December 1

Good morning! I pray you had a good month meditating on your blessings. It was an excellent month for me.

We’re going on another adventure this month. Quite a few years ago I wrote a Christmas Devotional for my grandchild. They weren’t little any more but neither were they grown. My daughter said what was available through the church just didn’t work.

I found out later that what I had intended for my grandchildren, God had bigger plans. Many adults and singles and even widows and widowers found it a basic devotional to get back into the family part of Christmas. So this month I will be presenting it each day. There is scripture, my thoughts and a prayer. There are even activities for each day, although some may not be enjoyed all. All I ask is that you just think on each days commentary and see where Jesus is for you.

Merry Christmas!

A Different Kind of Advent Devotional 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Have you ever thought that the story of Jesus’s birth actually started in Genesis? It did, as well as your individual story. God created the universe as well as the earth. But what can be even more amazing is that fact that God did not need to create them; He chose to create them. He did not need to create us; He chose to create us. He gave us this amazing place to live for the single purpose that we can be with Him. He also chose to create us after His image, which is why we need to remember just how precious that makes us. So as you start this special time of year, remember: God says, “Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love You”,Isaiah 43:4.         God created a special place for you on this earth. Today, can you create a special place for God in your life? He starts wherever you are, but He will never leave you there.

Dear sweet Father, how can I ever thank You for creating me? I am a sinner, Lord, so unworthy of Your presence, but through Your Son Jesus Christ, You have made me worthy. Thank You for gifting me with this opportunity to come back into Your arms. This Christmas help me to understand this better. Help me to draw closer to You! I love You, Father, let my life glorify You! Amen.

First-Day Activities

As you begin this season, take a few moments to thank your heavenly Father for the many blessings with which He has gifted you. Make it your priority today to think about blessings. Many times we think that what “just happens” happens, but it is actually a gift from God. Spend a moment thanking Him for His many gifts of the day and before bed; write them down.

Parents, before putting your children to bed, take them outside and bring their attention to the stars. Talk to them about how God created those stars just for them to enjoy. He knows where each star is, but, more importantly, He knows where His children are. Pray with them that they will begin to understand just how precious they are to Him. Then take a few moments to just enjoy the display set before you.

Non parents, you too can go outside and enjoy the stars. Listen to Jesus whisper to you just how precious you are to Him.

Instead of setting out your nativity set as usual this year, just take Mary and Joseph out of the storage box and place them in a room. Talk to your family about how they had to travel to Bethlehem before Jesus was born. Then take just the two figures to a different room each day throughout the month, and talk about what they may have seen or gone though on that day. Help your family to visualize their experience.