Advent Devotional 2021
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One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
Luke 3:21-22 (NLT)
Luke 3:21-22 (NLT)
At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Mary’s son, Jesus. In Luke Chapter 3, we see the beginning of His ministry, the first steps toward the fulfillment of the promise of that birth.
John the Baptist makes it clear that the Messiah is at hand, but John is not the Messiah. He says, “someone is coming who is greater than I am . . . I’m not even worthy . . . to untie the straps of his sandals.” At Jesus’ baptism by John, God Himself declares from heaven, “You are my dearly beloved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Jesus is Messiah, “the salvation sent from God.”
But John didn’t preach to bring comfort and assurance. He asks his followers to “prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
Let’s remember this Christmas that the Messiah came to help us live His way, following Him.
Duane H.
John the Baptist makes it clear that the Messiah is at hand, but John is not the Messiah. He says, “someone is coming who is greater than I am . . . I’m not even worthy . . . to untie the straps of his sandals.” At Jesus’ baptism by John, God Himself declares from heaven, “You are my dearly beloved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Jesus is Messiah, “the salvation sent from God.”
But John didn’t preach to bring comfort and assurance. He asks his followers to “prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
Let’s remember this Christmas that the Messiah came to help us live His way, following Him.
Duane H.
Prayer focus: Strength to daily follow Jesus
Community prayer focus: Grief support groups in our community
Community prayer focus: Grief support groups in our community
Coping with Loss during the Holidays
While few of us “want” to deal with grief during the Christmas season, it’s just a reality for many of us. But, it helps tremendously to acknowledge it, accept that it’s going to happen, and then intentionally prepare to deal with it in advance.
For me, being intentional about it and preparing for it to hit really helped.
I set up a few extra appointments with my Christian counselor, I talked with trusted friends, and I started a few new Christmas traditions to help me not focus too much on those that had been lost. I also took a very intentional approach to strengthen my spiritual life, as I was tempted to “do more for Jesus,” instead of being with Jesus. I added a specific prayer time to each day and a new Bible reading to help me focus on Jesus. I daily spent more time with God and in His Word, and was able to find peace even in the midst of pain.
Brian Ralston
While few of us “want” to deal with grief during the Christmas season, it’s just a reality for many of us. But, it helps tremendously to acknowledge it, accept that it’s going to happen, and then intentionally prepare to deal with it in advance.
For me, being intentional about it and preparing for it to hit really helped.
I set up a few extra appointments with my Christian counselor, I talked with trusted friends, and I started a few new Christmas traditions to help me not focus too much on those that had been lost. I also took a very intentional approach to strengthen my spiritual life, as I was tempted to “do more for Jesus,” instead of being with Jesus. I added a specific prayer time to each day and a new Bible reading to help me focus on Jesus. I daily spent more time with God and in His Word, and was able to find peace even in the midst of pain.
Brian Ralston
