The Story of Jesus’ Birth
Christmas Day

[1]In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2]This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3]And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4]And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5]to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6]And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7]And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
[8]And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9]And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10]And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11]For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12]And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13]And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
[14]“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
[15]When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16]And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17]And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18]And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19]But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20]And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Luke 2:1-20 ESV)

Peace Is to Be Proclaimed
Advent Week Four, Day Seven
Isaiah 52:7

Focus: “…how beautiful... are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness…”

The idea of beautiful feet might seem strange to the modern reader, but the meaning is simple: God values the message of peace so much that he expects his children to spread the word, and when they do, it is a beautiful thing.

Whenever a follower of Jesus responds obediently to God’s call for sharing the gospel with others, he becomes a peace-bearing messenger, commissioned to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with those he encounters. What stands in your way today? Are you distracted? Uncertain? Feeling insecure? Have confidence and know that God has equipped you to share the message of salvation with those closest to you.

One of my favorite hymns, written by Horatio G. Spafford, is “It is Well with My Soul.” This text has impacted people everywhere, myself included. Its depiction of peace rings true concerning both the presence of God in times of trial and the glorious triumph of Christ over sin. I pray its message will fill you with a determination to speak peace to the people you meet today.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought:
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, o my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight;
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

The Promise of Peace
Advent Week Four, Day Six
John 14:25-31

Focus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you….”

While serving on a mission trip to Kenya this past summer, our team stayed at the picturesque Brackenhurst Conference Center in Limuru, Kenya. The center is situated on 100 acres with lush green grass and trees. Nestled in the beautiful foliage are cottages decorated by brilliantly colored flowers. Its beauty was unexpected.

Each day’s ministry would lead our team out from Brackenhurst to serve the Kenyan people who live among filth, poverty, sickness and disease. It was quite a stark contrast to our safe and comfortable quarters at the center. Everywhere we went the reality of sin and the presence of evil in the world were blatant. And then, at the end of the day, we would return to the safe, peaceful and distraction-free environment of Brackenhurst.

As I thought about this pattern of peace and stress, I saw a wonderful picture of the peace Jesus promises his followers in John 14. When we come to him, we receive the gift of his peace, but moving through life is stressful and sin flourishes all around us, oftentimes overtaking our awareness of his presence. Whenever we lose sight of his peace we must return to him, just as our team would return to our conference center each day.

This Christmas season are you consistently returning to Jesus to find peace? Or are you looking in other places? Jesus said the peace he gives is not as the world gives. Lay your concerns out before him. And in your toil and struggles hear him say, “…Let not your heart be troubled…”

Peace from Punishment
Advent Week Four, Day Five
Isaiah 53:1-6

Focus: “… upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace…”

As we begin today’s devotional, consider these questions:
How often do you express gratitude for God’s peace in your life?
Do you experience His peace often, or is your life in a constant state of flux?

• Financial struggle
• Marital difficulty
• Wandering children or siblings
• Relationship conflicts
• Strife, hardship, struggle

We have promises from God’s word that tell us his peace is readily available. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (ESV) While such thoughts might seem better suited to an Easter devotional than an Advent reading, the fact is that no celebration of peace is complete without knowing the cost that was paid for it.

Our transgressions brought pain to our Savior. Jesus was crushed for our iniquities, our sin. And the punishment that was suffered for us brings us…peace. A peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-8).

Let’s use this Advent season as a chance to live each day with a strong awareness not only of the peace God brings us personally, but also of the peace he offers to those around us who are not experiencing it for whatever reason. Finally, let us be amazed at the peace he brings and express our appropriate gratitude.

Perfect Peace
Advent Week Four, Day Four
Isaiah 26: 3 – 4

Focus: “...You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind os stayed on you...”

Many of the songs we sing each Christmas season have lyrics that speak to the silence, holiness or peacefulness of the night Jesus was born. In many respects, I suppose those lyrics might have been true among people living at the time. For others, however, I’m certain it was much the same as it is for many of us today; there is an absence of peace.

While the holiday season is a time of great cheer for many, it is also a time of great sadness and fear for others. The memories of a deceased loved one, the loss of a child, or any number of other countless tragedies causes the joy and peace of the season to take a back seat to pain.

