BeholdOur God

Come, let us adore Him...Ever find yourself caught in a season of dryness, temptation, discouragement, or hustling busyness and are unsure how you got there? Each of us might respond with a resounding ‘Yes,’ while many of us know exactly how we arrived in that place.

With December comes not only inspiring music, bright decorations, sweet treats, and family traditions, but the chance to pause.

With December comes thoughts of not only the upcoming December 25th, but the first Christmas, the one with a young couple and a Savior being born.

With December comes an opportunity to pause and reflect on a simple story with a life-changing meaning.

If you’re reading this and feel the past few weeks or months have been too busy, too disappointing, too dry, the next few weeks are a good time to hit pause and redirect your heart and mind to God.

Advent is about the coming of Jesus Christ. It’s a time of waiting and longing and looking forward that ends with the celebration of His birth. Many have referred to Advent as the season that progresses from dark to light.

Are you in a dark or cloudy place? Are you in a bright place full of joy? We’re glad you picked up this devotional. In the following pages, you will read personal testimonies and perspectives on Biblical truth from 7 different writers. Each with their own personality, each with their own history, all with a desire to declare God’s greatness with you this month.

Our prayer is that each devotion will direct your eyes to the coming Savior, and that in beholding Him, you are changed.

Elizabeth Murphey Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Hope doesn’t seem to have a lot of boundaries. It is in the Old Testament and New Testament. It reaches new believers and those who have believed for many years. Hope rises above our circumstances, good or tough, if we are willing to seek it. Hope is important at Christmas, just as much as any other day of the year. Everyone needs hope. Peter gives us an insight to hope in 1 Peter 1:3-9. As we consider Christmas and Christ’s birth, this passage helps clarify the living hope believers have through His resurrection and His finished work on the cross. It puts gratitude in my heart for the hope Christ gives in the past, present and future. I hope in Christ because I see God’s plan at work in the past. As each book of the Bible unfolds its truth to us, we get to catch a glimpse of His sovereign redeeming plan. I take great comfort in the fact before creation ever took place, God foreknew. He knew the outcome of the garden. He knew the outcome of the cross, and knows the outcome of the future revelation of Jesus. He knows the outcome of every single circumstance that arises.

Therefore, I am able to hope in Christ today. Let’s be real. Our lives are messy. Hard things happen. But we can choose to see Christ’s hope even in the difficultly of life, because we know the trials we face refine us and have the ultimate goal of making us more like Christ. Hope allows us to suffer well and know our Savior in an intimate, life changing way. Through the ever-present daily hope of Christ in suffering, I learn dependence upon Him. The kind of dependence that doesn’t allow you to put on foot in front of the other without Him because you see your desperate need for Him alone.

Because of Christ: His birth, His death and resurrection, I have hope for the future. As believers we have an inheritance that can never be taken from us: salvation and eternal life. My future hope in Christ changes the way I live each day. It allows me to share with conviction and boldness the truth of Christ with others. Hope helps me live in freedom from my past. It drives me deeper in my desire to know Christ. Hope gives me the courage to ask for forgiveness from others when I haven’t honored Christ with my words or actions. It allows me to daily die to my desires and live for Christ’s will above my own. Hope allows me to live with no fear in death. So, I offer this sacrifice of praise to my living hope today, at Christmas, and always:

“My hope is YouShow me Your waysGuide me in Truth

In all my daysMy hope is You”

-- Mac Powell, Third Day

Consider This: • Rewrite Romans 5:1-5 in your own words. How does the hope described in this passage of Scripture help you understand more about the character of God?• How does hope change the way you live each day?• What will you do today to share the hope Christ has given you with someone else?

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Emily Hardaway Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26

“Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you can see it, you’ll never make it through the night.” Princess Leia, Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Have you ever gone through a period in your life where you were filled with the utmost despair? The loss of a loved one? Divorce? Illness? Job loss? Addiction? Loneliness?

Everyone at one point or another goes through a time and a season where they just feel stuck in a rut or a pit, and don’t think they will ever get out of it. There were many times that the Israelites felt like this. When they were in captivity in Egypt, crying out to God to save them from their captors. When they were wandering in the wilderness, longing for the promised land that a whole generation never got to see. When they begged for an earthly king and got more than they bargained for.

If we just look at the surface of the Israelites in the Old Testament, there is much despair and longing of a great people. But when we dig deeper, we can see Hope as well. When they cried out to God to release them in Egypt, they had hope that one day he would hear their cries and save them. When they wandered in the wilderness, they had hope that their children and grandchildren might one day reach the promised land. And when they cried out for an earthly king and ended up getting a lot of horrible, ungodly kings, they could still have hope in the promise that one day a king would come and save them-which is what we celebrate at Christmas with the birth of Jesus.

Just like the Israelites had hope that one day God would send them a Messiah, we can live in the hope that the Messiah currently reigns over every aspect of our lives, even the “bad seasons”. And we can have hope in the fact that his love never ceases.

