New Year New You

The new year is hours away and if you live outside the United States then you may have already celebrated it. If you're like me then you have probably spent the last few days reflecting on the old year and the hope that a new year can bring. The new year is the symbol of promise for the future, but part of that promise is our willingness to commit to a better future. We can do this is a number of ways, but the most common is resolutions. Personally, I don't like resolutions because they generally are happy thoughts that rarely turn into a changed life. This year I thought I would try something different. I asked myself what characteristics or attributes did I want to have next year? I thought about how I would like to continue my pursuit of maturing in my faith and then I thought about what characteristics God would want to see in me. 

I concluded that the characteristics of a mature Christian consisted of a few principles: honor your responsibilities, connect with God, cultivate a grateful heart, talk to God in prayer, remember what you have learned, and meditate on God's word. We need to honor our responsibilities and do our best to complete each task each day, which might include going to work or feeding your family. We need to connect with a God while disconnecting from everything else. Too often it is easy to become preoccupied in the things of this world, especially social media, and forget that we are not of this world. Each day we should connect with God and enter into time with Him through the exploration of  His word. When we enter into God's word it becomes easier to cultivate a grateful heart because we can see how blessed we truly are. Documenting our gratitude provides us with a reminder on days that are harder to feel grateful. In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6). God doesn't want us to be anxious, but to cry out to Him with thankful hearts. God hears our prayers and answers them according to our circumstances. It is in our circumstances that we learn God's greatest lessons and these lessons should be remembered so we don't have to learn them again! Each night we should go to sleep meditating on God's word lest we forget.

The second aspect is characteristics God would want to see in us. The characteristic I chose to focus on is health, after all our bodies are to be our temples. With this verse in mind, I thought about three areas of health that would honor God with our bodies: 1) be active, 2) drink enough water, and 3) eat healthy. Notice that I didn't make specific resolutions, but decided on an overall goal of better health. Each day I make specific decisions that meet these goals without beating myself up if I don't meet larger resolutions. One day I might decide to eat more vegetables rather than limiting my caloric intake, which is honestly a lot harder to accomplish. I combined both better health and the characteristics of a mature Christian into a daily planner page. I intend to use this daily page to document my progress toward a better me this new year. I have included a link to the download in the description below the picture shown.

Christian Planner Page

Happy new year! May you experience all of God's blessings!

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that all who believed in Him would be saved and have everlasting life. John 3:16

This Christmas, let us remember and celebrate God's love for us. It was through His love that we were saved from the darkness. Don't believe me? Let us personalize this truth: For God so loved you that He gave His only son for you, that if you believe in Him, you will be saved and have everlasting life. God did not give His son for a planet, Jesus did not die on a cross for the globe, but for you! You were loved by God before you ever existed. God gave His son for you. Jesus died for you.

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin Mother and Child

Holy infant, so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born

This is what made Jesus' birth so holy, so magical. Until then God had never given His son for mankind. He had done wonderful things for mankind, but not this, a complete sacrifice for an undeserving people. Why did God sacrifice His only son for an undeserving people? Because He loved us and desired a relationship with us, a relationship that would last beyond our lives on earth. If our relationship wasn't going to last beyond our physical lives then there would be no point. But God didn't want His relationship with us to end and gave His son that we might be able to live with Him forever. I say might because it is our decision to make. God doesn't force us to choose, but rather embraces us when we make the choice on our own. The choice is yours. 

Do you have room in your inn for Jesus this Christmas?

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 24: Read John 1:14

Christ Comes to the World

The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw his glory - the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father - and he was full of grace and truth. John 1:14

John 1:14 summarizes the Christmas story. The Word, that is the Word of God, took the shape of a human and made a life among the humans. The Word that became human is Jesus. His disciples saw His glory and they knew that the glory could only belong to the only Son of the Father. The disciples share that Jesus was full of grace and truth. 

Think about this for a moment. God became man, He became flesh and blood, He became mortal. Jesus gave up every divine right He had to the heavenly throne and became human. The Holy Trinity was well aware of the consequences of being human, the sacrifices Jesus would have to make, and the ultimate end result. Just because Jesus would ultimately rise again and return to His throne in heaven doesn't mean that His life and death on earth weren't painful. If He didn't understand pain before, His 33 years on earth would have taught Him that pain hurt and should be avoided, but He still made the decision to be beat, mocked, and crucified anyways. This wasn't a decision He made lightly. How could He? He didn't just know that pain was likely, but he also knew it was inevitable. How many of us can say the same? He knew pain and death were a certainty, but He made the decision to go forward anyways.

It is important to understand that Jesus gave up all His divinity to live as a human that one day we would be able to live a divine life with Him. He was God and yet He became man, He lived among us, and He suffered for us. Yet even in hardship, He was full of grace and truth. Jesus didn't allow His circumstances to subtract from His glorious nature. How many of us can say the same? Jesus is our example of ultimate love and it is through Him that we are able to learn our way to God. The Scriptures had stated so much, but it is really through the life of Jesus that we see how God wants us to live. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 23: Read Matthew 2:19-23

Joseph and Mary Return 

Matthew 2:13-18 tells of Jesus' escape from King Herod's murderous plans. This was a time of great devastation for the people of Judah. King Herod's actions fulfilled a prophecy spoken through the prophet Jeremiah. Matthew 2:19-23 reveals Joseph and Mary's return after King Herod had died. Upon King Herod's death, an angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream. At this time Joseph and his family were in Egypt, where they had gone to escape King Herod. The angel said, "Get up! Take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel because the people who were trying to kill the child are now dead." Joseph obeyed the angel and took the child and his mother to Israel. On his way to Israel, he heard that Archalaus was now king in Judah since his father Herod had died. This news made Joseph afraid. After he was warned in a dream, he went to the area of Galilee, to a town called Nazareth, and lived there. So what God had said through the prophets came true: "He will be called a Nazarene." 

King Herod had a murderous heart and killed many boys in Israel in his attempt to destroy the threat he perceived to his throne. Jesus, given the title of the King of the Jews, was not an actual threat to man-made kings, but to Satan. He didn't come to rule over a country, but to bring salvation to His people through His divine rule and protection. Jesus' life was never intended to be long and so His rule was never going to be during His life as a man. In theory, Jesus could have easily risen to worldly power and been a great ruler of Israel, but the time had not come for His rule. His time to rule was not during His life on earth because it was only through His death that His people could be saved for eternity. If the rulers and religious leaders had realized this then their attitudes would have been very different. 

When the threat to Jesus' life is over, an angel of the Lord tells Joseph it is safe to return to Israel. Then it is made known that Archalaus is king in place of his father and it seems that Jesus' life is once again threatened. Archalaus in power is a threat to Jesus because he was alive when his father was trying to murder Jesus and he is likely to also view Jesus as a threat to his rule. Once again Joseph is warned and this time the angel tells him to go to the area of Galilee, to the town of Nazareth. The angel is essentially telling Joseph to return to his home. Recall that Joseph had lived in Nazareth when he was engaged to be married to Mary and they had to leave Nazareth to travel to Bethlehem to pay taxes in a census. The little family has traveled in a full circle back to their home. This was done that the words of God, spoken through the prophets, would be fulfilled. Jesus was to be called a Nazarene. 