What will this season hold for you? Will you experience true joy and perfect peace or will you simply grit your teeth and move through the season with quiet resolve? In many ways, the choice is yours to make. God not only works during the happy, successful moments of our lives; but most assuredly he does his greatest work in us during moments of dread and despair, as we trust him!

Even when we have no control over our circumstances, we can consciously set our gaze on Jesus, who keeps us in perfect peace. Do this by thinking on his word or by singing him songs of praise. You can always choose the object of your attention.

Peace is a Person
Advent Week Four, Day Three
Ephesians 2:12-22

Focus: “...For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one…”

Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to encourage them to be unified in the body of Christ. The foundation of unity in the church comes from a realization of God’s saving grace. Paul said that we were once separated from God, but through the blood of Jesus Christ, he reconciled us to God. Therefore, Jesus IS our peace with God.

This message was written to not only the saints in Ephesus but to us all. Through Christ we have peace with God and it is through him that we can have peace with one another. Paul said in Ephesians 4:3-6, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (NIV)

Thousands of years ago prophets proclaimed a coming peace. Under a shining star outside Bethlehem, angels announced its arrival. And the infant Jesus, when he was grown, promised that our faith would bring peace to overcome the chaos of life and the lostness of sin. We must not let our hearts be troubled, but rather we must seek peace. True and lasting peace is found in a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Wash over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
--William Cooper, 1889

The Prince of Peace Reigns
Advent Week Four, Day Two
Isaiah 9:6-7

Focus: "… of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…"

It seems there has never been a shortage of talk about peace. Men both common and regal have expressed greatly divergent opinions on the matter. Consider the faulty logic of these quotes:

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time... -Niccolo Machiavelli

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. -Albert Einstein

Avoid popularity if you would have peace. -Abraham Lincoln

Peace is its own reward. -Mohandas Gandhi

With so many disparate ideas about peace, a seeker of peace might begin to think it forever elusive. Fortunately, God’s word offers authoritative insight on the matter.

When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, he named him the Prince of Peace, and he said “...of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end...” The people of Israel knew what it was like to live under the reign of a monarch. Their national story pointed both to godly leaders and to godless despots, so the idea of a reigning prince was nothing new. But a Prince of PEACE? Such an idea could send the imagination reeling!

As followers of Jesus, we live in the “increase” of this peace Isaiah talked about. The Prince of Peace has exempted us from struggling to earn God’s favor. He has banished the curse of sin and death. And when we face trials, he empowers us to know his peace in the midst of them.

Challenge: Every time you see or hear the word “peace” this Advent season, pause to remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

The Candle of PEACE
Advent Week Four, Day One

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isa. 9:6

In times like ours, peace seems like nothing more than empty promise. With wars raging and injustices exploding across our globe, it’s hard to imagine peace ever becoming a reality. And yet the bible speaks of peace as a certainty because of the promised coming of Someone with the strength and character to maintain it.
Isaiah 9:6 tell us about this One who will bring peace. He is given four titles (Counselor, God, Father, Prince) and four qualities to match those titles (wonderful, mighty, everlasting, and peace). Taken together, these pairs of words tell us that the One coming will be both wise and worthy. The first pair speaks of wisdom. The word “wonderful” in Hebrew indicates supernatural ability and the word “counselor” refers to one who plans or advises. Thus, the One who brings peace will be supernaturally gifted to rule wisely.

The worth of the One coming is seen in the next three pairs. He is the “Mighty God,” meaning he has the strength to maintain peace. He is the “Everlasting Father,” meaning that he has the longevity and compassion to keep the peace. And He is the “Prince of Peace.” A prince is an indication of a certain, but yet to be realized rule as king. So as a prince’s mere existence indicates the inevitability of a coronation, the prince of peace’s existence indicates that the future reign of peace is certain.

Yes, the world’s wars continue to rage and injustices continue to explode. But peace is not an empty hope because a Child was born 2000 years ago. Because He came, and because He will come again, there will one day be peace on earth.

Joy Is Contagious
Advent Week Three, Day Seven
John 15:1-11

Focus: “… that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full...”

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. This what Love looks like.” Augustine.

