Week Five: Hope

Today is Christmas Eve...the wait is over! This has to be my favorite day of the year. I love spending the day at church celebrating the birth of Jesus! After the last service, it’s family time. We will sit together in front of the tree with coffee and cocoa, open a Christmas Eve gift and reflect on the Christmas Story.

We loved spending Girls Night Out with you. It was such a sweet time together! One of the songs we sang, “O Holy Night,” reflects on the night Jesus was born. I thought it would be wonderful to take some time today and think about what that night was like. Before we do, take a moment and read Luke 2:1-20. 

It was a holy night…a night like no other mankind had ever seen. It was a night filled with wonder and amazement…majesty and awe. God’s greatest gift, the long-awaited Promise, had finally arrived. 

Bethlehem, a city in chaos…crowded streets…weary travelers. Mary and Joseph desperate for a place to stay, but there was no room to be found. Can you imagine the fear, frustration and panic Mary felt as the pains of labor swept in? Her mind must have been spinning with questions: Where will the baby be born? A stable? With the animals? Are you kidding me!?! The truth is God’s only Son was born in a stable surrounded by animals. 

Shepherds were called. Kings were drawn. The angels proclaimed His arrival and the brightest star took its place above the town to mark the spot where He lay. A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…a simple trough filled with hay to hold Him. God’s only Son… the long awaited one…Jesus…born in Bethlehem. You shall call him Emmanuel – God with us. Yes. It was a holy night…it was the night of our dear Savior’s birth. 

A thrill of HOPE, the weary world rejoices. On this night the world rejoiced, because the world was given JOY. On this night the world was given PEACE. On this night the world was given LOVE and, on this night, the world was given HOPE. It all came wrapped in a precious bundle…a baby who came to be our Savior…Jesus Christ the Lord! Do you remember what He was to be called? Emmanuel…God with us. Yes, it was a holy night, but it doesn’t end there. He lived. He died, and He rose to life! So, we aren’t just celebrating what was. We’re celebrating what is. Right here…right now…today! Jesus is still Emmanuel, and God is still with us!

Jesus brought JOY and PEACE to a weary world desperate for relief. Are you weary? Whatever you are yearning for find it in the Savior. He brought LOVE to a harsh world filled with indifference. Do you feel loved and valued? Find it in the Savior. He brought HOPE to a broken world desperate for healing. Have you lost hope? Find it in the Savior. He brought salvation to a world that was desperate for redemption. Do you need salvation? Find it in the Savior! He is HERE! Emmanuel, God is with us. 

Let’s declare Christmas as an “O Holy Night” because Jesus is still giving HOPE… He is still giving PEACE…JOY…LOVE, and He is still the Savior of the world! Don’t miss the holiness of this night. Call on the Savior! You see all who call on Him can boldly proclaim, “He is our HOPE! He is our PEACE, and He is our SAVIOR!” Our hearts rejoice because of who HE is, what HE has done and what HE is still doing. Jesus is worthy of our praise. Never forget…He is here. Emmanuel, God is with us. Let all within us praise His holy name. 

Take time to praise God for the amazing gift we have in Jesus.

Some great ways to do that would be attend a Christmas Eve service, 

Sing or listen to “O Holy Night,” 

Write in a gratitude journal, or 

Simply pray and let God know how grateful you are.

Week Five: Hope is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Four: Love

All around the world, the universal language is love. Every tribe, race, religion, culture, and people group “speak” this language. The human heart yearns for love more than any other thing. The theme of love is the message of countless songs, poems, plays, films, books, and artwork because love is the deepest desire of all human beings. In fact, if someone feels unloved or has trouble or loss in this area, it is almost incapacitating. Grief is most often tied to the loss of love and it can be a dark place. But, while loss of love can be truly crippling, finding love is a balm for the soul! 

If Christmas is about anything, it is about LOVE. It is about the GREATEST LOVE of all. Understanding the message of love represented through Christ’s coming to earth can turn a person’s world around. The powerful truth that God’s love is personal and free to all who will receive it has a restorative quality that nothing on this earth can match. In other words, an encounter with God’s love can mend a broken heart and satisfy a lonely soul. ONLY GOD’S LOVE breaks down walls, loosens chains and realigns a fractured identity.

