Perfect Scrambled Eggs ala Alton Brown

Directions

Whisk the eggs: Whisk 3 large eggs, 1 pinch of kosher salt, 1 grind of black pepper and 3 tablespoons whole milk together until light and foamy.

TIP: Odds are you're going to be serving these on a plate. If so, I strongly suggest you park an ovensafe one in a low oven or in hot water while you're cooking. Cold plates suck the heat right out of food.

Add to the pan: Add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter to a 10-to-12-inch nonstick skillet and put it over high heat. When the butter bubbles (after about a minute), pour the eggs straight into the middle of the pan, which will force the butter to the edges, where it's needed.

Scramble the eggs: Stir slowly with a rubber or silicone spatula. As soon as curds (big soft lumps) of eggs begin to form, drop the heat to low and shift from stirring to folding the curds over on themselves while gently shaking the pan with the other hand.

Let rest: As soon as no more liquidous egg is running around the pan, kill the heat and gently transfer the scramble to the warmed plate. Let the eggs rest for 1 minute to finish cooking before serving.

Carols: Advent Devotional - O Come, All Ye Faithful

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him

Adoration is a word that we love to use during the Christmas season thanks largely to the classic carol O Come, All Ye Faithful as we sing, “O come, let us adore Him.” So many of us during the Christmas season spend more time thinking about Christ and giving Him adoration than any other time of the year. Think about it for a moment. More people go to church during Christmas than any other time of the year. We also tend to find ourselves singing and listening to songs about Jesus more during the Christmas season than any other time of year. As a result, Christmas is a time when we love to praise Him, honor Him, and adore Him much in the way Philippians 2:9-11 describes.

While it’s great that Christ earns so much of our attention and adoration during Christmas, it’s important to remember that we should pay that same amount of attention to Him 12 months a year instead of just one. Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in the Christmas spirit and spend more time thinking, singing, praying, and adoring Christ during December, but in order to have a true relationship with Christ we must adore and spend time with Him throughout the year. This year as you move out of the Christmas season and back into the normalcy of life, strive to find a way to capture that Christmas spirit that will enable you to adore Him and grow with Him every day of your life.

Questions:
What things keep you from adoring and spending time with Christ on a daily basis?
What steps will you take to ensure that you spend time daily with Christ?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Silent Night

Jeremiah 23:5-6

5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Silent Night

Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah!

Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

When I was a child, we were poor. We rarely bought anything other than necessities throughout the year. About two months before Christmas, my parents asked me to write a list of all the things I wanted. I would pour through catalogs, go to stores (this was before the internet and cyber-browsing), and dream about all the things I could possibly enjoy for the coming year. After my list was complete, I anxiously anticipated the gifts that would appear under the tree. The waiting felt like years, but it was worth it. Christmas morning was the best day! I spent the rest of the year enjoying my new toys!

God’s children, for hundreds of years, had anticipated the arrival of their Savior. Parents told their children of the coming King: the one who would save them all. Their kids told their kids. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the One they had heard about. The arrival of Jesus, their Savior, was a holy night. The heavens rejoiced. Angels sang. Shepherds quaked at the sight. At Christmas, we remember this day that heaven came to earth! The day God fulfilled His promise! The day God became man to redeem his children from a broken world. Your savior is here. He is present! You don’t have to anticipate something you already have. Celebrate. Enjoy the gift you have received!

Question:
In what areas of your life are you waiting and anticipating God’s presence?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Luke 2:13-14

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Angels From The Realms Of Glory

Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o’er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation’s story,

Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Come and worship,

Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King!

The actions of the angels are one of the most exciting aspects of the Christmas story from Luke 2. First, an angel suddenly appears to the shepherds to tell them the good news of Jesus birth (Luke 2:9). Then, as if the shepherds haven’t had enough, a multitude of angels suddenly appeared in full concert to finish it off (Luke 2:13). This was an epic celebration like nothing ever seen in the Bible, and it was displayed not for the government officials, the upper class of the city, or the spiritual elite, but for the lowly shepherds. What a beautiful tension and a perfect picture of the power of Christmas. It is the biggest news that mankind could ever know! The celebration is led by the very angels who live in the perfect presence of an all-powerful God, and yet, the message is meant for the lowly and broken.

