INTRODUCTION Group leader reads aloud these opening words from Stasi: I love to celebrate. I love birthday parties and baby showers, holidays and homecomings. But I especially love Christmas. Except when I don’t. At the beginning of too many holiday seasons, I can become overwhelmed by what is “required” of me. That is, I did,…
The Incarnation Continues
[My] labor pains for you… will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. — Galatians 4:19 NLT And so you’ve celebrated Christmas, the coming of Jesus to this world. And what a thing to celebrate! The entire pageant comes down to this: Jesus took on a genuine humanity. And of course, this…
Making the Most of Christmas
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. — Luke 2:20 How can you make the most of Christmas? For some it is all about decorating the house or tree, getting that special gift, seeing relatives, or getting invited to…
Believing in Hope
Editor’s Note: It’s Sit & Listen Saturday at Devotionals Daily. Enjoy reading as well as listening to this devotion from Streams in the Desert by L. B. E. Cowman. Listen on the blog below or on your Alexa device by enabling the skill and then prompting, “Alexa, ask devotionals to read today’s devotion.” Whatever you…
Children and Presents – We Can Count These as Blessings, Too!
Christmas gift-giving is really hard for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love presents. I love thinking about presents, buying presents, wrapping presents, and watching my kids open their presents. The joy on my kids’ faces is palpable on Christmas morning, and I love making them happy almost more than anything in the world. I…
The Holiday of the Mind
And [Jesus] said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. — Mark 6:31 *** When was the last time you walked outside as the sun was setting and just meditated on…
Through the Gates of Praise
One of the first things our son, Christian, did when he started college was to find a church he could call home. That made this mom’s heart very happy. A couple of weeks before Christmas, he asked Barry and me to join him for the Sunday service that featured the children’s nativity play. It was…
God Guides the Wise
Editor’s note: It’s another Sit & Listen Saturday with Devotionals Daily. We hope you enjoy reading as well as listening to this version of today’s devotion from Max Lucado on our blog, excerpted from his book Because of Bethlehem. You can also listen on your Alexa device by prompting, “Alexa, ask Devotionals to read today’s…
Hold On!
Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. — James 5:7-8 As Christmas Day approaches, you can…
Four Ways Families Can Keep Christ In Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the Christmas season is here! Everywhere we turn, the sights, sounds, and wonders of Christmas surround us ready to captivate our family’s hearts. Have you noticed as you drive around town how your children’s eyes fill with wonder as they gaze at the spectacularly lit…