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When thinking about supernatural strength and provision in very natural circumstances, I couldn’t help but think of God’s plan of redeeming the world through a baby in a manger. God’s very supernatural gift was wrapped up in very natural swaddling clothes and brought by special delivery to earth through a very humble girl in very natural circumstances. The baby born in a barn was the King of Kings and Lord of lords. God’s great provision for mankind came in the form of a very tiny baby. We also hold a very special treasure in a very earthen vessel. When we chose to serve and follow Jesus, the Spirit of God came to live on the inside of us. He was a package of joy, delivered to us. That really is incredible to think about….. our spirit being made joyfully alive to God! We all live very natural lives, but we are carriers of an incredible, supernatural treasure on the inside. As we celebrate the arrival of a baby on Christmas day, we can also anticipate God fulfilling his work in us. Truly we are all under construction (!), and each day we can become closer and closer to the masterpiece that He wants to create in us. Each day we can make choices that bring us to the place of reflecting Jesus through our lives. As we participate in Christmas celebrations, don’t forget to thank God for what He is already doing in you and those around you! What joy it brings. Surely He who began a good work in you, will cause it to come to completion. We can see the work of Jesus in you – from a manger to Calvary. He who began a good work in you will cause it to come to completion.
Advent Activity: Find a babysitter or let grandparents take the kids shopping for Mom and Dad, while you and your spouse enjoy a dinner out during the busy holiday season. Sounds like a win/win!

Have you ever heard the saying….. “your word is your bond”? It may be unfamiliar to young ones, but it means that what you say, you plan on doing. It’s like saying. “I promise”, and what I promise you really will do. Your word is your bond is an old phrase, but it holds a wonderful truth. In our time, it is really common for people to say one thing and do something totally opposite of what they promised. We’ve probably all had that happen…..on a big scale, or a small scale. Somebody promises you something and they never come through. It can be really disappointing. It makes us not want to trust the person who made the promise. Well guess who never breaks His promises? GOD! What He says, He will do. He has given us great and precious promises, and all His promises are yes to us! It brings joy when promises are fulfilled. God promised the Jewish people that He would send a deliverer, and guess what? He did exactly what He said He would do. JOY! It took hundreds of years…….and that’s a long time….but He came through on His Word. He sent a special delivery package to the earth in the form of a baby. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, was born to save those who were held in bondage. He was joy to the world. He was born in a manger, to die on a cross, and rise from the dead to bring us new life. Jesus came to live with us and to live in us. Let’s have a heart full of joy to God, because He always keeps his promises!
Advent Activity: Show the value of promises kept, by making good on one of your promises to your kids. Maybe your promise was to go shopping together, or to go swimming, or skating, or just play a game or read a book together….be faithful in keeping your promises to your family!

Is 9:1-2 says this, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light, and on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned”, That new star that positioned itself over Bethlehem and was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth brought great light as well, and led shepherds and wise men to “The Light” in a manger. That light, brought joy to the world, and came so that our joy can be complete in Him. That little light laying in a manger, grew up to bring abundant life and light to the world. Something that is incredibly amazing is that Jesus not only called Himself the Light of the World, but gave us the same name as well.
“You are the Light of the World. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16
We can be dispensers of light in our world. We can spread “The Light” wherever we are! We can let others see Jesus in us as we share kind words and do good deeds. We are called to tackle the darkness, where ever we find it. Eph 5:8 says, “For we were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”
Advent Activity: Light candles around your house and then turn off all the lights. Talk about what the Light of Jesus means to you.

Today we are going to look at Zechariah’s joyful song after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Zechariah was Elizabeth’s husband, and a man who had been silent for many months since an angel came to his to tell him some incredible news. His wife Elizabeth would soon be preparing for the birth of their baby. The baby was born and there was great rejoicing. On the eight day when the baby was taken to the temple, Elizabeth told them his name was not to be Zechariah, but John. Zechariah asked to write on a tablet because he still couldn’t speak, and he wrote what his wife had stated. His name is John. Immediately, his voice returned, and he could speak once again. Right then, he prophesied under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through song, regarding the long awaited Messiah, and also about his own son, John.
About Jesus he said…..Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and redeemed his people. About John he said……And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before and prepare the way for him…….
Zechariah was expressing his heart of joy to God for fulfillment of a promise. This song that came from Zechariah’s heart put him in remembrance of what was spoken before, and then the fulfillment that he was seeing with his own eyes. God is ever faithful to remember his promises.
Advent Activity: Take time around the dinner table to tell of God’s faithfulness to you. Use specifics, and in a personal way, rejoice in God’s faithfulness to your family and maybe even sing a joyful song together.