A follower of Christ is not some shallow or bland follower of traditions. He is a believer who holds the promises of an abundant life and who reflects the love of God to others. When we remain in Christ, obeying his commands and following his example, joy and a lasting friendship with Jesus are among the results. God-given joy abounds when we reflect Christ’s love in our life and that joy is infectious to the people we meet - believers and unbelievers alike.

It’s not our words that will change the world, because the world has heard them all. We can’t rely on our music to change the world, because ultimately our music is a means for us to glorify God and deepen our relationship with him. It’s not our buildings, although they may be beautiful, that will bring people to their knees before God. It’s our love expressed with JOY that will stop people in their tracks and cause them say, “I want what they have.”

Let God’s joy shine through your life, words and deeds this Advent season, so that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Joy Is Fulfilled in Jesus
Advent Week Three, Day Six
Luke 2:8-12

Focus: "…good news of great joy…"

It’s interesting to consider the angel’s announcement to the shepherds outside Bethlehem:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…”

“Good news… Great joy…”

God had spoken.
Messiah had come.
The Savior was born.
Joy was fulfilled.

It was a gift so precious it couldn’t be bought… so rare that only one could give it. This gift entered the world by humble means, as a helpless baby born in a stable and placed in a manger by a servant girl that first Christmas. Joy…

Often times, we confuse a life of “joy” with a life of “ease.” The joy of Christmas is not found in celebrations or circumstances, but in God’s only Son, Jesus. You see, God knew all we would need in order to be freed from sin, and he knew we couldn’t do it ourselves. His provision of the Savior brings great joy… the joy of forgiveness, the joy of reconciliation, the joy of experiencing his grace first-hand.

Take time to thank God for the joy of Christmas, then tell another person of the joy that was fulfilled in Jesus.

Joy Sees the Big Picture
Advent Week Three, Day Five
Hebrews 12:1-3

Focus: “...Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross...”

Have you ever trained for a race? It’s hard work. An athlete-in-training rises early to endure physical hardship and stress, often risking injury in an attempt to earn the prize. A prize that’s temporary—a crown or a medal.

Unlike those believers mentioned in Hebrews 11, we have the great blessing of being able to look back and see the life and death of Christ for encouragement. In fact, the author of Hebrews tells us in verse 2 to look to Jesus, “who for the JOY set before him endured the cross …”

What was joyful about the cross?

Nothing. The cross is suffering, anguish and torture, but for Jesus, and this is the ultimate agony of the cross, it meant separation from the Father. Jesus endured it all because the prize was much greater—returning to heaven and sitting at the right hand of God.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that life on earth is more like a marathon and less like a sprint. It’s a long, hard race, but we must finish STRONG! Run with JOY! Your prize is so much greater than anything physical. It’s hearing your Father say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—our older brothers and sisters in Christ who’ve finished the race before us. When you enter the arena for the final lap, they’ll be cheering you on.

Joy Overcomes Circumstances
Advent Week Three, Day Four
2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Focus: "… in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity…"

Paul holds out the example of the Macedonians as committed, loving Christians centered not on their own needs, desires and rights, but rather on the needs of others. Over the years I’ve heard people say, “All preachers do is ask for money,” but in verse 4 of this passage, it is the church body—the common folk— the ones who could least afford it, who pleaded with Paul for the “favor” of taking part in the relief of the saints.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Macedonians who gave “according to … and beyond their means, of their own accord” was the REASON they gave. According to the late John R. W. Stott, there were three “tributaries” that fed into this “river” of generosity: their severe trial, their overflowing joy and their poverty. How amazing it is that the difficulties of their lives didn’t overpower their joy in and love for the Lord!

As you consider your personal circumstances this Advent season, how can you reflect a heart full of joy in spite of your circumstances? The circumstances of this life can only outweigh your joy in Christ if you focus on them more than on Him. What will be your testimony this year as you celebrate God’s provision for your family?

Lord, help me to give myself first to You this day, and then, by Your will, use my life to help others as an act of worship to You. Amen.

Joy Gives Strength
Advent Week Three, Day Three
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-12

Focus: “…do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength…”

It was a shock to the people. In a time of corporate worship, as masses of people were joyfully hearing God’s Word proclaimed, the joy of the moment was crushed with a startling awareness of their collective sin.