This old carol is a simple but powerful reminder of all who have been invited to celebrate and to worship Jesus. Jesus is the most amazing gift given to us. God loved us so much that He sent His only son to enter humanity so that ultimately we could have the chance to be right before a holy God. That is the power of Christmas, and the angels understood it. The shepherds experienced it first-hand. The wise men believed it. They not only joined the worship celebration, but their excitement and worship inspired others to do the same. This Christmas, let our worship would be so authentic and exciting that we would draw others to “Come and worship; come and worship; Worship Christ the newborn King!”

Questions:
How can you celebrate and worship Jesus throughout this Christmas season?
How can you inspire others to do the same?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Breath Of Heaven

Psalm 27:1

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

Breath Of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, Hold me together

Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, Light my darkness

Pour over me, your holiness, For you’re holy

Breath of Heaven

So many of us hold Mary, the mother of Jesus, in very high esteem because she was chosen by God to carry His Son and bring Him into the world. It was the greatest task anyone has ever been given. Even though we hold Mary in high esteem, it’s important to remember that she was a normal person just like us. In fact, she probably battled fear as much if not more so than most people. She was an unmarried teenager that found herself miraculously pregnant after an angel told her she would give birth to the Messiah. She was probably afraid of the great task that God had given her and dealt with fear from the backlash she and Joseph received because of the unique pregnancy. She probably battled fear on their long journey to Jerusalem, as she was nine months pregnant and travelling on a donkey. Despite her fear, however, she remained faithful to God and the task they were given.

The song Breath of Heaven gives us a prayer that Mary most likely prayed asking God to hold her together, be near her, and to light her darkness. How many times have you prayed a similar prayer? Christmas is a joyous time, but the reality for many of us, is that it’s hard to experience joy in the midst of all the turmoil and trials that are happening around us. Just as God protected and guided Mary through a difficult time, allow Him to guide you this Christmas. Pray and share with Him what troubles your spirit, and allow Him to restore the joy of Christmas within you by holding you together, being forever near you, and lighting your darkness.

Questions:
What trials are you enduring currently that are robbing you of the joy of Christmas?
What are some things you can do to reclaim joy and hope in your life?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Go Tell It On The Mountain

Luke 2:10

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Saviour’s birth

The first time a woman finds out she is pregnant, she is filled with joy and searches for the best way to share the news with her husband, friends, and family. When a man is ready to propose marriage, he knows he has to find the right way to ask the question and share the news.

Words can sometimes fail to fully convey the truth of good news. So, when God was ready to bring Jesus into flesh on earth, how did He bring the Good News? In the greatest spectacle, “a vast host” of angels appeared to seemingly random shepherds in a middle-of-nowhere field. Holy light shone down and their voices rang out - it’s the sort of blockbuster, showstopper you would expect for the greatest event in history. The only odd thing is the audience (“lowly” shepherds), and how few of them were probably there. Maybe that goes to show that no stone should be left unturned when we are sharing news like this.

When Jesus began teaching, He did not spread the Good News by word alone. The blind received sight, the lame walked, and the dead were raised – all to communicate beyond words what the Good News meant.

Isaiah 62 shouts, “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look your Savior is coming.” Jesus commanded the disciples to go to the ends of the earth. And in the classic spiritual, we are implored to “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!”

Questions:
Are you shouting out the Good News? Why or why not?
Is there a way for you to share the Good News in a more powerful way than through words?

Carols: Advent Devotional - O Little Town Of Bethlehem

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie…

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight

Bethlehem was a town that was considered tiny and insignificant. Micah 5 describes Bethlehem as being “….small among the clans of Judah.” Yet Micah went on to say “out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Sure enough, Jesus was born in Bethlehem some 700 years later.

The significance of insignificant Bethlehem can’t be understated. God loves to work in amazing ways through the unlikely and the overlooked. It’s easy for all of us to feel undervalued and unimportant, but that is exactly the type of person God will use. Think of the endless ways God could use you if you surrender to His will.

Actually Bethlehem did have some significance before Jesus’ birth. Among other things it was also the birthplace of David, Israel’s greatest Old Testament warrior and king. However, this is also another example of God’s amazing sovereignty. David was the youngest son of Jesse, who considered him the unlikeliest of his boys to become king. But God saw through all that and had him anointed the next ruler of Israel. Again, God was working in ways that are outside of man’s conventional wisdom.

