Category: Christmas – Advent Tree Devotions

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 13

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Chalice

Isaiah 51:17; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:22‑26; Revelation 3:20

December 13 – Chalice

Isaiah 51:17; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:22‑26; Revelation 3:20

To share someone’s food and drink is to be in intimacy with them.  The life of the strongest man is vulnerable to poisons in his food and drink, and kings and emperors for thousands of years appointed their most trusted servants as cup bearers to taste everything served to the regent.  Those with whom a man shares his table are usually his closest friends and family.  Jesus spent His last hours on earth eating with those He loved. 

“Cup” is used in other ways in the Bible too.  David said “My cup runneth over” referring to the overflowing blessings of God in his life.  Isaiah taught that the wicked would have to drink the cup of God’s judgment to the dregs.  Jesus used the word to refer to the bitterness of suffering, sin and death when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane “Let this cup pass from me.” 

The chalice is a type of cup usually associated with the Last Supper of Christ and with liturgical worship.  More than a simple cup, it is the most important symbol of communion for it reminds us of the spilled blood of Christ for our sins. As we place this decoration on our advent Christmas tree, let us take a few minutes to thank God for this glorious gift.

As with the bread, the chalice containing the “blood of Christ” reminds us to take His character into ourselves.  We must know the Word of God as Jesus did.  We must pray daily and intensely as Jesus did.  We must trust God completely, while taking joy in His leading, as Jesus did.  We must forgive others as Jesus did, and we must look beyond the suffering of this life to the eternal glory to come…as Jesus did.  Even more, we must acknowledge that in the greatest sense, we are crucified with Christ, and our lives are actually His. 

This Christmas season and all through the year we will see many cups, and even a few chalices.  Each time you see one, refocus your life on reflecting His will in you.  Take in a double dose of His Word, His works (especially in Creation), and His peace, joy and Love.   

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 12

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Shepherd’s Crook

Exodus 12; Numbers 27:16-17; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 23; John 1:29; 10:11‑18

More than any other class of livestock, sheep require constant and meticulous care.  Sheep are timid and fearful, stubborn and stupid, and will move with the mob, even to their own destruction.  At the sight of a predator, sheep panic, losing their babies through miscarriage and even their lives in unrestrained fear.  Within the flock there is tension, rivalry, and cruel competition.  Sheep lead other sheep down treacherous paths and then butt them into injury.  Sheep are notorious for getting “cast down”, in which they have rolled on to their back with their feet in the air.  A “cast down” sheep is helpless to right itself, and will die in a few hours if not turned upright.  Sheep that have too much wool, are too fat, or rest too long in a soft and easy place are in grave danger of being cast down. 

A brief look at human behavior in the past, and in the present, is enough to make anyone with insight realize that people are very much like sheep.  That is why we desperately need a shepherd.   

A good shepherd loves his sheep.  He walks with them over many hard miles, carries them when they hurt, protects them from predators, and sleeps with them in the cold.  He finds food and water for them even in rough places, lifts them up when they are cast down, and is willing to put their needs before his own.   Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd.  The Shepherd’s Crook is a symbol of the shepherd and was one of the earliest symbols used by Christians. It helped them find strength and comfort, and the courage to face ridicule and persecution.

The Shepherd’s Crook also reminds us that the lamb was sacrificed in Old Testament worship to atone for the peoples’ sins.  The blood of the lamb protected the Children of Israel from the Angel of Death when it was passing over the Egyptians in judgment.  Ultimately, Jesus’ sacrificed Himself for the sins of the whole world.  He is the true and final “Lamb of God”. 

We can never understand human behavior until we accept that we truly are like sheep.  How often do we remark, when told of another’s foolish act or sin, “How could he have done that?”  Instead we must realize that without the common grace of God given to all men, and the special grace given to those who trust Him, mankind could never do anything else. We cannot exalt in the pinnacle of grace until we confess the depth of depravity of the human heart. 

Jesus, the Lamb of God, took the just penalty for all of our sins upon Himself.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for His sheep, protects them, and loves them.  The power and life of what He did, and does, for us, beggars description.  Take a few minutes, or hours, to meditate on Him and His works.  Whenever you see a sheep or a shepherd’s crook, let these memories and thoughts flood your heart with a peace that only the Lord can provide. 

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King,
And Peace to men on earth!

