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 […]
December 15, 2020 | Matthew 13:44–46 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A French family found an unexpected treasure in 2018. It was a vase, kept in a shoebox and stashed in their attic because they didn’t like it much. When examined by experts, the vase turned out to be from the 18th century Qing dynasty in […]
December 14, 2020 | Psalm 42 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Though the funeral of Charles Dickens was private, the grand doors of Westminster Abbey opened afterward, allowing thousands to pay their respects to the famed novelist. People placed flowers into the grave, along with written tributes on scraps of paper or cloth. Because of his […]
December 13, 2020 | John 3:22–31 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Your church may celebrate the season using a traditional Advent wreath embedded with five candles. The wreath is often made of evergreens, which symbolize eternal life. Four of the candles are arranged in a circle, one lit for each Sunday of Advent. The fifth in […]