’re hosting the first-ever Nativity display and Christmas carol sing-along from the steps of the United States Capitol. Our message is clear: Joy to the world, peace on Earth, goodwill toward men. We hope you join us. God bless.”

In an X post, Rev. Mahoney wrote, “7 months ago, we would’ve been arrested for having this Nativity Display on the steps of the US Capitol. However, we won an historic federal lawsuit through the incredible work of the Center for American Liberty which allowed us on the steps!”

7 months ago, we would’ve been arrested for having this Nativity Display on the steps of the US Capitol. However, we won an historic federal lawsuit through the incredible work of the Center for American Liberty which allowed us on the steps! @Liberty_Ctr @pnjaban… pic.twitter.com/0yObLMhCvw

— Rev. Patrick Mahoney (@revmahoney) December 11, 2024

“O Come Let Us Adore Him!” Katie singing this beautiful Christmas Carol on the steps of the United States capital with our nativity display out front. #JoyToTheWorld #PeaceOnEarth #OComeLetUsAdoreHim #Christmas ⁦@mercedesschlapp⁩ ⁦@mschlapp⁩ pic.twitter.com/lM3uMZsLpZ

— Rev. Patrick Mahoney (@revmahoney) December 10, 2024

The post Nativity Scene Debuts at U.S. Capitol with Prayer, Carols, and the Biblical Christmas Story Thanks to Courageous Christian Group appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Waiting For A Savior | Key Life

During Advent, we reflect on the prophecies that preceded the birth of Jesus and how he fulfilled them. This grounds the entire season in the story of God’s people waiting for the coming of the Messiah.

God is sovereign over the future and he alone is capable of telling the future perfectly. God told his people about their coming savior so they would have hope and anticipate his arrival. He detailed for them who was coming to save them, and how, where, when, and why he would arrive.

The prophecy in Genesis

The very first prophecy about Jesus was in Genesis 3:15, right after Adam and Eve sinned. God promised that their savior—Jesus—would be born of a woman. Some of the other major prophecies about Jesus were that he would be:

• Born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14),
• Born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2),
• Arrive after John the Baptist (Mal. 3:1),
• Die at a specific time and by crucifixion (Dan. 9:24–27; Ps. 22:16),
• Rise from the dead (Ps. 16:10), and
• Save people from their sins through his death and resurrection (Isa. 53:1–12).

People knew of Jesus and his work in advance because God gave many prophecies hundreds and even thousands of years before he arrived. There are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that point to the coming Messiah and to his life and death. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled every single one of them.

A perfectly timed first coming

The timing of Jesus’ arrival was so precise that many people were prepared for him. In Galatians 4:4–7, Paul explains that the purpose of Jesus’ perfect timing is so we could be saved and adopted as children of God: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

One of the most beautiful and profound images in the Old Testament, Isaiah 2:1–5, looks forward to the Savior who will come and set things right, verse 4:

He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.

This prophecy looks forward both to the birth of Jesus and to his second coming.

Waiting for the second coming

The Advent season is rich with theological significance, a somber time of personal reflection, hope and longing, and joyful expectation for the coming of Jesus. As we reflect during Advent, we remember God’s faithfulness to his promises in delivering his people and sending Jesus, just as he promised. God’s faithfulness in the past gives us confidence in the future: though we are faithless, he remains faithful.

The post Waiting For A Savior appeared first on Key Life.

The Case Against Advent | Protestia

The Case Against Advent

It’s been nearly 10 years since the Baptist Pravda Press announced that Baptists had “rediscovered” Advent. Apparently, we realized it was “needed in a cultural context in which we are battered on every side to be diverted away from…a focus on Christ” and were now finding it useful in “provid[ing] a bit of structure in a tradition that has maybe gone too far without structure,” according to then-provost at Oklahoma Baptist University Stan Norman. Market-attuned evangelical churches and the Christian retailers who supply them, sensing a shift away from the freewheeling worldliness of much of contemporary worship, naturally pounced on the opportunity to provide the “life-changing” programs, events, and materials needed to facilitate this liturgical response to the “is this even a church?” excesses of seeker sensitivity.

