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Classic Christianity:A Year of Timeless Devotions

Between Christmas and the New Year...

12/28/2016

Have you ever noticed? In the week between Christmas and New Year's Day the world slows down. Everyone snuggles at home more. Even businesses seem to find a lower gear, shorter hours, more grace for family. We cocoon with the treasures of our hearts: family and friends.

The world takes a breath.

It is as if, between the celebration of incarnation and the headlong rush into our future, we collectively pause to assess. In a society that paces before the microwave of life, we ... suspend...for a brief, almost inperceptible, moment.

The path before holds no footprints. Every new year holds the promise of beginning again - of Jubilee come to our hearts.

Then comes the Rose Parade, all those Bowl games, the rifle goes off and the race is on...again...for another year.

So in the few dwindling days of this year, I pause to consider. What has my life meant in the last 361 days? Have I furthered the Kingdom? Have I been attractive for the gospel - or has my flesh pushed people away? Has the noisy, demanding tyranny of the world pushed out the still quiet voice of God?

Christmas as a celebration of the incarnation is not only our salvation story, it is a daily challenge to our way of life. Praise God that when Jesus came to earth, he passed by any bounds of race, nationality or origin. He considered our distress in sin to be more pressing than His position of deity. Do I consider the needs of others to be more pressing than my position - my rights - my selfish interests?

I do not want to live to be old. I want to live to be mature - mature in the mind of Christ. I do not desire many years, but to live graciously and broadly in the years I am given. Like a traveler, I do not wish to rush around in a circle - to be taught the same lessons year after year for my failure to learn them. Rather, I want to push out into new thoughts, new responsibilities, hopefully closer walking with God.

The old year peels off the days like an onion nearing its center, richer, fuller flavored than the dry husky days of last summer. Savoring them requires time spent doing nothing but perusing the dusty corners of one's own mind. But now I am fixing my mind on the unmarked path leading away from the fireplace and the solace of warm, snuggly places. The New Year beckons.

Blessings in this New Year,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

Merry Christmas!

12/25/2016

Ornament: Nativity Scene
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-10; John 3:16-17
Songs : Go Tell It on the Mountain, Joy to the World, Away in the Manger

Today is the day! Jesus is born! Today we celebrate Jesus becoming a little baby. You know, Jesus is different from us. He is God’s only Son – in fact, Jesus was alive when the world was created, living in heaven with God the Father. Jesus had been alive from the beginning of time, just as our Advent Jesse tree mentioned on the first day. But on Christmas Day, we celebrate His coming to earth as a baby in the manger!

    Do you remember how we talked about sin coming to the earth to spoil God’s perfect creation? God planned for Someone to come to take away that sin. Jesus, God’s Son, was willing to come and be our Savior. That’s why the angels sang so gloriously on that first Christmas Day! Jesus has come to take away the sin of the world!
   That sweet little baby lay in a manger – a feeding place for animals – in a stable, because the town was so crowded for the census that there were no rooms for Mary & Joseph at the inn.

    Today, sometimes in our lives, there are a lot of people and activities that could make our lives too full for Jesus. But, if we realize how important Jesus is…believe in Him, ask Him to come take over your life, He will! Let’s make sure to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives! He is wonderful!

Welcome Jesus! Happy Birthday! Thank You for being willing to come to earth as a baby to be our Savior! Please help us remember to make room in our hearts and lives this Christmas, and every single day. We love You! Amen.

Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, Christmas Eve

12/24/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: An angel to remind us of the angel messengers of Christmas
scripture Reading: Heb. 1:14; Luke 2:8-14; Rom. 6:23
Songs: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Angels We Have Heard on High

Oh, how lovely that first Christmas service was! The angels filled the sky and praised God with their glorious announcement of Christ’s birth! Angels are God’s special messengers and oh, how special this message was! Tonight the angels brought the news the people had waited for since the dawn of time. This is the “good news” that Israel had longed for over the centuries!

