Christmas Day

Read John 1:1-14

The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14, The Message)

Will you let Jesus dwell with you this year?

Merry Christmas! 

Day Twenty-Four: Christmas Eve

When Jesus was born, three participants reacted differently:

Zachariah was speechless, 

                Joseph had to be convinced,

                            Mary accepted God’s will. 

How do you think you would have reacted? 

Day Twenty-Three: December 23

Read Luke 2:1-20

If you could be any character in a Nativity play, who would you be?

Why? 

Day Twenty-Two: December 22

Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said”

(Luke 1:38)

What is a servant?

What does it mean to be the Lord’s servant? 

Day Twenty-One: December 21

The Bible says that God is worthy of our praise.

What do you praise God for in your life? 

Day Twenty: December 20

Mary and Joseph must have been surprised at how God worked in their lives.

Share about a time when God worked in your life. 

Day Nineteen: December 19

When Jesus was born “light” came into the world! 

Light allows us to see things that are not visible in the dark.

What is something that the light of God, Jesus, can show us? 

Day Eighteen: December 18

The Bible says that Jesus is “the Prince of Peace”

What does peace mean?

Does Jesus bring peace to your life? 

Day Seventeen: December 17

In “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Linus has his blanket. 

When he recites, “Fear not: behold I bring...you great joy” he releases it.

Why do you think he can let it go?

Share a time when you trusted God.

Day Sixteen: December 16

If you could begin a new Christmas tradition for your family, what would it be? 

Day Fifteen: December 15

John the Baptist came before Jesus to ask us to make a “straight path” for the Lord. (Isaiah 40:3)

What does it mean to make a “straight path” for the Lord? 

Day Fourteen: December 14

God is at work all around us. 

It is up to us to see God working.

Where do we think God is working in our community?

How can we work with God there? 

Day Thirteen: December 13

When Martin Luther began to decorate trees inside his home for Christmas he used candles to remind him that Jesus is the light of the world.

What reminds you of Jesus during Christmas? 

Day Twelve: December 12

Isaiah 60:1 reads, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” 

God wants us to be AWAKE for the coming of Jesus.

What are some ways we can SHINE for God this season? 

Day Eleven: December 11

God delights in us and rejoices over us! 

How wonderful! 

Share something with each other that you think makes God delighted.

Day Ten: December 10

Share a time when God answered a prayer of yours.

Does God answer all prayers?

Does God always answer prayers the way we think God will? Why? 

Day Nine: December 9

God used humble Bethlehem to save the world from darkness.

What are some smallish things in our lives that show us that God loves us in a big way? 

Day Eight: December 8

What is the best gift you have ever GIVEN?

Why was it the best?

What is the best gift you have ever RECEIVED? 

Day Seven: December 7

Advent is about preparing for Jesus to come into our lives anew.

How do we prepare for special company?

Is it important to prepare for Jesus too? Why? 

Day Six: December 6

John the Baptist’s dad, Zachariah, didn’t believe that God would bless him with a son. 

But God did!

When have you had a hard time believing?

Day Five: December 5

As we prepare for the birth of Christ this advent, we are also working on finding Christ in this Christ-mas.  

Where do you think you will find Christ? (ie: Grandma’s, church, food court, etc)

Day Four: December 4

“Joy to the world the Lord has come!” 

How is joy different from happiness?  

Do material gifts bring happiness or joy? 

Which lasts longer? 

Day Three: December 3

The three wise visitors brought what they could to Jesus. 

What is something you have or you are able to do that you can give to Jesus this year?

Day Two: December 2

After Jesus was born, three wise visitors worked hard to find the baby. 

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him and brought Him gifts. 

What gifts did the three wise visitors bring?

Day One: December 1

The Israelites had waited long for Christ to come. 

It must have been hard to stay faithful to the promise of God. 

What are some things we have a hard time waiting for? 