Baptists had just finished “rediscovering” contemplative prayer and related so-called “spiritual disciplines,” long forgotten the Prayer of Jabez and our WWJD bracelets, were busy circling things with our prayer and had yet to “discover” the power of the Enneagram to aid our sanctification. Disaffected mainliners who left their pink-haired, rainbow-flagged “churches” for more conservative pastures were all too happy to see the low and free worshipers in Baptist and non-denominational churches respond to the spiritual market by adopting a little bit of the liturgy they were used to, and Christian retailers had a lucrative new revenue stream in likewise responding to the market shift. A quick search at Lifeway.com returns hundreds of listings under “advent,” with something for every persuasion and from all the usual names. Shoppers can pick up one of the dozens of Advent studies from “Lifeway Women,” meditation journals, and devotionals from Matt Chandler, Al Mohler, Beth Moore, or David Platt.

Yet observance of the Advent season began long before we were able to order Hot Wheels Advent calendars for our children. While the exact origins remain unknown, historians trace the beginnings of Advent (originally called the “Lent of St. Martin”) to the fifth-century practice of fasting three times a week between Old Halloween (St. Martin’s Day) and Christmas. By the 14th century, it was customary for the Catholic church to observe five weeks of lent-ish Advent, which remained liturgically unchanged until the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

To Sin or Not to Sin

Within the boundaries of scripture, Christians can exercise substantial liberty in their worship practices. Daily devotionals, prayer, meditation, and music styles – all fall into the category of liberty when regulated by scripture. “Observing Advent” in the sense that it remains a deliberate organizational emphasis within worship is no different than planning a sermon series or working through a Bible study. Yet much like other “spiritual disciplines” are not scripturally prescribed (think journaling, word studies, or “praying the Bible”), liturgical observations can easily slip into a “required for sanctification” category. Much like Catholicism encourages observation of Advent in a sacramental sense (it leads to particular spiritual benefits like forgiveness), Christian corporate practice of extrabiblical traditions risks establishing the necessity of man-made practices for sanctification. A practice (discipline) deemed helpful in bringing about sanctification (formation) could logically stifle sanctification if not practiced. And failing to do what is needed for Christian growth would be sinful, would it not?

Why Puritans and Baptists Dumped Advent

Despite the claim by Advent-observing Baptists, our theological forefathers didn’t reject Advent because it was too “Catholic.” They rejected it because it was neither prescribed (nor described) in scripture, and its clear purpose (much like other liturgical observances) was conferring sacramental benefit, often through the mediation of Mary. In fact, around the same time Baptists were “rediscovering” Advent, now-deceased Pope Benedict XVI was reminding us that “To celebrate Advent means: to become Marian, to enter into that communion with Mary’s ‘Yes,’ which, ever anew, is room for God’s birth, for the ‘fullness of time.’”

Even after the rules for fasting fell by the wayside, “the faithful” are instructed to “fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”  Much like its origins as the “Lent of St. Martin,” Advent observance remains a work of self-denial for the purpose of receiving forgiveness. Or, in other words, a practice that rejects the nature of the Gospel. The rejection of Advent was profoundly spiritual for our Protestant forefathers, not some surface-level anti-Catholic thing.

Scripture reminds us that, while believers are free to establish traditions and special days in accordance with Christian liberty, there is no such thing as days that are more holy than others (Rom. 14:5), nor any specific, extrabiblical traditions that offer access to forgiveness or any other spiritual benefit. With disaffected high-church Advent observers leaving Catholicism or mainline liberal churches for the biblical sufficiency of conservative churches, scriptural sufficientists should examine the wisdom of “rediscovering” practices that our forefathers purposefully rejected. Instead, we may find it wise to remind our congregations that the same scriptural sufficiency that protects our churches from the liberalism many of them escaped is what keeps us from “rediscovering” or repurposing the works-based traditions of the churches they left.

The post The Case Against Advent appeared first on Protestia.