During the Advent season, my prayer is that you would increase and overflow with love for one another. We have the opportunity to meet people each week who have gathered for a purpose (to hear the Word of God), and to worship together with people that share similar beliefs. Our fellowship in the body is more than just vertical (with God), it is meant to be horizontal (with other believers). Our horizontal relationships can become more authentic as we ask deeper questions, and really listen to one another. It’s okay to realize that you may never know everyone who fellowships in our church body, but you can have quality relationships with an ever broadening circle of believers that provide opportunities for growth and accountability for your life. Advent is all about the joyful overflow of relationship. What happened when the Messiah was born for us, made us able to now have fellowship with the Father. God’s love overflowed to us! The wonderful thing about fellowship is that God has specific connections for you to make with people on the earth! Relationships with others that will bring you joy! There are other believers in the body that would make great friends for you. Someone is looking for a friend like you. When authentic fellowship happens, relationships flourish. The overflow of God’s heart, was love for the world. That’s why he sent Jesus, the greatest gift ever. Out of our overflow, we can joyfully share the love of God with those all around us. I Thes 3:12 May you increase and overflow with love for each other.
Advent Activity: Drive around and look at Christmas lights tonight. Do some research ahead of time to see if there are beautiful displays of holiday lights in your area.

Can you imagine the joy when baby Jesus was found? The Messiah had been anticipated for 600 years, and finally, here He was. Angels announced His birth, shepherds were the first to see the newborn babe, and then the world took notice. Many were joyful. Herod heard and wasn’t happy, he was disturbed. It says in Matt 2: 10 that the Magi saw the star announcing Jesus’ birth and were overjoyed. The star led them right to where the baby lay. They were overjoyed at finding the baby in a manger. The Magi brought rich gifts to the stable. They joyfully opened their treasures and gave gifts as earthly kings to the Heavenly King. When we give greetings at Christmas in America we say Merry Christmas, in Mexico they say Feliz Navidad, and in German speaking countries they say Froliche Weinachten, and in French speaking countries Joyous Noel. Each of the words describing Christmas in each language means joy, happiness, or celebration. The kings were overjoyed at the first Christmas. Our hearts can be full of joy during Christmas, because Jesus is here. Even if life has been hard, or circumstances have been dreary, even if relationships have failed, now is the time to celebrate. In the midst of the world’s turmoil, Jesus came. In the midst of any turmoil you might be in, Jesus wants to come and give peace, and to fill your heart with joy. We now have life, and it only gets better when Jesus is in it! We have seen the Star, and we are overjoyed.
Advent Activity: If it is a clear night, go outside and look at the stars. Maybe go on a walk in the dark (with a flashlight) and enjoy the crisp air and find as many constellations as you can. Light candle number 3, the candle of joy, today.

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While preparing for writing this advent devotional, I watched the movie the Nativity Story, and my heart went out to Joseph more than it ever has before. I’ve always been amazed at Mary, what a willing and obedient heart she demonstrated. But Joseph’s role and commitment was amazing as well. He did what needed to be done, in a godly thing, even though it was hard, and uncomfortable. When thinking about the various roles and responsibilities that men have and the pressures they are under to protect and provide for their families, and the uncertain mental burden of being in charge or and taking care of everything concerning their home life, Joseph’s choice to go ahead with his marriage to Mary was tremendously courageous. He was at peace about his choice. Without even considering how important honor and respect are for any man, and the public shame Joseph experienced from Mary’s unplanned pregnancy, it no doubt added to the pressure in his mind from his own self-doubts. In spite of all of that pressure, Joseph who was just a common man, was one of the first to make room in his heart for Jesus. His world could have been full of questions and concerns, and pretty hopeless, but he became an uncommon man as he chose God’s plan for his life. His soon to be bride was already pregnant. The child she was carrying didn’t belong to him. When he agreed to make Mary his wife, he said to her, not only do I take you, but I also take this child, this Holy babe, and I will protect and provide for you both. Without knowing the future, he agreed to be the earthly father to a heavenly prince. This heavenly Son, would be the Prince of Peace. Whenever any man feels insignificant, or insufficient for any the tasks or family responsibilities ahead of him, he can look at Joseph’s example, and say all things are possible, and I can do this with God’s help.
Advent Activity: Make this a pamper dad/husband/father figure day! Give him a back rub, make his favorite meal, maybe even rub his feet! Treat him like a king today.