Consider This: • Jesus wants you to have hope in Him! Reflect on a time in your life when having hope in the saving

grace of Jesus encouraged you. • Through His death on the cross, Jesus gives us hope that one day we will be with Him in heaven if

we believe in Him. How can you show that hope with others who you interact with on a daily basis?• The holiday season can be difficult for some of those around you who might be in a season of deep

despair and no hope. Consider inviting someone to church to hear about the hope that they can have in Jesus!

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Andrew Lively Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

“My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus’ blood and righteousnessI dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus’ name”Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

Merriam-Webster lists the definitions below for “hope:” : to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true : to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment : to expect with confidence : trust, reliance

As I began to prepare for writing this devotional, I prayed and asked that God would reveal to me what he would have me write. Soon after, I was driving somewhere and the song quoted above, “Cornerstone”, came on the radio. I was immediately convicted by the lyrics. Somehow I’ve allowed myself to think that happiness can be found in worldly things. As a result, I too often place my hope in things less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I would hope for a new promotion at work, or trust in my own abilities. I would settle.

These convictions were confirmed when a short time later I came across something John Piper wrote in his journal 50 years ago: “Christians are at fault not because they try to please themselves too much but because they are far too easily pleased… Our problem is not our self-seeking but our seeking in the wrong places and our easy satisfaction short of the glory of God.” God desires a relationship with us. He wants us to draw near to him. He sent Jesus to die for us, so that we could have hope.

Consider This: • As you prepare for Christmas, allow yourself to be reminded of what His birth means. • Pray for God to help you not to settle, not to be so easily pleased, not to lean on your own understanding. • Ask God to show you ways to “stir up others to love and good works” and that your life would be the evidence of where your hope lies.

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Jayla Hill Today’s Scripture: Psalm 42:5

The birth of Jesus stands as a symbol of hope for all time. Our task this Christmas is to offer prayers and sing praises to God for all the gifts we have been given but also to act on the teachings

of Jesus to bring hope to people and places left in darkness.

Hope is a small word, but it is one of the most powerful. Why? Because in hope lies the power of the human soul to turn to God and live as if His promises are going to come true. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24). Some people think hope is an emotion. “I’m feeling hopeful,” they say, but true hope is a discipline, a determination to believe in God’s reality and power, even when you are fearful and the world seems to be crashing down around you.

Both hope and fear are great motivators, and they both have the capacity to promote growth in us, but hope creates space in the mind and heart. Fear, more often than not, restricts it. When we use the better part of hope and fear together we’re in the best position we can be in. The best part of fear is that it teaches us what we’re afraid to lose, and the best part of hope is that once we know what we’re afraid of losing we can set about nurturing it and keeping it strong and safe.

In the Bible, (Isaiah 43:1 ) God says: “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” God actually commands us not to fear or worry. The phrase “fear not” is used around 360 times in the Bible, most likely because He knows the enemy uses fear to decrease our hope and limit our victories. Regardless of where you are in your life, whether joyful, mourning, excited or simply holding your own, The key to surviving any challenge or crisis is hope. Hope that Jesus loves you. Hope that He is, right now, working out a solution for you. Hope that the future you place in His hands will be better than the present you hold in your own. “’For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Practice this hope, even if you have to will yourself to do it. With its power, you will overcome all things. “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Consider This: • Make a list of places you could visit this holiday season to share your gift of hope.• Share your testimony with someone. Speak from the heart.• Lend a helping hand (examples: visit a shut-in or take or help serve a meal to someone in need).

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Phillip Knox Today’s Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29

When I was a young man my girlfriend, now wife, had a ‘hope’ chest. A hope chest is a large rectangular wooden box some young girls had to store their keepsakes and other things they were gathering and saving for the day they would marry, start their own homes and families. I am not sure if this tradition still exists, but one thing that does is the fact that everyone has hopes and dream for their future.

Do you think it would have been any different with Mary and Joseph? Of course, they had hopes and dreams for their future, but imagine the feelings of Mary when the Angel told her she would be with child before she even married. All the normality of her hopes was gone. Imagine Joseph being told his future wife to be was pregnant and he knew it wasn’t his child. All Joseph’s hopes would dissolve, and disappointment would be his to bear.

Have you been here before? Well of course you have! How often have we said, “Life isn’t supposed to be this way!” And once again disappoint is yours to bear. Sometimes we may even think our whole life is hopeless and disappointment is all you know! Well, I will not argue that life may not have turned out like you wished and neither did it for Mary and Joseph… BUT out of their disappointment they brought ‘The Hope of the World’ into the world.

Yes, out of their disappointment the Savior, Jesus Christ, was presented to the world. So out of your disappointment, what are you presenting to the world?

If you are a child of God, you can present exactly what Mary and Joseph presented…

Colossians 1:26-28… the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God will to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Christ in you, the hope of Glory! Yes, but it’s only the hope of the world if you complete what Christ expects of you, which is found in verse 28. Read these verses again and be ready to offer your present to the world around you!

