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Today we are looking at two turtledoves representing the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. And four calling birds are the four gospels. For the born again believer, living on this side of the cross, we operate in the new covenant, which is the New Testament. If ever we want to know how to live, we look at Jesus. What was concealed in the Old Testament, was revealed in the New! Both the Old and New Testaments make up the complete Bible. Because it is complete, we need no other book to become a Christian or to live the Christian life. One book covers it all! Faith, Hope and Love (three French hens) are what remains if we look at I Cor 13. The greatest we know is love, which is what we, as Jesus’ followers should be know for. The world will know we are disciples because of the love we have for one another. The four calling birds represent the 4 gospels which are all different accounts of Jesus’ life on the earth. From his birth in a stable to his death on a cross, each gospel reveals who Jesus is. How he lived, how He loved, and how He wants us to live and love. For a new believer, the gospels are a great place to start reading and studying God’s Word. I want to encourage each of you to participate in a daily Bible reading plan every day of the New Year. There are so many options available and youversion.com makes it especially simple if you like using your phone or your reader to read the Bible. Of course, reading a Bible and flipping the pages still works, and it is good to have Bibles available in various places in your home. Make it easy for you and your family to read the Bible every day. That is day two, three and four!

Blessings to you as we wrap up this holiday season. During the rest of this month as we prepare for the New Year, I will be talking about the 12 days of Christmas. During the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany on Jan 6, much of the church world takes time to reflect on God’s goodness during the past year in preparation for the next. I will actually be using the song The 12 days of Christmas, which has often been thought to be a playful reminder of spiritual concepts, as a guide. Hope you enjoy! I’m sure you’ve heard this song during the Christmas season, or perhaps you’ve even seen some kids perform it at their holiday concert this year. If you want a real laugh, you should watch Lucille Ball’s version of it on Youtube! The next time you hear The 12 Days of Christmas, it can be a reminder of some interesting facts based on the Bible. Jesus is the central figure of Christmas, and he is the reason we celebrate Christmas and Easter, so he is number 1 on the list of 12 days. A partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus our Savior. If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds silly, remember these verses in Luke and Matthew.

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so.” (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34)

There is no truer lover than God Himself. The “me” receiving the gifts is each verse is us, born again Christians. So on the first day of Christmas my true love (God) gave to me, Jesus! So as the warmth and glow of Christmas lingers, take a moment and thank God for His love, that sent Jesus so that we could experience a little of heaven on earth as we live out our days. How great is God’s love for us. So that “silly” song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought. Jesus you are #1!

Let’s take what we have learned, and experienced this Advent, and put it into practice. We can be hope filled, joyful, faith filled, peaceful, and love filled people. When we are full, we have overflow, and spilling over the top is a great way to live. Let’s let the overflow of hope, joy, faith, peace and love fill up someone else around us. We have it in us, let’s let it out. We have the light of the world living within, and we don’t have to let the glow fade. Let it shine, and let the warmth of God’s love permeate even the hardest hearts of those you know. Let’s make this a banner year for spiritual growth and numerical growth in our own church body. When we grow spiritually, we become encouragers to others around us to do the same. When we grow numerically, we get to reach more people for Christ. When each number represents a life, we realize that Jesus came for individuals, and his desire is that all would come to know him, and live with hope, peace, love and joy. That’s how Jesus changed the world…..one life a time. We can win our world to Jesus, the Light of the Word, one by one. Maybe we could even say won by one! Your story can change someone’s life. Be a witness to God’s goodness. Share your story.