This passage represents the end to the Christmas story and the start of Jesus' childhood. The earlier threats to Jesus' life foreshadow the later threats He faced in adulthood. Once again there is this reminder that there is much darkness in existence, but without darkness there would not be a need for light. Adam and Eve's sin cast existence into darkness and the depth of sin began to grow in the world uncontrollably. At times in history the darkness was so thick that light could barely be seen. We, as humans, had allowed sin to enter into the world and at times it threatens to choke the life out of us. I don't think it is fair to solely blame Adam and Eve because sin is likely to have been introduced by some other person at some other time. We were never made to be perfect and therefore always had the capacity to be led astray. It may not have been forbidden fruit, but it would have been something else that introduced sin into existence. In darkness there is the greatest need for light. God gave us His son to be the light we needed. Through Jesus we can see the way and one day join Him in the light, never to experience darkness again. Never let the Light of Christmas make you forget about the darkness because the darkness is the reason we need the Light.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 22: Read Matthew 2:9-12

Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus

Matthew 2:9-12 reveals to us the wise men's departure from the king and their visit with Jesus. After the wise men had listened to the king, they left. The star they had been following from the east went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When the wise men saw the star they were filled with joy. The wise men came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshipped him. The wise men opened the gifts they had brought. They gave Jesus treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time for them to leave, God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to King Herod, and so the men returned to their own country by a different way. 

This passage leads me to believe that the star the wise men were following disappeared for awhile, which is why they stopped in Jerusalem to ask King Herod about the child. It was when they had departed King Herod that the star appeared before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. The scripture doesn't say that the star disappeared, but if it didn't then the wise men wouldn't have had a reason to stop to ask King Herod where the child would be born. The wise men knew the importance of the star and they were filled with joy when they saw it. When the wise men came to the house where the child was, they knew immediately who the child was and demonstrated their understanding by bowing down to worship Him. After they worshiped Him they showered Him in the gifts they had brought from their country.

The gifts the wise men brought symbolized three different parts of Jesus' life. They gave gold because  He was royal as the King of the Jews. Frankincense was given because Jesus was God among them and frankincense was reserved for making special incense for God, a recipe given to Moses by God. Finally myrrh represented the death Jesus would experience on behalf of mankind. Myrrh was something the Jewish people used during the burial process. It is believed that Joseph used these gifts to help his family during the next part of their journey. 

God warned the wise men not to go to King Herod and so they returned to their country by a different way. Scripture goes on to record King Herod's response to the wise men not returning, a part often left out of the Christmas story. King Herod was angry when the wise men didn't return with the child's location. He wanted the child destroyed, but he didn't know where the child was. King Herod knew the approximate age of the child and ordered that all boys two years of age and under were to be killed. God is not going to allow His son to be destroyed and warns Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt. The baby boys are massacred, but Jesus escapes to safety. This is the darkness to Christmas. For all of the joy we experience in the birth of the Savior, there are people out there who are threatened by our joy and who seek to destroy it. Darkness, but without darkness there is not a need for light.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 21: Read Matthew 2:7-8

Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus

Matthew 2:7-8 reveals King Herod's response to the wise men, who came to ask him where Jesus was to be born. After Herod learned where the baby was to be born, he had a secret meeting with the wise men. He learned from these men the exact time that they first saw the star. King Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, "Look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me so I can worship him too."

King Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men because he desired to know information about the star they had seen, in order that he might devise a plan. Remember King Herod was troubled by the news of the birth of the Savior and had sought information from the priests and the teachers of the law. He could not meet with the wise men in front of these men because they knew that King Herod did not want to worship the baby since they had seen him troubled. After King Herod knew an approximate age for the child, he provided the wise men with the information they needed, that is the birth place of the Savior. King Herod had learned this information from the priests and the teachers of the law. It is not clear why King Herod didn't seek the child himself, but he did give explicit instructions to the wise men to tell him the child's location, under the false pretense that he too wanted to worship the child.

This passage is an example of how God can use someone's evil intent for good. King Herod had evil intentions, but through him the wise men were able to obtain the information they needed to find the Savior. Without King Herod providing this information, it is not clear if the wise men would have been able to find the Savior. They were following a star, yet they had to stop and ask, which makes me believe that the wise men needed further directions. God may have also required the wise men to ask so that King Herod would know the news and be able to act according to God's plan. Either way, the events that unfolded between the wise men and King Herod are often overlooked at Christmas, but are important in understanding the Christmas story. There is a darkness to Christmas and this darkness is needed to intensify the light in the birth of the Savior. Without darkness there is no need for light. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 20: Read Matthew 2:3-6

Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus

Matthew 2:3-6 reveals King Herod's reaction to the wise mens' news about the King of the Jews being born. King Herod was troubled when he heard this and the people in Jerusalem were troubled too. Herod then called a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of the law so that he could ask them where the Christ would be born. The priests and teachers of law answered him, "In the town of Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this in the Scriptures: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are important among the tribes of Judah. A ruler will come from you who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.'" This verse from the prophet can be found in Micah 5:2.

King Herod was troubled when he heard the news about Jesus because it threatened his rule over the people. He would not be able to compete with the King of the Jews, who God Himself had appointed.  This news threatened his power and his livelihood, which would have been very troubling at this time. During this time, kings came into power when their predecessor had died or when their predecessor appointed them king on their deathbed. To no longer be called king was to no longer be alive. I believe that the people in Jerusalem were also troubled by this news because a new king meant new rules and a change in their lives. The hardships they faced under King Herod's rule might be intensified. I don't believe the people in Jerusalem were associating the news of a king with the birth of a Savior. It is also possible that the majority of the people were not familiar enough with the Scriptures to know the words of the prophet.

The priests and the teachers of the law were familiar with the Scriptures, which is the reason why King Herod asked them to tell him where the baby would be born. These men knew what the Scriptures said and were able to answer the king with a direct quote from Scripture. To them the prophet had made clear that the baby would be born in Bethlehem. This baby would be a ruler for God's people and be to them like a shepherd is to his sheep. A shepherd guides the sheep, protects the sheep, and essentially rules over the sheep, which translates into King Herod is out of a job. Understanding this passage is important because it gives insight into King Herod's future actions. In the season of Jesus' birth there was both glory and darkness that came from uncertainty. Everyone wasn't rejoicing and this is a part of the Christmas story that most people overlook.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 19: Read Matthew 2:1-2

Wise Men Come to Visit Jesus

Matthew 2:1-2 begins to unfold the story of the wise men, who followed a star to find Jesus. Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time King Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, "Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 

These men from the east were educated men, who were well studied in astrology or the ways of the stars. They recognized a change in the stars and particularly the addition of a new star, which they were able to interpret as the star of the King of the Jews. These men also were informed of the prophecies concerning the king because they knew they were seeking a baby. The wise men followed the star to Jerusalem and consulted King Herod. King Herod would likely have knowledge of the birth of a baby destined to be king. The men had come from the east to worship Jesus because they knew who He was even though He was still only a baby.

This passage informs us that the physical environment had changed at Jesus' birth and that these changes were able to lead wise men to Him. I think the mention that these men were wise leads us to conclude that ordinary people hadn't recognized the changes or didn't know what the changes meant. The scripture tells us that we are to be in-tuned to God's word in such a way that we are able to recognize His activity going on around us, which these wise men were. The wise men consulted the powerful because they were so desperate to find the star they were seeking. This indicates the level of passion we should also have in seeking God. The wise men were both in-tuned to God and passionate to find His activity in their world. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 18: Read Luke 2:19-21

Shepherds Hear About Jesus

Luke 2:19-21 states that Mary treasured these things (the words of the shepherds) and continued to think about them. After the shepherds told the people what they had heard about the baby, the shepherds returned to their sheep praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. Everything had been just as the angel had told them. When the baby was eight days old he was circumcised and given the name Jesus. This was the name given by the angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.

