Christmas is a week away. I don’t want to add to your stress but help you be still and know He is God, taking ten minutes at the start of each day to experience the Prince of Peace.
Our own Lydia said:
If I don’t set aside a time for reflection, I get lost in the Christmas shuffle. The Lord gently reminds me to be still and know that He is God…Peace fills the atmosphere…. Even in my business, with preparations and practice for the Christmas cantata, special meals with family and friends, I have been sensing little God nudges “I Am here, talk to Me…remember Who you are celebrating”!
And from our own Patti:
The closer it gets to Christmas, the more I try to take quiet time (even in the middle of the night) to reflect on the Savior’s birth; the true meaning of this time.
So let’s meet here for a few minutes each day, and be still, meditating on His Word and songs inspired by His Beloved children.
God Hunt Sunday:
1. How has God met you in the stress or joys of life in this last week?
Monday: Hold Me, Jesus!
I was so moved by Susan’s post, who was feeling particularly down last week with Covid and feeling she’s failed as a mother to her daughter. Matt’s sermon on Everlasting Father made her weep. (And her husband was listening intently — so keep praying for him!) Here is what she said:
God worked through his sermon. It made me cry. In the face of my sin, the Everlasting Father lays down His life and accepts humiliation. He knows my sin and rebellion is misplaced desire. When the bottom of my life falls out, He wants me to remember than He never forsook me or stopped loving me. What if my brokenness is not meant to crush me but to call me home? What does God feel toward me when He sees my sin, the mess I’ve made as I’ve tried to rule my own life? Compassion. What am I met with when I return home? Forgiveness. Why did Jesus live, die, and rise? Because my Father wanted me to have a way home. The Everlasting Father loves His children. If I know and believe this, I will stop running and exhausting myself. We can come to Jesus as King of Kings, but never let Him manifest the Everlasting Father to us.
I’m a huge Rich Mullens fan — and his words before he sings this anointed song are one of the reasons I am. How I pray it ministers to you as you begin this week. Also really meditate on the words to the song.
2. Comment on his thoughts expressed before he sang or the song.
3. Meditate on Psalm 46 and share anything that becomes radioactive.
Tuesday: I Heard The Bells
Sorrow doesn’t stop at Christmas. There’s a new movie out about Longfellow’s heart-aching motive for writing this song. (Has anyone seen it?) This week brought hard news as my dear friend Ann’s cancer has spread. Yet we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
4. How can you use the truth of this song to speak to your soul in whatever hard things you are facing or that our world is facing?
5. Meditate on Philippians 4:6-7 and then use it as a springboard for prayer.
Wednesday: Emmanuel
6. Listen to the above and then meditate on Matthew 1:18-25
A. Does anything stand out to you from this passage — if so — what?
B. Several of you mentioned Joseph when I asked you last week to name a good father in Scripture. How do you think the name “Emmanuel” calmed him down in his hard circumstances?
C. How can this name give you peace in what you face today?
Thursday: O Come O Come Emmanuel
7. What names of Jesus in O Come O Come Emmanuel particularly comfort you? Why?
Friday: Unto Us A Child Is Born
A particularly quiet man in our church spoke up as we were studying Isaiah 9:6 and we all listened. He said: “Isaiah told us how it was going to all come down with His first coming, and it did. And he’s told us how it will come with His second coming, and it will.
8. Meditate on Isaiah 9:6-7 (and Let Handel’s music fill your heart)
A. What did Isaiah prophesy about the first coming of Jesus that indeed “came down?”
B. What did he prophesy about the second coming?
C. Use this as a springboard for prayer.
Christmas Eve: It Was Not A Silent Night
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
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Thank-you Dee, Patti and Bev!❤️
Friday
8. Meditate on Isaiah 9:6-7 (and Let Handel’s music fill your heart)
A. What did Isaiah prophesy about the first coming of Jesus that indeed “came down?”
He was a child born to us, a son given to us and these are His attributes… Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
B. What did he prophesy about the second coming?
His government and its peace will never end. He’ll rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. As the Hallelujah chorus of Handel’s Messiah says, “And He shall reign forever and ever.”
C. Use this as a springboard for prayer.
I praise You Lord for sending Your only Son, born in a lowly manger, the gift of love, sent to die for our sins and if we believe in Him we will have everlasting life. I look forward to the day when He returns to establish His rulership with fairness and justice forever and ever. What a blessed hope.
8. Meditate on Isaiah 9:6-7 (and Let Handel’s music fill your heart) “Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” I can hardly wait! Come Lord Jesus!
A. What did Isaiah prophesy about the first coming of Jesus that indeed “came down?” That He would be born and given for us.
B. What did he prophesy about the second coming? Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
C. Use this as a springboard for prayer. Precious Savior, I am so thankful that You came and took my place on the cross and broke the curse of sin and death once and for all. You are my Prince of Peace, calming every anxious thought I have, I turn every fear and worry over to you. Help me to be winsome and kind, let me represent You to those I meet. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Lydia, I agree with your wonderful prayer! Especially, “Help me to be winsome and kind, let me represent You to those I meet.” ❤️ Amen!!!