The apostle John describes exactly what this love looks like: 

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (I John 4:9-10)

When you think about  baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, the true picture you should be focusing on is grown-up Jesus on the cross. He didn’t arrive on earth just to form a small group, teach about the kingdom of God, make the lame walk and give sight to the blind, He actually here came to die. God’s love became visible through the death of Christ on the cross.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17).

Human love is wonderful but it can never take the place of divine love. God’s love saves us! It saves us emotionally, physically and eternally! 

During this Christmas season, turn your eyes toward the reality of this amazing love and let it wash over you. The reality that you are wanted; you are accepted; you are cherished; you are LOVED!

Week Four: Love is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Three: Peace

Shalom.

If we were in ancient Israel this is how we would greet one another. It is how we would extend a warm welcome to each other, our neighbors, our family, folks we run into around town - “Shalom.” Interestingly enough, “shalom” is the Hebrew word for “peace” meaning, complete or whole. Therefore we are not merely greeting one another with affection and good will, rather we are offering restoration in peace.

Much of our world today begs the opposite. Nothing about recent days echo any sentiment of “Shalom.” This year alone has riddled us with anxiety, unrest, discord, conflict, and disagreement. It feels like a dark cloud looming over our heads while we wait for the other shoe to drop.

However, there is good news this Christmas season. Shalom, or peace, does not only refer to the absence of conflict, but the presence of something else. The presence of One that restores to wholeness.

Read Isaiah 9:5-7. Now, read it again. What does the last part of verse 6 and first part of verse 7 say? “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”

The birth of Jesus Christ was providing the presence of “something else” that was required to achieve Shalom. But He didn’t merely provide peace, Scripture says that His Name is Peace. He is peace, and it’s what He gives to us (John 14:27). Which means, if we are in Christ, we are a people of peace.

In a divisive culture during this Christmas season, may we be known for taking what is broken and restoring it to wholeness; participating in the life of Jesus who, “reconciled to himself all things...making peace by the blood of the cross” (Colossians 1:20). It is only through the Person of Jesus Christ that we can accomplish Shalom - He established peace on earth beginning with His birth, carried out through His life, settled by His death, and secured in His resurrection.

Jesus established peace on earth beginning with His birth, carried out through His life, settled by His death, and secured in His resurrection.

There is no better time to assume the posture of peace than in 2020. This doesn’t mean that we deny or dismiss disagreement or conflict. We don’t compromise truth for harmony. But we model after Jesus, and restore what is broken to wholeness.

Shalom.

Reflect:

1. Where are you needing peace to dwell with you?

2. Does it comfort you to know that peace is not only a feeling, but a Person?

3. Encourage one friend today, through text, note, or phone call, with a word of peace.

Week Two: Joy is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Two: Joy

Joy. This short, simple word printed on Christmas cards, ornaments, plaques, shirts, plates and almost anything Christmas is possibly the most well-known of all Christmas “words.” Despite its simplicity, the word is anything but simple. Most people equate Joy with happiness, but in truth, joy is much deeper than that. Joy comes from the Greek word “chara” meaning a feeling of inner gladness. In other words, happiness despite what might be happening around us! 

With this definition in mind, isn’t JOY exactly what we need today? If we look around at our world, there are so many circumstances that can make us feel “unhappy.” For many, the holidays themselves are a time of loneliness or deep sadness. The loss of a loved one, financial distress, broken relationships, health worries... can make for a very joyless season. On top of personal melancholy, the state of our country and fear of the future can make us downright depressed! 

We need a deep-down JOY, and this is actually what Christmas is all about. Let’s consider the “first’ Christmas to understand this word more fully. 

Read Luke 2:8-20

Jesus’ birth came after a time of silence in the Jewish nation. God had not spoken for 400 years. His last words were spoken through the prophet Malachai in approximately 430 B.C. and so while many had begun to “forget” about God, the devout continued to study the scriptures waiting patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled. And one starry night in the little town of Bethlehem, the promise came to fruition. The shepherds were the first to learn of the great event proclaimed by angels: 

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” 

The good news was that God was no longer silent. The good news was that God had come to earth to reveal himself to man, the long awaited Messiah had finally come: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the [a] virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

The Good News was that man now had direct access to God through Jesus Christ. The Savior would rescue, redeem and restore man’s relationship with God. And for all who trusted in Him, forgiveness, freedom and eternal life would be their destiny. This message was not just for the shepherds or the Jewish people; it was a message for all mankind. The reality of a Savior who would set people free from the bondage of sin, remove their guilt once and for all and reunite them with the Father for all eternity is not just good news, it is the BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD. 