The words of the shepherds were valuable to Mary because their words confirmed what she had already been told by the angel before she became pregnant with Jesus. Her son was really someone special and was indeed the Savior of her people. The words she treasured were God's truths that were being carried out through her son. God wants us to treasure His truth and to continue to think on the truth He has revealed to us that we might not forget. Truth has the potential to set us free, but the problem is that often we forget the truth in the thick of a crisis. Forgetting the truth causes us to become vulnerable and to even fall prey to the schemes of Satan. Take Adam and Eve: they forgot the truth about God and this caused them to believe Satan's lies about God, which had devastating consequences for all human beings. If Adam and Eve had focused on God's truth then we wouldn't have sin and our world would be a very different place. The reality is that there are consequences to our thoughts, or lack thereof, and that God desires us to be like Mary, thinking on the truth of Him. 

This passage also reminds us that praising God shouldn't end after the moment or event that brought us to give praise, but should continue as we continue on with our lives. The shepherds left Jesus, but continued to praise God for allowing them to see and hear everything just as the angel had said. God didn't have to send His angel to tell the shepherds the good news, ultimately inviting them to share in this miraculous moment, but He did and the shepherds seem to have recognized the blessing God has bestowed on them. Their example of continued praise is one that we rightly should follow in our own celebrations of blessings. 

Enclosed in this passage there is also a reminder of the importance of completing our part in fulfilling God's prophecies. The angel told Mary about the prophecy that would be fulfilled in her and told her that her son's name would be Jesus. God would take care of the pregnancy and would fill her with the Holy Spirit allowing her to conceive God's son, but Mary had to also do her part, which was to name the baby Jesus. If Mary had decided to name the baby Joseph or another name common in her family then the prophecy would not have been fulfilled. Granted, God could have established the completion of His prophecy is another way, but He prefers that we are obedient in our part. When God chooses to  complete His will through our lives it is important that we then choose to obediently do our part that it would be completed.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 17: Read Luke 2:15-18

Shepherds Hear About Jesus

Luke 2:15-18 continues the shepherds' story. After the angels left the shepherds and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing that has happened which the Lord told us about." The shepherds went quickly to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby (Jesus). Jesus was lying in a feeding box, just as the angels had said. When the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone what the angels had said about the child. The people were amazed at the shepherds' words.

In the scripture angels and prophets are the primary source of God's messages to His people. Yes, He spoke to other people directly, but primarily the messages were delivered in the form of angels or prophets. So when the angels told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus and told them to go find him, this was a direct message from God. God was telling the shepherds, through His angels, to find His son and to worship God because of His son. The shepherds heard the news of the angels and chose to obey God. Their obedience brought them to the birth place of the Savior and they were able to experience a new aspect of God. When the shepherds found the family and when they saw the baby the angels spoke of, they decided to share the good news with the family. The shepherds didn't know that angels had already revealed the truth to Mary and Joseph and they wanted everyone to know the good news of the baby. The sharing of the angels' words invited more people into the good news of the Savior's birth and allowed more people to give glory to God.

From this passage we can learn how to be more like the shepherds. First, the shepherds took the directions they were given by God and obeyed them immediately. The angels appeared to them at night and the shepherds were likely tired, yet they still journeyed further to obey God. The shepherds didn't complain about the directions given to them, but instead excitedly acted upon their instructions. Second, when the shepherds found who they were looking for, thus verifying the words of the angels,  they immediately shared the good news that the angels spoke of to them. Their words could have been ridiculed and they may have even be seen as sleep-deprived, but the shepherds didn't allow the potential reactions of others to deter them from sharing the good news. When God gives us a direction we should obey Him immediately and then share the good news with everyone who will listen. The shepherds' decision to share the good news brought many more people into the truth of the Savior's birth.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 16: Read Luke 2:13-14

Shepherds Hear About Jesus

Luke 2:13-14 states, "Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: "Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.'"

I believe this passage reveals how God desires us to celebrate the birth of His son and that this should be a model of how we celebrate Christmas. The Angels tell the shepherds two things: first, give glory to God in heaven and second, be at peace with the people who please God. Christmas is the symbol of Jesus's birth and should be a time of celebration. It is through Jesus that our fate is sealed and so Christmas should be full of giving glory to God. Second, Jesus lived His life at peace and this is how God desires we live our lives. Yes, Jesus had enemies, but His philosophy was to turn the other cheek if one of them struck Him. Beyond our enemies we are to love one another and be at peace with our brother. Scripture states that a man who loves God, but hates his brother is a liar because if he can't love his brother, who he has seen, then he can't love God, who he hasn't seen. 

Peace is not easy to achieve or to keep in any relationship because God has made each of us unique, with our own opinions, but peace is what God expects in us. This Christmas let us honor God by praising Him and finding peace in our relationships. In doing this we will fulfill what the angels told the shepherds to do after telling them of Jesus's birth. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 15: Read Luke 2:8-12

Shepherds Hear About Jesus

Luke 2:8-12 recounts how shepherds were told about the birth of Jesus. The night of Jesus' birth there were shepherds in a nearby field that were watching sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them in the field and stood before them. The glory of the Lord was surrounding them, which made them frightened. The angel told the shepherds not to be frightened because he was bringing them good news, "Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord." The angel told the shepherds that they would know it was Jesus because they would find him wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feed box. 

Jesus' birth could have been announced to kings or priests, yet instead it was announced to shepherds. Announcing His birth to a king may have caused His destruction, as we saw when the wise men told King Herod about the star they were seeking; while telling the priests would have been met with much speculation, as we can see in Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees during His 3 year ministry. Wise men were already seeking a star that they believed would show them the place of the Savior and so did not need an announcement. However, the shepherds or common people were the ones who most needed a Savior. The shepherds were not rich, but their hearts were humble and ready for a Savior. Again, we see that humbleness is rewarded. 

The shepherds are told exactly how they will find the baby in order that they would know it was Him.  This is important because Jesus wouldn't have been the only baby born in Bethlehem and the humbleness of His birth would have led people to conclude He wasn't their Savior. Again, the specific information given is crucial to verifying the authenticity of the news the people are receiving. The shepherds can confirm it was truly good news and this was their Savior based on the accuracy of the angel's description when the shepherds found Jesus. The authenticity of the angel's words are going to produce faith in the shepherds and this faith will restore their relationship with God. The humble beginnings of Jesus' birth and announcement to the shepherds nearby is only an indication of the glory God is going to demonstrate through His life. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 14: Read Luke 2:1-7

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7 reveals to us the events that led up to Jesus's birth. At that time, Augustus Caesar decreed that all people in the countries under Roman control must list their names in a register. This was the first time a registration was ordered and it was taken while Quirinius was governor in Syria. All of the people had to return to the towns of their family to register. This meant that Joseph had to leave Nazareth and travel to the town of Bethlehem, also known as the town of David, because Joseph was from the family of David. Joseph took Mary with him because they were engaged. Mary was pregnant at this time. While they were in Bethlehem, it became time for Mary to give birth, but there was not room in the inn. She gave birth to a son, wrapped him in pieces of cloth, and laid him in a box where animals are fed because there wasn't room in the inn.

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but God had spoken through His prophets that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. The young couple would not have had reason to travel to Bethlehem, especially when Mary was about to give birth to a son, but God ensures the completion of His prophecy through Caesar's decree. Joseph and Mary are under Roman rule, which means they must comply with Caesar's decree or risk punishment, the punishment likely being prison or death. The couple is forced to take the long journey to Bethlehem just before Mary is about to give birth. Once in Bethlehem Mary is able to give birth to a son and fulfill the prophecy. God could have made room in the inn for the young couple and their child, but instead He has the baby born in a stable with animals. This is not done to suggest that Jesus is the same as an animal or less than God's son, but is once again an example of a humble beginning that God will transform into a glorious ending. 

