December 26, 2020 | Matthew 2:1–12 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue What about this star that made it so special? The star of Bethlehem was special because it led the magi to Mary and Joseph and Jesus. Bible scholar Colin R. Nicholl researched astronomy to make his case that this star was actually a comet. His […]
December 24, 2020 | Luke 2:17 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue On Christmas Eve, 2019, a special baby arrived at the Potter Park Zoo in Michigan. A male black rhino calf was delivered safely, which is significant because only 5,000 of these critically endangered animals remain in the wild in Africa. While we may get excited […]
December 23, 2020 | Matthew 1:18–25 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is a beloved Christmas carol, saturated with longing for God’s promised Messiah. We celebrate not only His coming as a baby at Christmas, which lies in the past, but also His Second Coming in glory, which lies in our future. […]
December 22, 2020 | Luke 1:26–38 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When the angels appeared, delivering an important announcement, they were fulfilling a Messianic prophecy: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” (Isa. 7:14). As the […]
December 21, 2020 | Romans 5:1–8 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When we say it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, we may be referring to the changes taking place in our home. Scattered family members often return. A tree is decked with ornaments. Cookies are baked and stockings hung. Holiday movies are watched, over […]
December 20, 2020 | Luke 1:67–79 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The dedication of a baby is a special event. On that important day, the parents and infant dress for the occasion, standing in front of the congregation while the pastor officiates. Church practices may differ, but they have a similar intent—that these little ones will […]
December 19, 2020 | Isaiah 9:2–7 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Right now, how many wars do you think are happening around the globe? The United Nations has three criteria for a conflict to be called a war: First, it must involve armed struggle by at least one province against another. Second, it must be formally […]
December 18, 2020 | Philippians 4:4–9 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The very first Christmas card was designed and printed in 1843 in England. Two outer panels showed people caring for the poor, while an inner center panel pictured a family enjoying Christmas dinner. Though their popularity is decreasing among younger generations today, as recently as […]
December 17, 2020 | 1 Peter 1:3–9 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A popular contemporary Christmas song by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend declares: “Joy has dawned upon the world, Promised from creation: God’s salvation now unfurled, Hope for every nation. Not with fanfares from above, Not with scenes of glory, But a humble gift of […]
December 16, 2020 | 1 Corinthians 15:12–23 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we must not forget the joy of the Resurrection (Matt. 28:1–10; Luke 24:36–53). What an incredible example of tremendous grief turned to overwhelming joy! After Jesus was executed, His followers were mourning and afraid. Would the authorities […]