We are nearly to Christmas and we await not just ‘presents’, but even more we await the assurance of God’s ‘presence’ with us in Jesus.
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Coffee & fellowship (Sunday School resumes January 4th)
10: 30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
5:30 p.m. – Christmas Carols in fellowship hall
Devotions for the week:
December 21, 2014 “Jesus as Immanuel”
The book of Matthew was written about 80 years after Jesus walked the earth. Early Christians were still working out how they were going to show up in the world; whether they would behave more like Jews or more like Gentiles. Matthew speaks to both perspectives, pointing out that what’s important is not so much how people behave, but how God acts in the world.
God sent God’s son, Jesus, into the world to be God in the world. Jesus bridged the gap between God and humanity so that nothing could separate us from the presence of God.
Read: Read about God’s covenant with Abraham and David, and the promise of Immanuel to the people of Israel.
Sunday, Matthew 1:18-25, Jesus as Immanuel
Monday, Matthew 1:1-7, Genealogy of Jesus
Tuesday, Genesis 15:1-21, God’s Covenant with Abram
Wednesday, Genesis 17:1-27, A Sign of God’s Covenant with Abraham
Thursday, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, God’s Covenant with David
Friday, Isaiah 7:10-17, A Sign of Immanuel
Saturday, Isaiah 7:18-25, A Sign of Immanuel
- What has God promised? How has God been faithful to God’s promises?
- What difference might it make to realize God made a covenant with the community of humanity, rather than with individuals?
- How does Immanuel show up in your life?
Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
Gather your entire household together for a low-stress meal (other than your planned holiday meal). If you live alone, invite a friend over. Set aside and inform the household of a period of time you will be together so that you are not rushed. Set the table. Use your best dishes. Light candles (unless you have very little ones). Say grace. No electronics at the table. Talk to each other. Linger over dessert. Slow down and enjoy the time together.