This is, indeed, a reason for GREAT JOY!

No matter what you are experiencing this Christmas season, let the truth about what Jesus’ birth means cause you to “celebrate!” Joy is not based on our circumstances on the outside but rather on what is inside of us. Trust Christ; accept His sacrifice; claim His power and find true JOY!

Week Two: Joy is part of an five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week One: Introduction

Have you ever had to wait for something? Not just anything but for that one thing you’ve been longing for? I know I have! 

When I was a child I could not WAIT for Christmas morning to get here. I would wake up and make sure my brother and parents were awake because the waiting was over. It was time for PRESENTS! It felt like my parents would take forever to get ready to go downstairs. Before we could rush down the stairs we would have to sit and wait at the top while my dad went to make sure the coast was clear. We sat there waiting and then finally he would call us down. We would fly downstairs into the living room where the celebration would begin!

One year my father “stumbled across Santa” still putting out our gifts. We heard a crazy commotion and my dad yelling, “Come back! Wait!” We ran in the room as the door slammed shut. We had JUST missed Santa! What?!? How he managed to get away so fast, I’ll never know. If we hadn’t waited at the top of the stairs we would have seen him! 

Am I the only one that hates to wait? Waiting is hard, especially when we’re afraid we might miss the one thing that we really want - no - need. Over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born an entire nation was waiting for him. They had been waiting for generations, and yet, most of them completely missed him. Let’s not let that happen to us this year. Let’s pause in this busy time of year to reflect on this baby, Jesus, born in a manger. God’s Son...given for us all. 

In these devotions, we will embark on a little ADVENTure. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus...our Savior and long-awaited promise. We will journey through scripture to discover some of the incredible gifts God has given to us through Jesus. Gifts that are sitting there just waiting to be unwrapped. Each is a treasure and together they are priceless. We could all use more Joy, Peace, Love and Hope. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

How do you need to experience Jesus this year? 

What do you most need? Joy, Peace, Love or Hope? 

Take some time to listen to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and reflect on the longing of this song. Are you longing for Jesus?

Week One: Introduction is part of an five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Equip Me According to Your Word

The start of a new year brings so many mixed emotions. From excitement and anticipation, to renewed hopes and goals, to relief and renewal. So many of us set out to accomplish new goals; long-term and short-term at the start of the year. We quickly jump on the band-wagon of “New Year, New Me” by setting fitness goals, spiritual renewals, and personal mantras.

However, somewhere in between we tend to lose them, the excitement of a fresh start quickly turns into survival mode or worse, disappointment… We start to miss the day-in and day-out excitement that we first had at the beginning of the year.

I noticed this a few years back in my own life so I started approach the New Year differently. What if I chose a word for the year? What if this word could help me accomplish all of those fitness goals, spiritual renewals, and personal mantras I had made? What if this word helped me regain my perspective and helped me refocus?

This past year I chose the word “Equipped: to be supplied with all the necessary equipment.” Setting out at the beginning of 2018, I was not sure what kind of meaning this word would take. You see there have been times in my life where I have not felt prepared, especially in this stage of my life as a twenty-something… As I have read, prayed, and pressed into this word, I now believe that when the Apostle Paul went on to say that may the people be EQUIPPED he meant a resounding blessing not just for them, but for you and me.

I don’t know what kind of load you are carrying. I don’t know what kind of year lies ahead for you or what year you’ve had, but I do know that with whatever happens you can walk into the New year with confidence knowing that you are EQUIPPED to walk through it, that you have been supplied with ALL the necessary equipment to face a new day, to face this new year. Time and time again throughout 2018 this was proven to be true, this word has shown me its meaning in more ways than one.

The words we speak to others and the words we speak to ourselves hold immense power. Throughout scripture we are reminded of the power of our words. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. James 3:5 tells us that although our tongues may seem small, our words can speak big things. 

I have not yet settled on a word for 2019, but I am excited and expectant to see how God will use that chosen word to renew my thoughts and revive my spirit. I encourage you to choose a word for the year and see just how it takes on its meaning.