We tend to see our life and circumstances through a man-made perspective. Once we realize that the Lord works in mysterious ways that are far above our own, we will be more ready for Him to use us in an exciting way.

Of course nothing has more significance than the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. How unlikely is it that it would begin one quiet, peaceful night in a quiet, peaceful town. The “everlasting Light”, the “hopes and fears of all the years” all started in the “…Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Questions:
How have you seen God use seemingly insignificant people and events in your life or the lives of others?
Have you ever felt overlooked? What effect has that had on you?
What action will you take to allow God to use you in a significant way?

Carols: Advent Devotional - O Holy Night

Luke 2:32

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

O Holy Night

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

In the midst of so much imperfection, the night Christ was born can be considered one of the most perfect nights ever in the history of mankind. God used difficult circumstances (travelling on a donkey with a very pregnant wife) and an uncomfortable location (not even a hotel room, but a barn with only a manger to sleep in) to bring His perfect and holy Son into the world. God could have easily made Jesus’ birth triumphant, but He chose not to.

The way God brought His son into the world is much the same way He works within our lives. Oftentimes God takes the imperfections in our lives and uses them to perfect us. God loves to transform physical and emotional scars and use them to grow us into stronger people. He also desires us to take what we learned from our imperfections and help others who may be struggling with the same things.

Jesus was a light to reveal God to all the nations, and we can reflect that same light as well. Don’t let your imperfections hold you back. Instead, allow God to use them to shape you into the person He designed you to be, which is a light in a dark world. Give God your weaknesses so that He can turn them into your greatest strengths.

Questions:
What weaknesses do you need to give God so that He can perfect you?
In what ways do you see yourself as being a light to reveal God’s truth to others?

Carols: Advent Devotional - When A Child Is Born

Isaiah 9:6

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

When A Child Is Born

…new hope, new life. Many things come to pass with the birth of a new child.

For a season, everyone, forgets their own weariness and own problems.

This tiny creature will change people’s lives…forever.

There is nothing like the announcement of a new baby to bring excitement in a family. As the song says, “…new hope, new life. Many things come to pass with the birth of a new child. For a season, everyone forgets their own weariness and problems. This tiny creature will change people’s lives…forever.”

Expectant mothers gain a lot of attention, as friends and family are typically very intent on being involved in the entire process of pregnancy up until the very end. When the moment finally occurs, there is nothing like the sound of a newborn baby’s cry to validate the life that has been growing and developing over the past nine months, and create such overwhelming joy.

The same excitement that comes from physical birth also occurs when we experience spiritual birth in that moment when we ask Christ to become our personal Savior and Lord of our lives. In fact, many people now celebrate both their physical and spiritual birthdays because they understand the day Christ came into their life is just as important as the day they came into being.

Imagine the joy that was evident at Christ’s birth since His physical birth would ultimately change mankind forever. We can have spiritual rebirth because of His physical birth. John 10:10 says, “One…came…that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” We have a new life all because of one child: Jesus. As you reflect on this Christmas season, be thankful for what God did by sending His only Son so that we can have new life. Be thankful for that holy night when a child was born so that we could be born again.

Questions:
What led you to your spiritual birth?
What does new life in Christ mean to you?

Carols: Advent Devotional - We Three Kings Of Orient Are

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

We Three Kings Of Orient Are

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

It’s often difficult for people to understand that Jesus was born just like us. He wasn’t born in a luxurious palace or a fancy hospital. He was born outside, in a manger. He came into a world filled with sin, yet he lived an absolutely perfect life. He came to lead us, and guide us into a loving relationship with God.

The three wise men are a great example of what complete submission to God looks like. The moment they saw the star they dropped everything they were doing and embarked on a long journey that was most likely difficult at times. The men had no idea where they were going, but placed their complete trust in a star to lead them. They devoted everything to seeking Him no matter the cost. Just like the three men in this song followed a shining star to see Jesus when he was born, if we submit ourselves to God, He will direct our paths and be a perfect guide for our lives.

Questions:
What are the areas in your life you need to submit to God?
Try to remember a time when you did submit something to God. What was the outcome of that situation?