The last candle of Advent has been lit and we can still feel it’s glow. Have you been changed by the love of God during this season of Advent? How has the little baby in a manger affected your world? Are you living a hope filled life, excited about the possibilities in your future? Have you experienced the joy of the Lord that is only found in Jesus? Are you using your faith, and exercising your faith on a daily basis? Do you have a peaceful spirit and have you determined within yourself to become a peacemaker, peace keeper, and a reconciler in your own relationships? Have you been changed from the inside out because of God’s love penetrating your heart? Do you really know how loved you are? Do you desire for others to know that too? My prayer is that not only have you had a meaningful advent season, but that you are growing daily in your walk with God. I pray that your daily rituals include spending time with God, and getting fed by his Word! We make time for natural things on a daily basis, like grooming, cleansing, and feeding. Let’s do the same thing for our spirit. We can definitely be washed by the Word and feed on it daily to make our outward appearance more pleasing to those who are around us, through our attitudes and our actions. You don’t have to feel like change happens for everyone else but you. You are not the exception to the rule. The Word states it very clearly that if we give ourselves daily to prayer and the Word, (Acts 6:4) to worship and to fellowship, we will become more like Jesus.

As the world stops today to open presents, and has a day off of work, let’s focus in on what Christmas is all about, Jesus. Here is His birth announcement from Luke Chapter 2:1-20 from The Message.
The Birth of Jesus. About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
 Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Have a blessed, holy, special, meaningful, and peaceful Christmas Day! Blessings and love from my family to yours. Our God is with US!
Advent Activity: Read the nativity story aloud sometime during Christmas Day. Thank God for all of your wonderful blessings.

The day has finally arrived. After expecting and preparing, today begins the big celebration. We celebrate the gift… we celebrate Jesus. After being in captivity for hundreds of years, and then a period of waiting for hundreds of years more, Jesus, God’s gift, came to earth to deliver God’s people. Jesus came as a baby, innocent, fragile, and holy. He came as a King, longed for and long expected, who was mighty to save. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus that changed history forever. God brought hope, peace, joy and love to the world, through a baby. Everyone longs to know that they have someone who will never leave them, disown them, or desert them. Jesus came as Emmanuel, which means, God dwells among us. That means we are never alone. In the moment of our greatest joy, or the deepest season of despair, Jesus is always there. His Name means that He is always with us. What can know the peace of His permanent presence. God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him. (I John 4:16) The God of love has come to never leave us, and to abide with us in love. Love is the greatest of all (I Cor 13:8). When we make an effort to cover everything in love, just like a fresh dusting of snow, beauty emerges.
Jesus has come…..it is Christmas. He will never leave us, and His love lives inside of us. What great joy and comfort that brings. We are loved with the purest, most abiding love available – God’s love. Let’s be as committed to loving Him as He is to us. Let us never leave Him and let us always demonstrate His love to others – throughout Christmas, and all through the year.
Advent Activity: Go to Christmas Eve Candle light service. AGF’s service starts at 6:00 PM. Light candle number 5, the Jesus candle, today.

Something amazing had happened in Bethlehem. A heavenly announcement about this special event was broadcast throughout the airwaves. In the heavenlies, angels made it known that this event would bring good tidings of great joy for all people. A very special baby was born. The amazing thing about this announcement was that it wasn’t made before kings or people of great worldly importance, it was made to shepherds out taking care of their flocks in the nearby hills. Often shepherds go about what they do quietly. They take care of their animals. They are rarely in the spotlight, so the brightness of the glory of the Lord was a new experience for them! They do their work behind the scenes, most often, unnoticed. But God noticed them. He knew they were faithful and committed and they were the first to know God’s own Son made His entrance on the earth.
The angels told the shepherds to go and see. This baby was God’s own son, the Savior who was Christ the Lord. Once they saw, THEY decided to go and tell. Once they had seen HIM, they made it known abroad. (Luke 2:17) Without satellite television, without FOX News or CNN, someone got the news out. It was those faithful, behind the scenes shepherds. Whether they were ready for prime time or not, they had something to tell. The news they shared would have a life altering impact. Their wonderful message of the GOOD NEWS was spread abroad. Let us make the good news known abroad. Someone you know needs to hear it. They need to know the comfort and joy that comes through Jesus. They need His peace. They need His love. Go and tell!
Advent Activity: Go and tell, let someone know that you believe! If each of us would reach even one person a year, we could change our world forever! Practice sharing Christ with another Christian as practice for when you share with someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Build your confidence, you can do this!