5 Recommended Resources for Christmas | Ligonier Ministries

Of all people, Christians have the most to truly celebrate at Christmas. The God who created the universe took on human flesh, fulfilling what the prophets had foretold, and entered this fallen world to bring salvation to His people. The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, can help believers better grasp the wonder of the incarnation and express grateful worship throughout the Christmas season for the greatest gift of all—our Savior, Christ the Lord.

The Advent of Glory: 24 Devotions for Christmas by R.C. Sproul

These straightforward, short, and profound Advent readings have been edited from talks given by Dr. R.C. Sproul, helping readers to benefit from his enduring insight and wisdom. They delve into the details of the Christmas story and reflect on how these impact our lives now, combining scholarly detail with heartwarming application. Each day also includes a prayer written by a well-known Bible teacher of our own day to guide your own reflections.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson

Love is at the heart of the Christmas season. In this advent devotional, Dr. Ferguson reflects on the true source of this love—Jesus Christ. Containing twenty-four daily readings for the month of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase by phrase, showing how Jesus Christ is the truest embodiment of the love this passage describes. Each day’s reading includes a question for reflection and a prayer.

Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas by Stephen Nichols

Our desire for peace in this world is especially pronounced during the Christmas season, yet we are often confronted by the reality that the peace we crave is out of our reach. Dr. Nichols asserts, “There is only one way to turn the dream of peace into reality. . . . We must look to no other place than to a manger.” This book seeks to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas by looking to Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and established peace between God and man for all who trust in Him.

Child in the Manger: The True Meaning of Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson

What is Christmas really all about? Some anticipate time with loved ones and festive gatherings, while others dread the loneliness or family problems that the holidays exacerbate. In this book, Dr. Ferguson explores this question, which has profound implications not just for Christmastime, but all year round. The birth of Jesus divided history into two major epochs, and at the very center of history stands the person of Jesus Christ, the One who is at the center of God’s story.

The Christmas We Didn’t Expect by David Mathis

We all know that life contains many unexpected twists and turns. But the most unexpected and significant event in history occurred when God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This book contains daily Advent devotionals and prayers that highlight the unexpected details of Jesus’ birth and saving work, leading readers to renewed worship of our humble and loving Savior.

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This article is part of the Recommended Resources collection and was orignally published December 7, 2022.

http://feeds.ligonier.org/~/908829257/0/ligonierministriesblog

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 2; He will come! | Elizabeth Prata

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 2; He will come!

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5o9GGkhOHBHHrrBGcJZyWh?si=xctsoyiDR0azmZMV-80vuQ&utm_source=oembed

By Elizabeth Prata

Thirty days of exalting Jesus through selected verses with pictures representing the prophecy, life, death, resurrection, and Second Coming of our Savior.

We are in the flow of verses that prophesied his coming.

More information and background on this series, here

Day 1: The Virgin Shall Conceive

Ligonier: A Shoot from Jesse’s Stump: Devotional

History tells us this is exactly what happened, with David’s royal dynasty all but dying out as a result of God’s judgment of His people through Assyria and Babylon. Nevertheless, Isaiah also saw that while the Davidic line would seem to be dead, life would remain within the stump. A shoot—life barely detectable at first—would emerge. But once this shoot went forth, it would become a mighty tree.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Isaiah 11:1

 He comes forth out of the stem, or stump, of Jesse. When the royal family, that had been as a cedar, was cut down, and only the stump of it left, almost levelled with the ground and lost in the grass of the field (Dan. 4:15), yet it shall sprout again (Job 14:7); nay, it shall grow out of his roots, which are quite buried in the earth, and, like the roots of flowers in the winter, have no stem appearing above ground. The house of David was reduced and brought very low at the time of Christ’s birth, witness the obscurity and poverty of Joseph and Mary. The Messiah was thus to begin his estate of humiliation.

All the Named Men of the Bible: Jesse

Jesse [Jĕs’se]—jehovah exists or firm. The son of Obed and father of David, and grandson of Boaz and Ruth, and an ancestor of Christ (Ruth 4:17, 22). Jesse had eight sons and two daughters by different wives (1 Sam. 17:12-14, 25). Isaiah speaks of “the stock of Jesse,” a phrase indicating that it was from Jesse the Messiah would come. The humble descent of the Messiah is contrasted with the glorious kingdom He is to have (Isa 11:1).

