Advent Devotional 4 - Peace in the Questions (Page 8)
“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 have questions. Sometimes they’re about the story itself. What was going on between the words, in all the scenes that aren’t written out? Can the details, written and unknown, be trusted? Or we may wrestle with the implications. It’s a good story—maybe even our favorite story—but how does it change our relationships and our world?
And then there are the questions that can be hard to articulate, the ones that don’t come up around the table. Sometimes we ask why we still feel empty, why we haven’t followed through on a resolution we made last January.
Christmas makes seekers out of all of us—and it should. God dignifies our questions; he invites us to conversations; and he encourages us to accept the answers when we discover them.
YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
– JEREMIAH 29:13
ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND; KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU.
– MATTHEW 7:7
Perhaps the most popular question this time of year is: What do you want for Christmas? What would be your honest answer to that question—more than a sweater or a book, a new gadget or toy? Sit with God for a few minutes today and talk to him about what your soul longs for.
The three wise men—the Magi—are perhaps Christmas’s most famous seekers: learned men from a distant land who came to find the infant Christ. Though we often depict the wise men arriving the night of Jesus’ birth, it’s much more likely that they arrived later, sometime between a few months and two years after the event. And they didn’t miss Christmas. Not only did they not “miss” it; they’re part of its official narrative. So if still have questions after December 25, don’t give up the search, or put it aside until next December.
Christmas makes us seekers. May it make wise men and women of us, too—who ask their questions, and follow the answers, and find themselves at a cradle in Bethlehem.
“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…
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,…
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…
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…
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 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.
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Our church is participating in Compassion Sunday on Sunday May 14th during our 10:30am worship service. This is a national event that helps us grow in our understanding of God’s very special love for the poor. It’s also an opportunity for each of us to intervene in the life of at least one child in poverty. For more information, contact Jesse Andreasen at jesse@ccnh.org or visit CompassionSunday.com