When the realization of failure hits, joy falls by the wayside. It’s true in so many circumstances: failure to win the big game, failure to complete the project, and in the case of the Jews in this scripture passage, failure to follow the letter of the law.

Often times we see our failure and become overwhelmed with the sense that our failure defines us. We feel weak, useless, without joy.

We should heed Ezra’s reminder to the Jews; this day is holy to God – DO NOT WEEP! It often takes recognizing our failures to find HIS strength. There is joy in knowing that our failures do not define us. Rather, we are defined by whom we follow. As followers of Jesus, our strength comes from the joy of:

• Surrendering our lives to Jesus
• Sustaining daily a close relationship with Jesus
• Sacrificing our time and resources to bring him glory
• Sharing grace with others
• Shining our lights before others that they might glorify God

Are you strengthened by the joy of the Lord? Thank God that in the midst of human failures, we have joy in following Jesus.

Joy Reflects Worship
Advent Week Three, Day Two
1 Chronicles 15:1-16

Focus: "…David commanded…the singers to play loudly… and raise shouts of joy…"

Verse 16 says, “David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.”

David went to the Levites, God’s appointed priesthood to the Israelites, to work out the details of the music to be sung and played when the ark was brought back into Jerusalem. Their agreement: the leaders of the Levites would select from among their brothers the singers and musicians to make the music happen. Nothing was left to chance. You see, David knew the important role music plays in worshipping God. Restoring the ark of God to Jerusalem was a big deal and not something to be taken lightly.

We too must offer our best to God when we worship Him and sing his praises. What does that mean for you in this Advent season? What is your best? Your time? Your money? Your family? Your business? Your heart?

As you consider how you will offer your best to God, be reminded of the greatest gift ever given. It cost you nothing, but it was priceless to our Heavenly Father. How will you show your thankfulness today? Whatever the answer, it should be offered with joy. Worship is not a burden, but a privilege.

Father, please accept our offerings of praise—our joyful noise—as we worship You. In Christ’s name may we offer You only our best today. Amen.

The Candle of JOY
Advent Week Three, Day One

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Isaiah 35:1,2 ESV

“Joy to the World, the Lord has come.
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare Him room; and heaven and nature sing.
And heaven and nature sing. And heaven and nature sing.”
--Isaac Watts

Those words have become like so many in our “Christmas vocabulary.” They have simply become pretty words whose meaning and power have gotten lost in translation.

Why is that? Is it because of the season’s commercialism or life’s pace? No, I think it is something simpler that than. I think it is a memory problem.

We have forgotten that God promised, through Isaiah, the advent of a Messiah who would lift sin’s curse and show God’s glory to the world. We’ve forgotten that, as followers of Jesus, we are privileged to have a foretaste of this heavenly reality. And because we’ve forgotten, Jesus followers seem to have the same lack of joy symptomatic of the rest of the world.

On this Advent Sunday, have you lost the joy God has enabled you to experience? Look to Bethlehem’s manger to find the only source of joy that will never fail.

Taught to Love
Advent Week Two, Day Seven
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

Focus: “…you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another…”

Loving believers is a true art form. Two authorities I’ve had the privilege of watching in my lifetime are my parents. I remember watching them intentionally build relationships with all the people they met each time we entered the doors of our church. It was as if they pictured a blank canvas each time they were in a conversation, with the desire to walk away having a fully painted masterpiece of doing life together. My parents both hosted and attended multiple gatherings of families with whom our lives were intertwined, with mutual love, caring, and purpose being displayed.

In 1 Thess. 4:9, Paul states the believers had been taught by God to love each other. He goes on to say their love of the believers in Macedonia was known, and he urged them to love more and more.

In our world, with so many desiring anonymity, where text messages and email are our primary forms of communication, are we losing opportunities to love others as God has taught us? When Blue Valley Baptist comes to the thoughts of those in our community, is our love for one another the first thing they think of, as was true of the church in Thessalonica? We must intentionally look for new and deepening relationships with other believers. We must love as God has called us to love.

This holiday season paint a new canvas or add richness to an existing one. And be urged each day to do so more and more.