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Nancy Wall Today’s Scripture: Lamentations 3:21-25

Do you find yourself hoping and longing for the perfect Christmas like you see on the front of Christmas cards or is the perfect Christmas a myth?

The very first Christmas did not seem perfect ( think environment) while in the most important way was very perfect. No woman would want to give birth in a stable surrounded by farm animals. Riding a donkey while 9 months pregnant doesn’t seem like good planning either. But every detail, every inconvenience and indignity, was part of God’s mysterious plan. That first Christmas is about HOPE for a fallen world… God’s greatest gift to mankind.

God’s blessings are not held captive by our busy schedules. Peace is not a reward for being “ready for Christmas”. There should be no mad rush, no frantic preparations for the real spirit of Christmas; it simply fills our hearts as we are and where we are if we allow it. Return to the most basic essence of Christmas - to the simplicity, power and awe of Jesus’ first moments in human form.

What if we were more interested in cultivating wonder at the love and generosity of God than at our own gifts and decorations? What if we took the time and effort to contemplate and worship the infant Messiah and observe Advent while making room in our hearts to receive him anew.

Our ultimate hope comes at our death as we experience “he who believes in me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Our perfect Christmas comes in thanking God that you know Him and therefore can celebrate the spiritual significance of this wonderful season and how it has changed your life. Consider This: • In what way did Jesus bring hope to the world when He arrived?• What are you hoping for today? How about tomorrow? Are your hopes rooted in temporal things,

or eternal? Is your hope in God or in your circumstances?• In what way does Jesus bring you hope personally? Share the hope. Tell a friend about Him today!

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Linda Barron Today’s Scripture: Numbers 24:17, Matthew 2:2

Can you imagine a more hopeless situation than what Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ parents, were faced with? Their nation had been under cruel foreign rules for more than 500 years. This impoverished couple had believed they might find some happiness in their upcoming marriage.

Then, Mary was told that she was highly favored by God because the Holy Spirit would cause Mary to conceive a child. She was to name him Jesus, meaning “the Lord is salvation.” He would be great, called the Son of God, God would give Him the throne of David, and His rule would never end. This had been the hope of her people through their years of bondage. But, in the mean time, it was a really “mean” time for the young couple. So many questions!

God has allowed us to live in a free country. But, we frequently feel we are in bondage. Drugs, financial problems, loneliness, illness, loss of loved ones, and other worries make us feel hopeless. God still is sending out His message today. We have hope, because Jesus is our salvation!

Whenever I hear the word “hope” I think of the hymn by Edward Mote, “The Solid Rock,” with the lyrics: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

I wondered about the word, “frame.” One meaning is framework, like the framework of a house.

Whenever I feel hopeless, being sucked under like quicksand, I’ve built my life around some other person or thing and it has crumbled. God mercifully reminds me that through Jesus’ sacrifice and His righteousness (not mine), I can find hope to start building again on God’s promises. Consider This: • Read Luke 2. Use your imagination to put yourself in the story. Make a few notes of any new details

that stand out to you. How would you have responded if you were in the young couple’s shoes?• When you are tempted to feel hopeless, where do you turn first? Is it the Bible, the Lord in prayer,

or worship? How would your heart change if you turned first to your sovereign Father?• Consider how you personally can combat disappointment or stress this Christmas and put your

hope in Jesus.

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Jonathan Melchior Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

It is a sincere challenge to find joy during this season. Finding a special Christmas joy during a time when demands rise and schedules are compressed is a challenge. Personally, some Christmas seasons have been more of a success in finding joy than others. Most years I have experienced an extra Christmas joy early in the season, other years a special joy in Christ’s birth wasn’t embraced until Christmas Eve. There have even been a few Christmases where a real joy in Christ and His birth escaped me all together.

Joy is something that requires presence. Our hearts must be present in the moment. My mind has to stop analyzing. I have to stop asking, “What’s next” and be in the moment. Our hearts have to be in the moment focused on the greatness of what God has done for us. Psalm 126:2-3 says it well…

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

We begin to experience joy when we stop and contemplate the greatness of who God is & what He has done. When in this contemplation we allow our hearts to celebrate God we begin to experience joy.

In your moments of joyful contemplation let me challenge you. Make sure the joy of Christmas is rooted in the Gospel. If we only consider the great miracle of our spirit God becoming flesh than we will have joy, but not a complete Christmas joy. However a full Christmas joy is had when you consider that: our Great God had planned from eternity past to become flesh, that this plan was proclaimed in the Garden of Genesis when sin entered the world, followed by many specific prophecies to Jesus coming, that God became vulnerable as an infant, died a cruel death to pay for sins, rose from the dead and will come back to judge the world. When our hearts our present in celebration of the completeness of the Gospel a deep and full Christmas joy will be experienced.