11.30.24 EChurch@Wartburg. Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller: Grappling with the Christmas story: Luke 2:1-20 | thewartburgwatch.com

Photo by Gustavo Fring

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From Pastor Wolfmueller: Grappling with the Text is a unique Bible Study that focuses on the words of the text. With a unique blend of humor, bad drawings, and theological insight, these studies draw us closer to the words of Scripture and the joy the Lord has for us there.

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Advent Prayer- Henri J.M. Nouwen link

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.

Advent Prayer link

Our Father
The Advent story
of hope and mystery,
anticipation,
preparation,
a kingdom
of this world and the next,
and a king
appearing when we least expect.
Heaven touching earth,
the footsteps of the divine
walking dusty roads
as once they did in Eden,
and a people,
searching for a Saviour,
and walking past
the stable.
Open eyes and hearts,
that this might be
an Advent of hope to the world.
Amen

Advent Prayer link

God of majesty and power
Who spoke and this world was
Who breathed and this world lived
Who counts the hairs upon our head
Who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts
Who loves us more than we deserve
How can we not bring today
Our sacrifice of praise?
For in the child at Bethlehem
Lies the promise of intimacy
With a Saviour who would die even for me
And the promise of an eternity
In which to praise you more each day
God of promise we praise your name,
Amen

Benediction link

In all your Advent preparations, remain watchful with your eyes on Christ,
whose birth in a manger is but a promise of his coming again in glory.
And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and forever
Amen

https://thewartburgwatch.com/2024/11/30/11-30-24-echurchwartburg-pastor-bryan-wolfmueller-grappling-with-the-christmas-story-luke-21-20/

Prioritizing Joy and Rest in a Busy Season

By slowing down, prioritizing rest, and cultivating joy, we can experience the beauty of Advent and the personal God who came to us. May the peace and love of Christ fill our hearts and homes this Advent and always. Ultimately, our intimacy with Christ is more important than anything else we could fill our time with, so my encouragement to you would be to fight for it. Say “no” or “wait” to more things this season, and “yes” to what’s most important here, now, and forever.  

Advent, a season of hope and anticipation, can often become a whirlwind of activity for us, even when we have the best intentions to keep it simple and focus on Christ. With all of the additional expectations, meeting invites, and traditions, sometimes mixed with heaviness and hurt, it’s easy to take our eyes off Christ and miss the awe-inspiring truth of His birth altogether. And let’s be honest: If you’ve been around the church long enough, the idea that God sent His Son Jesus to us as a baby isn’t new information. Long-time church goers can sometimes hear the gospel or Christmas message and think, “That’s for them.” The beauty of God’s Word, however, is that it’s living and active (Hebrews 4:12), meaning it has a personal, powerful, pointed message for each of us every Christmas.

So, what does God want to personally share with you this year? What would happen if you really slowed down and let your heart be transformed by His presence this Advent?

The Importance of Slowing Down

Taking a few minutes each day in December to focus on God’s promises offers a powerful antidote to stress, feelings of inadequacy, grief, and more. It’s the light that illuminates the lies we believe: “You’re unloved,” “You’re alone,” “You’re not doing enough,” or “This [insert: thing in my shopping cart/person/position] will make me happier.” For most of us, slowing down is counter-cultural. In 2024, we’ve been wired to hold a 7-second attention span and multi-tasking has become a baseline standard. However, God encourages us to “rest” and “be still.” Why?

• So we can humbly hear from God. Job 6:24 says, “Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.” A tugging on our heart or an uneasy conscience can be gentle whispers from God who lovingly corrects us. Psalm 16:6 describes His standard and design for our lives as “boundary lines [that] have fallen for me in pleasant places.”
• So our faith in God’s justice would grow.

Read More

An Unhurried Holiday – Advent Devotional – November 30 | Christianity.com

I wonder if the participants in the original Christmas story ever dreamed that the celebration of Christ’s birth would become so hassled and hurried. The shepherds? The angels? The wise men? Mary and Joseph too?

