PEACE IN THE DARKNESS (Page 8)

PEACE IN THE DARKNESS (Page 8)

With the holiday falling at the end of our calendar, we naturally feel Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as a culmination. Yet Christmas was never meant to be the end. We live in a post-Christmas world, but we must never be “over” Christmas, and the dividing line it puts in history: a starting line and a new beginning.

The birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new life, and a new kind of life. It’s a life where peace is real, deep love is possible, and a fresh season can bring excitement and opportunity and joy—even in cold, dark winter.

THE TRUE LIGHT THAT GIVES LIGHT TO EVERYONE WAS COMING INTO THE WORLD. -JOHN 1:9
I CAME SO THEY CAN HAVE REAL AND ETERNAL LIFE, MORE AND BETTER LIFE THAN THEY EVER DREAMED OF. -JOHN 10:10

Jesus didn’t come so that we could have a one-day holiday—he came so we could have life. We celebrate his birth, we celebrate what God did for us—and then we honor him by going out and seeking and carrying that true light into his world.

As the world around us begins to take down its lights and return to its patterns and routines, we must choose to not return to life before Christmas. We must bring our light and its accompanying peace into our daily lives and to people who need its glow.

NOR DO PEOPLE LIGHT A LAMP AND PUT IT UNDER A BASKET—BUT ON A STAND, AND IT GIVES LIGHT TO ALL IN THE HOUSE. -MATTHEW 5:15

When have you felt close to God this Christmas season? What was going on in those moments? Whether it was a faint glimmer of God’s holy presence or an overwhelming encounter, a candlelight moment or a bright, beaming glow, use those experiences to light your way toward 2018. It’s only the decorations that go away after December.

PEACE IN THE DARKNESS

With the holiday falling at the end of our calendar, we naturally feel Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as a culmination. Yet Christmas was never meant to be the end. We live in a post-Christmas world, but we must never be “over” Christmas, and the dividing line it puts in history: a starting line and a new beginning. The birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new life, and a new kind of life. It’s a life where peace…

Advent Devotional 4 – Peace in the Questions

“HOW CAN THIS BE?” MARY ASKS. – LUKE 1:34 “WHERE IS THE ONE WHO WAS BORN THE KING OF THE JEWS?” THE WISE MEN INQUIRE. – MATTHEW 2:2 Even in our noisy, busy world, Christmas seems to close the gap between the daily grind and the divine. Christmas gives us permission to hope for big things (and not just a box under the tree!). It tugs at our hearts and whispers—sometimes shouts—about beauty, and forgiveness, and restoration. But still we…

Advent Devotional 3 – Peace in the Unexpected

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” -Luke 1:28-30 The story of Jesus’ coming is filled with men and women who are caught off-guard by the unexpected, personal attention of God. God is pleased with you,…

Advent Devotional 2 – Peace in the Heartache

Are the holidays weighing you down? Despite last year’s vows that “next year will be different,” many of us enter December feeling the burden of expectations. This year, we’ll have everything done early. This year, everyone will get along. We’ll spend less money. All of the lights will work. We will find the magic even if it wrecks us. We approach Christmas with heavy expectations for ourselves—and the imperfect people with whom we celebrate. Come to me, all you who…

Advent Devotional 1 – Peace in the Tumult

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. –Isaiah 2:4-5 We wake and rise in the darkness, and the light is gone long before we return to bed. December is here, and winter…

IDOP 2017

On Sunday, November 5th, Christ’s Church joined with thousands of other churches across the world to participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). But it doesn’t have to end there. Here are several ways you can continue to help the persecuted church. PRAY The first request of persecuted Christians is, “Pray for Us.” Beyond praying on the IDOP, you can sign up to receive information that will help you pray for countries and individuals on a…

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is here once again, an opportunity to share the Gospel with children around the world. The shoeboxes will be available for pick up starting this Sunday, October 15 in the Christ’s Church foyer. BOXES MUST BE RETURNED TO CCA NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, NOV. 12.

Flood Relief Donations

Christ’s Church is joining with our partners at Grace Chapel to raise funds to help with the flooding in Texas and Asia. Here’s how to give financially to support the flood relief efforts in the Texas gulf and south Asia: Give securely by texting #floodrelief to 781-995-3435. We’ll bounce back a secure, mobile-friendly form for you to donate. Or give online through MyGraceChapel.org, choose our Special Mission Project option in the fund menu and enter “Flood Relief” in the “optional…

Deepen Your Knowledge of the Faith

Christ’s Church is offering two great opportunities to sharpen your understanding of the Scriptures and deepen your knowledge of the faith. October 26-27th, 2017 Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Gordon Conwell will be hosting the “Reformation Celebration Conference” to hear some of the staff share about different topics related to the Reformation. It’s a free event, but you’ll need to register online here. November 15-17th, 2017 Providence, Rhode Island Another conference—the Evangelical Theological Society—will be holding their annual meeting in Providence,…

Life Punctuated

The Life… Punctuated summer teaching series is designed to help you gain insight to what God is doing in the story of your life—in this chapter, the previous one, and those yet to be written. One way to continue learning from and thinking about a message is to write about it. You may even find that God’s voice and Spirit chime in in the process! Click here to watch or listen to the Life Punctuated messages. Each week of this…

Faithful Practice: Daily Surrender

Each week in our For the Good of the World series we want to introduce a Faithful Practice that will enable us to be a faithful presence in the world. This week’s faithful practice is Daily Surrender.  This is not simply your daily bible reading and prayer time, though it certainly can be part of that.  This is a daily, deliberate, decision to die to yourself, and invite God’s Spirit to fill you and lead you that day.  Below you will see two of the prayers…