I leave you with this question. When and how will you today take time to celebrate in contemplating the greatness of Jesus becoming flesh? Consider This: • How would your moment or day change if you committed this verse to memory and prayed it often?

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 May the Lord and His work in and for us be our joy!

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Emily Hardaway Today’s Scripture: Psalm 92:4

“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Down in my heart to stay!”Christian Folk Song

In this day and age, it can be really difficult to have joy. After all, it constantly seems like the world is a mess and it is popular these days to be cynical about everything. Although it may seem difficult, the Bible tells us that we are to have joy in our salvation! Think about that for a second -- Jesus came and died a gruesome and horrific death only for us to find joy in that! But how?

We find the joy in the fact that a) he died for us and took on the punishment that we so rightly deserved and b) that he rose three days later and is alive today!

Hallelujah what a Savior! We should be joyful at the thought of Jesus but sometimes it is easy to forget. That is why today’s verse can help us remember to have joy in all things. At the works of God’s hands, we can have joy.

When we look at how God worked through a difficult situation, we can have joy. When we look at God’s work in nature, we can have joy at his majesty and power! We should all strive to be more joyful in our lives because we have so much to by joyful about!

Consider This: • The Christmas season is upon us and this is a time that is generally marked by joy, happiness, and

“cheer”. Reflect on the might works of God’s hands and how they bring you joy! • As the song says, we have the joy in our hearts!! Pray that God will overfill your heart with the joy

of your salvation. • Think of how you can take the joy that God has given you and share the joyful message of Christ

with others this Christmas season.

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Andrew Lively Today’s Scripture: James 1:2-4

“Oh, I choose joyLet it move you, let it move, let it move you,

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of nightOh, with You by my side, I’m stepping into the light

I choose joyGo let it move you, go let it move you, go let it move you”

Joy by for KING & COUNTRY

One of my five-year-old sons’ favorite songs right now is the one referenced above (I recommend looking up a lyric version on YouTube and listen to it, if you’re able, to begin this devotional). Sometimes he’ll request to listen to his favorites and he likes to sing along. It’s then that I realize how few of the lyrics he actually knows.

It reminds me of when I was younger and how little attention I paid to lyrics and the message behind them. The chorus from “Joy” quoted above should hit home to all believers. I think many times we ascribe “Joyful feelings” to our circumstances. But as Christ Followers we know we’re not guaranteed “easy”. In fact, in the passage above, James says we should count trials as joy (other translations say a gift, or consider yourself fortunate).

The reality is, if you’re a follower of Christ, you always have something to be joyful about. As we sing songs this Christmas season about that life-changing event long ago, let the words sink in.

Consider This: • True joy comes from God, and the fact that He sent His only Son for you. As you prepare for Christ-

mas, re-define what “joy” means to you. • Pray for God to give you a joyful heart, regardless of the circumstance. • Do you live a joyful life? When life is tough or you experience “trials of various kinds”, how will you

respond? Will you choose joy?

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Jayla Hill Today’s Scripture: John 15:11

Happiness is an emotion that can disappear as quickly as it rises to the surface. Joy, however, is a choice.Today I want to remind you that God gives us a joy that is unconquerable. In all circumstances, even those that are filled with sorrow, worry, pain and doubt -- we can still choose joy. This can sometimes be easier said than done. We have all had things happen in our lives that could cause us to choose to live in an attitude of resentment, anger and fear. But, let’s take a look at what the Bible tells us about choosing to pursue the joy of Christ.

Joy is trusting when you want to doubt.As Christ followers we aren’t pressured to do it all for everyone. We trust in Jesus to do the heavy lifting. The key is trust. “Trust in the LORD forever, because in Yah, the LORD, is an everlasting rock!” (Isaiah 26:4).

Joy is receiving what you want to reject.Can you imagine how the innkeeper would have felt if he said to Mary and Joseph, “Of course you can’t stay in that stable! That’s for paying customers. Who do you take me for?” We find joy in making room for people in need. “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

Joy is celebrating when you want to fear.In just about every divine encounter the angels say: “Fear not.” I can hear Jesus instructing His most trusted angels saying: “OK, let’s go over this again ... Most of the people that I’ll tell you to speak to will be scared out of their wits! Let’s practice the greeting one more time.” Then the angels all say in unison, “Fear not.”The message is clear. God is not looking for ways to scare us into faith. He wants you to know that He’s going to take care of you no matter what happens. One of the names that He was called long before he ever stepped on this world’s stage was Immanuel meaning “God with us.”

No matter what you go through you can whisper this simple truth: “Jesus is with me.” Think about it. He is with you in your greatest victories and your most humiliating defeats. Jesus is with you at all times in all things. My prayer for you is this: May you go forth this day pursuing the joy of Christ and put your trust in him.

Consider This: • Make an inventory of the things that bring you joy.• Write a note to someone who is experiencing fear and worry. Let them know you’re praying that

God will give them the courage they need.• Make the time and share a meal and a fun experience with family or a friend.