Carols: Advent Devotional - The Little Drummer Boy

Romans 12:1

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, Pa rum pa pum pum

A newborn King to see, Pa rum pa pum pum

The night was silent, except for the beating of his heart. It seemed so loud to him, he wondered if his traveling companions could hear it too. He was nervous to see a king, but he kept walking, holding tightly to his drum.

His heart was about to beat out of his chest. The others were carrying beautiful boxes filled with precious gifts, gifts worthy of a king. He had nothing but his drum, which suddenly seemed an inappropriate instrument to play for king, not to mention a newborn king. If only he had a more soothing instrument, like the harp the shepherd boys sometimes play.

His heartbeat was deafening as he stood before the King. And then Mary nodded. The King’s mother nodded at him. She actually wanted him to play. He raised his sticks and began to tap the first pattern that came into his head, the rhythm of his beating heart.

And so the Little Drummer Boy gave his heart to God. He played his best. He gave his best.

How often do we feel our gifts are not good enough? We compare ourselves to others, wondering why their gifts seem so much more “useful” for the kingdom. We want to teach like our pastor, or sing like our worship leader. Or maybe we want to share our blessings, but at times, we don’t feel very blessed. We can’t give what we don’t have, but rather than lamenting our lack, we need to look for our “drum,” the one thing that only we can give.

The truth is God already has teaching like the pastor’s. He already has singing like the worship leader’s. And what He wants, what He can really use, is your heart.

Think of how you can bless others this season, and in turn bless God. You don’t have to spend money. You just have to give of yourself, of your heart. Just like the little Drummer Boy. Jesus smiled at him. Think of Jesus smiling at you. Kind of makes your heart race, doesn’t it? Listen.

Questions:
How can you bless God by blessing others this holiday season?
Are you giving your best to God? If not, how could you give your best to him today?

Carols: Advent Devotional - The First Noel

Matthew 1:21

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

The First Noel

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made Heaven and earth of naught

And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

It is widely known that noël is the French word for Christmas, but do you know the origin of the word? Noël comes from the Latin word natalis, meaning “birth.” Therefore, the title of the hymn, fully translated, is “The First Birth.” This song is about the nativity story, the birth of Jesus as we read in the Bible. Angels came to Joseph and Mary, telling them, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus came to save us from our sins. That is what this season is about for us: the remembrance of the birth, and the life of Jesus. He was born here, lived here, died here, and was raised again here, all so that we would have a new way to have a relationship with God. This song reminds us of the hope of salvation that came with the birth of Jesus. We celebrate not only the newness of His life, but also the opportunity of new birth offered to each one of us. The King is born! His blood will make us new!

Whatever sin, whatever shortcoming, whatever failure, whatever weakness you have, a child was born, and he has come to save you.

Questions:
What are the things that you need Jesus to save you from?
How could His birth change the lives of people you know this holiday season? What will you do about it?

Carols: Advent Devotional - The Christmas Song

Isaiah 57:15

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Jack Frost nipping at your nose,

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,

And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

If there’s one song that has the “Christmas Spirit” it’s this one. It makes us think of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Or maybe we imagine carolers coming to our doors while we offer them some tasty, mulled apple cider fresh off the stove. We attend parties at friends’ houses and services at church. Let’s not forget about being all bundled up on Christmas morning with our families while the most beautiful snowflakes fall to the ground.

And then in the midst of our Christmas illusions, our children storm into the room yelling “Mom!” or “Dad!” because someone hit them, or because one of them use the other’s pellet gun without asking, or because one of the neighbors took their basketball away, or because they fell off the zip line. Oh, for the love of all that is good and right in the world, can we not stay in our little piece of Christmas paradise just a tad bit longer?

That’s life, isn’t it? No matter how perfect we try to paint the canvas of our lives, there will always be something extra put on it that wasn’t in our minds when we dreamed it. Something that cramps our perfect picture. Something that breaks our heart.

A relationship that ended.

A loved one who died prematurely.

The betrayal of a friend.

Did you know that God isn’t surprised by the interruptions in our lives? In fact, nothing surprises Him. Don’t mistake bad things happening in your life as His loss of control. No, this is not about His ability but about His sovereignty.