Love that Unifies
Advent Week Two, Day Six
Colossians 3:12-15

Focus: “… above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony …”

There’s a new Christmas tree in our house. It joins several others in our home, each with its own theme and character. Designing and decorating them has become, for our family, a very fun part of the Christmas tradition. One thing I’ve discovered in our tree-decorating adventures is that there is always one piece that makes a tree’s theme complete; one item that unifies the whole look. That piece is usually the topper. Whether it’s a ribbon, a star or an angel (or something completely random!), it’s that one thing that ties the visual package together.

When a person surrenders his life to follow Jesus, God places in him gifts. These gifts are the natural outflow of sustaining our walk with Jesus. We don’t work to express them; they simply show themselves in our lives as we follow Jesus. Like ornaments on a tree, God places these gifts in us to give others a glimpse of his glory and love as well as to display his offer of salvation to a lost world.

Today’s scripture passage gives us a glimpse of some of these gifts, and though the list is not exhaustive, there is a common denominator to them all… a “topper” if you will: Love. Any picture of God’s character is incomplete without love, because it is love that binds everything together in perfect harmony. (v. 14)

Love That Obeys
Advent Week Two, Day Five
John 14:15-21

Focus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments...”

The test of authentic love for Jesus is whether or not we obey his commandments. Jesus teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind and soul. The second, he says, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39) In fact, all of the commandments in scripture hang on these two.

We will never be consistent in our obedience, however, until we are abiding in his love. Jesus likened himself to a vine and his followers to branches; they can only know his love when they are abiding in him. When we know him and his love for us, obeying him by loving him and our neighbor will naturally follow.

Our obedience does not earn God’s love, but rather it is our natural response of his love for us: it is the fruit of our love for him. And just like when my own children choose to obey me out of love it brings me joy, likewise when a follower of Jesus chooses to obey God out of love it brings God joy.

“If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” Oswald Chambers

We gaze upon what we love. If we gaze upon ourselves, we will love and serve ourselves. If we gaze upon our Lord, we will love and serve him. This Christmas season, be mindful of what or who you are gazing upon and therefore obeying.

Love That Serves
Advent Week Two, Day Four
Galatians 5:13-14

Focus: “...but through love serve one another..."

Before I was born, my parents devoted themselves to serving children in need. I grew up with 150 “brothers and sisters,” all of whom were cared for by my parents. They sacrificed all they had in order to provide for the basic needs of these children… to give them the hope of Christ… to love God by serving them.

In today’s passage, Paul reminds the Galatian church that their faith in Jesus made them free and that all believers stood on the same ground as sons of God. He also said, in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul wanted these people to understand that God expected them to respect and to serve one another in love.

This message speaks volumes to us. God calls us to love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds and also to love one another. People will know that we are Christ’s disciples if we love one another.

My parents’ love and devotion for the Lord enabled them to raise many children in the ways of God. To them, these orphan children were their own, no different from myself; we were one big family. Determine now to make Christmas a time for you to love your friends and neighbors in service. To demonstrate love by serving reflects the example of Jesus.

Love That’s Genuine
Advent Week Two, Day Three
Romans 12:9-21

Focus: “Let love be genuine...”

During this busy season, most finely-tune their focus on family and friends and begin the quest to find perfect gifts that will be remembered for years to come. This is a time when calendars are booked to overflowing with holiday gatherings of friends and colleagues; some to which we look forward and others we dread. It is also the season when our hearts feel a tug toward meaningful involvement in the lives of others. For some, this means adopting a needy family; for others, volunteering at a local homeless shelter. For many, that tug is quietly ignored season after season.

Isn’t it easy to become complacent in what God requires of us in this passage? If Chapter 12 could have just concluded with verse 13 then we would all, most likely, be in fairly good shape. But it doesn’t stop there, and what a challenge we have with verses 14 through 21!

Imagine the impact if each of us focused on restoring just one broken relationship this holiday season. If we actively sought to love our enemies with the same intentional focus we place on our friends and community, lives would be changed!

This is, after all, how God loved us. While we were his enemies he provided a way for us to be called his children. He didn’t just answer a prayer or two and send us packing – He adopted us! He very intentionally provided a way for our sin-broken relationships to be restored.