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Phillip Knox Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

I am surrounded by people who love Christmas, but for me Christmas may be my least favorite holiday. Let me explain, Christmas has become so commercialized that its becoming more and more difficult for this Christian to filter through this American dream idea of Christmas and find Christ. So yeah, I struggle with finding the Joy of Christmas, especially when stores are stocking their shelves with so called Christmas in September. So where does this cynical christian find “Joy” in the Christmas we know today? For me it starts by looking through the layers and finding the basics of joy. For me, having joy in my Christmas is not an “ACT” but its an “OVERFLOW.”

Take a moment and think about that last sentence. The American Dream Christmas cannot bring you Joy…happiness sure, well at least until those post Christmas bills start coming due. So what about joy? If it is not an “ACT” but an “OVERFLOW” then how do we experience it this Advent season? Glad you asked! Think back to Adam and Eve. Can you imagine the joy they experienced as they encountered God during those cool walks in the garden? Until… until they sinned and were ashamed of what they had done. Since Adam and Eve the world has been desperately needing our Sins forgiven and the heavy burden of our guilt removed. Then to an unexpecting world, comes these words “… Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born unto you this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord”.

Before we continue, I encourage you during this Advent season to expect God’s joy! Why would I say this? Because Jesus is the source... the basis of joy!

In John 15:11, Jesus is speaking to those who have trusted in Him and He makes this astounding remark, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full”.

Jesus wants you to have HIS joy so that YOUR joy will be full. Get this picture: When you attempt to walk with a full coffee cup, it will always spill over the edge (overflow). And Jesus wants to fill you so much with His Joy that when you walk your Joy will “ OVERFLOW” into the lives of those desperately needing His Joy!

This Advent, make yourself look past the American Dream Christmas and meditate on the saving grace of God. And, how Jesus lifts the burdens of our sins away and be prepared for He will increase the level of joy in you!

Consider This: • Read John 17:13 and you will find Jesus praying… What is He praying for?• Read Galatians 5:22. What is the second fruit you will bear if you are walking in the Spirit?

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Nancy Wall Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:1-21

“And they went with haste and found Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger.” Luke 2:15

Each year during Advent as I anticipate Christmas it seems I am able to see something new about some of the characters in the Christmas story. One year it was the angels, one year Simeon and Anna and two years ago it was the Wise Men. This year’s focus is the shepherds and the joyfulness they must have felt being the very first to be told of Jesus’ birth.

Since the Savior’s birth was the greatest news of all time, shouldn’t God have announced it to important people like kings or nobles? No, God sent His angel to make the announcement to insignificant shepherds. It is very fitting for shepherds to be the first to hear that the Good Shepherd had finally come to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

They were absolutely awed by what they heard and witnessed, the glory of the Lord shown all around them and the heavenly host praising God. They left immediately to find the Holy Family and see this long awaited Messiah for themselves. We don’t know if they took their sheep or left them behind, but we do know of their joyfulness and their desire to tell others of the Savior’s arrival.

This Christmas I hope you can experience this same joy that causes obedience and boldness to tell others about the Savior.

Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new.

Saw the glory,Heard the story, Tidings of a gospel true

Thus rejoicing,Free from sorrow, Praises voicing

Greet the morrowChrist the Babe was born for you

--Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Consider This: • Why do you think the message of Jesus’ birth comes first to lowly shepherds? Why them of all

people? What point is God making?• What responses to the good news of Jesus are present in your life? In what manner do they show

themselves? (Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation) • How can you, like the shepherds, share the wonder of Jesus with someone this Christmas season?

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Linda Barron Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54–57

As a child I learned a chorus, that went,Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy!Jesus and others and you, in the life of each girl and each boy.J is for Jesus, He has first place,O is for others we meet face to face.Y is for you and whatever you do,Put yourself third and spell JOY.

I thought that meant I should always say and do what Jesus would in life’s decisions, put the needs of others before mine, and put my preferences last. However, trying to do that under my own power and self-discipline brought frustration. As I’ve grown other, I still believe the truth of that song; my mistake was trying in my own power and not trusting and relying on God’s power to change my “me first” thoughts and actions to his will. I can truly say that when I have followed the words ‘Jesus and others and you,’ it has brought lasting happiness. It must start with Jesus and trusting Him to conform me to His image.

Joy to the world, the Lord is comeLet earth receive her KingLet every heart prepare Him roomAnd Heaven and nature singAnd Heaven and nature singAnd Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

What wondrous, uplifting and exciting news! Unfortunately, we only seem to think if that Isaac Watts song at Christmas. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can look forward to our King Jesus’ second coming every day. Our hearts are opened to God’s joy that comes from our daily walking with Him. In prison, Paul could write:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we

can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Joy isn’t based on presents under the tree; it is a special gift to us from God.