Praying that you would be equipped according to HIS word and would enter 2019 with great joy and a sense of refreshment... Happy New Year, my friends!

See Christmas Like a Child

Children are messy. Their tiny chubby fingers leave fingerprints everywhere. They spill, leave crumbs, break things, and generally leave rooms in disarray when they leave. Children can be loud, and they ask lots and lots of questions.

Children are also curious and filled with wonder. Their imaginations soar. They wrap their little arms around you and give hugs with all their might. They laugh and share their contagious smiles. Children do exactly what children were made to do.

Kids trust and when they have faith in something, they believe big. God created them that way, and in His Word, He tells us to be like children when it comes to faith. In the book of Mark (and Luke), we read about a day when parents were bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples were sending the children away, but Jesus rebuked them and instructed them to let the children come.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like this child shall not enter it. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:15, 16

Jesus understood the hearts and faith of children. From this account, I believe we can see the “fun” side of Jesus. I imagine he laughed with the children and answered their questions. He may have told jokes and played tag. Think about it…What children are drawn to stuffy, serious adults?

Christmas is an especially great time to be a tyke. They can be excited, wild, and crazy and not care one bit about what other people think. They go “all in” to celebrate. For many years, I taught preschoolers, and hosted a birthday party for Jesus each Christmas. Every year the lively class of kids sang “Happy Birthday” with all of their hearts as if Jesus was sitting at the table. These lively preschoolers wore party hats and eagerly tooted horns to celebrate.

This Christmas, let’s try to be more like children: be messy, give hugs, laugh, and share smiles. Be filled with wonder as you remember the reason for Christmas and go “all in.” Let’s see Jesus as the guest of honor at every table and remember to celebrate with all of our hearts. Tooting horns is optional!​

A Sweet Celebration

The holiday season can be full of so much excitement, joy, and…food! Growing up my fondest Christmas memories were spent gathered in the kitchen with whisks in hand, the smell of fresh-baked cookies overflowing into every room of the house, and cousins catching up with one another over a cup of hot chocolate at my grandma’s house. No matter what happened from one year to the next, my cousins and I could always count on this tradition.

You see, the act of baking the cookies brought us all together, but it was much more than that. It was the laughs in between; it was the sharing of the baked goods with friends and neighbors; it was the passing of recipes between generations to generation, and it was the overall feeling of being united and at home no matter the distance that separated us throughout the year.

Being a baker and reflecting on Christmas I have always found it interesting that Jesus used bread, a simple and straightforward baked good, to describe Himself. He could have used anything, yet he used bread?!

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35

It makes sense that Jesus would use something as simple as bread to describe Himself. You see, bread is full of leavening agents - ingredients used to make things rise. As Christ was raised, so are those that believe in Christ. Baked goods have a way of uplifting people’s spirits; they have a way of bringing people together; they have a way of making you feel full and at home. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life…” In Him we are raised to life, in Him we feel that joy, in Him we are complete, and in Him we find our home. THIS is WHO and WHY we celebrate Christmas. 

So whether you are a grade A baker or the best taste-tester, I encourage you to gather with your friends and family, invite your coworkers or neighbors, reach out to someone who may have difficulty finding the joy in the holidays, and partake in the sweet celebration of the birth of our Savior this Christmas! 

Here are some ideas this Christmas season as you gather at the table…

Host a Christmas Cookie Bake!

Invite your friends and family over and bake/decorate Christmas cookies. Even if people do not like to bake, I am sure they love to eat cookies! Plus if you have any extras, Crossroads Church will be collecting baked goods during the Christmas Eve Services.

Deliver Baked Goods!

You may not be too comfortable baking in the kitchen, but did you know Crossroads Church needs volunteers to deliver baked goods to Coweta’s First Responders during Christmas Eve. Who knew that a simple act could be so sweet?! (pun totally intended!)

Share Your Favorite Recipes!

I love seeing people share family recipes and traditions. Between personal preferences, cultural practices/techniques, to simple delights, we can learn so much just through the sharing of food.

From my kitchen to your table, Merry Christmas, my friends!

5 Traditions to Start This Christmas

As a parent, one of the best things about the holidays is the extra time you get to spend with your children. This is also an incredible opportunity for teaching, giving, and memory making. Maybe you already have some Christmas traditions. If not, think about starting some this year or adding some new ones. Below are a few holiday tradition recommendations.