     And the congregation? Who was in attendance at that first Christmas service in the Judean hills? Why – the shepherds who were out watching their flocks, now staring in fear and amazement as these glorious angels make the world’s most important announcement to them! Not to royalty, not to important businessmen, but to shepherds on the hillside.

    When the angels left, can you guess what the shepherds did? Well, they BELIEVED the angels! So, they didn’t just go back to their sheep. They didn’t just sit around talking. No – they were excited to welcome this new baby King! So, into Bethlehem they went to search for the new baby, and worship Him there.

     Praise God! He welcomes everyone. Not just royalty, not just important people or rich people. God wants all to come. God wants you and me!

Questions:

What did the angels say had happened? (Luke 2:10-12)
What is an angel’s job? Who tells them what to do?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for Your Son, Jesus! Thank you for welcoming all of us to worship Him, to love Him, and to follow Him. Praise Your Name! Amen.

Blessings at Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 23rd

12/23/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Candle (To remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World!)
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38; 2:32; John 8:12
Songs: This Little Light of Mine, Silent Night

The Light of the World was about to be born. Do you know who the Light of the World is? (Jesus!)

     One day, a young woman was going about her day when an angel came to visit her! That angel told the young woman, whose name was Mary, that she would soon give birth to the savior of the world – to Jesus. Do you know, the Bible says that Mary started singing when the angel came to tell her that she was going to give birth to Jesus? Mary praised God for His goodness, and told God she would do whatever He asked. Mary trusted God.

       After Jesus was born, Mary & Joseph took Him to the temple. While they were there, Simeon told everyone Jesus is “The Light and Glory to all people.”

     Jesus is the Light of the World. Since Jesus has gone back to heaven, those of us who trust in Him can allow Him to shine through us to light this world. We can let people get a little idea of what Jesus is like by watching Him work in us!

     When you drive around to see Christmas lights on people's homes, or see a beautiful Christmas tree with lovely lights all over it, each little light can remind you of Jesus! It’s like having a million lights on a birthday cake just for Him!

     Questions:

Was Mary willing to do what God asked? (Yes she was.)
Who is the Light of the World? (Jesus)
How can we show people the Light of the World? (When we trust Jesus as our Savior, and He lives in our lives, people can get a little glimpse of His love & His light through our lives.)

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Light of the World….lighting our way to You, and lighting our lives with joy. Help us to allow Jesus to shine through us to all of those around us. Thank you, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,
Patti & Cara

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 22nd

12/22/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Star
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Rev.22:16
Songs: Star of the East, O Holy Night, Silent Night

Oh, it is so much fun to hear how happy the wise men were when they saw the star! For so many years, they had studied the prophecy books, and watched the stars, waiting for this special star to appear. Now they knew that the new King – the special King sent by God – was born! Even though they would have to travel for many months across the desert, living in tents and riding on camels, they were thrilled to see the star.

When sin first came into the world, God made a plan. He promised to send someone to take care of the serpent, to take care of sin. Even when God’s people didn’t remember the promise – God did. Even when God’s people weren’t faithful – He was! God never forgot the people of Israel. He guided, protected, and loved them no matter what. And now, that promise is fulfilled. The star is shining – the new King is born!

And so the wise men set off to find the babe. When they found him, they fell down and worshipped Him, giving Him costly gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. They were so thankful to have found Jesus! Isn’t it wonderful that we can find Him too, right where we are, by praying?

Questions:

What does the star mean to the wise men?
Does God still love us? (Yes, He sent Jesus to save us from sin.)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, the wise men waited so long to see the sign of the star and then follow that star to the baby Jesus! May we be patient and wonder-filled as we follow You, too! Amen!

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 21st

12/21/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Brick Wall –(To remind us of the return to Israel)
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:3, 2:18, 6:15-16, Malachi 3:1; Revelation 22:20
Songs: Good Christian Men Rejoice!

This wall ornament reminds us of the great Wall of Jerusalem! Jerusalem had a strong, tall wall to protect it that circled the entire city.