An Unhurried Holiday

By: Karen Ehman

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” Luke 2:16 (NIV)

“Hurry up! We’re going to be late to the choir concert!”

“Come on kids. Help me unload these groceries right now. I’ve got to get these cookies baked before bedtime.”

“Is it 6 a.m. already? I gotta get to that door buster sale as soon as it opens so I don’t miss out on the deals!”

With the holiday season upon us, the music at the mall announces that folks are dreaming of a white Christmas. That may be true. But in reality, many women are dreaming of something else white: a little more white space on our December calendars!

Pageants. Parties. Shopping trips. Baking days. Wrapping nights. At every turn there are people to see, things to do, stuff to buy. The hustle and bustle of this supposed-to-be-happy season can knock the holly-jolly right out of our holidays and replace it with hurried-up headaches instead.

As a result, our calendars become overloaded, crowding out the spiritual significance of the season.

I wonder if the participants in the original Christmas story ever dreamed that the celebration of Christ‘s birth would become so hassled and hurried. The shepherds? The angels? The wise men? Mary and Joseph too? Was hurriedness present the night Jesus was born? We might think that it was not. But actually, there was hurry present that night. However, it wasn’t to the mall or grocery store that people were rushing.

The shepherds were working in the fields when suddenly an ensemble of angels told them the Christ Child had been born. Luke 2:16 says they hurried off to find Him lying in a manger.

If I had been one of those shepherds, I would have been quiet and amazed once I got there. Being around a newborn baby makes me speak in a hushed tone and feel such awe as I see new life. In the presence of Jesus I wonder if those men too were settled and silent.

Maybe we could do the same today. In the midst of our holiday hustle and tasks, we could stop; leave our work. We could slow down long enough to hurry in another direction. We could put our activities on hold so we might quietly meet with our Lord. We could be settled and silent in the presence of Jesus.

As a result we just might discover an unhurried holiday: a season that will strengthen us spiritually instead of sapping our energy and joy.

How about it? Will we pause and purpose to hurry into His presence instead of rushing from task to task? Dare we linger long enough to be refreshed by the company of the One whom the holiday is really about? The tasks will wait while we do.

Here’s to more “white space” this Christmas; space that creates more room in our days for meeting with Jesus!

Dear Lord, remind me daily that it’s You I should rush to during the holiday hustle. Not things. Not activities. I want to seek and find only You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Untangling Christmas: Your Go-to Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice

5 Ways to Keep Your Peace This Holiday Season

Reflect and Respond:

What activities and responsibilities threaten to make you rushed and stressed at the holidays? Pull away from the holiday hustle and spend time with Jesus.

Power Verses:
Luke 2:15, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'” (NIV)

Proverbs 8:17, “I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.” (HCSB)

© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AleksandarNakic

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Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, a contributing writer for Encouragement for Today online devotions, and a teacher in the First 5 Bible study app which has over 2 million daily users. She has written 19 books and Bible studies including Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All and the 2020 ECPA devotional book of the year Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Spring Arbor University with a major in Social Science. Karen has been featured on TODAY Parenting, Redbook.com, Foxnews.com, Crosswalk.com, and YouVersion.com, and is a monthly columnist for HomeLife Magazine. Her passion is to help women live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. 

She is married to her college sweetheart, Todd, and is the mother of six children—three biological and three in-laws by marriage—although she forgets which ones are which. Karen enjoys collecting vintage Pyrex kitchenware, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and spending her days feeding the many people who gather around her mid-century dining table to process life and enjoy her county fair blue-ribbon winning cooking. You can find more about her here.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org

https://www.christianity.com/devotionals/todays-devotionals/advent-devotional-november-30.html

Advent Sunday Week 1: The Story of a Warrior Child | Blog – Beautiful Christian Life

The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds by Thomas Cole; image from Wikimedia Commons.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Beautiful Christian Life LLC may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through its links, at no cost to you.

“‘I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
    and you shall bruise his heel’” (Gen. 3:15).