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One of my favorite things to do each Christmas season is to listen to Handel’s Messiah. I love the whole thing, from beginning to end. My favorite piece contains the words “For Unto Us a Child is Born”. The emphasis in that phrase is on the word “us”. The child in a manger was born for us. It was part of an amazing plan that God thought up to bring Him to “us”. We were undeserving, but He thought we were. We weren’t worthy, but He thought we were! We weren’t significant, but He thought we were. When I think of the word “us” it encompasses the whole earth, and that is who Jesus came for. For God so loved the world – “us”- that He gave or sent His only son to the earth. If ever we have a moment when we feel insignificant, or unworthy, or undeserving, all we have to do is remember that the God of the universe has a totally different opinion. When God brought Jesus to the earth, his journey began in a manger, and then culminated on the cross. When the work on the cross was finished, it says in II Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus, the one who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in HIM, we might become the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God supersedes, or trumps any feelings that we might have of insignificance or unworthiness. God calls us righteous, so we are! Once we understand what God did for us, it should propel us to share that great message of Christmas with those who haven’t heard it yet. Make it a goal this season, share the message of God’s love with someone today. John 3:16 is why we have Christmas. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son…
Advent Activity: Create an “us” feeling, by inviting someone who is alone, or lonely to church with you this weekend. Sometimes they will come at Christmas time, when they wouldn’t come any other time.

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Peace is a beautiful word. In Hebrew the word is Shalom, which means nothing missing and nothing broken. In Israel, instead of saying hello, or even goodbye, people exchange the greeting of Shalom. Perfect peace is Shalom, shalom! What a lovely way to speak words of encouragement over everyone you meet. We know that when Jesus came, He came to bring peace in a world of turmoil, unrest and distress. He came to be the Prince of Peace, the counselor, and our mighty God. During the holiday season lots of people get stressed out. It can be from all the hectic activity, because of dreading spending time with relatives that are difficult, or even the stress of feeling the necessity to over spend to keep up a good image. Take a deep breath! Speak shalom into your life. Let me speak peace to your soul. We really are too blessed to be stressed! We have the Prince of Peace living within us, so there is no reason to get stressed or live in a state of frustration or turmoil during the holidays, or any time of the year. Can we learn to rest in the peace of God? I believe we can. Peace is more than just a greeting, and more than just a sign we use to say we don’t like war, peace is an attitude that can prevail in our hearts and lives year round. Let’s live in a constant state of peace! When we look at the big picture, we have found what we are looking for. Jesus, who is in the center of our heart, came to fill in the missing pieces in our lives. He came to fix everything in our lives that was broken. So we can say about ourselves, I have Shalom in me, nothing is missing and nothing is broken. Because He came to fill us, we can live in peace, radiate peace, and be peacemakers in a world that is empty and broken. So speak Shalom to your own soul, and then begin speaking it to those around you. Make this Advent more peace-filled than ever, and enjoy Christmas in the peace of God. SHALOM!
Advent Activity: Find a way to give something to someone in an unexpected way. Give to the foster kids on our giving trees at church, or find another way to bless someone during this Christmas season.

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Blessed are the peace makers. The tiny baby, born in a manger came as a reconciler between God and man. Jesus came to break down walls, and restore the breech, so lets be like Him, and do the same in our own relationships. Don’t let broken relationships keep you from having a blessed holy season. Let’s see relationships restored. Let’s encourage others to do the same too. Do you know that because you are a Christian, you have the ministry of reconciliation? That not only helps us in our personal life, with our spouse and kids, we can help others be reconciled to each other as well. When I spoke at a Wednesday night service in the recent past, I prayed for reconciliation for family members who were estranged. One woman came up to me right after service and asked that I specifically pray for her daughter who she hadn’t seen or heard from in 2 years. She went home from the service, called her up, and spoke with her for over an hour, and they reconciled that evening. She is planning to come home for Christmas. I was so happy to be able to help to begin the process of reconciliation in their lives. Don’t you know that was God’s heart for them all along? That’s what Jesus came to do! God put us on the planet to do that as well. He wants everyone to know His peace and His presence. Let’s be peace makers at work, in our churches, and especially in our homes. Let’s have homes that are an oasis, and a soft place to fall. Many homes are like a war zone, with fallout even during the holidays. Let’s hold up the standard of righteousness and live in peace, and teach our families that living in the peace of God is the best way to live. He is our peace who has broken down every wall. During Advent, be a peacemaker in your own family, and radiate the peace of God wherever you go. Jesus gave His peace to us so that we can give it away to others.
Advent Activity: Pick one of your neighbors to bless a plate of cookies today! Maybe choose the grumpy neighbor who never smiles at you and you can be a peacemaker.

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