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born to us today!
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 11

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Eight Pointed Star

Genesis 7, 8; I Peter 3:18‑22

“Nuclear holocaust”, “Global Warming”, “Overpopulation”, “Pandemic Flu”, and a host of other predictions of calamity fill the news in the 21st century.  This is nothing new…newspapers of earlier centuries; pamphlets before that and stories earlier still have contained the same thing.  Bad news (or even predictions) sells.  It is easy, and encouraged in modern culture, to believe that the fate of God’s creation lies at the whim and power of man.  It does not…Our Lord still reigns.

The greatest catastrophe in human history was neither the 1945 nuclear explosion in Hiroshima nor the 2005 tsunami in Indonesia.  It wasn’t the Black Death in 1350, and also not the Influenza Pandemic of 1918.  Rather, the most horrible disaster of man occurred thousands of years earlier, before 4,000 B.C., when the entire world was drowned in a flood.  Millions were killed; only eight survived. 

The Bible tells us that God saw the evil on earth, and it was great.  He decided to destroy the world with a flood, but to continue the line of man through one man, Noah, and his family, the only people who continued in righteousness.  The number eight is historically symbolic of rebirth, and the eight pointed star reminds us that though evil results in destruction, those who remain true to God will ultimately be reborn, and enjoy a great reward. 

God is just, but He is also merciful.  No sooner did Adam and Eve sin in Eden than He foretold the coming Savior (Gen 3:15).  No sooner did Peter deny Christ than Jesus restored fellowship with him after the Resurrection (John 21:15-22).  Springtime and butterflies are great examples of rebirth, but some of the greatest are the rebirth of marriages after discord, the reconciliation of parents and children after estrangement, and the restoration of a man to God after a time of falling away. The ultimate example of rebirth is the Resurrection of Christ, an event all who believe in Him will share. 

Stars are some of God’s greatest symbols.  They are visible every night throughout the world and are dazzlingly beautiful.  Each one is also an independent sun, providing light and heat to many galaxies.  The glitter and power of a star, combined with eight, the number of rebirth, is a striking reminder of the authority of God to effect the rebirth of His people in every way, now and in eternity.

This Advent season, consider the areas in your life which need to be reborn… perhaps a career dream, a relationship with a friend, child or spouse, or a recommitment to God.  Then decide to make that rebirth happen, search the Scriptures for the many examples of rebirth noted there, petition the Lord for His help, and then do what He tells you, with joy.  

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See within a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 10

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Wheat

John 6:31‑58; Matthew 26:26‑29

Since antiquity, wheat has been the most important grain in the world.  China, traditionally considered a rice-eating country, annually consumes 190 lbs per capita of wheat, mostly in noodles.  Each person in the US consumes about 144 lbs per year.  Wheat is even more important in the Middle East, with annual per capita consumption in Israel of 294 lbs and Egypt of 384 lbs.  Wheat is mentioned 52 times in the Bible, and Palestine was a major exporter in ancient times.  Grains such as wheat and rice contain carbohydrates which comprise about 55% percent of a healthy diet.

Jesus taught that man cannot live by (physical) bread alone and said “I am the bread of life”.   Just as physical bread is required for physical life, so spiritual bread, Jesus Christ, is required for eternal life.  In a powerful but frightening statement, He said that unless people eat His flesh and drink His blood, they cannot have eternal life.  Unless we take Jesus’ teachings into our hearts and minds, accept His sacrifice for our sins, and welcome His Holy Spirit into our lives, we cannot have eternal life. 

During the last meal of Jesus’ life, He broke bread and gave it to His disciples to eat, representing His body to be broken by the Crucifixion, just a few hours away.  He then gave them wine, representing His blood to be poured out for their sins.   Earlier in His ministry Jesus taught these men that they needed to let His Spirit reign in them, and in this final hour, He symbolically helped them do so. 

During the Holy Communion, the remembrance of this night, Christians take bread and wine to remember the Lord, and His great sacrifice for us.  Whatever our specific tradition in the Christian faith, this remembrance is a chance to reconnect with His Spirit, and be made more like Him.  But every day, whether Communion or Advent or not, we can thank God for His bountiful blessings.  

As with the other decorations, wheat is a common element in our lives.  Whether we are enjoying bread, noodles, pastries, cereals, or thousands of other food products using wheat, let us remember how Christ is the Bread of Life.  If we eat heartily of His body, our joy in Christmas will be renewed.  If we drink deeply of His blood, our peace in this busy time will be restored.  If we pause and remember vividly His sacrifice, our wonder at the mystery of salvation will grow, and our awe and delight and His unfailing grace will abound. 

Let us slow down and take time to come to Jesus for the bread and wine which sustains us through every trial and tribulation, gives us sustenance and encourages us to grow for Him. 