Christmas is such a wonderful time with family, gifts, beautiful lights, and delicious food. All these things are such tremendous blessings God has given for us to enjoy and share with others. Yet, the story of Christmas didn’t just start in a manger in Bethlehem. It actually started thousands of years before, near the very beginning of human history, in the midst of a shame-filled and grace-filled situation. In fact, the Christmas story was the plan of God, and he gave our first parents, Adam and Eve, the first promise about Christmas when he confronted them about their terrible sin.

The Christmas story was the plan of God. 

You see, Adam and Eve were the first human sinners: the first people to do something that our good heavenly Father said was bad. In fact, they decided it would be better to trust and be friends with Satan, God’s enemy and the one who secretly hated them, than to be friends with God who loved them and had given them a good life, a beautiful relationship with each other and himself, and a wonderful garden in which to live. When they sinned, Adam and Eve realized what a terrible thing they had done. They were ashamed and afraid of what God would do when he found them. 

Even though they sinned terribly, God gave Adam and Eve grace.

Yet, God was merciful to Adam and Eve: he came to them when they had messed up terribly and gave them grace—love they did not deserve. He told Adam and Eve that there was hope for them. There would come a child who would fight Satan for them. God provided a covering for Adam and Eve (making clothing for them from an animal) and promised that he wouldn’t let them be friends with Satan, by making the children of the woman enemies with the children of Satan (Nancy Guthrie, Even Better Than Eden: Nine Ways the Bible’s Story Changes Everything about Your Story, p. 113). God forgave Adam and Eve, and he would make a way for them to be with their heavenly Father. 

God promised to send a child who would fight against Satan and save God’s people. 

Adam and Eve would wait for this child that would save them from evil and Satan. They would trust God that he would send a warrior child who would make it possible for Satan to be defeated and provide a way for them to dwell once again with God.

Adam and Eve didn’t get to see the Christ-child with their eyes, but they looked forward by faith to his saving work. The whole Bible is the story of how God is going to save sinners like Adam and Eve, and like you and me, through this child who would fight against Satan and save God’s people. The baby in the manger was really a mighty warrior.

Click below to read the entire Advent Sunday series!

Part 2: Advent Sunday Week 2: A Priestly Child Is Born

Part 3: Advent Sunday Week 3: The Prophet in the Manger

Part 4: Advent Sunday Week 4: A King Is Born

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This article was originally published on November 28, 2020.

Related Articles:

• Children’s Story: “Julie’s Christmas Home”
• A Mountain Range Christmas: Why the Baby in the Manger Is Also the Lion on the Throne
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Who Are Those Guys? The Three Wise Men and What You Need to Know About Them
• Christmas—the Interrupter of Winter
• 3 Ways People Responded to the News of Jesus’ Birth in Matthew’s Gospel—and What It Means for You Today

Recommended:

Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson

https://www.beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/advent-sunday-week-1-the-story-of-a-warrior-child

Have Yourself an Awesome Little Advent 2024: Advent Devotionals, Activities, Resources… and more! | Michelle Lesley

Have Yourself an Awesome Little Advent 2024: Advent Devotionals, Activities, Resources… and more!

Is your family getting ready for Advent? Loosely defined, Advent is the period of time leading up to Christmas when we commemorate Christ’s first coming and anticipate His second coming. And what better way to do so than by making Bible study and worship part of your family tradition? Here are some awesome Advent resources for young and old alike. Most of them are free, but the ones that aren’t, I’ve marked with a 💰.

December Advent!– Here’s an advent calendar, craft, and devotional all rolled into one! Naomi’s Table is a women’s Bible study resource that I highly recommend for sound doctrine and right handling of God’s Word. Have a listen to their daily Advent podcasts and make the Advent calendar that goes with them!

Need a good Advent playlist? I’ve created one on YouTube.¹ Your favorite Advent (not Christmas) song isn’t included? Leave a comment and I’ll add it if appropriate.

As the Darkness Clears Away by Dr. Tom Ascol. I have been waiting since July – when I first found out about it – to share this wonderful Advent devotional with you.

