Advent Devotional 2 - Peace in the Heartache (Page 9)
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 are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30
What would Christmas be if we could release it from our agendas? How would we celebrate if our holiday was characterized not by rushing, but by a peace beyond comprehension?
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. -John 14:27
What if our holiday ornaments and greeting cards were sprinkled with verses like these? What if we read them around our trees and took them into our hearts—might we be able to approach the holiday with our joy intact, and to worship more deeply and freely?
This week, choose a “non-Christmas” verse and make it central to your Christmas. It could be one of these, one from a sermon in the current series, or one you choose on your own. Memorize it. Hang it on your tree or your cubicle or your bathroom mirror—someplace it can work its way into every single day of December.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7
If this season has let you down before, don’t despair. If you’ve grieved a loss or attended parties alone or thrown out another picture-perfect photo card—don’t give up. The problem isn’t Christmas; at least, not the Christmas we’re called to believe.
Bring your expectations this Christmas—bring your hopes, and fears, your joy and your anger and tears. Bring all of them to the manger, to the Prince of Peace. He can take them. And he can turn them into a holiday beyond understanding.
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
Christ’s Church family, We want to remind you of some of the amazing opportunities we have to join with Grace Chapel this summer on their Cross Cultural Learning Experiences (formerly short-term mission trips). Below is a brief synopsis of the available trips. Click here for more details. Applications need to be in by Monday, March 27th! Adult Trips Life Giving Water in Ecuador, June 29th-July 8th. A ministry team will be sent to a community to help build their water system…