Consider This: • What is the difference between joy and happiness? How can we increase God’s joy in our lives?• Nothing in this world can undo or even diminish your joy in Jesus, because it is in Jesus, not our

changing circumstances. If you struggle to believe this, ask God to help you. Ask Him to reveal Himself in a new, beautiful way this Christmas.

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Wes Gardner Today’s Scripture: Luke 10:27

“Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry.” Tom Mullen

For as long as they could remember, the Sunday morning alarm clock sounded at 8:30am signaling to the Johnson family that it was time to get up and get ready for church. And by 9:00am, for as long as they could remember, the children were bellyaching about going and voicing the same complaints: “Do we really have to go?” “I’m too tired.” “Why can’t we be a family that goes to church occasionally?”

One Sunday, however, their teenage son tried a more “theological” approach. After forty minutes of intense discussion, the teenager reasons with his mother that main reason he doesn’t need to go to church is that he already knows God loves him. To which his wise mother replied, “It thrills my heart to hear you say that you know that God loves you. That’s a tremendous step. A good reason for you to go to church now is to learn how to love God back.”

Meditating on the extravagant love of God demonstrated in the birth of Jesus is an essential part of Advent. God’s love is complete, active, and pure. He bestows His love on us freely and extravagantly. We really do need to soak in the fact that a Holy, Righteous, Sinless, God loves us so much that He sent His Son to the world to save us. So what do we do in return? How do we love God back? After all, isn’t loving God back the greatest commandment?

Invariably most of us will gather with family and friends over the next few days to exchange gifts. For some, it’s the giving of gifts, but for most of us, it’s transactional. Give one. Get one. Isn’t it awkward receiving a gift from someone you didn’t buy for? We know how to exchange gifts, but sometimes we struggle receiving them. What if one of the best ways to love God back is to humbly receive what He’s given? What if you stopped trying to give Him something back, or to pay Him back, but to love God back?

Begin by realizing that the greatest gift exchange has already happened: our sins for His righteousness. Our rebellion for His obedience. Our guilt for His innocence.

Love God back by delighting in Him. Enjoy your forgiveness.

Consider This: • Why does Jesus consider loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength the greatest

commandment?• How much of your righteousness is motivated by paying God back vs. loving Him back?• Set aside some time today to read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:21.

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Emily Hardaway Today’s Scripture: Romans 12:9

“God is love. The more we know Him the more we will love Him. To know Him is to love Him.”A. W. Tozer

Usually, we tend to think of love in terms of romantic love. A love between a husband and wife. Or perhaps between a newly engaged couple (Christmas is a very popular time to get engaged after all!) or even “puppy love” when a young person gets their first “crush”. This is usually how love is portrayed for us in movies and books. However, love is so much bigger than that. Love can be a parent who sacrifices anything to provide for their child. Love can be between friends who support one another during difficult seasons of life. Love comes in many different varieties and it can’t be put into a box, just like God.

God shows us that love extends far past just romantic love. He shows us what true love is-unconditional and sacrificial. He showed this when he sent his only son to die for all of us on the cross. To suffer and be humiliated. How many parents do you know who would send out their child to suffer? Especially when they had the power to protect them? I’m not sure I know many who would.

Thankfully, we have a God who shows us the picture of what perfect love looks like so that we can mirror that in our own lives.

Consider This: • Think about all of the different ways that God showed his love to his people in the Bible. Which

story sticks out to you the most and why? • How wonderful is this gift that God has given us! Pray for people around you who need to know of

God’s love this Christmas season. • How can you demonstrate the love of God to others?

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Andrew Lively Today’s Scripture: Matthew 22:36-39

“Choose to love even when you don’t feel like it. Obedience often precedes affection.” Jackie Hill Perry

It seems that Christmas decorations go up earlier and earlier each year. Radio stations dedicate themselves to “Christmas Music”, peppermint-mochas and snacks appear, and stores shift their focus to gearing up for the season. It even seems that people in general are more benevolent during the Christmas season. But why? For the believer, it’s simple: Because He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and because we are called to love others (Matthew 22:39-above).

Christmas is the time of year we are confronted with what that perfect love that loved us first looks like. Love that left the Father and a perfect dwelling place. Love that humbled Himself. Love that put others first. Love that gave of Himself to those who have nothing to offer. Love that cannot be earned. Love that gives us our identity; “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Jesus not only called us to love, he showed us how.

Consider This: • During this advent season, ponder the many acts of Jesus’ love. Is this what you think of when you

think of “Love”?• Sometimes it can be hard to love like Jesus. Pray that He will continually conform you to His image

and give you a heart to love like He does. • In calling His followers to love others, He led by example. How can you demonstrate God’s love to

others?

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Jayla Hill Today’s Scripture: Romans 8:38-39

Everyone has experienced conditional love. Conditional love is based upon what you do. Perform well on the job, on the team, or in the relationship, and you are “loved.” For some of you, conditional love may be the only kind of love you’ve ever known. But there is a love that is so much better. God’s Love is unlike any other love you’ve ever known.