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 9

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Dove

Genesis 8:6-12; Leviticus 1:14-17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Galatians 5:15‑25

The dove is mentioned often in the Bible, from helping Noah know when the waters had receded, to serving as a sacrifice for the poor.  The dove is also the most common image of the Holy Spirit.  Do you recall the scripture passages which tell of the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove? (Matthew 3:16) 

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.  He is the Comforter of Jesus’ followers, and the Giver of the gifts of the Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit. 

The Gifts of the Spirit are God-given abilities.  Every believer has at least one, a few have several, and they are all to be used for the building up of the church and the glory of God.  These are not the natural talents, inherent in nonbelievers and believers alike.  Preachers and evangelists often display speaking gifts (prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching and exhortation) and while serving gifts (leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith and discernment) are frequently found in other groups.  Prophecy is the speaking forth of God’s Word, knowledge is the understanding of His truth, and wisdom is the practical application of that truth.  Teaching is the ability to help others understand a concept fully, and exhortation is the power to effectively encourage.  Of the nonverbal gifts mercy is the ability to empathize and sympathize, faith is an unusual depth of trust in God, and discernment helps the individual distinguish truth and falsehood.

The Fruits of the Spirit are character traits planted by the Holy Spirit and growing in everyone who knows and loves the Lord.  Their presence proves that a man is a Christian, and their absence proves that he is not.   Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all within our reach. God develops these fruits within us as we read and obey His word, and as we step out in faith. 

The incessant demands of life, especially during this season, can prevent us from developing our spiritual gifts, and slow our growth in spiritual fruit.  The Spirit of God rarely shouts through an earthquake or a storm, but usually whispers to us during our quiet moments.  Lives that overflow with frenzied activity and mountains of material goods will never overflow with the Spirit of love and power.  The dove is not a prince among birds, but in its simplicity and ordinariness it was chosen above all other birds to represent the Holy Spirit. 

Will you develop your Gift of the Spirit this Advent season?  Will you cultivate your soul in trust and obedience so that the Fruits of the Spirit can grow in you?  This Advent season, and any time you see a dove, remember the Holy Spirit of God, and thank him for the gifts He has given you, and in the Fruits of the Spirit available to all.

What Child is This?

What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Chorus

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
the King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.

Chorus

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.

Advent Tree Family Devotions – December 8

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Circle

Ecclesiastes 1; Psalm 90:1‑2; Psalm 93:1‑2

“Will the circle be unbroken by and by, Lord, by and by? There’s a better home awaiting in the sky.”

Man lives, and his life and glory are played out in a few short years, a mixture of gladness and pain. He weakens, dies, and sinks into the dust from whence he came. Another takes his place, and within a few generations even his memory is lost forever. Consider those things for which men struggle and die: power, glory, and wealth. It all crumbles. The universe itself had a beginning, and will one day perish in fire and darkness. Whether peasant, king …or galaxy, everything faces the grave.

To the man who says there is no god, this seems like the end of the story. But to the man who knows the Risen Lord, this is just the beginning. God, who created time, is not bound by time. He exists independently of past, present and future. Before anything else existed, God was, and if everything else passed away, He would still be. The circle is a fitting symbol for God, with no beginning and no end.

Our lives seem like a segment of a line, bounded by our birth and our death. But Jesus rose again, proving that man will also rise again. For 40 days after His death, Jesus walked this world. After that, He ascended into the next. Our lives will not end, and death is more like a change of address. Those who love and follow Christ will rise again to eternal life with the Lord, the source of everything good. Those who do not follow Christ will rise again to eternal life without Him, and suffer for all time without light, without love, without beauty, and without peace.

The circle or ring is the symbol used in Christian marriage to signify love that goes on forever. It reminds us of the love we will share with one another and with the Lord in Paradise.

Like the triangle, the circle is everywhere about us. Tires and tools, pots and pans, cakes and cookies, hats and faces, and thousands of everyday sights remind us that God is eternal. In His wise providence, He has provided many ways for us to remember His attributes, His character, and His goodness towards us, if we open our eyes to see.

As we celebrate Advent, let us thank God for His eternity, and for the eternity that we will share with Him. Knowing that God is there and always will be in spite of our failings or spiritual blindness brings us comfort beyond measure. We know that He hears, that He acts, that He is for each of us. The next time you are doodling away and draw the inevitable circle, think of the God you serve and His majesty and power. Thank Him for His strength and comfort each day.

Enjoy a light-hearted Christian Christmas romance, A Cup of Crisp at Christmas.