The humbleness of Jesus's birth should not be treated as a reason to be dismissive of Him, but rather should be a reminder of our own need for humbleness. The shelter over His head is not grand, but it still protects Him and He has no reason to want for more. The cloth covering His body is not luxurious, but He is clothed. He does not have a single possession and yet He knows God's love. Most of our lives will never be this humble and yet we can still learn from Jesus's humble birth. It does matter our shelter, if there is a roof over our heads then we can give thanks to God for protecting us from the elements. If our bodies are covered then it doesn't matter what the label says and we can give thanks to a God for clothing our bodies. It does not matter what possessions we own if we know God's love for us, which is the only part of our lives that will endure forever. God desires a humble heart and this is shown in the birth of Jesus. In humbleness God is glorified. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 13: Read Micah 5:2-5

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2-5 is an important prophecy for Christians, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are too small to be among the army groups from Judah, from you will come one who will rule Israel for me. He comes from very old times, from days long ago." The writer goes on to say that the Lord will give up his people until the one who is having a baby gives birth and then the rest of his relatives will return to the people of Israel. When this happens the ruler of Israel will stand and take care of his people with the Lord's strength. He will have the power of the name of the Lord his God. The Israelites will live in safety because his greatness will reach all over the earth. He will bring peace.

Israel and Judah had seperated. The people once united were at odds with each other and this made them open to temptation from the neighboring countries. The people would go through long periods of time where they didn't obey God and it was during these times that the people faced war, as well as captivity at the hands of their enemies. The prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2-5 would have come as a tremendous blessing to the people of Judah and Israel because it promised safety in the form of a Savior who would rule over them. 

Once again, we see that God likes using a small, insignificant object or person to be the source of His blessing for His people. In the prophecy we see that God has chosen Bethlehem, a town so small that it isn't allowed to be part of Judah's army, to be the birth place of the Savior, the one who will rule Israel for Him. The prophecy begins to illustrate that the Savior will be God by indicating that He is from old times, He will have the Lord's strength, and finally that He will have the power of the name of the Lord his God. Micah 5:2-5 also states that God intends to leave His people until the birth of the Savior. I believe that God gives up His people so that they will be ready when His son is born and will recognize Him as their Savior. When Jesus is born the people of Israel are so ready for their Savior that wise men are studying the stars looking for signs of His arrival. The birth of the Savior is the start of this prophecy, but the prophecy ends when He comes again. It is then that the Israelites will have safety and live in peace.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 12: Read Luke 1:46-56

Mary Praises God

Luke 1:46-56 allows us to read Mary's praises to God, "My soul praises the Lord, my heart rejoices in God my Savior, because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed, because the Powerful One has done great things for me. His name is holy. God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. He has done mighty deeds by his power. He has scattered the people who are proud and think great things about themselves. He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing. He has helped his servant, the people of Israel, remembering to show them mercy as he proclaimed to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his children forever." Mary finished her praises to God and stayed with Elizabeth about three months before returning home.

Mary has received wonderful news from God and she bursts forth with praises for Him. She praises him first for what He has done for her and thanks Him for His blessings in her life. She then goes on to remind everyone that God is merciful and that His mercy will endure forever for all those who worship Him. Mary states that God is powerful and goes on to prove His power through a list of His deeds: He has scattered the people who were proud, He brought down rulers, and raised up the humble. She then states that God is kind to the poor, providing the hungry with food, and has remembered to show mercy to Israel. Mary finishes her praises to God by reminding Him of His covenant with Abraham. 

We are able to learn three things from Mary's praises to God. First, when God has blessed us we should immediately give thanks for His blessings. Let me make clear that God doesn't have to bless us, but He does so immeasurably even without us deserving blessing. For this very reason we should praise Him even more frequently and with even more intensity. Second, we see that God desires His servants to be humble. Mary calls herself a humble servant and claims this is the reason God has blessed her. She then goes on to state that God brings down the proud, but raises up the humble. If we are claiming all of the glory then God isn't being glorified, but when we admit our own shortcomings God is glorified in our success. Third, it is ok  to remind God of His covenant with His servants. Throughout scripture His servants are reminding Him of the covenants He has made. Mary is not alone in doing this, Moses and King David did it too. God knows the promises He has made, but I think reminding Him of His promises is in a way praising Him for His faithfulness. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 11: Read Luke 1:39-45

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45 reveals an encounter Mary had with her relative Elizabeth after Mary found out she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Mary, having learned her relative Elizabeth was pregnant although she was very old, rushes to a town in the hills of Judea. Mary greets Elizabeth and at the sound of Mary's voice Elizabeth's unborn child jumps within her. Elizabeth is then filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims, "God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby to which you will give birth. Why has this good thing happened to me, that the mother of my Lord come to me? When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy. You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen."

This short passage tells us a lot about Mary and the experience she is going to have. Mary, upon hearing her relative's good news, goes to her relative to celebrate with her. She could have stayed in Nazareth and reveled in her own good news, after all God was going to bless her with her own baby, but instead she chooses to share in her relative's blessing. Mary doesn't tell Elizabeth what the Lord said would happen to her, but instead celebrates her relative. This action shows her humbleness and willingness to let someone else shine brighter. The Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth and it is then that Mary's news is revealed to Elizabeth. Elizabeth's revelation reveals that Mary is going to give birth to the Lord. Previously it was understood that the baby would be a part of God, His son, but this confirms that He will in fact be God. Elizabeth states that Mary is blessed because she believed the Lord when He spoke to her His will for her life. 

From Mary's story we are able to learn three things. First, humbleness is a character trait that God desires. We are human beings, which means that each of us is different in our areas of strengths and weaknesses. This means that no one can really be a better human being, in other words having a reason to hold themselves above others, because no one is perfectly strong in every area of life. Mary had a reason that we just don't have, she was carrying God's son, but she didn't allow that reason to change who she was, a human being. We are not responsible for our success, God is, and for that reason we should be humble about ourselves. Second, Mary heard good news about a relative and went to that relative to celebrate with her. Scripture says that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and be sorrowful with those who are sorrowful. Instead of focusing on herself, Mary chose to think of her relative and express her congratulations in person. Third, the Lord blesses us when we believe what He has said. Mary believed the Lord when He said she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and as a result He blessed her. The news Mary was given was not something that was easy to believe and yet she trusted in the Lord to such a degree that she believed something that was unbelievable. 

Day 10: Read Matthew 1:22-25

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:22-25 further explains the rationale behind the specifics of Jesus's birth and Joseph's dream. Everything happened in order that what the Lord had said through the prophet would be fulfilled. The prophet had said, "The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son and they will name him Immanuel, which means God is with us." After this is revealed Joseph wakes up and does what the angel told him to do. Joseph took Mary as his wife, but he didn't consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born. When Mary gave birth to a son, Joseph named him Jesus.

One of the ways that God has always demonstrated His work in our lives is through prophecy. Prophecy is a good way to weed out the truth. If I say that a man is coming in 3 days and he will end world hunger then you will know in 3 days if I am right. If he comes then I am telling the truth, but if he doesn't then you know that I do not profess the truth. Throughout history there have been countless claims, but only a select few have come true. These prophecies are measured by their accuracy and their accuracy determines the reliability of the speaker. Now the prophesies written in the Bible are not as specific to their timing as in my example, but they are specific: "The virgin will be pregnant." This isn't an ordinary occurrence and is in fact an impossibility. I suppose technically that today a virgin could become pregnant using in vitro but this was not the case when the prophecy was originally spoken. 