While we may wish that bad things would never happen in our lives, they will happen. Jesus said we’d have trouble (John 16:33), but He also promised that He’d calm us in the midst of it (John 14:16). So, no matter where we are in life, whether we expected to be on the path we are on or not, rest assured, that our God can make broken things beautiful.

Friend, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Press on and trust in the One who will never let you down.

Questions:
How have you seen God in control in the midst of life’s interruptions?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Still, Still, Still

Psalm 46:10

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed, The world is sleeping

Holy Star its vigil keeping

Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow.

Still, still, still… These words do not seem to have a place in the hustle and bustle of a busy life, especially at Christmas time. Parties, presents, and projects usually have us in a frantic frenzy as we rush from one event to the next. Often, before we know it, Christmas day has come and gone. Only then do we realize that, despite our good intentions, we never experienced the peace that comes from truly relishing in God’s amazing love for us.

Isn’t it interesting that God commands us to “Be still”? Do you think it’s because He knows we sometimes have a hard time doing it on our own?

What happens when we actually take time to be still? The answer lies in Psalm 46:10…”Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”. When you are still before God, you better understand that whatever you are facing, whatever your day has been like, you can completely rest in the fact that God is God. He’s awesome and amazing and sovereign. He loves us more than we can imagine and He’s got things under control.

Spend time today purposely pursuing stillness in different moments. Perhaps you could wrap up in a blanket & head outside for a peek at the stars, wondering what that holy star looked like, the one that signaled Christ’s birth many years ago. Maybe take a minute to watch your young child sleep and wonder as you gaze at that sweet face, what Mary and Joseph thought of their newborn son. Open your Bible, read a favorite Scripture…then sit and wait.

Question:
What truths resonate in your soul about Christ as you take time to be still before Him?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

1 Peter 1:3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mild He lays His glory by;

Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth;

Born to give them second birth.

It’s fun to look at a tiny baby and imagine what he will grow up to become. It could be anything – a pilot, a policeman, a chef, an astronaut, a pastor, or a million other options. The future is wide open and full of possibilities.

Jesus was born with one purpose. As it says in the carol, he was “born that man no more may die.” His birth was all about our new birth. In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter praises God for the “new birth into a living hope” – and all that is possible because Jesus laid aside his glory and offered Himself in our place, taking the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. His death and resurrection gives us new life. As you go about your business and your busyness of the season, intentionally take a few moments to slow down and remember that Jesus was born to give YOU a second birth. What a reason to praise Him!

Questions:
How do you express your gratitude to Jesus for the new life He gives you?
Who in your life doesn’t yet realize the true reason for Jesus’ birth? What will you do to share it with them?

Why plant churches?

This from Gary Rohrmayer (and I totally agree!):

I am passionate about church planting for a number of reasons:

• It's the main vehicle for expressing God’s mission.
• It's a key strategy in fulfilling Jesus’ great commission.
• It's necessary for the transforming of cultures and societies.
• It's the most cost-efficient means of evangelism.
• It's critical to establishing ongoing mission posts throughout the world.
• It's a natural by-product of a healthy church.
• It's needed for the survival of the church in America. 

Carols: Advent Devotional - I'll Be Home For Christmas

Philippians 3:20

20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

The term home is simply defined as this: Where one resides; a familiar setting; a place of origin. Where’s our home?

Our home is the place where we spent most of our years growing up and making memories. It’s where we took our first steps. It’s where we learned to drive a car. It’s where we had our first crush. It’s the place where we graduated high school and college and maybe even met our spouse. A place where we’ve grown into the people we are now. Home for us is where we feel at ease with those we love the most. It’s the place where we can be ourselves and not worry about the world outside.

Or is it? According to Webster, our home is where we reside, it’s our place of origin, our familiar setting. But according to the 1 Peter 2:11, our home isn’t in this world:  "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul."

There is nothing wrong with enjoying places on earth. We have wonderful memories and experiences in different places throughout our lives. But we weren’t meant to be 100% at home here. Our home is with our Jesus in Heaven. Until He says it’s time to be with Him, we’ll stay here. And as much as we love our earthly homes, we’ll never be fully satisfied. Think of what songwriter Laura Story says in her famous song, Blessings:

"What if my greatest disappointments or the aching in this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy."