God has a unique kind of love for you. It is unconditional (not based upon meeting certain conditions). God loves you because He loves you. He does not love you based upon your performance. There is nothing you can do to cause God to love you any more than He already does—and there is nothing that will cause God to love you any less. He loves you, even more than you love yourself.

In God’s love, you have found total love and acceptance. That may be hard to comprehend if you’ve never felt totally loved and accepted by anyone. But it’s true! Unfortunately, you won’t always feel that God loves you. There will be times when you find yourself doubting not only His love, but also His existence. You’ll feel like giving up. Don’t.

When God gave you a new life, it didn’t come trimmed in lace and smelling of perfume. Jesus began His earthly life in a smelly, damp stable. He tasted real life, and that will be the flavor of your journey with Christ—no magic, just the promise of His presence with you. God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

God wants us to love each other in the same way that He loves – unconditionally. In fact, God wants us to love in such a way that the people around us will know we are fully devoted followers of Christ. I wonder what our relationships would look like if we did love the way Jesus loves us.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16) The Bible tells us to practice love. Love is an ongoing and very deliberate choice – not an emotion or a feeling. I challenge you to step out in faith today and choose to love that difficult person in your life the way Jesus loves you.

Consider This: • Take time to think about this: How would you say “I love you” to God without using the words “I

love you”?• God loves us unconditionally. Is there anyone that you know who needs to be reminded of God’s

unconditional Love this Christmas? • Take some time to write down what God’s love means to you. Share your thoughts with someone

you love. Encourage them to do the same thing. Let a reminder of God’s unconditional love be one of the best gifts you give this Christmas.

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Phillip Knox Today’s Scripture: John 16:33

Love is a term we use all too often to describe our affection. For an example we use terms like: I love football; I love steak; I love my dog; I love to hunt; I love that TV show; I love my spouse and children… well most of the time. Haha.

Did you catch that? “Most of the time” It’s interesting that our love tends to vary depending on the situation or how we feel at the moment. Here is a question for you: Does God’s love ebb and flow like the love we know?

Could it be for far to many of us we struggle with God’s love because of our own experiences and views of love, which by the way are not constant but conditional? We sometimes knowingly and unknowingly carry this mind set; I don’t love you because you __________! Or If you love me then you will _________? It’s not to hard to understand why the love we have experienced and given causes our emotions and the other persons emotions to vacillate like a yo-yo or roller coaster. As you know, Love is a verb… an action word or as I like to call it a ‘do something’ word. And this action is done on behalf of the one doing the loving, not the one receiving the love. Which is why in John 3:16 we come face to face with true love, “For God so loved the world that HE GAVE…” The verse that really reshaped my view of love is Romans 5:8 “But, God demonstrates HIS OWN LOVE toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Pause this reading right now to think about the love of God.

The great preacher Adrian Rogers once said, “Sin is a clinched fist in the face of God.” Get this picture… while you had your fist clinched in sinful rebellion in the face of God, CHRIST LOVED YOU and died for you! Shouldn’t our definition/view of love be in alignment with the One who demonstrated the perfect picture of love? You will find “No yo-yo,” “No roller coaster” and “No Most of the time” in God’s demonstration of love! His love was not demonstrated to things or animals… but His love is the most wonderful, eternal treasure reserved only for people.

This Advent as you attempt to prepare your heart for God, maybe the greatest example you could give Jesus is to REPRODUCE this same love for people.

Write the names of 3 people you WILL demonstrate God’s love to BEFORE Christmas and then document HOW you will demonstrate this love towards each person.

____________________________________ , ___________________________________

____________________________________ , ___________________________________

____________________________________ , ___________________________________

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Nancy Wall Today’s Scripture: 1 John 4:9-10

The ultimate expression of Love came down at Christmas.

How do you respond knowing that God’s eyes of love are set on you? His love is constant, unwavering and lasts forever. The sole motivation for the birth and death of Christ was eternal love and as you confess your love for Him, He then can work moulding and shaping your life in amazing and usually surprising ways. Also, great contentment can come from knowing you are operating in the middle of His will for your life.

His love is also expressed by His promise of His presence with us through providing the Holy Spirit to be with us to guide and direct. Currently I am studying in the Old Testament and I can clearly see how God’s presence was with Moses, Joshua and David. Moses gained strength to demand from Pharaoh the release of the Israelites, Joshua was strong and courageous as he faced many battles in settling the Israelites in the promised land. David wrote in Psalm 23 that he would fear no evil because God was with him.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4

God has pledged to be with those whom He has redeemed (Isaiah 43:1-2). Emanuel IS with us. So, thinking about your response to His love, will you be expectant and pray for a fresh encounter with God this Christmas? Will you adore Him as one of His faithful?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has given us.” 1 John 3:1

Consider Nancy’s Questions: • Our text today mentions that God’s love has been made manifest among us by God sending His only

Son into the world so that we might live through Him. How do you respond knowing that God’s eyes of love are set on you?

