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Another Year End: Saying Goodbye to 2021
Merry Christmas! Yes, it is still Christmas–until January 5th. How easy it is for us to forget the reason for the season and get back into routines. This year, I challenge you to resist! Take these 12 days and spend them with Jesus. I challenge you to use this time to reflect on 2021 in a new way. Often we come to the end of the year and look at the past year with a critical eye, seeking to find the unmet goals and challenges we failed to meet. Don’t get me wrong, as Christians, we need to always be lifting our lives up to God and asking for guidance…
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The Christ Candle: The Lord Has Come, Amazing Love.
Throughout this Advent season, as we waited in expectation, we have reflected on the reason for the season–the coming of Christ the King. Love, joy, and peace have been our focus. The true reason for the season I awoke early this morning, much earlier than usual–try 4 am! It is Christmas Eve. Unlike a young child waking full of anticipation and excitement for days filled with goodies, presents, and play, I awoke with a slew of uncertainties and worries in my heart. Our three adult children would be coming home, how would their significant others feel welcomed in our home? One of our children is struggling with a multitude of…
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Advent: Peace
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:14 The verse says we should praise God and give him the glory and we shall receive peace on earth. As we go about our day-to-day lives may we feel the calm and peace that God gives us. As we go about our business we need to stop and take the time to give ourselves some peace and spend some time with the Lord and our families. When we take a moment to stop and rest we feel rejuvenated and ready for the next tasks that we have to accomplish. God will…
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Advent: Joy
This time of year we are surrounded by many Christmas carols that have joy in the titles, verses, and more. One of my favorites is Joy to the World. This heartwarming song truly brings a smile to your face and heart. There is joy here on earth and in heaven that the Lord has come. Matthew 2:10-11 reads “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” During Advent season it is such a great…
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Advent: Love
Love, love, love…this word is associated most often with Valentine’s day holiday with chocolates and flowers. When looking at Advent it can be one of the most important ones to look at. John 3:16 is such a familiar verse that everyone knows. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We see this at sporting events, throughout our text in churches and more. Do you reflect on the amount of love that flows from this verse? God had so much love that he sent his son for us. Think about that? Would you have…
