AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US JOHN 1:14

INTRODUCTION

Each December, Christians all over the world celebrate the advent of Jesus. Advent is a word that means “coming,” and it’s the reason Christmas is such a joyous celebration! Jesus came to a world that needed Him, and when He came, he brought hope, love, joy, and peace.

On that first Christmas so many years ago, the Living God sent joy to a lost and desperate world. That joy came in the form of a person–the Lord Jesus Christ. This joy was Good News because it was the fulfillment of many promises made over many years. The promise that God would send a Savior to deal with the problem facing all men: sin and death. Christmas is about the victory of Jesus over sin and death. We celebrate this victory each Christmas because Jesus invites us to. He invites us to claim victory with Him because of who He is and what He did.

This devotional is designed to serve your family as you celebrate Christmas over the next four weeks. Each week has its own Scripture reading, devotion, prayer prompt, carol, and activity. These special activities are designed to bring joy into your home. Because of what Jesus did, we can find special joy in the most common and mundane things.

We hope you and your family will find a special amount of joy this Christmas season as you celebrate Advent: the coming of Jesus!

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For all the promises of God find their yes in Him II Corinthians 1:20

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Christmastime is the unique opportunity it brings to exchange gifts. We often find ourselves wondering what to get for those we love. And, in return, we wonder what they may give to us! We know what we want, and we hope they know it, too. We shared hints and clues, and in eager anticipation, we await the day when we find out what we’ll get! We are overjoyed to unwrap the perfect gift, but what about when it’s not what we had hoped for? Disappointment is hard, and it’s even harder at Christmas.

Promises are a lot like Christmas gifts. Our lives are filled with promises: sometimes they are kept, and sometimes they are broken. Scripture is filled with promises, too. These promises, though, are always kept! They are always kept because, as II Corinthians 1:20 says, they all find their “yes” in Christ! When Jesus came into the world, He brought with him all the faithfulness of God. God delivered on all of His promises when Jesus was delivered in a manger on the first Christmas.

In Psalm 39, David says that as he waits, his hope is in God. When someone sets his hope in God, he can be confident that he will never be disappointed. With Christ’s advent, we discover that our hope is in the person of Jesus Christ. Whatever else happens on Christmas, we can know that Christ is who He says He is and has done what He said He would. What a glorious gift that is!

Have you ever been disappointed by someone? How is Jesus different than the other people in our lives?

PRAY Pray for our church and the churches across the world that will see many visitors during Christmas. Pray that, as a church, we would faithfully share the hope that is in Jesus to these visitors.

7 O HOLY NIGHT

O holy night! the stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace; Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name; Christ is the Lord, Oh, praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! Sometimes the simplest pleasures can bring the greatest joy. Spending time together in the kitchen baking cookies, whether you use pre-made dough or bake from scratch, is a great way to bring joy into your home this Christmas season.

Consider doubling the recipe to deliver cookies to your Reach contact, neighbor, or friend! You can find printable gift tags and cards to personalize your sweet delivery at fbcjax.com/reach904.

FROM THE KITCHEN OF LAUREN LAMBERT

Oatmeal Cookies With Cherries and Pecans

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 c butter 1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and 1 1/3 c light brown sugar vanilla. 2 eggs 2. In a separate bowl, combine the baking 1 t vanilla soda, flour, cinnamon, and salt. 1 1/2 c all-purpse flour 3. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and 1 t baking soda sugar. Add the oats. 1 t cinnamon 4. Fold in the dried fruit and nuts. 1/2 t salt 5. Place by the tablespoonful on a baking 3 c old fashoned oats sheet. 1 1/2 c dired cherries, cranberries, or 5. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°. Take out raisins when just set and slightly golden brown. Cool 1 c pecans or walnuts (optional) on a rack, and enjoy! A NOTE FROM LAUREN I often refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking so the cookies don’t spread too much. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our family does!

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Christmas is about ______. Go ahead, fill in the blank (let each family member give at least one answer, if not more). There are so many wonderful things we could say! I bet some said, “Jesus,” and, of course, you would be right! But here’s another right answer: love. Did any of you say love? I know a good story about a little boy learning that Christmas is about love.