The prophecy itself is an attention grabber because of its sheer implausibility, but it goes on and is even more specific: "She will have a son and they will name him Immanuel, which means God is with us." In this prophecy you are given 3 things: 1) a virgin birth, 2) a son named Immanuel, and 3) God is with us. Mary becoming pregnant when she was a virgin, having a son named Jesus, and then having Jesus die on the cross as the Son of God are the prophecy fulfilled. In the fulfillment you are able to see that speaker is speaking truth. God is real and in Him there is truth. This is important to realize in an age of untruth. More than ever we are bombarded by new thoughts, ideas, and opinions that all claim to be truth, but the reality is there can only be one truth. It is through prophecy that truth can be revealed and in the fulfillment of prophecy the one truth is made clear. Jesus is the truth, He is the way, and He is the source of life. Prophecy has made that much clear.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 9: Read Matthew 1:18-21

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:18-21 begins to reveal the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Mary, mother of Jesus, was engaged to be married to Joseph, but before she could marry him she found out she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man, he didn't want to damage Mary's reputation, and so he planned on divorcing her secretly. While Joseph is thinking of his plan, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him, "Joseph, descendent of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Mary was a virgin when she was engaged to Joseph, which means that her pregnancy was an indication of unfaithfulness on her part. This was an insult to Joseph and something he could have had her punished for, but scripture says that Joseph was a good man. He didn't want anything to happen to Mary or for her to be disgraced by society and so he made up his mind he would divorce her in secret. This seems to be a logical plan to protect both of their reputations within their society, but God intervenes because Mary was a good woman and she was a virgin. In a dream God allows Joseph in on His plan for Mary and her son Jesus. This passage doesn't give Joseph's reaction to the dream, but we know that he goes on to marry Mary and that he is present during Jesus's early childhood.

There will be times when, like Mary, we are faced with a seemingly impossible reality and the outcome of that reality is dependent upon another person. God has made His will clear and so it will be done, but sometimes the outcome of His will directly effects the people in our lives. The people in our lives could react negatively, perhaps even plan on distancing themselves from us, but this passage shows us that God will protect those relationships we need in our lives. God revealed His plan for Mary to Joseph and He can reveal His plan for us to other people too, which in turn results in their support. Mary could have raised Jesus without Joseph, God would have seen her through, but instead He allowed her to keep Joseph's presence in her life. Take heart: An impossible reality is not impossible with God and He is willing to include others in His plan to ensure their continued presence in our lives. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 8: Read Luke 1:26-38

An Angel Appears to Mary

Luke 1:26-38 reveals the story of another miraculous pregnancy. During Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, the angel Gabriel went to the town of Nazareth. He went to a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David. The angel greeted her and told her the Lord had blessed her, but this greeting frightened Mary because she didn't know what it meant. The angel told her not to be frightened and said that God had shown His grace on her. He went on to tell her that she would become pregnant and have a son. She would name the baby Jesus and he would be great, the Son of the Most High. The Lord would give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. Her son, Jesus, would rule over the people of Jacob forever and his kingdom will never end. Mary asked the angel how this would be possible since she was a virgin. The angel answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would cover her. It is this reason that the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God. The angel then told Mary that her relative Elizabeth is pregnant though she is very old. The angel says that everyone thought she was unable to have a baby, but that God could do anything. When Mary heard this she said, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!" Then the angel departed from her.

This passage reveals the plan of Jesus's birth. God had selected Mary, a virgin, to be Jesus's mother. He could have selected another woman, but He selected a virgin that Jesus's birth would be miraculous from the beginning. A virgin was physically unable to become pregnant let alone to give birth to a baby. The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would become pregnant, which meant that Jesus's father wouldn't be biologically a man. Since his father wasn't man, but God Jesus would be considered holy, the Son of God. The angel must be aware that this news is a hard pill to swallow and so goes on to tell Mary about Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy that demonstrates God can do anything. Upon hearing this Mary believes, commits herself to the Lord as His servant, and welcomes the arrival of the good news the angel has spoken of. 

Christians can learn from Mary's response to this incredulous news. First, Mary questioned the news, not from lack of faith, but from her human perspective. As far as her knowledge allowed, virgin women could not become pregnant and have sons, it was simply impossible. Yet, she doesn't say this. Instead she asks how will God accomplish it given her circumstances. She wants to understand how it is going to work and in essence know her role beyond being the child's mother. This is important to know because sometimes God requires us to do an action in order for His will to be carried out as promised. Second, upon hearing how and being reminded God can do anything, she confesses that she is God's servant and that she is awaiting for His words to be carried out. Mary doesn't complain, argue, or question God's plan further. She could have voiced criticism or complaint about this role He wanted her to play. An unwed woman becoming pregnant would have damaged her reputation and may even have cost her her life. In the very least she would have faced ridicule every where she went. Not to mention she might not have felt ready to be a mother. Regardless of her thoughts in that moment, she committed herself to the Lord and wanted His will to be done. Similarly this should be our response when God tells us His plan. 

Perhaps this Christmas we need to seek God's will in our lives and then like Mary welcome the fulfillment of His words. Then our lives will give birth to His will like Mary gave birth to Jesus. What is God calling you to do?

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 7: Read Luke 1:18-25

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Luke 1:18-25 finishes the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The angel appeared to Zechariah and told him that he would have a son, but Zechariah was skeptical. He questioned the angel because his wife and him were too old to have children. The angel tells him that he is Gabriel, an angel that stands before God, and that God has sent him to tell Zechariah the good news. Zechariah's unbelief can't go unpunished and so the angel tells him that he won't be able to speak until his son is born. The people of Israel were waiting outside the temple and they were surprised Zechariah was so long in the temple. When he returned he was unable to speak and then the people knew he had seen a vision from the Lord. Zechariah finished his service in the temple and then he returned home. Later Elizabeth become pregnant and did not leave her house for 5 months. Elizabeth exclaimed, "Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away the shame."

This passage is interesting. Zechariah is told incredulous news by a stranger, news that gives answer to his prayers, but he doesn't believe it. I don't blame him for not believing at first. He was very old and so was his wife, but more than that he is given this news unexpectedly. Elizabeth and him had probably already given up on having children when this angel arrives to tell them they will have a son. The arrival of the angel had to then be unexpected and baffling to Zechariah. His unbelief isn't exactly rebuked and yet he still faces consequences for not believing. God doesn't take away the answer to his prayer because he doesn't believe, but He does punish Zechariah by making him mute for the duration of his wife's pregnancy. Being mute is an annoyance, but doesn't actually hurt Zechariah. This passage reveals that God will answer our prayers, but He expects us to believe when He tells us our prayers are being answered.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 6: Luke 1:11-17

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Luke 1:11-17 continues the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah was at this time serving in the temple, he was selected by throwing lots to burn incense for God, and it is here that an angel appears to him. He is afraid, but the angel tells him not to be afraid that God has heard his prayer. God has heard Zechariah's prayer and He is going to give them a son. The angel tells Zechariah that he will name his son John. John will bring his parents joy and make many people happy. He will be a great man for the Lord. John will never drink alcohol and even from birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will help many people return to the Lord and he will go forward in the spirit of the Lord to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

John was not just the answer to his parents' prayers, but the person a God had chosen to prepare His people for His coming. Before John was born God had a plan for him. He knew his personality, he knew his faithfulness to abstain from alcohol, and he knew what John's life would mean to other people. John would bring happiness and restoration. God knew all of this before John was even born and He revealed this plan to his parents. God had heard their prayers and was going to bless them beyond their dreams. In this passage of Luke, God has revealed to Zechariah that He had a plan that far surpassed Zechariah's. 