Let’s make this the season we focus not only on friends and family, but also on our enemies and love them all the way from the manger to the cross!

Love Done Rightly
Advent Week Two, Day Two
Matthew 22:34-37

Focus: “...love the Lord your God... love your neighbor as yourself...”

If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” When I was growing up, these words echoed through our home and were used for everything from schoolwork to mowing the yard. Doing it right was the level of expectation in our family and doing it wrong meant we did it again!

For followers of Jesus, there is a level of expectation on how we demonstrate love in our lives. That level was clearly stated by Jesus himself: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That’s a tall order if ever there was one! Our devotion to God should include every facet of our lives, not just isolated pieces of our attention or our schedule. And then, as if that weren’t enough, Jesus continued: “AND… you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s not an either/or proposition. Love done rightly not only includes how we feel toward and respond to God, but also how we interact with the people we meet each day.

Mastering such an objective will undoubtedly take a lifetime, and the truth of the matter is, we each have only one lifetime to give to this quest.

Determine now to make this day count as you put action into loving God and loving others.

The Candle of LOVE
Advent Week Two, Day One

Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness
in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness. – Isaiah 16:5 ESV

Love gets left out of most Christmas celebrations. Maybe that’s because we think love has its own holiday in a couple of months. Christmas, however, celebrates God’s love.

The word that most people familiar with the Bible associate with God’s love is the Greek word “agape.” It comes from the New Testament and is the heartbeat of Paul’s inspired description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. We associate it with God’s love because it is broadly defined as “unconditional love.” It communicates the idea of loving those unworthy of love; the idea of a Holy God loving sinners.

But those expecting the Jewish messiah would have associated a different word with God’s love; a Hebrew word; “hesed.” And I, for one, think it is a far richer word. In fact, it is such a rich word that 24 different English words are used in the New International Version to translate it, though the most frequent is the word “lovingkindness.”

It was a word that was frequently associated with the Jewish kings and their rule. They were charged by God to rule with “hesed” and time and time again, they failed at this task. So the people of Israel looked for the day when the Messiah would come: a King who would rule with unwavering hesed.

Today, we celebrate the coming of that Messiah, the advent of His rule, and his love.

The Hope in You
Advent Week One, Day Seven
1 Peter 3:14-17

Focus: “... always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…”

I was recently caught off guard when asked by fellow believers to give my testimony in three minutes or less. As a believer, why was it such a struggle for me? It caused me to wonder what opportunities I’d missed to share the love of Christ with people I knew.

Though I was able to share my testimony, I was saddened and somewhat ashamed that I wasn’t more prepared to give an instant answer for “the reason for the hope that is in” me. As I further examined my heart, I realized that I tended to view my Heavenly Father in the same manner as I viewed my earthly father… with great fear and a profound sense of having failed him. Maybe it was that association, those old feelings of unworthiness, that caused me to be ill prepared when asked about my testimony.

Further reflection reminded me that as a teenager, a seemingly chance encounter introduced me to my high school sweetheart, whose influence eventually led to my salvation. That chance invitation forever changed my eternity! In an instant I knew the love of a Savior and was seen through his loving, restorative eyes. My vivid memory of that moment is easy to describe!

I am extremely thankful that we serve a God who desires a personal relationship with each of us and although I recently faltered at being able to express “the reason for hope that is in” me, that hope is indelibly pinned on the one true and loving God who desires to free us with his love and peace.

Challenge: Look for ways this Advent season to give instant answers about your faith to the people you meet.

Called to Hope
Advent Week One, Day Six
Eph. 1:15-21

Focus: “…that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…”

During this time of the year it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of what is to come on Christmas morning. Thoughts of time with family members and guests or coordinating the logistics of our celebration may consume our attention to the point that we find we have placed our hope in the things we may get or the people with whom we will spend time rather than in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Today’s verses tell us that one of the blessings of following Jesus is a future hope. In writing this letter, Paul even went so far as to say that those who follow Jesus are “called” to hope.

“In Christ, our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given an inheritance that this world knows no way to measure. In the Holy Spirit, we have been sealed in Christ, made secure until our final redemption when we will see the Lord face-to-face.”
(Holman Commentary)

Hope in Christ assures us that we are going toward something better than this present life. This hope is built on God’s promises that give strength, courage and direction for life today.

