Rediscovering Christmas Season 7 of 25

Day 7 of 25 is here! I hope you are noticing that your heart is being awakened more to the reality of Christ and His purposes...I know that I am:)

Decorations

Exposure: Read God's detailed instructions for the decoration of the Tabernacle. Go though your home and examine the Christmas decorations you have. If you haven't decorated, take this time to decorate to celebrate this important season.

Exploration: Why do you think God was so specific about how to decorate the temple? What significance or symbolism do you think these decorations must have had?

Expression: Discuss with friends or family or journal about the meaning and significance of your existing decorations. How can your decorations speak to the focus you've placed on Christ?

Experience: Create a new ornament or decoration that can represent how you feel about your relationship with Jesus this year. 
Contributions for the Sanctuary


Exodus 25

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 "Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, 5 tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

The Ark of the Covenant

10 "They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. 15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.

17 "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

The Table for Bread

23 "You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 25 And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27 Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. 29 And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.

The Golden Lampstand

31 "You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; 33 three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, 35 and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. 36 Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. 38 Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent of pure gold. 40 And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. 

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 6 of 25

Welcome to day 6! 

Would you respond to this blog with a comment from the exploration questions? And let's pray for each other as we seek to have our hearts bent toward Jesus:)

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

I John 4:10
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins

The Gift

Exposure: Read these verses about giving. Go Christmas shopping for someone that is not a part of your immediate family like a patient in a nursing home or hospital, your mail carrier, your garbage collector, or a foster child.

Exploration: What is the real point of giving a gift? How is Jesus the best gift you have ever received?

Expression: How generous are you with your time, treasures, and talents? Do you live as if it truly is more blessed to give than receive? How can you live this out more fully this Christmas season?

Experience: Discuss with friends or family or journal about a time when you blessed someone with extreme generosity or a time where you were blessed by someone else's extreme generosity. Spend time praying asking God to help you become more generous by better comprehending the gift of love He has given us. 

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 5 of 25

Welcome to day 5! 

Matthew 4:12-17

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Isaiah 9:1-3
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation;

Matthew 5:14-16
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Lights

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.

Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?

Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?

Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv. 

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 4 of 25

Day 4 reflection...This one really hits home for me 

Mark 9:33-37
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, What were you discussing on the way? 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.


Servant of All

Exposure: Read Jesus' remarks to His disciples about being a servant. In the next 24 hours, live this out by serving someone. Especially think of a way you welcome a little child in Jesus' name.

Exploration: Why do you think Jesus took a child into His arms for this remark? What does it say about Jesus' ministry that a little child was already nearby?

Expression: Who do you think was blessed more? You the server or the people being served?

Experience: Take an inventory of how you spend most of your days. Is your life characterized more by being served or serving? Is it any different during Christmas time?

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 3 of 25

Good Morning!

I have really been enjoyng spending my days thinking and praying as I prepare my heart and mind for Advent.

Enjoy day 3

Read Luke 2:1-20

Terrified

Exposure: Read the account of the shepherds who became witnesses to Jesus' arrival.

Exploration: Wonderful and terrifying at the same time! What do you think was going through the shepherd's minds when the angels appeared?

Expression: How would you have felt if you were given this news? Discuss with a friend or journal about your reflections of this miraculous scene.

Experience: Have you had an experience where God interrupted your life with an important message? How was that a combination of terrifying and wonderful? Take time to pray—not to say anything to God, just to listen.

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 2 of 25

Enjoy day two!

Read Matthew chapter 1

The Announcement

Exposure: Read the opening chapter of the New Testament—the account of Joseph, the earthly father God chose for His Son.

Exploration: Consider how the weight of generations of expectations affected Joseph's ability to step into such an awesome role. What do you think was going through Joseph's mind when the angel showed up and told them about Jesus?

Expression: How would you have felt if you were Joseph? Discuss with a friend or journal about what this announcement meant to Joseph and to all of us.

Experience: Have you had an experience where God asked you to do something that seemed ridiculous? Make a plan this Christmas season to do something ridiculous that you know God wants you to do.


We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.

Rediscovering the Christmas Season 1 of 25

Here we go!

Join me in these readings and let's prepare our hearts for the deepest joy as we meet Him in a special way this Christmas season!

Day one begins December 1, 2012 but here is a preview. Each day I will add the next reading and contemplation:)

Read Luke Chapter 2:21-40

A Preface to This Adventure

What Is Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or coming. The Hebrews looked forward to the coming of a Savior or Messiah—the First Advent. Now, we are waiting expectantly for His return to sweep His bride off of our feet—the Second Advent. The Church has been waiting for Him to come back from the moment He left the first time.

Why Should I Participate in Advent? So, what does Advent have to do with celebrating the arrival of Jesus?
Traditionally, Advent counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Practically, Advent reminds us to look forward to His return every day. This season is about resetting Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. After all, when He comes to take us home forever, we want to be ready. Expect to be inspired, challenged, refocused, broken, motivated, unified, encouraged, and most of all, expectant.

How Do I Use This Reading Plan? Each day provides daily reflection questions and often a suggested activity to help you center that day on Jesus. You can go in order or you can skip around and pick a day that you feel would be the most beneficial. You can go through the plan as an individual, but think of ways to do them in groups or as a family. Some activities will be things that you may already do during the Christmas season, but will suggest a Christ-centered way to think about it. Other activities will be things that you have never done before, so be open-minded and willing to try something new. Each day will include Exposure,

Exploration, Expression, and Experience. You may find that you want to read the Additional Content each day before the scripture to guide what you’re looking for.

Exposure: Read the account of two people who waited every day in the Temple for Jesus' arrival. To add a traditional element, look up information about Advent wreaths and set up something like it in your home to use during this time. Yours can be as simple as four candles arranged in a circle.

Exploration: Discuss or journal about these two people who were blessed by seeing God's Savior with their own eyes. How can your life reflect this kind of anticipation?
Expression: Think about how you anticipate Christmas. How much of this feeling of excitement is centered on the arrival of Christ?

Experience: Before you dive into this 25-day journey, spend some time in prayer. Ask God to open your eyes so your vision of Jesus becomes clearer than it has ever been. Ask God to make you more aware of what it means to live your life with the expectation of the Advent of Jesus. Even on a personal level, when Jesus comes, life truly is an

ADVENTure. Let's experience it fully this Christmas season!

We'd like to thank LifeChurch.tv for their generosity in providing the structure for the "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" reading plan. To learn more about LifeChurch.tv, visit their website at http://lifechurch.tv.