Amen Sharon! Lord Jesus help us to be the winsomness of Christ to our world!🙏❤️🙏
Lydia — my heart has always been evangelistic, and just this morning, after listening to a message from The Gospel Coalition from Glen Scrivener about how effective evangelists aim for the heart, I was thinking of writing a book called Winsome Will & Winnie — giving examples of aiming for the heart. I love the word winsome — and then I saw it in your prayer. May we all be winsome ambassadors this Christmas. Excited about a video I will show you all tomorrow that you might show your families. Winsome!
Thank-you Dee, for all your “winsome” ways! I have seen this charactor in your Bible Study videos. May we all strive to have the “fragrance of Christ” eminate from us to others.🙏❤️🙏
Oh, I love the winsome ways and the fragrance of Christ. Amen! Love these prayer thoughts, Lydia, Sharon and Dee!! I had to look up the word winsome…what a lovely word! Makes me smile.
Thank you, Lydia — that encouraged me!
Lydia, I love the word “winsome”, too! We sure want that in us as we spread the love of Christ!
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
I thought it was a pretty song overall. The part that stood out was the blood on the ground and the moonlight shining on Josephs face. I wonder if Jesus was really born at night? The nativity is always so warm and Holy looking, but, this gives the picture of how raw it might have been. No candles lighting the room. It’s a realistic picture of what might have been, that night.
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
I’m not sure what the phrase actually means? Is it to be humble? To release or let go?
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
These verses suggest I should be humble and caregiving to others this week. I think this happens at Christmas, naturally. I need to try to expand it to other times in the year as well. It should be part of who we always are, as Christians. When we see a need, step up more readily to fill that need.
Merry Christmas everyone! ♥️
Laura: Philippians 2:3 defines emptied. You did that with Sarah.
So funny, I have that verse highlighted in my Bible.
Christmas Eve: It Was Not A Silent Night
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
—I feel like we have a very sanitized version of the birth of Jesus
In our minds. That it was somehow kind of magical and maybe even easy. Because he was God. But this song helps bring us back to the realization it was in fact a very real human experience for Mary and Joseph with the pain and labor of the birth process as much as any normal birth experience. Birth as we know it in the American experience usually involves a doctor and a number of others present to accompany the mother in a hospital or birthing center. To try and make it less painful. So stepping back in time to a different culture and wrapping our minds around the place to try and understand the birth of Jesus makes it harder to relate to.
My first child was born in November so that year at Christmas giving birth was very fresh in my mind. From that time on I had a new appreciation for and understanding of Mary as I thought of her riding on a donkey at the end of her pregnancy and the element of rush and unknown to find a place to set up and give birth. The conditions were as simple and earthy as they could get with Mary accomplishing an amazing labor of love with only noble Joseph at her side but the emotions had to be strong and palpable as they are for any couple who experience giving birth together. This song brings it alive with the realities of birth.
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
—I so appreciated the post by Bing. It challenges me as I consider the interactions I will have with close family in the next couple of days to hold back my opinions and be a listener to them and hear their needs.
Verse 3 says it well. “…..but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3
Bev, I smiled at this but oh, isn’t it the truth? ” I feel like we have a very sanitized version of the birth of Jesus in our minds.”
Read this from Bev!
—I feel like we have a very sanitized version of the birth of Jesus
In our minds. That it was somehow kind of magical and maybe even easy. Because he was God. But this song helps bring us back to the realization it was in fact a very real human experience for Mary and Joseph with the pain and labor of the birth process as much as any normal birth experience. Birth as we know it in the American experience usually involves a doctor and a number of others present to accompany the mother in a hospital or birthing center. To try and make it less painful. So stepping back in time to a different culture and wrapping our minds around the place to try and understand the birth of Jesus makes it harder to relate to.
My first child was born in November so that year at Christmas giving birth was very fresh in my mind. From that time on I had a new appreciation for and understanding of Mary as I thought of her riding on a donkey at the end of her pregnancy and the element of rush and unknown to find a place to set up and give birth. The conditions were as simple and earthy as they could get with Mary accomplishing an amazing labor of love with only noble Joseph at her side but the emotions had to be strong and palpable as they are for any couple who experience giving birth together. This song brings it alive with the realities of birth.