Advent 2013: Seeing Christmas Anew

Sunday, December 1 marks the beginning of a new Christian year with Advent, the season of expectant waiting for the arrival of Christ.

Advent is the anglicized translation of adventus which means “coming.” The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us is not a reality we grasp through slogans or maxims.  Approaching such mystery requires reflection and consideration, “What is God doing here?”

Our theme this Advent is Seeing Christmas Anew.  For 25 days beginning December 1, you are invited to reflect on God’s Advent through the eyes of a wise man, an expectant mother, a first time dad, a business owner, and a moonlight rancher.

What might we “see” as we peer through their eyes upon Christ’s coming?

Each Sunday morning, we will look through their eyes and hear their perspective in worship.  Throughout the week, daily devotional “prompts” will be available here.  We pray you and your household will ponder together how it looks for Christ to arrive anew in you.

Use the box on the right to subscribe by e-mail if you'd like the daily devotions delivered to your inbox each day. If you subscribed for the August Adventure, you will need to do so again to receive the advent devotions.

Day Thirty-One

READ:  Acts 28:11-30

The closing episode of Paul’s adventure includes rich reports of overt hospitality by Jesus-followers as well as a final glimpse of Paul’s incarnational presence.  v14-15

After explaining the kingdom of God from breakfast through dinner, amid both cheers and hissing of his community neighbors, Paul makes a “final” statement about the world around him:

            This people’s heart has grown dull

            Their ears are hard of hearing…

            They have shut their eyes….

Paul concludes with bold insistence:

            The salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles;

            they will listen                                                        Acts 28:28

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As chosen carriers of God’s good news and adventurous couriers of God’s salvific gift, to whom are we next supposed to deliver it?

Invitation:

Describe the ministry of Chestnut Grove in 10 years:

Who are we newly rejuvenated?

How are we discipling people to maturity?

How are we liberating the world?

Day Thirty

READ:  Acts 28:1-10

Paul’s drifting ship crashed upon the shore of the island Malta.  Natives offered warm hospitality. The snake offered a venomous strike. 

Paul’s life was characterized by such dichotomy.

Yet in the ups and downs, he lived as Jesus taught.  Paul visits a sick man, prays for him, and extends a healing touch.  v7-8  This basic gesture inspired “strangers” to become friends. 

An entire village responded to God. 

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What basic act of love will you extend to someone today?

What basic gestures of love might Chestnut Grovians extend to the “strangers” among us?  

 

Invitation:

What sickness, strangeness, or stuckness should we consider beyond God’s desire to “heal?  List the biggest obstacle facing our city.

Day Twenty-Nine

READ:  Acts 27

 After years of trials, floggings, and prison, Paul’s adventure bends toward its final earthly destination: Rome.  A “fair” hearing could reasonably be expected.  Paul was more interested in sharing than fairness. 

Prime sailing season had passed.  Paul’s transport ship was battered by storms, adrift, and lost at sea.  During an acute 14-day tribulation, the sun and stars shone not.  Their orientation and direction were unknowable!

Desperate circumstances led 276 passengers to desperate measures. They lightened the ship’s load, cutting loose anchors and life boats.  With neither anchor nor an escape route, God showed Paul all would end well enough. 

As the crew tossed the last food overboard, Paul led a simple prayer of thanksgiving. 

Next morning, the sun rose over land.

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Does God owe you a fair journey?  Y/N

When crises invade your journey, do you pray?  Y/N 

(If yes, see Romans 8:28 for Paul’s commentary)

My crisis prayers involve words of:

¨  Appeal

¨  Anger

¨  Adoration

¨  Complaint

¨  Frustration

¨  Questioning

¨  Bewilderment

¨  Thanksgiving

In a world of seemingly ceaseless global crises and uncertainty, how should Jesus-followers anchor our prayers?   v35   

Invitation:

Imagine that you get to “keep” only the features of your life for which you thank God today.    Pray thus.