Love came near – not only near but in. Love didn’t stay far off, it came close, HE came close enough to touch! Jesus was love with skin on! Somebody once said that the almighty had to come as a baby so we could have someone to wrap our arms around. Don’t you love that? Why not let his love embrace you as well this Christmas? I hope you truly realize that God’s love sent in the form of a baby was for you! He loves you that much. We are only good at loving others when we realize how much we are loved. When we experience unconditional, uninhibited love that comes from God, we can take what we have been given and share it with others. Romans 5:5 says that the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Another thing we know the Holy Spirit came to do as it says in Act 1:8 is to give us power to be a witness. We have the love of God on the inside of us, and the power to show compassion to others as a gift from the Holy Spirit. If you put them together, we have the power to love within us! How powerful is that. Love came in, and now we get to love others with the same love that we have received. When we look at the big picture from the cradle to the grave and through Jesus’ resurrection, we see that love motivated it all. He was born to die, but then He came alive with resurrection power, so that we could live the abundant life that Jesus came to the earth to give us. How precious is that little one in the manger. It is love that we can wrap our arms around. How precious is it that He wraps His arms around us, with His amazing love. How wonderful it is that we can wrap our arms of love around others, and show God’s love to the world. Jesus so loved the world, He gave us Jesus. Jesus so loved us that He gave His life. We can so love God, that we give our lives back to him, and serve, love and bless others with all of the love He put in our hearts. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas.
Advent Activity: Do you know a shut it or an elderly person you could go visit? Show some love to someone less mobile than you.

Somewhere it’s snowing, as the soft flakes touch the ground, they remind us that our sins are forgiven, and we are made as white as snow, all because of the love of God. You know these familiar passages of scripture. God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him. (I John 4:16) The God of love has come to never leave us, and to abide with us in love. Love is the greatest of all (I Cor 13:8). We should pursue love and be love to the world. One thing love does is cover – love is like the snow. The beauty of snow is often in what it covers up. Everything can be dirty underneath, but put a blanket of snow over the top, and everything looks beautiful. That is just like love. We can bring beauty all around us when we cover other’s mistakes and when we extend grace to others. When we make an effort to cover everything in love, just like a fresh dusting of snow, beauty emerges. Just as each snowflake is unique, God demonstrates His love to us in unique ways… what could be more unique than a royal king born in a manger? When each of us, begin to manifest the love of God, the beautiful body of Christ can be revealed. And, when each member loves like Jesus, we can envision the purity of fresh fallen snow, covering ugliness and bringing loveliness to this earth. Though our sins are like scarlet they will be white like snow.
Advent Activity: Why not load up a car toward Sun Valley and view the Live Nativity at The Life Church in Hailey this evening at 5:30 PM. This beautiful depiction of the Nativity is surrounded by the beauty of the Wood River Valley and the beautiful voices singing praises to God. The live nativity is on their new property across from Alberston’s in Hailey. Light candle number 4, the candle of love, today.

Angels played a big role in the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel was the one who announced to Mary that she was going to have a baby. Then, once the baby was born, a host of angels sang in the sky to announce His birth. Angels were rejoicing and dancing in the air above Bethlehem. That was a pretty awesome birth announcement. They sang praises to God:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men,
On whom His favor rests.
There are three places in the Bible where angels rejoice, and Jesus’ birth is one of them found in Luke 2:13,14. They also rejoiced over creation in Job 38:7. Another time they rejoice (or throw a party) is when one sinner repents and asks Jesus to be their Lord and Savior (Luke 15:7-10). Isn’t that amazing to think about? The heavenly choir of angels sang and danced and rejoiced over you when you gave your heart to Jesus! What great joy! When we think about the impact Jesus birth had on the world, we could see the value of God requesting the choir of angels to sing. So think about how special you are – when you joined His family, he asked them to do the same thing – His favor rests on you. Heaven rejoices and angels sing songs of joy over you because He loves you and He is so glad to have you in His Family. Sounds like a great reason for you to sing praises back to Him! Glory to God! Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on earth, good will toward men.
Advent Activity: Sing some carols together in the living room. If you’re really brave, hit the streets and carol at your neighbor’s homes.