The life of John stood out from others because he was filled with the spirit of the Lord and he abstained from activities that would dilute the spirit in him. Since John stood out from others, he was able to guide people back to the Lord and make people happy. The story of John the Baptist is helpful for modern day Christians because we too have been set apart. Like John we have the potential to guide people to the Lord and to prepare them for the coming of the Lord. That is going to look different for each of us, but God has set us apart. An angel might not have told our parents that their prayers were going to be answered, but God still knew His purpose for our lives and the personality we would have. This December, remember we are each called like John to prepare the way for Jesus. In just a few weeks we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. What better gift could we give to Him than to bring Him another lost person?

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 5: Read Luke 1:5-10

Zechariah and Elizabeth 

Luke 1:5-10 describes Zechariah as a good man, who served as a priest and his wife, who was a good woman. Scripture states that this couple followed the law and feared the Lord. They were without fault, but they were unable to have a son. It says that Elizabeth was unable to have a child and that she was very old. Then one day Zechariah was burning incense in the temple and an angel appeared to him. 

In Zechariah's time it was thought that people who followed the law would be blessed. If the Lord didn't find any fault with them they would be healthy, prosperous, and have many children to leave a legacy for them. Luke 1:5-10 reveals that this isn't necessarily the case. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were good people, who followed the law and were without fault, yet it says that they didn't have a son. The birth of a son is important in their time because a son represents prosperity. A son will take care of his parents and he will continue on the legacy of the family. 

It is important to understand that Zechariah and Elizabeth were good people, who followed God, and yet they still had unanswered prayers because it sets the stage for something miraculous. God didn't ignore the reality that this couple wanted a child, but He had a much larger plan for the child than becoming a priest. Luke 1 goes on to state that an angel visited the couple and told them Elizabeth would give birth to a son. This was preposterous because of her age, yet God made it happen. There was some unbelief and this caused Zechariah to be punished, he was unable to speak until his son was born, but his son was still born. That son was named John and it was he who prepared the way for Jesus. 

I think the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is important to remember at this time of year because there are a lot of unanswered prayers and there is this tendency to think it impossible. Perhaps, when thought of in human standards, it is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible. God took these good people and answered their prayers in such a way that they will be remembered always. Zechariah and Elizabeth not only received the gift of their son, but they also were able to witness their son pave the way for the Messiah. That had to be so much more than they could have realistically hoped for. Whatever it is that you are worried about or afraid won't be answered this Christmas, have faith, because God can do anything. He sent John to Elizabeth and Jesus to Mary and through them the good news of salvation was spread. Just imagine the ways He can answer your prayers and use that answer to spread good news to so many more people.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 4: Read Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Good Branch

Jeremiah 33:14-16 states that a time is coming when the Lord is going to fulfill His promise to the people of Israel and Judah. In the appointed time He will make a good branch grow from David's family. This branch will do what is fair and right. At this time the people of Judah will be safe and the people of Jerusalem will know safety. The branch will be named The Lord Does What Is Right.

Branches are an important aspect of a tree. They are the foundation from which fruit grows and becomes ripe. Without branches there would not be fruit. The scriptures state that God will make a good branch grow from David's family. That branch (Jesus) is the strong foundation by which fruit will be produced. The fruit (the people of Judah and Jerusalem) will be safe in the branch that is Jesus. Jesus will do what is fair and right, which means the people can live without fear. The metaphor of the branch and the fruit is a metaphor Jesus Himself used in His teaching of the people. There was darkness then the people saw the Light and the Light removed their heavy burdens. In the Light the people are able to see the good thing that God has promised His people, that is the branch from David's family (Jesus). The branch provided the people safety and a strong foundation from which to grow. The branch is named The Lord Does What Is Right. 

Many people have started putting up their Christmas trees. If you already have your Christmas tree up then take a moment to look at the branches that make up the tree. Natural Christmas trees have both strong and weak branches. In hanging up our ornaments, we look for the strong branches to hold our most favorite and precious ornaments. Why? Because we want our ornaments to be safe and to last for generations to come. We are God's most precious ornaments and so He provided us with the strongest of branches that He knew could support our weight and keep us safe. There are many people that God has made, prophets and saints, but only one that He gave specifically to be our strong branch. Jesus is the one that God has given us to keep us safe and this Christmas He is the gift we should be most grateful to receive.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 3: Read Isaiah 11:1-10

The King Of Peace Is Coming

Isaiah 11:1-10 teaches us that the King of Peace is coming to rescue the people. The King will be born from the family of Jesse and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him. The Spirit will give Him wisdom, understanding, guidance, and power. The Spirit of the Lord will teach the King to know and respect the Lord. The King will be happy to obey the Lord. It is said that the King will not judge by appearances or make decisions on what He hears, but He will judge the poor honestly and be fair in His decisions. The King will have great power. At His command evil people will be punished and by His words the wicked will be put to death. Goodness and fairness will be His strength. His reign will see predators and victims of the animal kingdom live in peace. Wolves will lie down with lambs and cows will eat with bears in peace. The baby can play near a cobra's hole and a child can reach into the snake's nest without encountering harm. There will be peace in the kingdom. The people of all nations will come together around the King and the kingdom will be filled with glory.

All of us are familiar with the darkness on earth. We don't have to turn on the news or be the victim of a crime to know that there is evil in our world and we don't need an animal expert to tell us there are natural predators in the wild. Animals have enemies to their health and well being the same as humans, but unlike humans their enemies are born from the need for food. Humans and animals both face conflict and darkness in their daily lives, regardless of motive. If we thought of the death and destruction that each of us face there would be a deep sadness, perhaps even a loss of hope, but Isaiah tells of the coming of the King of Peace and it is His coming that offers us hope. 

Isaiah 9 told us that there was darkness, but we would be shown the light and the light would take away our burdens. This gives us an idea of the future, but there is a vagueness about taking away burdens. Isaiah 11 clarifies the extent of peace we will experience when the peace of the kingdom is compared in terms of the peace that will be seen between animals. The nature of animals will actually be changed in such a way that predators will live in peace with their prey. The scripture even says the lion will eat hay. Imagine for a moment a lion eating hay and lying down in peace with a lamb. It seems absurd and yet this is the power of the King of Peace. If He can change the heart of a lion then how much more can He change our hearts and make them peaceful? The King of Peace will gather all nations and the people will live in His kingdom in peace. There will no longer be war or a need to assert one nation as stronger than another. The kingdom will be a great melting pot of peace and ruled justly by the King of Peace.

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 2: Read Isaiah 9:2-7

A New Day Is Coming

Isaiah 9 speaks of the hardship of the people. The people live in darkness, they are suffering, and have carried a heavy load, but this will not always be their circumstances. The people will see a great light and will no longer live in darkness. This light will cause the people to grow happy and they will show God their happiness, like the joy during harvest time. The people will be joyous like people that have won a war and have taken their spoils. God will have taken away their heavy load and the rod that the enemy used to punish them. The clothing of war will be thrown into the fire because of the birth of a child. God gave His people a son, who will be responsible for their leadership. He will be known as Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, and Prince of Peace. Power and peace will be with His kingdom always. He will rule with justice and goodness, making it strong, forever. God will do this because of His strong love for His people.

