Luke 2:30 (NIV)
“For my eyes have seen your salvation”
Simeon, moved by the Spirit, knew that the child brought to the temple, Jesus, was the Christ. May we be filled with, and guided by, the same Spirit this Christmas. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 2:2 (NIV)
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
King Herod spoke untruthfully when he said he wanted to worship the king of the Jews. Thankfully the wise men saw through his deceitfulness. May our desire to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords be true and ever-growing. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Let us remember that each and every day as we rejoice in Him and thank Him for His love for us, we should be singing joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let Earth receive her King! It is timeless and not just a seasonal song.
“Then let us all with one accord,
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord.”
(Anticipate – An Advent Experience, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, pg. 93.)
Opening Prayer: Father God, on this special evening of celebration, may we draw nearer to You. Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas, may we lift up our voices in praise and in song. I pray that you will hear our praises, our prayers, and our songs. May it be a joyful sound to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Canon (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP26ndrmtg&t=0s&index=2&list=PL5o2Uu3rC4m5ONKvTeJSDlCA8b_JomJ8k
Amen.
Opening Song: This Is Christmas – Kutless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0B91_T1vNg
Mandisa – It’s Christmas (Official Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG14DXeXD3U
Lauren Daigle – Light Of The World (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cLhaZIBSpo&t=0s&index=5&list=PL5o2Uu3rC4m5ONKvTeJSDlCA8b_JomJ8k
Andrea Bocelli – What Child Is This – Live From The Kodak Theatre, USA / 2009 w/ MaryJ.Bilge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbvwwwTqeRo
Chris Tomlin – Noel (Live) ft. Lauren Daigle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vwu-t7QRaE
Chris Tomlin – A Christmas Alleluia (Live) ft. Lauren Daigle, Leslie Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG347euXoTM&t=0s&index=9&list=PL5o2Uu3rC4m5ONKvTeJSDlCA8b_JomJ8k
Closing Song: Kelly Clarkson – Silent Night ft. Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BRVkgaIcaE
Closing Prayer: Our salvation is here. Our redeemer lives and He will return. Oh, what a blessed day that will be. May you each have the merriest of Christmases.
Mary J. Blige – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsLH_7c6sFY
Amen.
John 14:27 (NIV)
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.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let the earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.” (Sing to the Lord Hymnal, p. 173.)
(Anticipate – An Advent Experience, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, pg. 90.)
Peace begins with a smile. (Mother Teresa)
Today’s Passage: Luke 1:46-55
Opening Prayer: Father God, we are humbled by who You are. We are grateful that You have chosen to lift us up and that You are merciful toward us. At all times, but especially at this time of the year, may we magnify You and Your purpose in the world. May others see Your son in and through us. May we recognize that in this broken world there is pain and suffering, as well as joy and wonder. Let us be sensitive to those who are challenged by life, particularly at Christmas time. May we touch those in our midst as Jesus would have done and point them to Him; the one born to be Lord and Savior of all. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Opening Song: [Official Video] Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: “Gentle Mary, Meek and Mild?” by MaryAnn McKibben Dana
Popular preacher, author, and retreat leader MaryAnn McKibben Dana takes a second look at “Gentle Mary, meek and mild,” and finds some thunder in her voice. The words of the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) have very little gentleness, meekness, or mildness in them. They are words about the high and mighty being dragged from their thrones, while the hungry are filled with good things and the rich are sent away empty. Meek and mild? I think not. Good news for some people turns out to be bad news for others, and Mary knows it.
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzVv_SAbFgc
Closing Song: O come, O come, Emmanuel – (Piano/Cello) – The Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7ySn-Swwc
Closing Prayer: Father God, we celebrate the birth of Your son, Jesus, and we anxiously await His return. Thank you for strengthening us for the journey here on earth and for preparing us for the journey throughout eternity. Eternal life is a gift we do not deserve, nor will we ever be able to repay. We are grateful You let us come to You, through the sacrificial work Jesus did upon the cross. May the Holy Spirit enable us to tell others how to receive Your precious free gift. May we also help others to see hope, through Jesus, the Christ. As we anxiously await the return of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Faithfully Yours Forever 