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.
--Mote

Hoping Against Hope
Advent Week One, Day Five
Romans 4:16-21

Focus: “In hope [Abraham] believed against hope...fully convinced that God was able...”

My weak efforts are never enough for God to accomplish what he wants to do through me. My hope MUST depend on God.

Abraham didn’t know exactly how God would bring a nation from him. After all, at the time he was already 100 years old and Sarah was 90. In the face of seeming impossibility Abraham said, “God, I don’t know how you’re going to do this, but you say you will, so I trust you.”

Often, our lack of hope is based on the fact that we focus on the difficulties. But God does the impossible. Don’t let the obstacles you see hinder him from doing the miraculous! Abraham was not overwhelmed by the promise. Scripture says “no unbelief made him waver” and his faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God. He knew full well God’s promise for him and he knew God would fulfill it.

Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, sums up four keys of faith found in this passage:

…considering not the human difficulty, staggering not at the promise, but just taking the promise and praising the Lord and thanking God for the promise, knowing and being fully persuaded that God is able to do whatever He has promised.

Ask yourself:
· What difficulties do you see that hinder you from fully hoping in God?
· How can you show gratitude for God’s promise in your life?

Be fully convinced, just like Abraham, that God IS able to do what he has promised.

Hope Requires Faith
Advent Week One, Day Four
Romans 8:18-25

Focus: “…hope that is seen is not hope…”

A popular book, titled Your Best Life Now, has confused a lot of people on the topic of hope. Obviously, during this Advent season, as we celebrate with anticipation the birth of Jesus, our focus should be on the hope God provides. But let’s be sure our hope is rightly placed! When it comes to hope, the apostle Paul knew this: as children of God, our best life isn’t now, but then, in eternal glory.

Paul explained that as children of God we have “the first fruits of the Spirit.” In other words, our God-given faith serves as both the proof of God’s present work in our lives AND the guarantee of a better life to come.

Followers of Jesus also look forward to the beginning of a new life when our adoption into God’s family is made visible; a time when our bodies will be once and for all freed from sin’s temptations and effects. Because that’s forthcoming, we have every reason to hope. The ultimate realization of hope will be worth the wait!

Lord, help us consider our sufferings at this time in our lives as being incomparable to the hope we have through our faith in You. Grow our faith this Advent season so we will understand that our best life is not now, but then, as we patiently anticipate your return in the twilight of your birth. Amen

Hope for Everyone
Advent Week One, Day Three
Matthew 12:15-21

Focus: “…he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles…and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Have you ever felt left out? Maybe as a child you were the last one chosen to be on a team in a neighborhood kick-ball game. As an adult maybe you didn’t get an invitation to that special event your friends had been talking about. We all know what it feels like to be left out. It’s not fun.

Have you ever felt left out by God?

The heritage and tradition of the Jewish people has long fascinated me. Add to that the fact that they were the “chosen” people of God, the ones who would receive a promised Messiah, and well, you get the idea. So, here I am, a mix of Native American and Caucasian blend that is 100% Gentile. Not of the chosen people. Left out. Hopeless.

Through Jesus’ birth and life on earth, God declared hope for Gentiles like me. Through his death, burial and resurrection he satisfied justice and brought victory. Because of that, I hope in his name.

Where is your hope? Are you feeling left out? As followers of Jesus, our heritage comes not from earthly lineage, but rather from our Heavenly Father. Hope isn’t seated in where you come from or in the traditions you follow. Hope is found in whose you are and in whom you follow. The hope given through Jesus is for everyone.

Take time to reflect on and thank God for the hope you have in Jesus.

Anticipating Hope
Advent Week One, Day Two
Titus 2:11-14

Focus: “…waiting for our blessed hope…”

Waiting - definitely part of life and rarely enjoyable. The irritation that is “waiting” affects every person, especially during the holidays.

How do you typically respond when you have to wait at: 1) the bank; 2) the gas station; 3) the grocery store; 4) your favorite family restaurant; 5) the doctor’s office? Does patience naturally flow during these times? Or does frustration?

Do your best to answer this question: How do you respond when you are waiting on God? Are the responses you give to our Lord similar to those described above? Or are negative emotions heightened even more, flavored with frustration and anger toward him?