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why. labor of love That s what my life should be In my interaction with husband, family, friends, people who have a need they want me to meet, my church , my actions should be an act of love
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week. I should represent Humility, gentleness, servanthood to the glory of God the Father
Beautiful thoughts, Judy. Love what Bing wrote, too. Love this:. I should represent Humility, gentleness, servanthood to the glory of God the Father
Saturday
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
These two lines stood out to me, “It was a labor of pain. It was a labor of love.” I think that most mothers here would agree the pain that labor brings is so quickly forgotten when that baby is put into our arms…a labor of love. This reminds me that Mary was human just like us and I’m sure had many of the same struggles we had. I say this because of a book I read several years ago, Left To Tell, written by Immaculee Ilibagiza, who survived the Rwandan genocide back in 1994. After she had lost all of her family, her Catholic upbringing caused her to turn to Mary in prayer and strength and I wanted to scream while reading it, she was just a woman like you and me…turn to Jesus! Please know that I am not putting down the Catholic faith as I have friends who understand the gospel who are Catholics and they also know that Mary was human and do not worship her.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
This was really good from Bing and I just think as I’m with family this evening that they may see the “attitude of Christ” in me. To have an attitude of humility, empty myself of “self” not just looking out for my own interests but the interests of others. I pray for wisdom to know what to say, when or when not to speak, to be kind and loving. May those in my family that don’t know Christ see Him in me and my husband and be drawn to Him.
Merry Christmas Eve to all. 🎄❤️🙏
Oh I know, Sharon. Greg Scharf, a head pastor at Trinity told me he thinks because Catholics hold God in such awe that they feel they cannot come to Him to intercede for them. So they go to Mary. I think it is one reason we must present the full humanity of Jesus as well as His Deity.
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
“The Babe in her womb was the maker of the moon. He was the author of the faith that could make the mountains move.” It was a dark, cold, smelly manger, filled with animals (that part is sweet) and hard, cold, crunchy straw to lay upon and give birth~ not a place for a pregnant mom to stay~ yet she emptied herself, in love, faith, humility and obedience to God. The most profound event in history took place, the birth of the Prince of Peace, not in a palace but in a messy stinky barn….
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
This is such a beautiful truth of a mother emptying herself for her beloved daughter. Thank you, Bing.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
How I pray that I will empty myself daily, at every opportunity, to be more of Christ and less of me.
I have always seen that emptying in you, Patti. I believe you are one of His most luminous lights in this world.
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why.
I am just overwhelmed again by the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of our Christ. “No mother’s hand to hold, cobblestones were cold, Joseph at her side…”
Yet, though “it was a labor of pain Every beat of her beautiful heart was a labor of love.”
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence.
Dee, this study and others that we have done before, have helped me seriously think of emptying oneself just as Jesus did. We see the example of His earthly parents emptying themselves so they can be a part of God’s redemptive plan. The disciples did, too, based on what we know of their lives and deaths. Paul and martyrs throughout history.
At our Christmas Eve service earlier tonight, my husband/pastor read Luke 2 and then gave a short message on 2 Corinthians 8:7-9. “The Lord Jesus became poor so that we may become rich.” He emptied himself of glory so that He can have us, His Beloved. And because we are rich in Him and have received His many gifts, we can gift others too, through serving and loving them.
Thank you, Bing. I smiled to see a picture of you and your husband — he is a big gentle giant and you such a tiny one. Sweet.
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week.
Lord, make me more aware of opportunities to be like Jesus in his humility and service to others this week. And may it be done for your glory.
I found this prayer written by John Wesley and did it touch my heart so much! It is with much trembling that I want to pray this prayer as I cannot do it on my own except through the help of the Spirit.
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
9. Listen to the above and share what stands out to you and why. The image of a 14 year old girl giving birth in a cold, dirty stable with only her husband to help her. That young girl learned so much from her older cousin Elizabeth just a few months earlier…thank God! His plan is so perfect, He is a God of details. To know that you are giving birth to the Creator of the Universe and for Joseph to take in the fact that he will raise the Son of God…what amazing people God chose!
10. There was so much suffering surrounding the birth of Christ: the shame Mary and Joseph faced, the tension of no room at the Inn while she was in labor, the slaughter of the innocents and the escape to Egypt. But most of all was the suffering of Christ Himself who emptied Himself to become one of us. One of my favorite posts this Advent was from Bing who wrote this:
Emptying oneself is so foreign to the world and could be to us as Christians. I just had a conversation with my daughter over the phone, and it was such a temptation to give her a scolding or a lecture over what I perceived as her lack of faith. To empty myself at that moment was to let go of my pride and desire to control, and to really hear her cry for help behind the façade of independence. Thank-you Bing! This insight of yours helped me understand the dynamics of my relationship with my adult daughters. Such Wisdom!
11. Meditate on Philippians 2:5-11 and consider how to apply it as you are with others this week. I need to learn alot from the humility of Christ, He had every right to proclaim His authority, but instead He humbled Himself and obeyed His Father’s will. Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s I was taught loud and proud “I am woman hear me roar”…I can feel that attitude creep in at times when I feel marginalized by my advancing age and the way some people treat us retirees. Lord, teach me Your ways, help me to be still and listen more to You, than feel the need to be listened to. Amen.
Beautiful prayer, Lydia.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a blessed day today. ♥️