One day a little boy named Max was getting ready for family movie night. It was one of his favorite things to do: a bowlful of popcorn, fun snacks and treats, and snuggling with his family while watching a movie. While Max helped his mom choose snacks, his dad walked in and told them just how much work he had to get done. Dad wasn’t sure he would be able to join them for movie night. Just then, Max’s big brother came running in asking if they could watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of their favorite Christmas movies. Max’s dad grinned and said, “I love that movie!” The next thing Max knew, the four of them were nestled on the couch watching Charlie Brown.

Even though Max’s dad had lots of work to get done, he decided to do something else that night- something he loved! He decided to sit down and watch a favorite movie with his family. In some ways, that is what happened on the first Christmas. Jesus was at home in Heaven and did not need anything at all. He had all that He needed there, but He decided to leave Heaven and come to earth. He chose to become human- like you and me- and He chose to lay down His life by dying on the cross. He did all of this for one very special reason. Do you know what it is?

Love!

The Bible says God is love and that He loved us so much He sent Jesus so that all who believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Now that is some BIG love! What are some other ways you see God’s love for you in your life? PRAY The Bible says that it is by our love that people will know we are Christians (John 13:35). Pray that God would grant us hearts full of love for one another, that we would not look like the world, and that others would see Christ’s example of selfless love in us.

11 O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come, ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Watch a Christmas movie (or two!) as a family. Many Christmas movies, though not explicitly biblical, express many of the deeply Christian themes of Christmas. As you watch, try and point out when charactersSometimes serve the or sacrifice simplest for pleasures others. Talk can about bring how Jesusthe greatestsacrificed joy.for us and howSpending we can time serve together others. in theCapture kitchen the baking joy presentcookies, whether in so many you use Christmas pre-made doughmovies or bake and from remind scratch, your is a great family way ofto bringthe joy joy weinto have your inhome Jesus! this Christmas season.

CHRISTMASConsider doubling CRUNCH the recipe to deliver coookies to your Reach contact, neighbor, or friend! You can find printable gift tags and cards No family movie night is complete without fun snacks! Enlist your family’s help to make the recipe below. to personalize your sweet delivery at fbcjax.com/reach904. INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 6 c Rice or Corn Chex cereal 1. Line large rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. In a large bowl, mix cereal, marshmallows, and pretzels. 2 c mini marshmallows 1 c mini pretzels or pretzel pieces 2. In a medium microwavable bowl, heat candy coating uncovered on High for 60 to 90 seconds, stirring after one minute, until almost melted. Stir until 15 oz almond bark (about 9 squares) smooth. Pour onto cereal mixture; mix well. 3 T holiday-colored sprinkles 1/4 c powdered sugar 3. Spread cereal mixture on cookie sheet; sprinkle with holiday sprinkles, and cool completely (about 15 minutes). Break into bite-size pieces. 1 c red and green M&Ms 4. In a 2-gallon resealable bag, add coated cereal pieces and powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake to coat. Remove from bag; discard remaining powdered sugar.

5. In a large serving bowl, mix coated cereal and M&Ms.

MOVIES WE LOVE And think you will, too!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1964) A Christmas Carol (2009) (1966)

Miracle on 34th Street It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) (1947, 1994)

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The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... Galatians 5:22 Imagine for a moment your family took a vacation to the mountains for Christmas. Warm fires, Christmas music, and sledding will make this the best Christmas ever!

It’s a cold day, and fresh snow is covering everything. It feels so good to be sugglied up warm in your hat and mittens, holding a warm cup of cocoa as you wait your turn to go down the sledding hill. It feels good until you glance over and notice a big, brown, bear in the woods nearby! You never knew how fast you could run through the snow! You make it to the car, slam the door, and drive off. Your fear turns to relieve as you drive away and see the bear fade into the distance.

Emotions are a funny thing. Sometimes we downplay them, and sometimes we exaggerate them. But what is always true is that we never plan them. Emotions are spontaneous. They are a response to something. Fear, excitement, and anger: these are all emotions we feel in response to something like a bear! What are some emotions you have felt today?

Perhaps the most wonderful emotion is joy. Joy is that good feeling in you when everything seems right. Joy is that feeling you have when something so wonderful happens that your mind forgets everything else! All suffering, fear, and stress are gone. Joy relieves you and lifts you.

The Bible speaks of a joy that came on the first Christmas when Jesus was born. That joy, Nehemiah 8:10 says, is our strength, and it comes from the Holy Spirit. Because it comes from God, it can never be taken away. It does not depend on anything else, just God. Do you know the joy that comes from God? Do you sometimes feel weak? God, in His Son, Jesus, offers us joy that makes us strong! PRAY There are many hurting people in the world. You might even know some of them. You might even be one of them. The joy that God offers us in Jesus is offered to everyone. Pray that God would show sad, hurting people the joy that is in Jesus.