Today’s verses challenge us to live godly lives in this age as we wait for the “appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” His return is eminent. 2 Peter 3:9 reads: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV) Are you excitedly anticipating the hope of his return?

In what areas is God waiting on you to respond with whole-hearted devotion to him? Is there a pattern of ungodliness that exists in your life that needs to be broken? Do worldly passions reign more than your passion for Christ? Would those who know you confirm that you have the characteristics of self-control, uprightness, and godliness? Take a moment to answer and then analyze why or why not. God trains us in areas of godliness and he is calling you to more. How will you respond to his calling in your life this holiday season? Invite those around you to participate in the hope you have, encouraging believers to anticipate the return of our Savior. Share the gospel with those who are in desperate need of him.

The Candle of HOPE
Advent Week One, Day One

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 ESV

Perhaps no other Old Testament book is associated with Christmas quite like Isaiah because Isaiah, perhaps more so than any other Old Testament book, points us to the Messiah. Isaiah 11 is a touchstone text in that regard. The oldest Christmas carol we still sing (likely the oldest of any kind that we still sing) is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and it references this hopeful passage of scripture.

The Jews of the time were a terrified and downtrodden people. The ancient and fearsome kingdom of Assyria threatened at any moment to overrun Judah. The Judean kings were essentially powerless and cowardly; leaving the Davidic dynasty a dried stump of its former self. So to these people Isaiah spoke of a New King…the Messiah. He would spring up from the dry and dead stump of Jesse, David’s father, and bring life back to the dynasty.

But the promise of the coming Messiah brought hope beyond simply the rebirth of a kingly dynasty. Isaiah goes on to proclaim that the coming Messiah would mean the rebirth of humanity, bringing a day when the curse of sin was lifted and our hearts would be made right with God.

The Child of Bethlehem’s stable fulfilled those hopes. So it is, with our hopes in him realized, that we celebrate the season of his Birth.

While the season of Advent has been a staple of Christian churches for centuries, for many protestant evangelical congregations it still bears an air of the unknown. Simply stated, Advent is the season beginning on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas each year and it focuses on preparing for an appropriate celebration of Jesus’ birth. By association, it is also a time for followers of Jesus to remember His promised return. That’s really all there is to it. It’s nothing magical… just a time to reflect, remember and prepare.

In many traditions Advent is celebrated using a wreath of candles that are lit one per week with each one having its own theme. Once again we will incorporate the lighting of candles into our Advent worship at BVBC, though this year in a different way than in years past. Our Advent worship at BVBC this year will center on the themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Every Sunday, beginning November 27, our corporate worship services will introduce the theme for the week in sermon and in song.

For those choosing to use this devotional guide in their private times of worship, each of these themes will be explored for the remainder of that week through the various writings and reflections contained herein. These essays are a gift to you from your church staff-- the pastors, ministers, directors and assistants. They are based around various scripture passages that highlight the theme for each week and they are intended to be both broad in scope and personal in nature.

It is our prayer that your personal worship will be enhanced throughout the 28 days of the season and that you will have a more meaningful Christmas celebration because you have taken time to prepare.

Sincerely,
John Hollan
Pastor of Worship

Contributing writers to this project include the following BVBC staff members:

Melissa Campbell, Administrative Assistant, Discipleship Office
Pathomphorn Chaosan, Middle School Ministry Associate
John-Wesley Crockett, Minister to Children
Sonya Ferguson, Administrative Assistant, Senior Pastor’s Office
John Hollan, Pastor of Worship
Jayme Lock, Director of Preschool Ministries
Jonathan Lock, High School Ministry Associate
Derrick Lynch, Senior Pastor
David Neely, Pastor of Administration and Outreach
Darrin Ray, Pastor of Discipleship
Karen Rullman, Administrative Assistant, Administration Office
Janae Shepherd, Worship Ministry Associate

Special thanks to Paige Szajnuk for editorial assistance.

The essays in this devotional series are the property of Blue Valley Baptist Church of Overland Park, Kansas, Copyright© 2011 BVBC.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the
English Standard Version of the Bible.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
All rights reserved.
ESV Text Edition: 2007