Pick Out A Tree

Many families do this every year. It’s time to chop down a tree, pick one from the tree farm, or put up the artificial tree. Whatever the case, make sure you make it a family affair. Some of the best memories can be created during this time. Also, if you are choosing a live tree do not go for the perfect tree in your eyes, but maybe let the little ones have a say too. Sure they may choose a tree like Charlie Brown would, but that just may turn into the best memory. Those far outlast any tree.

Decorate Together

Now for the decorating. In the past, everything may have been pristine, precise, and looking like it came out of a catalog. However, you guys are parents and the little ones want to hang the ornament pictures they colored in preschool. Maybe you have two trees for this, but, if you can only choose one, choose the tree that tells a story. With each passing year the story of your Christmas tree unfolds with new and emotional pages.

Buy A Gift for Another Family

This is a great opportunity to teach children about giving and generosity. Break away from the commercialism that surrounds much of the holiday and show your children how much joy one can offer to another through selfless giving. There are some great organizations that can help facilitate this like Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child.

Read The Christmas Story

This is something my family has done every year since I was young. We would gather together, and before unwrapping gifts we take a moment to read the Christmas Story from Luke 2. The reading was usually done by the patriarch of the family. This tradition was passed on to my father, and recently, I was asked to read the story to our family on Christmas morning. Some of my best Christmas memories usually come out of this time. Family members have cried together, shared together, and even broken into a Christmas carol or two.

Eat A Christmas Breakfast Around the Table

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially life during the holiday season, it becomes increasingly difficult to eat a meal together around the table as a family. Why not enjoy some good eggs and bacon together? Add biscuits, sausage gravy, pancakes, and coffee and it becomes a good old southern style morning feast. Do this before or after opening gifts. This one thing I know: Good food has an amazing way of bringing a family together.

So, do something new this Christmas. Start a tradition. If you have Christmas traditions you love, then share them on our Facebook page. We would love to hear them.

12 Days of Serving Others

During the holiday season, we are reminded of what it means to give. Many times, we are encouraged to give financially, give to nonprofits, give gifts…all things that require giving material goods. But what about serving people? Both giving and serving are great ways to help others and make a huge impact, but I think that we forget to do both during this season.

In the midst of a material-focused society, sometimes we forget what it means to serve others in addition to giving to others. Giving to others is a great thing, but in some situations, people need to be served more than they need a gift. To serve someone shows the depth of how much we care for them.

What do you plan on giving to others this holiday season? If you plan on giving to the church, people in need, or even just gifts for the family, I would encourage you to also think of ways that you can serve those same people in addition to the gifts that you give.

A great way for you and your family to focus on serving others this month is to plan an advent calendar for serving during the 12 days leading up to Christmas! This is a great activity to do for everyone! Whether it’s just you, you and your friend or spouse, or you and the whole family, creating a plan for 12 days of serving will help you intentionally care for others this season.

Creating a “12 Days of Serving” Calendar

Brainstorm

Brainstorm and write down some ways that you could serve others. If you’re doing this with a friend, close family member, or your kids, include them in the brainstorming and see what they come up with as well. During this brainstorming process, don’t be too hard on yourself. Think small at first and then write down what you come up with.

Make a List

Try to make it your own, but if you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas, here are a few to help you start thinking:

• Do the dishes for a family member

• Rake the leaves for a neighbor

• Send a note of encouragement to a friend

• Offer to help carry someone’s groceries

• Invite a neighbor over for a meal

Once you’re finished with your list, condense it down to 12 (or however many days you choose to do). Now you can make your advent calendar!

Create Your Calendar

There are many ways that you can make your calendar of serving, so it’s up to you to decide what’s best and most fun for you!

Here are a few ways that I thought of:

• Write each day and serving activity on a notepad and tear the days off of the notepad as you go

• Write each day’s activity on a notecard and hang them in order on a string with a laundry clip

• Write each day’s activity in a notebook and journal about how each serving opportunity goes

• Write your list on a dry erase board and check them off as you go

• Buy or print a calendar to write down and mark off each day

I hope this is a fun and encouraging activity for you and your friends/family this Christmas! Sometimes serving others is scary and takes boldness, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself struggling to take that step. Just remember why you’re doing it and the positive outcome that it may bring in someone’s life. Be bold and share God’s love this holiday season by serving others!