Sunday, December 25, 2016
Matthew 1:21 And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. What’s in a name? Most couples preparing for a birth spend a lot of time reviewing and deciding on a name. Naming a child is a special privilege and responsibility. When […]
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Luke 1:78, 79 Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the […]
Friday, December 23, 2016
Matthew 2:10, 11 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and His mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before Him and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The story of the wise men has […]
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Luke 1:45 You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what He said. After Mary received the angel’s message that she would carry the Christ-child, she soon shared the story with her relative, Elizabeth. Luke 1:45 records a portion of Elizabeth’s response to Mary’s news. Elizabeth was most impressed with Mary’s faith. […]
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Luke 2:10 But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!” Luke 2:13, 14 • Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom […]
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Matthew 2:2 Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen His star as it arose, and we have come to worship Him. Worship is a word we spend little time contemplating. We usually connect it with certain common spiritual activities. For many, worship is attendance at a particular religious event. For others, […]
Monday, December 19, 2016
Luke 2:7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. The travel had been tiring. It was time for rest, especially for an expectant mother. Surely they could nd […]
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Isaiah 9:6, 7 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice […]
Saturday, December 17, 2016
John 3:16 • For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Christmas is the season of giving. Annually, for several weeks in December, society adopts a spirit of generosity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always last. Giving runs counter […]
Friday, December 16, 2016
The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life. 1 John 1:1 (NLT) The right words can have a phenomenal impact on a person. Positive, affirming words heal […]
Thursday, December 15, 2016
In that day you will sing: “Praise the LORD! He was angry with me, but now he comforts me. 2See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” 3With joy you will drink deeply […]
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Matthew 1:23 (NLT) “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” When a child feels disturbed or distressed, their first reaction is to look or cry for mom or dad. A parent’s presence has a comforting effect on […]
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Isaiah 9:2-6 (NLT) The people who walk in darkness will see a great light—a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. 3 Israel will again be great, and its people will rejoice as people rejoice at harvest time. They will shout with joy like warriors dividing […]
Monday, December 12, 2016
John 1:14 (NLT) So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. Birthdays are special. They acknowledge a person’s entrance into the world and the value that others place […]
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Luke 1:39-40 (NLT) A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. Shortly after receiving the news that she was to carry the Christ-child, Mary headed to the home of Elizabeth, the soon-to-be mother of John the Baptist. Elizabeth […]
Saturday, December 10, 2016
They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 (NLT) Gift giving is a wonderful tradition of Christmas. Finding that perfect gift for that special someone […]