Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people … — Luke 2:10 … according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. — Luke 1:55 As children, setting up the Nativity scene was a highlight for…
GOD’S FAVOR FOR ALL The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. — Luke 4:18–19 … for he has looked with favor … — Luke 1:48 A powerful Old Testament practice was the Jubilee Year, also called the Year of God’s Favor. Every 50th year, debts…
EXULTANT SPIRITS Rejoice in the Lord always! — Philippians 4:4 … and my spirit rejoices … — Luke 1:47 Recall moments when you rejoiced wholeheartedly — times of worship, family gatherings or even communing with nature. As a father of a special-needs son, I think of the Special Olympics. These events celebrate the worth of…
ADVENT DEVOTION – WEEK 1 | DECEMBER 3-9, 2017 BY JILL DUFFIELD, PRESBYTERIAN OUTLOOK EDITOR As the days grow shorter and darkness urges us to sleep, the gospel urgently shakes us and whispers in our ear, “Awake!” No gentle prodding or permission to roll over and hunker down for just five more minutes, but instead…
Advent wreaths aren’t just for church worship spaces. Advent wreaths can be a meaningful devotional tool for individuals and families. Did you know that the wreath is round, with no beginning or end, testifying to the eternity of God’s creation, and of God’s love and care for people? The wreath is also of evergreen, recalling…
Father God of Advent, all praise and glory belong to you. For you have stepped down out of heaven and walked into our lives with the coming birth of the Christ child. Help us to prepare our hearts for him lest we miss the joy of his arrival. For you have taught us that joy…
Father God of Advent, all praise and glory belong to you. For you have stepped down out of heaven and walked into our lives with the coming birth of the Christ child. Help us to prepare our hearts for him lest we miss the joy of his arrival. For you have taught us that joy…
The rhythm of breath – drawing air in, and sighing it out – pulses in all of creation, O Lord It is a simple sign of the resurrection; of the life that cannot be quenched, even by death itself. We know what it is to breathe, Jesus our lives depend on it even as they…