The people lived in darkness. This is no less true today than it was in Isaiah's time. We live in darkness. Today, there was a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California that left 14 dead and 17 more injured. Two, possibly three, people were responsible for this senseless tragedy that may have been the result of workplace drama. Darkness. Outside of California there is more darkness. There are burglaries being planned and committed, people being murdered, and terrorist plots being thought up. Darkness. Everywhere you look, certainly on every news channel, there is darkness. We live in darkness. Humans carry a heavy load and the enemy uses our burdens to punish us mercilessly. Our lives are not joyous, but there is hope.

In the darkness there is light. God has given us Jesus, a son that will free us from the darkness, and we have seen the light. In the light there is hope and we are joyous. We turn our eyes to heaven and give thanks to God for Jesus, our light in the darkness. We have not seen the end of war, but we can rest in the knowledge that the war will end in victory. Jesus has won and He will rule forever. His name will be Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. Justice and goodness will be ours because God's love for us is so strong. We do not deserve to see the light, we deserve the heaviness of darkness, but God loved us so much that He sent His son to us that we would see the light. In the light there is joy, in the light there is hope, and in the light there is victory. 

Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 1: Read John 1:1-5

Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus. 

John 1:1-5 says that Jesus Christ was with God in the beginning and that He was God. All of creation was made with Him and nothing was made without Him. Jesus Christ is the word of God because He is the way God told people about Himself. He is the Light that darkness cannot overpower. 

This passage is important to understand. Scripture reveals to us the reality that Jesus was there from the very beginning and not just a presence in the New Testament. In revealing this, the Scripture makes clear that Jesus Christ is central to everything. He isn't just a baby that was born in a manger or a man that preached before being crucified, but He is God. Since He is God He is also in all of creation because all of creation was made with Him.

Jesus is the Light that darkness cannot overcome. Our challenge is not in overcoming darkness, but in deciding if we have room for Jesus. For if we have room for Jesus then we have overcome the darkness. Our victory is in the Light that darkness cannot overpower.

November Challenge: Day 30

The November Intentional Gratitude Challenge is wrapping up and I have to say that I am grateful for this challenge. During this month there were more than a few days when I was struggling to feel grateful, but I knew that I needed to find some aspect of my life to write about. I knew that I couldn't just write I was grateful for the Chai tea I had for breakfast, it might have been true, but there just isn't a lot I can say about a beverage. Anyways this challenge was wonderful for combating those days when I just couldn't think of something. 

The reality is that for most of us there are a handful of things that we can be grateful for nearly every day. These are health, the breath in our lungs, clothing, shelter, transportation, employment, food, and drink. There is also family and friendship. Nearly every day most of us can be thankful for more than a few of these items. I say nearly every day because there are days when our health is failing or we don't have employment, but even on those days we have something else to be grateful for. Even on the worst of days, if we are still breathing, we have something to be thankful for and for Christians we have even more to be grateful for because our salvation is settled in Jesus Christ. 

I know that being grateful isn't easy. It is honestly so much easier to find the negative and be ungrateful or frustrated, but that isn't how God wants us to live. For me I know that I need to be intentionally grateful or I will just stay in this place of discontentment. If this is the case for you too, then I suggest that you make yourself a list of everything you can be grateful for on a consistent basis, like shelter, so that you have that visual reminder on those days when you are struggling. I write down 3 things I am grateful for in that day, but there are days that are just so frustrating that I do struggle to find the blessing in that day and sometimes the only thing I write is "I survived" and I think that is reason enough to be grateful for. A visual reminder of all the things you already have to be grateful for is great for these days.

As I said at the beginning of this challenge, we shouldn't just be intentionally grateful in the month of November, but rather we should be grateful all year long. Gratitude is a virtue that should be regularly practiced. What are you thankful for today?

November Challenge: Day 29

November is almost over and I am reminded that Christmas is fastly approaching. This year Advent starts in November with a reminder that there are only 3 Sundays until Christmas. I actually have a challenge with Advent in mind, but I have it starting December first. I will be sharing more information about this tomorrow. Since Christmas is right around the corner, I am grateful today for coupons/sales, life returning to normal, and a surge in DIY ideas to create a personalized season of giving. 

Today I finished some more Christmas shopping and I was thrilled with the coupons I was able to use in combination with the store's sales. I was able to get one order for half-off with both coupons and existing sales, which meant that I ended up purchasing more items for less money. I didn't need the extra items per say, but I was able to get these items I wanted virtually for free. There was also free, two day shipping on another order I placed, which left me excited for Tuesday when it arrives. This order was for a faux suede jacket for my puppy and I can't wait to see how cute she looks in the jacket. I know there are people who would think this was wasteful, but before I get too much criticism, my puppy is a breed of dog that is sensitive to the cold. She is so sensitive in fact that some days she is even shivering in my house and I have to put her in sweaters before wrapping her in blankets. The sweaters I have made her warm her sufficiently, but are not enough for when she has to leave the house. I am thankful that I will be able to get her jacket soon and that I also was able to purchase it for a good price.

The last few days have shown an increase in my mom's energy and a transfer in responsibilities. Life is slowly returning to normal. I no longer am solely responsible for another's household. This was the first weekend I didn't have to rush to the grocery store to make sure there was food. This is partly because there was so much leftover from last week. I did go to grocery shopping today, but with my mom. She wrote her own grocery list and did the grocery shopping, but I was there for support. I was also able to help her by carrying in and putting away the groceries because there are still some tasks that are challenging. Even with this need for support, life is returning to normal and I am able to concentrate on my own life again. This shift in focus has meant a surge in DIY ideas and more creative projects being completed. DIY is an important aspect of who I am and being able to create items is truly wonderful.

What are you thankful for today?

November Challenge: Day 28

Today I am grateful for flexibility in ideas. The last few months I have been researching and looking at making a change in my personal life. I haven't decided anything yet so I am going to keep the details of this particular decision to myself, at least until I have made a decision. Anyways, I had found what I had been looking for, at least the best that I could find, and I had committed the decision to prayer. I didn't take much action during this time and just allowed the events to unfold. I'm not sure  if this was a poor decision or God using my lapse in actions as an opportunity to present me with something different. Time will have the final say in that decision. 

Let me explain. I had found what I was looking for, committed it to prayer, and did nothing else. During this time circumstances had changed and it turns out waiting had cost me what I was looking for, time had made it disappear. I now had to search again and this also meant that I had to expand my lens of focus to include more options because I just wasn't finding what I needed. My decision had been compromised, but I managed to find something better. Again, the final decision hasn't been made, but this time it is largely because I am unable to finish this decision at this time. Granted there are compromises that have to be made. This isn't what I had wanted, but in its place I am gaining more than I would have hoped for before. 

These compromises that I would have to make mean that I have to be flexible. At first I was really struggling with being flexible because I knew what I wanted, but then I allowed the possibility of compromise to infiltrate my mind and the result was a plethora of ideas based on the compromises. This second option isn't what I originally wanted, but flexibility in my thinking has allowed me to see this option as something that I can manage. I am not unable to put these ideas into place, but the very fact that I have envisioned them means that they are a possibility. This is why I think that maybe God has used my lapse in action to present me with a better opportunity. 

It is important to be flexible in our thinking because often God alters our plans that we would want to see fulfilled in favor of His plans that are much better for our lives. It is easy to see the loss and be upset, after all we consider ourselves experts in our lives or at least as far as what we need, but God sees the whole picture, the long term affects this decision will have on our lives. Sometimes what seems like a perfect decision today is the catalyst to unfortunate circumstances tomorrow. We are unable to know the circumstances of tomorrow and so we can never be certain that our decisions will fit our needs in those circumstances. My original decision fit my needs perfectly today, but I can see incidences in the future when that decision could be problematic. I have to consider these changes in my decision as an indication of another opportunity God has for me and that is better suited to my needs. 

