Advent Devotionals – 12.27.2021 to 12.31.2021
December 27th
Greg Graham
1 Chronicles 22:19 – Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.
Without giving away our ages, I’ll tell you that my wife and I are big fans of Pat Benatar. We’ve enjoyed seeing her, and her husband Neil Giraldo, in concert several times. Every time we’ve seen them live, the show is always the same – the songs, the set list and the playful banter in between. And we love it.
The couple admits to having a “Holy 13” – thirteen of their most popular hits that their fans insist must be played at every concert. If they neglect to include one of the “13,” they face the consequences on social media the following day. Though you might call it predictable, Pat and Neil admit it ensures great loyalty from their fanbase. And it makes for an easy gig.
Advent at Blue Grass is very similar. There exists a list of favorite Christmas hymns that we must include throughout the season. Subtle variation is allowed, but excluding any of them is not an option. Trust me. (Insert smiley-faced emoji HERE)
But while the “set list” rarely changes throughout the Advent season, the place where we sing these beloved songs has changed a bit in the twenty-plus years I’ve served Blue Grass.
First, we were in the chapel. What a wonderfully warm and inviting space. But then there was the Christmas Eve when Doug and I noticed a young family – whom we’d never met – enter the back of the chapel only to realize there was no room for their family. They turned and left.
The very next year, we began having Christmas Eve services in the gym. While it lacked the warmth of the chapel (literally and figuratively), it provided significantly more room for us to welcome those hoping to celebrate Jesus’ birth. You see, welcoming those who seek Christ has always been at the core of who we are.
For eight years now, we’ve celebrated at our Main Campus Worship Center. This beautiful space allows us to welcome more and more people while hopefully retaining the tradition that people long for during this time of year. But beyond the songs, the decorations and the singing of Silent Night while we light our candles, our greatest tradition at Blue Grass is what sets us apart from Pat and Neil.
We aren’t looking for fans. We’re here to provide a welcoming spirit for those seeking Christ. During Advent, and the rest of the year, I trust that will never change.
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December 28th
Mick and Laura Dwyer
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
In day-to-day life, it is all too easy for me to get upset and angry at others over small acts of inconsideration, for example, getting cut off while driving or a coworker ignoring an email or phone message when I urgently need an answer.
In these times, recalling this Scripture helps me remember to extend grace to others, and also have the humility to acknowledge my own shortcomings and mistakes.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me today to be kind, gentle and considerate to others, and most importantly, to love them. Help me to have self-control and not act impulsively when I get frustrated. Above all, help me to keep a humble heart.
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December 29th
Ruthie Peters
Scripture:
We will not hide them for their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:4
As a mom and grandma, this verse has always been one that touched my heart. Not all of our children, grands or greats live near us and know what a difference Jesus makes in our life. They all don’t have a church to guide them. So several years ago I started including a 365 day devotional in their Christmas gifts. We call it our Family Devotional. I set up a text group and encourage them by sending quotes some days or letting them know how some days really touch me. And then I pray that the scriptures and Holy Spirit will touch them and make them all want to know Jesus as their Savior.
I know some are reading it by comments they make. They all know God and faith are a priority in our lives. And this Psalm 78:4 tells me it my priority to tell the children. One granddaughter reads it and discusses it with me often. One day she called crying and said, I get it, “God loves even me!….he will never leave me nor forsake me!” We were both crying by then. I know I have reached one!! And now Jesus is making a difference in her life, they have started attending a church and are telling their little girl about Jesus. Praise God!! So go tell the next generation how important Jesus is to you!!
This is my prayer: Heavenly Father, you know the desire of my heart to share Jesus with our family and to know they are all saved. Send the Holy Spirit to move each one to choose Jesus. I know they are your children and you want each one to know they have eternal value and can have an eternal home with you. I pray our home and theirs would be places rich in love and bountiful in moral and spiritual teaching. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus! Amen
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December 30th
Anonymous
How Jesus makes a Difference in my Life
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.
Just a few days before my 14th birthday on a hot summer day, my father went to work and never came home. My 44 year old dad was killed in an explosion at work. My mother, my sister, my brother and I were devastated. How could this be? We were in total shock. He was such a kind, godly husband, father, and friend. How were we to go forward without his presence in our lives?
We were overwhelmed with sorrow. Finances were difficult. We also knew our Mom was trying hard, but exhausted. Mom got a permanent substitute teaching job. She went to work early each morning. Two nights a week she drove an hour and a half one way to Ball State University to renew her teaching license and to get her masters.
As the holidays approached, we did not know how we could possibly celebrate Christmas. The one gift we wanted we knew we would not receive. We debated about going to Christmas Eve services and decided it was important for us to celebrate Christ’s birth. We had much to be thankful for despite our sadness.
During the service, our pastor shared that a man had come to him and asked what he needed to do to accept Christ. Our pastor explained and he accepted Christ. This gentleman said he worked with a man who quietly, but meaningfully shared his faith. He wanted to have this same kind of faith. It was a sweet story. Later our pastor told us that the man who shared his faith was our dad. This gentleman wanted to know Jesus. This warmed our hearts. It was a reminder that God’s plans are not always our plans, but God can bring great good out of difficult times. Our father had led someone to faith in Jesus Christ.
It is also a message that even in the darkest moments, Jesus is with us. Jesus is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we will one day see loved ones again. God will provide and we are never alone or forgotten.
As the years have gone by, I can see that I am a better person for knowing sorrow. I thank God for his protection, his Word and the gift of his son, Jesus Christ, my savior.
“Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King”
Dear God,
Help us to see your love even during difficult times. Teach us to see what is important about Christmas. It isn’t the packages under the tree; it is the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. Remind us to share the message of Christ’s birth and God’s love to everyone we meet.
In your Holy Name,
Amen
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December 31st
Phil and Melody Plisky
Scripture: John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Jesus’s purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life. What does richness look like? Just monetary wealth? Satisfying because we have many possessions? We think a rich and satisfying life means abundance in relationships. How do we have abundance in relationships? It may be a bit counterintuitive. It is by giving in a relationship.
We once heard that you can determine a high-quality relationship when each person believes that the other person gives way more than they get. And when you love someone you serve them. Love is an action. We are taught by the world to look out for ourselves and seek happiness. But in reality, joy is only found in giving to others. Pursuit of otherworldly, self-serving happiness is temporary and shallow. Leaving us with an empty feeling.
Jesus is the ultimate example of selfless giving in relationships. He ultimately gave the greatest sacrifice: giving up His position as God and becoming a servant. Ultimately giving His life on a cross. Let us continue this traditional season of giving well into and through the new year by committing to give in our relationships and enjoy Christ’s abundant blessings that follow.
Prayer: Jesus please help us try to out-give in all of our relationships. Particularly the relationships in which we feel that we have been hurt. Let us be servants in all we do. We can only do this with Your help. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.