Only Christ can satisfy. Only His presence and peace can bring us pure, unadulterated joy. Only His comfort can truly take us off the ledge of disappointment and disaster. One day we will truly be home with Him. Not just for Christmas but for eternity.

And what a day of rejoicing that will be.

Question:
How can you allow Christ to satisfy you and to fulfill your every need this Christmas season, instead of relying on what the world can give?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Do You Hear What I Hear

Mark 16:15-16

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing thru the sky, shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

Over 2000 years ago, the Savior of the world was born. Have you ever stopped to think about how people found out about His birth? The song “Do You Hear What I Hear?” gives us an example of how the news of His birth might have spread.

The song starts with the Holy Spirit asking the lamb, “Do you see what I see?” The Lamb then goes to the shepherd and asks, “Do you hear what I hear?” The Shepherd immediately goes to the King and asks “Do you know what I know?” When they shared what God had told them, an entire nation heard about the birth of their Savior, Jesus, and what His birth meant for the entire world.

Here’s the great news: this too is our calling as followers of Christ - to share with others what we have been told! God reveals Himself to all of us in different ways, depending on our personalities and gifts. For some, He shows us visible things about Himself, like a star in the sky. Others may grow closer to Him best through reading scriptures, some through singing praises to Him. The question is what are we doing with what God gives us? We have to realize that God will use us to bring people to Him through what He has revealed to us individually.

In this song, God chose a shepherd boy’s voice to tell others about what he had heard and, as a result, an entire nation heard about Jesus’ birth. What about today? If we want people to know about a Savior that has been born, we have to take the time to share with others what He is revealing to us. Lives are changed when we tell the people in our lives what God has shown and done for us.

Questions:
What has God shown or told you lately that you should be sharing with others?
In what ways does God reveal Himself to you?

Carols: Advent Devotional -Ding Dong! Merrily On High

1 Kings 19:11-12

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 

Ding Dong! Merrily On High

Ding dong! Merrily on high

In heav’n the bells are ringing:

Ding dong! Verily the sky

Is riv’n with Angel singing.

We seem to have so many bells and chimes and rings in our lives. Whether the microwave is letting us know that the “homemade” chicken nuggets are ready, or our car is beeping to tell us that our seatbelt is unbuckled, or that super annoying “Aaaeee! Aaaeee! Aaaeee!” coming from our alarm clock is piercing through the dark bedroom to jolt us from our slumber; our lives are surrounded by noises and alarms. These alarms can mean so many different things.

From this classic, beautiful Christmas carol we are drawn a picture of the celebrating chimes from heaven. It’s almost as if the author of this song is describing the way we might hear a call from heaven. In several different passages, scripture describes how someone heard from God. In some instances it was a booming sound like thunder and in others a still, small voice.

Have you ever heard that gentle whisper calling you like Elijah heard in 1 Kings 19:12? God can call us in many different ways. But what he calls each of us to is unique. He may be calling you to minister to a friend going through a tough holiday season. He may be calling you to a new profession. God can use medical doctors to serve those who cannot afford treatment, contractors to build a school in a poverty stricken country, or a lawn care worker to cut the grass of an elderly widow in the neighborhood. Whatever your talent might be, God can use it to bless others. The important thing is for you to listen to His voice, just like the beautiful chimes from heaven. He is calling you to be a light in someone’s life this Christmas.

So, go ahead and hit that snooze on your alarm clock, but answer the call of the Father on your life.

Questions:
How have you heard from God in the past?
What is God calling you to do for someone else this Christmas season?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Away In A Manger

Luke 2:6-7:

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed;

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is born in a manger with not so much as a bed to lie on. The humble beginnings of our Lord’s life remind us that we are to be humble and thankful for what we have been blessed with. The true meaning of Christmas is reflected so poetically in the story of Jesus’ birth that we cannot help but find ourselves grateful for all that was given to us on that day.

The song describes how even when Jesus wakes, he does not cry out or make a sound. This day was a day of rejoicing, and the baby lying awake on the hay was no ordinary child, He was the Savior of men! The last verse of the song asks the Lord to stay beside us, to lead us, and to eventually take us to Heaven to live with Him. How often is that our prayer? Stay beside me Lord as I make my way through this earthly life.

How glorious and beautiful is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate His birth and the life that was given to us by Him through His life, death, and resurrection.

