We conclude our Advent series with an Epilogue. Now that we have recognized the birth of Jesus, how should we respond? What should we do? Today we'll read how other folks in the Christmas story responded, and let them inspire us. Turns out, praising God is just what we do when we experience the light of Christ. No matter where we are, God finds us and loves us, so we can't help but praise.
(You can read online the verses we'll cover from Luke 2 HERE. And read Matthew 2:9-11 HERE.)
We finish talking about the themes of Advent with the biggest one of all: Love. The Christmas story shows us that no one is too low for God's love, since Jesus himself was born in such a lowly setting (Luke 2:1-7). And the New Testament also wants us to learn that "love" is more about showing, doing, and helping people with actions, instead of warm fuzzy feelings inside (1 John 3:17-19, 23).
The sound of children’s voices is extra-special at Christmas. We are so proud of our children in FaithBuilders! Thank you to parents, volunteers, Mrs. Regina, and Mrs. Jane for helping us to to meet on Zoom and in person this year. We pray that God will bless you and your family with gifts of peace, hope, joy, and love this Christmas and in the new year. We hope you enjoy this musical gift from our Children’s Choir:
Our Advent theme this week is Joy. It's what the angels said Jesus' birth would bring (Luke 2:6-12) and it's what Jesus said he wants us to have completely (John 15:11). But these days, our joy tanks might be running low, and our mood is at the mercy of whatever good or bad news we hear. But joy is deeper than any day's circumstances, so it can sustain us through anything.
To watch this week’s Bible Study video, click HERE.
Since we should not meet inside right now, our Christmas Eve service will be different this year. (What isn’t different this year?!) It will be in a drive-thru format behind the church, right outside the Fellowship Hall. As people drive up, the staff will lead a Christmas Eve worship moment for groups of two or so cars at a time. Everyone will stay in their cars and should keep their masks on. We will share the light of Christ candles, hear some of the nativity story, share Communion elements, and give out Advent devotionals that families can do together at home. Feel free to come at any time between 5:00 and 6:00 pm.
There are many places in the world that lack peace—places far away and close to home. So for the second week of Advent we think about God's plan for peace through Jesus (reading Luke 1:67-79) and what Jesus said about the peace we can have (reading John 14:25-27). We are called to be peacemakers, and that requires knowing Christ's peace within us.
December is always a special time. The Christmas decorations, music, aromas, clothes, snacks, movies, and everything make this time of year feel magical. But there’s also another reason its magical: during Advent, we experience the past, present, and future.
We enjoy the present, with its Christmas sights and sounds. And we think back on Christmases past, with warm memories of family or childhood. Of course we also remember the first Christmas story, as we read and celebrate when Jesus was born. But Advent is also about the future, because we also look forward to hope for Jesus’ second coming, and the peace it will bring, and the joy we would have, and the love that would reign in God’s fulfilled kingdom. Advent is magical because we get to experience past, present, and future all at once. So let’s gaze into the future for a bit.
Eventually, one day, the year 2020 will be considered “history.” So cast your minds ahead a few years. When we all look back on this year, what will we think? When you remember the way you acted, thought, and spoke, how will you feel about it?
This is an historic year, a year when everything got thrown up in the air—for better and for worse. A year when many things changed. Bad behaviors were flaunted, and selfishness was often encouraged. This year we have experienced the worst. Some people showed their worst sides because of it. Others showed inspiring compassion and integrity. So act and speak in a way that you can be proud of years later.
It will be interesting what future generations say about the way we responded to the pandemic, and how our country broke all records the world over for deaths and infections. I wonder if future generations will be surprised at how, as a people, we were not willing to do whatever was necessary to protect others from getting sick and dying unnecessarily.
Our own future generations will talk about how everyone acted in 2020. So when one of your descendants asks how you responded to that hard year, what do you want them to say? Go ahead and be mindful of that now. As we close this sad year and begin a new one with hope for better days, spend time praying over your attitude and actions. Ask God to give you wisdom and courage, so that when you and others look back on this time years later, it can be said of you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Every week during December we'll talk about a different Advent theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The first week started our Advent series with Hope. We read from Luke 1:46-55 (Mary's prayer song after she learns that she will give birth to the Messiah) and Romans 8:23-25 (which talk about how hope gives us patience to endure while we wait for redemption). There is a lot to hope for these days for sure.
Join the churches of Downtown Weaverville this evening at 6:00pm for the annual Candlelight Christmas Walk. This year's program is virtual and is entitled, "For Unto Us."
At the heart of this special program is the message that Christ wasn’t born just for people who have it all together. He was born for those who have nothing. He was born for the unfaithful. For those who are exhausted in their prayers. For those who are waiting both patiently and impatiently for answers to those prayers. Christ was born for you.
Sundays: PO Box 547, Weaverville, NC 28787
Small Group Bible Study: 9:45 am info@fbcwvl.org
Worship: 11:00 am 828-645-6720
Youth Group: 6:00 pm Directions: Click here
Wednesdays:
Prayer & Bible Study: 6:00 pm
Choir Practice: 7:15 pm