• Thinking about your response to His love, will you be expectant and pray for a fresh encounter with God this Christmas?

• How can you adore Him as one of His faithful today?

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Linda Barron Today’s Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

“I Wonder as I Wander”I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,

How Jesus, the Savior, did come for to dieFor poor, orn’ry people like you and like I.I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.

Why would God send His son to die for us? Humanly speaking, I can’t think of any good reason: we have nothing to offer God. He created a perfect world for my ancestors Adam and Eve. Their sin caused an irreparable fracture in our relationship with God that no human can repair. Our sin brought about our death sentence.

Then, as I ponder on the sad state of our world, I am reminded of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, has everlasting life.” That’s why God’s had a plan to redeem us! It was His Wondrous LOVE, a love that is so deep I cannot understand it. It is all about God’s Love.

“He [God] knows everything about you. You are in worse shape in his eyes than you are in your own. But that didn’t stop him. In fact, it is precisely the measure of our unworthiness that makes the love of God

reach for his Son as the only adequate sacrifice. Do not look at yourself. Look to the Son and to the love of God and to the promise that whoever believes will never perish but have eternal life.” John Piper

Consider This: • What is the object of the love of God? Pause often the next few days and remind yourself of the great

love of God. • Do you live in the forgiveness and life and freedom of John 3:16? If not entirely, what is stopping you?

Pray and ask God to grant you even greater faith this Christmas.• How can we mirror the generosity of our Father this year? How can we give to others in small ways, that

we may draw attention to the Father’s generosity in large?

Song Lyrics: I Wonder as I Wonder, Appalachian carol adapted by John Jacob Niles, p. 139 The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration

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Phillip Knox Today’s Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

PEACE… are you kidding me? Has there ever been peace? Can a person really have peace?

Just think about the world you live in… wars, shootings, race tensions, political tensions. Think about your work place… personality, pay, and fairness tensions. Think about your home… parental tensions, marital tensions and money tensions just to name a few. And this Advent you want us to focus on peace? There may be peace in heaven but to expect peace here on earth, at my job or in my house, you have got to be kidding! All these problems and issues and I am suppose to be at peace?

Don’t give up yet, I would like to invite you down one avenue of peace this Advent season and it focuses around Philippians 4:6-7..

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God and the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts

and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Before we look at these verses you must understand the following… You cannot buy or earn the peace of God, you can only trade for it! Verses 6-7 basically say that when problems arise, and they will, don’t worry, but pray, and pray with a thankful heart. Then you will gain the peace of God.

Think with me how this concept fleshes out. When a problem arises that you can handle, you fix the problem and you have the Peace of YOU! But, when a problem arises that you cannot handle or fix, you worry and fret... or you make a trade with God! That’s right, God wants you to trade your worry, get this, for His peace! And the avenue is called Thankful Prayer.

As we grow in His grace the goal is to be able to look problems, that we cannot handle, in the eye and give God thanks for these problems. Why? because we know we are moving beyond our peace into the realm of God’s peace. Perhaps we may even in difficult prayer be able to not just utter the words “Not my will but thine be done,” but also embrace the difficult situation as Jesus did.

I know some people love to live in a state of worry and stress, but maybe this Advent you would be willing to trade your worry for the peace of God. Write down a situation you want to trade and begin thanking God for this situation as you anticipate the presence of the Prince of Peace.

God, I am willing to trade ___________________________________________________________________________.

Verse 7 describes some wonderful benefits of living in God’s peace. Can you list them?

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Steve Hartman Today’s Scripture: John 1:1-18

“behold” -- to gaze upon with apprehension, to look at carefully“god” -- a being of more than human powers, an idol“God” -- the supreme being, Yahweh“our” -- of relating to us, a connotation of possession

Christmas can mean different things to different people. At its core, the celebration of Christmas is to behold our God.

The apostle John tells us that while no one has ever seen God, Jesus Christ has “made himself known” (John 1:18). Later, he quotes Jesus, who explains that he, Jesus, actually is God! John beheld the eternal, divine Word of Life with his own eyes. For him, the Word of God was upfront, clear, and personal.

We must, like Mary, ponder and treasure what actually happened in Bethlehem (Luke 2:19). When we do this we will be like all those who encounter the baby in the manger, humbling bowing and singing great praise.

Christmas is an invitation to fix your eyes on the Word, who was with God, and was God, becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14-15). It can be easy to lose sight of the magnitude of the truth of Jesus. Christmas is a chance to intentionally and joyfully pry our eyes from all the world tells us is important and to behold Him. If we don’t take moments to do this, we remain in our darkness. Jesus is the “true light that gives light to every person” (John 1:9).

Tonight, gaze upon Him carefully, for He is our God. In the midst of the busy, take a breath and find moments to worship Him.

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