Flexibility is a wonderful ability and trait. I am thankful for the ability to be flexible and to imagine something different when circumstances change. What are you thankful for today?

November Challenge: Day 27

Today has become known as Black Friday or the day after Thanksgiving when millions flock to the stores in search of a good deal. Over the years Black Friday has merged into Thursday evening and threatens to take the place of a Thanksgiving gathering. In years past I have even spent Thursday night  at the stores searching for the best deals, but it was always after family time had ended. There is quite a bit that could be said about Black Friday shopping, both good and bad, but that isn't what this is about. This year, both because I was sick and because I was drained from the last few weeks, I opted out of shopping Thursday evening and I don't really feel I missed anything. I was able to sit in my pjs  and scroll through online deals at various stores. This year most of the in-store deals were also available online, which is a wonderful improvement to Black Friday. I am thankful for these deals.

Black Friday has gotten a bad reputation and I completely understand why, but it isn't all bad. For some, these deals are the only way they can afford to purchase the items. Items they either needed or wanted to purchase for Christmas. Christmas is much more than presents, but giving has become the outlet we have for expressing our love for one another. There have been years when I had a very small budget in which to get everyone gifts and the ingredients I needed for holiday baking. If it weren't for the deals I found on Black Friday I wouldn't have been able to finish my Christmas list. Then there are other years when some item I needed had broke, but I couldn't afford to replace it and then I would see it in an affordable price range at a store on Black Friday. This isn't every year, but it has happened and when it has Black Friday deals have been a wonderful blessing. 

Shopping isn't necessarily a bad thing, just like with anything else, and depends entirely on your intentions. The Bible says that we are to store our treasures up in heaven and not on earth where they can rot away. Material possessions are not going to last and ultimately these items stay on earth when our bodies have departed. That is just one of those facts of life. These items we purchase and store up on earth can also overwhelm us, causing unfortunate consequences. Our living spaces can become cluttered, resulting in added stress, but our minds can also become obsessed with these items until we become convinced that we need them. If we are not careful then our lives can begin to be controlled by material possessions. This is when shopping becomes bad. If we care more about material possessions then other people we have fallen short. If we are willing to sacrifice what shouldn't be sacrificed in order to get the latest product then we have fallen short. 

Deals are not evil and shopping isn't bad, but we can make it that way. Personally, I love to search around for the best deal and knowing I saved money makes me happy. Yet, I'm not going to stampede people to achieve that goal or pepper spray someone in the process. I am also not going to yell or demand my way when store employees are just trying to do their jobs. Getting the best deal has allowed me to do more for others and even allowed me the extra funds to shop for children that won't receive much, such as the children that are part of Angel Tree. These moments are moments that I treasure because I know they wouldn't have been possible without budgeting and finding deals. Shopping with other people in mind is a great way to keep your perspective in the flurry of good deals and pressure to buy more and more. 

What are you thankful for today?

November Challenge: Day 26

Happy Thanksgiving!

"In everything give thanks.." There is so much for Christians to be thankful for and in everything we should show gratitude to God for it is His will for our lives. Even on the very worst of days, those imagined and those we have experienced, we can show gratitude because even on those days our eternity has been sealed with Jesus. When we are hurt, when we face loss, and when we are grieving we can rest in the hope that is Jesus Christ for this life is not the end. For Christians there is hope in an eternal life spent with God where sorrow is not known. I am not claiming that Christians shouldn't experience grief or that they don't have a right to feel their hurt, but that even in loss we can show gratitude to God. In everything give thanks. 

Today, I am thankful for the success of the Thanksgiving dinner I cooked. Cooking the turkey had some challenges, but I was able to overcome these challenges and cook a 20 lb turkey for dinner. The challenges were actually pretty funny. The first challenge came when I pulled the roasting pan out of the oven to add some tinfoil and the left tucked wing of the turkey decided to break free, wedging the turkey wing against the top of the oven. With some help I was able to get the wing unstuck and the turkey back in the pan to finish cooking. The second challenge came when it was time to flip the turkey. The 20 lb turkey was nearly too big for my oven, which meant that flipping the turkey was near impossible. Again, the turkey threatened to become stuck in the oven. Fortunately, the challenges were overcome and the turkey was cooked. Going into this dinner I had done a substantial amount of research about cooking turkeys and because of this I am slightly disappointed because my turkey was not as juicy as I would have liked. 

Regardless, I am still thankful that the turkey was cooked and ready in time for dinner. The sides I cooked (mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, french cut green beans, whole green beans with almonds, and stuffing) all turned out well and very little of the sides was left over. I am also thankful for the sweet Hawaiian rolls and the pies, we had both pumpkin and apple. Thanksgiving dinner was a success and everyone seemed to be happy with their meals, which honestly is another reason to be grateful. 

As I sit in the comfort of my home, having enjoyed a wonderful meal, I can't help but remember that not everyone goes home for Thanksgiving. The men and women of the US military have sacrificed their happy moments with their own families that I would be able to experience my own with my family. There are many families that tonight are missing their loved ones, praying that they are safe, and not knowing when they will see their ones again. I am thankful for the sacrifice these families are making too. I wish there wasn't a need for war and that all of the members of the military could be home with their family, but since they can't, it is important to appreciate their sacrifice. 

There is so much to be thankful for and I hope that this challenge has inspired you to think of all the areas of your life where you can show gratitude. Every area, even the complicated ones, is a chance to give thanks to God. There are four more days left in November, which means there are four more days to give thanks. November isn't the only month that we can express thankfulness. Gratitude is an activity that we should practice daily. Every night I record on my phone three aspects of my day that I am grateful for and every week I record the week's blessings in a document on my computer. I started this practice last year. Keeping a record of your blessings makes it easy to access on days when you are struggling to be grateful. 

What are you thankful for today?

November Challenge: Day 25

Today I am grateful to have the next 4 days off from work. Last night I went to bed with a sore throat, but I figured I had just stressed my vocal cords singing to a client at work. Then this morning I woke up and my throat was now swollen too. I really wasn't feeling well, but I managed to get up and go to work. I was suppose to work 2 hours, but ended up working 4. I believe working these additional hours catapulted the effects of not feeling well. I came home to find out I not only had a swollen throat, but a high fever as well. This afternoon I was able to get some sleep and my fever has started to come down, but I am very aware of the fact that I wouldn't be able to go to work tomorrow. Yet, I would have to find a way to work or face the ramifications.  That is why I am so very grateful that I have 4 days off in a row. I am still in charge of Thanksgiving tomorrow, but at least I know that I can take a break if I need to rest. 

I haven't been able to eat very much today because my throat is very swollen, which makes swallowing hard. To give an idea: my tonsils are so swollen that the two sides are nearly touching. The only other time my throat was this swollen was when I was 17 and ended up in the hospital because my throat had swollen shut. This was just some random illness and not the result of an allergic reaction. The memory of this experience is brought to mind every time I feel my throat is swollen since I don't know what caused it the first time. Since I haven't been able to eat, I am thankful today for soup and hot cider. Both the warm soup and hot cider are soothing on my throat and don't require painful swallowing. 

The last two and a half weeks I have been running myself ragged to take care of everything that has to be done and I have definitely felt this taking its toll on me. It is said that if you don't rest then your body will become ill or hurt to force you to rest. I don't know if it is true, but I have needed to rest and I know that I haven't taken it because I knew I also had to get everything done. Needless to say I am grateful to have this afternoon and evening to rest. I encourage everyone to get the rest they need as much as they possibly can because there isn't always a holiday to bail you out. 

What are you thankful for today?