    We have talked about the people of Israel, and how they had not obeyed God’s law. Remember, we said they had been taken captive – as prisoners or slaves – into foreign countries. The Wall of Jerusalem had been knocked down by the armies of the other countries, and Jerusalem was lonely and desolate. Like a ghost town, it was falling apart. Nobody was there to take care of the city, and it started to fall apart.

A man named Nehemiah, who was working in the Persian court for King Artexerxes, was horrified when he found out how the city was crumbling. There wasn't even a wall to protect it!

     What a miracle it was that Nehemiah was able to get permission from the king to come back to Jerusalem and rebuild the city wall! The prophets in the Bible had said that in order for the savior to come, the people would have to return to Jerusalem – and sure enough, they did! In fact, more than 400 years before Jesus was born, the people returned to Jerusalem, just like God had foretold in His Word! When the wall was finished, the people waited for the Messiah. They waited for many years – but we just have a few more days before our Christmas celebration!

Questions:

What does this ornament represent?
What had happened to the wall? Who built it back?

Prayer: Father God, the people fixed the wall because they wanted to be prepared for the savior to come. Please help us prepare our hearts and homes to celebrate Jesus this Christmas as well. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Amen.

Blessings,
Patti & Cara

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 20th

12/20/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Fiery Furnace (Reminder of the presence of God with us!)
Scripture Reading: Daniel 3: 19-29 & Jeremiah 1:8
Songs: Lord Jesus I Love Thee, O Come All Ye Faithful

    Remember when we talked about King Josiah, who found the scroll? He was the last king of Israel who loved God. Soon, the people of Israel were conquered and went to Babylon as prisoners.

      There were some very brave young men who were taken away into Babylon. Daniel was one of them. There were also three men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were so brave that when an evil king told them to do something wrong, they wouldn’t.

    Now, we all know that we must say no if someone tries to get us to do something wrong. Imagine, though, if it were the king of the whole country that had just made you a prisoner? How difficult to say, “No” then!

    That wicked king had made a large statue – an idol – and he told all the people that they had to worship it- bow down to it- or be thrown in a fiery furnace. When the trumpets blew, everyone bowed down…everyone except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Guess what happened? That king had them thrown right into the furnace.

    Do you think God was with them even though they were prisoners? Do you think He was with them, even though they were in a foreign country? Yes, He was! That fire did no harm to them at all. The king even began to praise God! God’s plan was still working!

Questions:

What did the king tell the men to do?
What happened because they obeyed God instead of the king?

Prayer: Lord, we are sometimes tempted to do things we know aren’t right. Please make us strong and brave like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Help us say YES to You, and No to sin! Amen.

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 19th

12/19/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: Bethlehem town silhouette and a star (To remind us of the town of Jesus' birth!
Scripture Reading: Micah 5:2-4; Luke 2:4-7
Songs: O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful

Can you tell what today’s ornament is? It’s the town of Bethlehem – just a little village, really, and not a very important place at all. But…

     In the Bible, one of the prophets of God said, “Bethlehem…you might not be an important town in the nation of Judah, but out of you will come for me a ruler over Israel. His family line goes back to the early years of your nation.” God had chosen Bethlehem to be the special place where the Savior would be born.

     Even though Bethlehem didn’t seem like an important place, this is where the Savior would be born! Now it is a town name that everyone knows! God can take even the smallest town, or the smallest person, and use them as part of His great plan!

     Of course, you know that when the time came, Mary & Joseph had to go back to Bethlehem, back to Joseph’s family town, to be counted for a census. Jesus our King was born in a stable in little Bethlehem, and the world rejoiced! But for hundreds of years, people just waited – and watched Bethlehem!

     Never think you are too small to be used by God! Remember Bethlehem, the little town that became the most important birthplace ever!