Questions:
In your opinion, how does this carol reflect the love of Christ?
What does this carol show you about our Lord at the beginning of His life here on earth?
Why do you think God chose for his son to be born in a manger instead of a birth fitting of royalty?

Carols: Advent Devotional - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Time after time, the Israelites found themselves separated from God - always by their own doing. And God would eventually deliver them, only to be betrayed by His chosen people again. So we find two constant themes in the Old Testament:

The Israelites, no matter how hard they tried, were unfaithful God.

God remained faithful and fulfilled the promises He made to them.

Through His prophets, God made many promises. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call his name Emmanuel.” The name Emmanuel translates as “God with us.” It’s a remarkable promise - the Ultimate Being and Creator of the Universe promising to make Himself physically present with the people who have proven themselves unworthy.

In one of the most somber Christmas songs, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, there is an embraced tension within Israel. They are in exile, separated from God yet again. With a sober perspective, they choose to rejoice in the promise God has made to them. With nothing else to cling to, in the midst of desperation and loneliness, they recall and proclaim the promise that God would be with them - knowing that, in spite of their unfaithfulness, God is faithful to His promises.

No one could have expected a baby in a manger to be the start of God’s perfect plan to be “with us.” And yet, that is exactly how God fulfilled His promise.

Are you waiting for God to come through on a promise He has made? Do you feel a sense of loneliness or exile? Rejoice! Rejoice! Through Christ, God has made Himself present to us. His faithfulness is greater than our failure. And His presence is all the reason we need to, once more, rejoice!

Question:
Since God is “Emmanuel,” how is God with you this holiday season?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Mary Did You Know?

Read Luke 1:38: 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Did You Know

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Have you ever listened to the song Mary, Did You Know?

This touching song has been played for well over three decades during the Christmas season. The lyrics are beautifully written and contain powerful phrases like, “Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand…” and, “This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.” It’s a stirring line of questions asked by the songwriter that cause listeners to stand in amazement at the power of our God.

We really don’t know much about Mary except that she was a virgin and probably in her early teens. According to Luke 1:28, we know that she was “highly favored” and that “the Lord was with her.” Even without a stunning resume, God used her. Sweet, little Mary who kept to herself and wasn’t a big “playmaker” was invited by the Creator of the universe to change the world.

Many think the reason He chose her was because of her willingness. Upon hearing God’s plan for her life, Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary simply said yes to her Lord with no conditions whatsoever.

Where are you in your life right now? How much of “you” have you truly surrendered? Are you living the truth that “your life is not your own” and that you’ve been “brought with a price”? Is there something that you are missing out on because you won’t let Him lead?

We have a Messiah. His name is Jesus. He is the Savior of the world. He walked on water without a single bit of effort. He came and died to make us new. He gave sight to a blind man with some dirt and saliva. He woke up from a deep sleep and calmed a raging storm with his human hand. He fed over 5,000 people with a tiny bit of bread and fish. He does the miraculous.

And He has amazing plans for your life.

Questions:

What have you not surrendered to God?

What is keeping you from doing so?

Carols: Advent Devotional - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Read Revelation 21:3-4.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

When the angels first sang about peace on earth and goodwill to all men, the shepherds must have wondered what was going on. They certainly didn’t hear angelic choirs everyday, and first century Palestine was hardly a peaceful place. The streets buzzed with rumors of revolution and the tension often boiled over into violence. Society was split along lines of gender, race, wealth, and religion. The shepherds themselves were only a few rungs above beggars on the social ladder. For some of us, Christmas itself is a time to be with friends and family, but for others it reminds us that we are alone or separated from loved ones. Two thousand years later, we seem to be as far as ever from “heaven on earth.”

Many people in the first century were expecting a quick fix for the world’s problems, and of course that didn’t happen. It still hasn’t happened. But Christmas reminds us of God’s promise to bring in a kingdom where wars, injustice, and even death will be a thing of the past, and where we will live together with God. That’s our hope. God does have a plan. The best really is to come.