15 JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hils, and plains, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Cruise for Christmas Lights

Can you imagine a world with no lights? While lights can have a very practical purpose (they help us see!), Christmas lights can serve a purpose far beyond their usefulness to simply provide light. They bring a special kind of joy to the shorter days of the Christmas season. This week, let Christmas lights bring joy to your family! Whether you decorate your house, drive around to look at other houses, or visit a light display, talk about your favorite designs, colors, and props.

Find printable scavenger hunt cards on fbcjax.com/ advent! CHRISTMAS LIGHT SCAVENGER HUNT Take a drive around town to see if you can spot the items on the list!

Snowflakes Christmas Trees Snowman North Pole Signs

All White Lights Inflatable Rudolph Nativity Scene Polar Bear

Candy Canes Snow Globe Laser Lights Lights Set to Music

Presents Penguin Icicle Lights Angel

Reindeer Elf Santa Nutcracker

Jesus gives us joy that those who don’t know Him can’t understand. This Christmas, make it a family mission to bring joy to someone! You might buy groceries for a friend you know needs them and leave them anonymously on their doorstep. You might invite a family over for a game night or to watch a Christmas movie. Or maybe your young kids decorate Christmas cards and deliver or mail them to someone who needs to be reminded how much God cares for them! There are countless ways to share the love of Christ with others this season.

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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his woulds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 One cold winter day, more than a hundred years ago, something special happened. It was in the middle of perhaps the worst war in history, World War One. For the soldiers, the day began a lot like the rest of the war. They were far from home, missing their families, and fearful of what may happen next. But then something unexpected happened. An unofficial ceasefire was called between the two sides; all the soldiers laid down their weapons. For the next few days, the days leading up to Christmas in 1914, the German and Allied soldiers did no fighting. Instead, they celebrated Christmas; they sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even played a game of soccer! For a few days, those soldiers escaped the terror of war and found peace. Does that sound like the sort of thing that happens in war? It sure doesn’t!

Unfortunately, that peace quickly came to an end. Only a few days later, those same soldiers picked up their weapons and began fighting again. The peace that those men had created did not last long. Thankfully, that is not the case with the peace Jesus is talking about in John 16. The peace that Jesus invites us into is not a temporary grasp at escape. It is not a peace that relies on men like the peace that day in 1914. The peace depends only on Jesus, on Who He is and what He did.

The peace of Christ is offered to all who believe. When Jesus came into the world as an infant that first Christmas Day, it was for a very specific reason: to bring peace to his people. He brought it by enduring the penalty of their sin as the prophet Isaiah said, he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. Pierced. Crushed. Sounds a lot like war, doesn’t it? Jesus endured violence so that we don’t have to. In return, he asks for nothing at all. Only that we trust in Him. When we do, we receive eternal peace. PRAY True peace comes only in Jesus. Are there attempts in your life to create temporary peace like the soldiers? Pray that God would help you see those areas and turn them towards Jesus and His lasting peace. 19 HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations , rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King.” Make a Gingerbread House Together

Whether it’s a storebought kit or a bunch of graham crackers held together with too much frosting, building a gingerbread house (or castle!) as a family is a wonderful way to laugh and infuse the joy of Christ into your home today.

If your family makes gingerbread houses, share a

picture with us! You can find us on Instagram (@fbcjaxfamilies) or Facebook (FBC JAX Children & Families). We’d love to see how you’re making memories as a family this year!

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WORSHIP WITH US

DOWNTOWN SUNDAY MORNING Sunday School • 9:00 AM Worship Service • 10:30 AM Main Auditorium

SUNDAY EVENING Worship Service • 6:00 PM* Main Auditorium *The Kingdom Kidz musical on December 6 will begin at 5:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY EVENING NextGen Ministries • 6:00 PM Worship Service • 6:15 PM Dining Room* *The Kingom Kidz Primary Musical on December 9 will be held in the Main Auditorium.

NOCATEE SUNDAY MORNING Worship Service • 9:00 AM Sunday School • 10:30 AM

WEDNESDAY EVENING Worship Service • 6:30 PM NextGen Ministries • 6:30 PM

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