     Questions:

Where was Jesus born?
Can God use small things? How about small people?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am happy that you used a seemingly small insignificant town to be the birthplace of Your Son! The coming of the King took place in a manger, not a palace. That helps me know I can be important to You as well. Please use me to do important work in your kingdom too, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 18th

12/18/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Heart, with a favorite Scripture verse (To remind us God has written His law on our hearts)
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 31:3,31-34;Acts 16:31
Songs: For God So Loved the World, I Love to Tell the Story, Create In Me a Clean Heart, Silent Night

Do you remember that God made a promise – or a covenant – with the people of Israel a long time ago? He gave them the Ten Commandments and as long as they obeyed them, God promised to provide for them. If they disobeyed the rules, God would have to punish them. Then they had to sacrifice an animal to pay for the sin. Then it all started again.

God’s laws – the Ten Commandments – showed the people when they had sinned, told them what they had done wrong…but the laws couldn’t change peoples’ hearts. God still loved the people. He saw that the law wasn’t going to change them. He decided to make a new promise to them. God would write His law on the hearts of the people – change their hearts.

So God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to save us from our sins. When we tell Jesus we are sorry for our sin, that we want to live for Him, He will forgive all the bad things we have done. The Bible tells us that when we ask His forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive us. God is so good – He even made a way for us to be close to Him! We should be very thankful that we live under this new promise – the new covenant – rather than the old Law – the old covenant!

Questions:

What was wrong with the old covenant – the law?
Have you asked Jesus to forgive you and come into your life?

Prayer: Dear God, please write Your law on our hearts! It is so exciting that Jesus’ love is stronger than any sin or wrong we could do. Praise You for making a way for us to be clean & holy by forgiveness through Jesus Christ! In His Name – amen.

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas,

Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity

A Time to Rejoice & Remember: Advent, December 17th

12/17/2016

We invite you and your family to join us for advent this season, as we consider Christmas through the lens of Scripture. As we celebrate the birth of the Christchild, we will look as a different aspect of his coming each day. Each day also has a downloadable coloring picture for children to color as they listen, and then hang on the tree as a reminder! We also suggest a song to listen to, play, or sing along with. Most of these can be found in a hymnal to play at home, or on youtube.com - to sing along with! Children old enough to read might enjoy reading the Scripture as well. We hope this simple journey through Scripture helps you celebrate the Greatest Gift of all.

Ornament: A Cross –(To remind us Jesus came as a baby, in order to die for our sin when He became a man.)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-18; John 19:11-18
Songs: The Old Rugged Cross, Mary Did You Know?

Our King Jesus is a very special, one-of-a-kind, King. He didn't come to conquer the world; He came to love the world. He didn't come to make a bunch of new laws, but He came to fulfill all the law of the Old Testament. He didn't wear a shiny jeweled crown, but soldiers made him wear a crown of thorns. Finally, He didn’t just wear a crown, but He carried our cross. You see, Jesus is our King, He is our Shepherd, and He is also our Savior.

     God in heaven is Holy – that means pure, spotless, without sin. In fact, because God is holy, He cannot even be a part of sin. But, God wanted US to live with Him for eternity. So He sent Jesus to make a way for us to be cleansed from sin, to be clean and pure, too.

     Jesus never sinned. He always did exactly what God wanted –He is the ONLY person that ever was sinless. Yet, Jesus took all the punishment for the sins of every person in the world. That is why Jesus was crucified on the cross – to pay the punishment for all of those peoples’ many sins. Not one sin was His own.

     Why do you think Jesus did that? Why would He be willing to suffer all the pain of dying on that cross? It certainly hurt Him. Why was Jesus willing to come down from heaven as a baby, grow up, and die on that cross? It is only because He loved us so much. He loved us enough to die on the cross – so that we could have life with Him forever!

Questions:

What did Jesus NEVER do, that everyone else does? (sin)
Why was Jesus willing to do all this for us?

Prayer: Almighty Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your son to be our best gift imaginable – our Savior, Jesus. What a truly awesome, amazing gift! Please help us show our love for You by the way we live. In Christ’s name, amen.

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas!
Patti & Cara

Classic Christianity