In the meantime, God continues to show His love to us in so many ways. He provides for our needs. He answers our prayers. He invites us to start living today like citizens of the kingdom that has not yet been fully revealed. We can love one another as Christ loved us here and now. We can show His compassion and His unconditional love to others today. We can experience a foretaste of the new Heaven and earth right now. We can share that experience with others. And we can do all this in the knowledge that God’s Kingdom will prevail and that the whole of creation will one day see the truth that those shepherds heard on a remote, Palestinian hillside.

Question:

What one thing could you change to give those around you a foretaste of God’s Kingdom of peace?

Carols: Advent Devotional - I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Read Psalm 29:11. 

11 May the Lord give strength to his people!

May the Lord bless his people with peace!

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Who is God to you? Is he your protector? Your provider? This Christmas Season, have you allowed Him to be your peace?

It can be easy to view God simply as a friend to go to in times of trouble or a magic genie that grants all of your prayers. But God is so much more than that, and the blessings He wants to give to you are endless! He offers so many wonderful things—completely free of charge–including hope, joy, and peace for your heart. God wants nothing but the best for you.

Although your circumstances may be difficult, or hard to understand at times, that doesn’t mean that God isn’t there. He cares about you, loves you with a perfect love, and is waiting for you to let Him be your peace. So this Christmas, as you think about all the gifts you need to buy, and your never-ending to-do list, don’t forget to stop and remember that only God can provide you with the unwavering quiet strength that comes from His peace.

Questions:

In what ways do you find peace and comfort in God?

What difficult circumstances are you currently dealing with that you need God’s peace to help you endure?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Read Luke 10:41-42.

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light.

From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.

Christmas can seem like a rat race at times. There is all of the hectic last-minute shopping at crowded malls, struggling to find the perfect gift for someone, the decorating of the house (including checking every single bulb on the strand of lights to find the one at the very end that shorted out the rest), wrapping present after present after present, or preparing for your extended family take over your house for the day. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of Christmas, and to miss the things that are really important.

We see this happen in the book of Luke, when Jesus went to eat in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha spent her time running around cooking, serving dinner, and cleaning. These were all very good things, but “busy” things. Meanwhile, Mary sat in the company of Jesus. When Martha asked Jesus to tell her to work too, He told her, “Mary has chosen what is better.”

Jesus is trying to tell us to live in the moment. It is great that you are willing to be like Martha, and make sure that all of the popcorn is strung up, but it is not worth missing the opportunity to have a real conversation with a family member you don’t see often, or when your child’s face lights up because Santa indeed got that letter and delivered exactly what they asked for. It is not about all that we have to do, the list of things we have check off, but it is all about the moment.

This year, don’t miss out on what is better. Take the opportunity to enjoy the time you have with friends and family. Take time not to worry about the things you have to do, but to enjoy the people you get to be with. Be present where you are, because that is what is better, and have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Questions:

What are some things you need to take off the list to make yourself become more like Mary?

What are the better things that you will choose to be a part of this Christmas?

Carols: Advent Devotional - Angels We Have Heard On High

Read Luke 2:14.

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have on heard high

Sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

What inspires awe in you? What things cause you to become speechless when you see them? Is it the sight of a family member you haven’t seen in years? Is it visiting a majestic place like a mountain or a historical place like the ancient pyramids of Egypt? The night Christ was born was the most monumental and awe-inspiring event that has ever occurred in human history, as God sent His one and only Son to earth so that we could ultimately have eternal life. There has not been an event in history before or after Christ’s birth that resulted in such celebration that the angels themselves made their physical presence known and their voices heard in song. Can you imagine how the shepherds’ jaws must have dropped at the sight and sounds of the angels? That moment was so majestic that we probably cannot fully comprehend what it was like because honestly, none of us have encountered such a sight.

It seems like people tend to have fewer experiences these days of complete awe. Technology has brought so much of the world to our living rooms and fingertips that we can see anything we want and feel like we are anywhere we want to be. Unfortunately, most of us probably have fewer awe-inspiring moments with God than we should. Our relationship with Him often becomes too comfortable and even ordinary. This Christmas, make an attempt to regain those awe-inspiring moments with God. Strive to make your relationship with Him something so inspiring that it causes you to rejoice like the angels did. Don’t let your relationship with Him be ordinary, but rather make it extraordinary.

Questions:

Think about some awe-inspiring moments you’ve had with God. How have these moments transformed you?

What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can start having more awe-inspiring moments with God?

From Bible.com.