A Merry Christmas Indeed

by Charity Pence

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

My dad read the Christmas story to me and my sister every year when we were children. It was a great reminder of the true reason we were celebrating. Opening presents was fun, but listening to my dad read from the Bible Christmas morning was always a special time.

As the month of December has flown by, I hope you have had plenty of opportunity to take time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. This is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel-- which means God with us.” (NIV) On the night Jesus was born, God blessed us with the greatest gift we would ever know.

Without Jesus, our lives would be void of hope. But thank God, we do have Jesus. In John 8, verse 12, Jesus tells the people, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV) What awesome news!

Dear Heavenly Father, what joy it is to know You love us so much that You brought Jesus to us, that through him we would come to know You and have an eternally blessed life with You. Thank You for this gift. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Applications: As you celebrate this weekend, take time to thank God for all that He has blessed you with. Thank Him for Jesus-- our wonderful counselor and prince of peace.

Power Verses:
Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” “NKJV)
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (NKJV)

*A quick note. The next devotion will not be posted until the weekend of January 14th. Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

A Time For Peace

by Charity Pence

This Week’s Verse: John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (KJV)

Devotion:
When I was a child, Christmas decorations didn’t get put up in our house until two weeks before Christmas. As I became older, I never understood why people were in such a hurry to celebrate. Don’t get me wrong, the birth of our Savior is definitely worth celebrating, not just for a few weeks or a month; we should be celebrating all year. That being said, I have to admit my decorations were out of the attic before Thanksgiving. And why was I so eager to get my decorations up? Because I knew Christmas would be over in the blink of an eye. I wanted to make sure I gave myself plenty of time to enjoy the holiday season.

You see, lately I’ve had a problem with slowing down. By the time I get one thing finished, I’ve thought of three more tasks that need completed. And I feel pressured to get those tasks done. Yes, I pressure myself. I don’t know why I do, but once I have my mental list prepared, I race through the day in order to get all the things done. Those things may be chores or errands or projects, but I’m always busy. And by the end of the day, I’m cranky and exhausted. But Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (KJV)

So this month, I have decided I want to enjoy Christmas and everything the holiday means. I want to take comfort in knowing Jesus was born to be my personal Savior. I want to accept the peace and assurance that has been so freely given to me. I want to sit down with a cup of hot chocolate and relax while enjoying the decorations in my house. I want to be still so I can allow God to restore me. 1 John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (NIV) Now, more than any other time during the year, is the time to recognize the birth of Jesus and what his birth means for all those who believe in him. And if that means we need to force ourselves to slow down, to stop adding additional items to our to-do lists, then we must do that.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to slow down this week and this month so I can truly appreciate what You have done for me. Forgive me for becoming so busy that I have neglected my relationship with You. I pray that I will allow myself to sit still so I can be surrounded by Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Applications: If you have difficulty slowing down, allow yourself to take a break this week. Let our Lord restore you this Christmas season so you can focus on what’s really important.

Power Verses:
Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (KJV)
Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (NKJV)
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)

Monday's Ministry

This Week's Ministry: Samaritan's Purse; Operation Christmas Child

Click on the link above to find out all about Operation Christmas Child. In a nutshell, here is what you can do.

1. Find a shoebox (or 2 or 3) or a plastic container that is the same size. Pray for the child who will be receiving the shoebox.

2. Decide if you want your gift to go to a boy or girl (age specifications are clearly laid out on the website).

3. Fill the shoebox with gifts (the funnest part!)

4. Include $7.00 donation for the transport of the shoebox.

5. Find a drop off location. Our location is First Christian Church foyer!

Or you can mail it to:

Samaritan’s Purse

Operation Christmas Child

801 Bamboo Road

Boone, NC 28607

First Christian Church has a goal of 100 shoeboxes! Any questions - direct them towards Sandra Ledermann. Collection week is November 14-21 so don't hold off!

This Christmas, spread the joy and the love of Jesus - just by sending a shoebox!

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

By Bethany Lashbrook

This Week’s Verse: Luke 1:30-32, “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High’”. (NIV)

Devotion:I wonder what exactly Mary was thinking at this moment? To become pregnant is amazing, but to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit – now how is that for a Christmas present? The bible tells us “For you [Lord] created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13, NIV). God had it all worked out in His plan. He would send His son, Jesus, to walk the Earth, teach His word, spread the Gospel, be baptized with water, save others through baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then ultimately die on the cross to save us from our sins.

And, his mother was to be Mary.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not putting more emphasis on Mary than Jesus. But, I am recognizing how she must have felt. I am a mother. I know God entrusted Clint and I to care for our children and teach them about Him.

Now, imagine your child WAS Him.

We don’t know much about Jesus’ birth beyond what little there is to say in the gospels. Luke records that “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (2:4-7, NIV) He goes on to say in verses 14-19 “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Mary knew He was special and although she couldn’t guess as to what was to become of her son, Jesus, she did manage to hold these moments near and dear to her heart. I can see Mary as Jesus turns into a toddler, then into a boy, and ultimately a young man – treasuring these little details of Jesus in her heart. Instead of worrying, she trusted. Instead of scolding, she took pride. Instead of being angry, she rejoiced.

I know with all the hoopla of Christmas, sometimes we get distracted with the small stuff. But, this year especially, Mary has been weighing on my mind. Let us try to remember Mary this year at Christmas. Let’s rejoice with Mary, in the delight of her Son, Jesus. Let us proclaim to the world with Mary that Jesus was here – that because of Jesus, we now could live with the Holy Spirit within us. Let us delight in little baby Jesus born in a manger (Luke 2:7). Let us learn from the Boy Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52). And let us mourn with Mary as she watches her Son die on the cross (Mark 15:37). But – let us rejoice with Mary to proclaim, “He is Risen, He is Risen…” (Mark 16:5).

And He was named Jesus.

What a mighty God you are, Lord. How do we ever say thank you? May we all be blessed this Christmas by baby Jesus.

Applications: Celebrate Jesus with your family this week and enjoy the holiday blessings each and every one of us have. Merry Christmas!

Power Verses:

Luke 2:8-14, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (NIV)