“This little book is meant to be used as a daily devotional guide throughout the Christmas season. It is broken into five sections of five devotions. Each section focuses on one passage of Scripture that is considered verse-by-verse.” Designed for family or individual use, with Scripture memory passages in each section and study questions at the end of each of the 25 lessons. Encouraging Christmas poetry from Dr. Tom Nettles is also sprinkled throughout the book, which is available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook.💰

Looking for an Advent devotional, but you’re more of a watcher/listener than a reader? Try Let Earth Receive Her King, a 25 day video devotional from Apologia Studios. “Pastor Jeff Durbin guides and teaches this Advent series and takes you and your loved ones through the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments. Celebrate God becoming a man and the King. Feast, Laugh, Rejoice, and Worship together with us during this blessed season!”

You must subscribe to the website for access to the devotional, but there is a free subscription option.

Is observing Advent new for your family? Children are often “hands on” learners, and this Advent wreath craft could be a great way to explain the significance of Advent, the wreath, and each candle as they create it. Follow the step-by-step instructions here, using your own design, or subscribe to the email list to download the free printables.¹

25 Christmas Myths and What the Bible Says– Was Jesus Born on December 25? Did the angels really sing to the shepherds? And what about that inn keeper? In his book, 25 Christmas Myths…, Gabriel Hughes tackles some of the folklore and false assumptions that have sprung up around the Christmas story and shares what the Bible really teaches. One lesson for each day December 1-25.💰

How about incorporating Advent into your homeschooling lessons? Becky, of This Reading Mama, alerted me to her free printables for Advent that are based on the Jesse Tree, and I’m so glad she did!

“The Jesse Tree tradition … is based on Isaiah 11:1, in which Jesus is referred to as the Shoot growing from the stump of Jesse, King David’s father.

To use the Jesse Tree during the Advent season, you start on December 1st with the Old Testament and work your way up to Jesus’ birth on December 25. Each day, you also hang an ornament on the tree that represents the day.”

Check out Becky’s Jesse Tree Coloring Pages, ornaments, and Advent Activity Pages!¹

Manger in Danger– This charming family devotional and game centering on the incarnation of Christ was created by Pastor Grant Castleberry and his wife, GraceAnna. “Manger in Danger is a fun, interactive family tradition that brings the Christmas story from the Bible to life in 25 days of family devotionals!”💰

Looking for a daily Bible reading plan for Advent? Try this one from the ladies at Calico and Twine. “For this reading plan, I assigned a chapter of Luke to each day along with a few cross-references that speak to the main points of the reading.

My hope for this plan is that we would behold Christ while we read about his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, all while looking forward to his second coming with great expectation.” Includes a free downloadable printable of the plan.¹

Why buy an Advent calendar when you and your family could enjoy making one together instead? Try this DIY Advent Calendar (with FREE Printables!). “…each little white bag will be decorated and include a number (for the date) on the outside. Inside each bag will be a card with a verse from the Biblical Christmas story and chocolate (if you so choose).” Make it as simple or fancy – and include as much candy – as you like!¹

Just what The Doctor ordered for Advent. “Over the course of his ministry at Westminster Chapel, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones delivered many Christmas sermons. The Christmas sermons offered here are delivered in the clear, expository preaching style for which Dr. Lloyd-Jones was known and appreciated. The central message of these sermons is the true meaning of Christmas: the Son of God came to the world to rescue sinners.” There are more than enough of Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ sermons here to listen to one every day of Advent.

As Far As the Curse Is Found– “This Advent devotional explores the grand narrative of Scripture from creation to redemption, connecting key biblical themes and highlighting how Jesus came to remove the curse of sin. Through 14 thoughtfully crafted devotions, readers will trace the unfolding story of God’s plan for salvation and the hope that culminates in the birth of Christ.” By David Attebury. (Free download)

What’s your favorite Advent resource?

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¹I do not endorse anything on any of these sites that deviates from Scripture or conflicts with my beliefs as outlined in the “Welcome” or “Statement of Faith” tabs at the top of this page.