Advent

From Janet Denison - One of the best explanations of the Advent I have read this Christmas.

Tuesday, December 17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning
John 1:1-2

Most of us think of Christmas as a celebration of the day Christ was born. While that is true, it is not the complete truth. The word advent means "coming" or "arrival." You might have family scheduled to arrive for the Christmas holiday. You know your loved ones exist, but they aren't present with you - as a seeable, touchable reality. Soon, they will arrive and you will see them, face to face.

According to the Apostle John, Jesus didn't begin his existence on Christmas Day - that day marks his arrival in human form to dwell on earth. Christmas morning as Mary held her son, she held her Creator as well.

The "Word" is Jesus. The Word, or Logos, means the revealer and interpreter of the hidden person of God. Just as an idea is expressed and made known through words, God is expressed and knowable through Jesus. Jesus had always been with God and he had always been God. Christmas Day is when God made himself visible to the world. And God wanted us to know him, as a tiny, newborn infant.

The God of the Universe could have presented himself to the world any way he chose. He chose to become a baby, born to a peasant couple in a stable. Jesus is not a "character" of the Christmas story; he authored the Christmas story to reveal his character.

As you experience the Advent season, consider the way God chose to reveal himself to the world. Jesus "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7). The humility of Christmas was God's idea and Jesus was the "Word" God used to communicate that idea with the world. We don't just celebrate the birth of Christ, we celebrate the fact that God stepped into the world with humility, and made himself "knowable."

To read more devotionals this Advent by clicking and downloading the following
http://www.denisonforum.org/books/549-advent-devotional

Merry Christmas - Keith

O Come All Ye Faithful

As we continue to walk through December together in worship I wanted to focus on this week’s song “O Come All Ye Faithful”.  This song was was written in 1743, originally written in Latin by John Francis Wade, a Roman Catholic layman.  To support himself during the difficult times, Wade would hand copy musical scores, which became a true art form during this time period.  While working, he penned the words to this traditional Christmas Carol we sing today, “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord”

To adore. What does that mean?  The best picture I can think of is when I held my first child, McKinley, for the very first time.  Tears filled my eyes as I held her, rocked her and spoke ever so gently to her.  I simply adored her.  She captured my heart and all I wanted to do was look into her eyes and tell her how much I loved her.

Matthew 2:11 says this, “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.”

The wise men traveled from all over the area to see the Christ child; to fall on their knees and worship him - to adore Christ the Lord.  Even today, wise men still seek Christ.

Will you seek Christ this Christmas?  Will you adore Christ the Lord and gaze into his eyes and worship Him as Savior and Lord?  That is my prayer for you today as you hear my voice.  Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas

Watch video below:
http://vimeo.com/81780454

Adore Him

Merry Christmas everyone.  

It is my favorite time of the year!  As a music guy, the lights and the sounds of Christmas resound EVERYWHERE!  The radio stations are laced with Christmas Carols and songs of the season, as well as watching our favorite Christmas shows on TV, like the classic “Elf” or It’s a Wonderful Life”.  There is nothing like grabbing a bowl of hot tortilla soup, or a nice tall cup of hot chocolate.  The Christmas Tree is set up and the decorations adorn our homes.  And what about the gifts and presents, the shopping and the lines in the malls.  It is a picture of absolute controlled chaos, right?  What are you going to get the kids this year for Christmas?  Where are you traveling over the break?  What parties are you going to attend?

Are you tired already...and it is just the first week of December?

So here is my encouragement to you today - Stop, pause and take a big breath.  As crazy, fun, exciting, draining and stressful this season can be, let me remind us all that Christmas is truly not about one single thing I have mentioned so far.  I strongly believe that the stuff surrounding Christmas can become more of a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas.  So pause and remember the true meaning of Christmas as you enter this month of December.  

What is the True meaning of Christmas?  Look in the word - CHRIST

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

This weekend in worship we are singing “Adore Him”, a song that captures the heart of the Christ in Christmas.  As you pause and take a breath today, I invite you to worship Christ and adore Him as Christ the Lord.  See you this weekend in worship.  

Merry Christmas

Watch and listen to this amazing song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUCD-GXObac