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Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Luke 2:1-14
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
LOVE
1 John 4:9-11
1 John is a short book found late in our collection of books of the New Testament. It is written by one of Jesus’ disciples who traveled with him. John writes:
“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…”
Have you found that perfect gift for your loved one? Is it wrapped and under the tree? You can barely contain your excitement as you anticipate giving it. You HOPE they’ll know how much you truly LOVE them and the gift will bring them JOY.
Often, we choose a wrapped gift to represent our LOVE, but just as often we can show LOVE in other ways. A visit giving freely of our time, a conversation, an act of service, a note or letter, a gentle touch. God understands. It’s important to demonstrate LOVE. And He knew it would take a MIRACLE to show His deep LOVE for us. He chose a MIRACLE by sending His Son, Jesus. He wants us to accept His gift of Salvation, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, Peace, and Joy.
Holy God, Father of All, you have blessed us with your perfect gift—the Messiah, our Jesus. Amen
Monday, December 22, 2025
LOVE
John 3:16-19
What does John 3:16-19 really mean?
It is about God’s immense LOVE for humanity. His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the choice people must make between embracing the light of truth or remaining in darkness due to their deeds.
In the Gospel of John, we encounter a pivotal conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee seeking spiritual understanding. Within this dialogue, we have the well known verse John 3:16 that encapsulate the essence of Christian theology highlighting the profound LOVE of God and the redemptive purpose of Jesus’ mission on earth.
When we choose to follow the light of Jesus, we are allowing His truth and righteousness to guide our way. This involves not only believing in Him but also living out our faith through our actions and choices. We reflect His light to the world around us and draw others to Him as we imitate his examples of LOVE, compassion, and selflessness.
Dear Friend, think about how God’s LOVE, shown through the sacrifice of Jesus lights up your life. As you juggle work and family commitments, let this divine LOVE be your guide in every action.
Will you spread grace and kindness, making a difference in someone’s day?
Friday, December 19, 2025
JOY
HYMN “Joy to the World”
Today we’re celebrating the JOY the birth of Jesus Christ brings to each of us.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room. And heaven and nature sing.”
I love music, so just hearing those familiar words to a favorite Christmas hymn makes me smile and want to sing along.
What brings you Joy?
Your favorite team winning a big game?
A beautiful sunrise or sunset?
A pet greeting you when you return home?
Listening to music or maybe going to a concert?
Watching a child laughing from the top of their head to the tips of their toes?
Finding JOY in the little things in your life is a gift. The birth of Jesus is a gift like no other. As you prepare for Christmas, let the birth of Jesus fill your heart and bring you the eternal JOY that only He can give.
Join us for our beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service. [7 pm] All are welcome.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
JOY
Isaiah 9:6-7
Today’s message of the search for the Messiah comes from Isaiah 9:6-7. It prophesies of a coming Messiah. It says he will be a child with titles:
“Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace”
This ruler will have a government [reign] with no end and will reign on David’s throne. And he will rule it with justice and righteousness.
Isaiah’s prophecy is considered to be about Jesus.
It says, “a child is born, a son is given”. Not only was Jesus born to have earthly parents (Mary & Joseph) but he was the actual Son of God.
He was freely given by God to us to one day save us all. The prophecy reveals this Messiah as both God and man whose eternal kingdom fulfills all the prophecies and brings everlasting peace.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
JOY
Luke 2:8-14
The Shepherds’ Story.
Luke 2:11 states, “The Savior, yes, the Messiah has been born tonight in Bethlehem.”
If you are a shepherd out in the fields, guarding your sheep, and an angel appears and tells you this, it would—of course—confuse you. It may even frighten you as it did the shepherds in the story from the Gospel of Luke.
However, the Angel gives you all the information you need for the rest of your life. Your Savior,
the Messiah, the One whom we’ve been waiting for, who we have been expecting, has arrived. The search is over! Praise God! He has brought his own Son to be with us now and forever.
Let us pray: Thank you, God, for giving us the most precious gift, who is your own Son. We no longer need to wonder, for He is here with us now and forever. Amen
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
JOY
Psalm 145:14-17
As a child, I was always excited to see presents appear under the tree. Presents from family were placed under the tree in the days before Christmas, and on Christmas morning there were always more presents from ‘Santa’.
While I fondly remember the anticipation, I can only recall a few of the presents. They were fun and useful in their time, then they faded from memory.
Psalm 145 tells of a God who opens his hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing. A Lord who is righteous in all his ways, and kind in all his works.
When we are child-like in our faith, we may read this and believe the Lord is a cosmic Santa. As we mature in faith, we value things differently. We understand things differently, and we come to trust the God who created us and knows what is truly best for us.
Advent is a time to anticipate pleasant gifts given and received with family and friends. When those gifts are outgrown, or no longer useful, we begin to see the deeper, priceless gifts our Lord provides when he preserves us from our sin. May we be more like the Psalmist and join in praising our Lord for his gracious gifts.
Monday, December 15, 2025
JOY
Matthew 2:10-11
1”…About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2”Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him…10When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! “
The three Wise Men were filled with hope while following the star in order to find the Messiah. They had traveled a very long way to see the baby that had been born in Bethlehem.
The Bible tells us that Baby Jesus was almost 2 years of age when the Wise Men arrived to see him.
When the star they were following stopped over the house where Jesus was, they were filled with joy that they were finally going to meet the Messiah. Entering the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary and they knelt down to worship him. They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Come worship Our Gift, the Savior this Christmas season and fill your home with Hope, Peace,
Joy and Love.
Friday, December 12, 2024
PREPARATION
Psalm 71:14-16
The tote of Christmas tree ornaments at our house contains a wide variety of decorations. Some are fragile and delicate. Some are Sunday school projects of yarn and popsicle sticks. A few are kind-of battered and faded and kept in an old cardboard box from the 1940’s.
Some ornaments age well. Others fall apart. People are the same—some age better than others. It’s easy to get discouraged as we age. We may believe our ‘best’ was in our past; that we’ve lost our shine and glow. Our popular culture worships youth and seldom treats aging with kindness or respect.
In Psalm 71, the psalmist is past his youth. He has some grey hairs, some aches and pains. But he doesn’t focus on himself as he ages, he focuses on the Lord. The psalmist speaks hope, praise, and tells of the Lord’s righteous acts, which number more than he can recall.
The Lord knows us all, and sees the good in us—after all, He created us! When we trust in Him, we can be like ornaments shining in His creation, no matter our age.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
PREPARATION
Luke 1:26-38
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph came from the family line of King David.
The angel greeted Mary and said, “The Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you”. Mary was very surprised to receive this greeting. She didn’t know what it meant. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, God is very pleased with you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago.”
Mary asked, “How can this happen; I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most-High God will cover you.”
Mary’s faith and belief in God gave her the courage to say, “I serve the Lord. May it happen to me just as you said it would.”
What belief in God and courage Mary had to accept this promise of God.
May the faith Mary had also be with you and your family this Christmas Season.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
PREPARATION
Isaiah 11:1-10
Today’s search for the Messiah comes from Isaiah 11: 1-10. It describes the coming Messiah as a descendant of Jesse. The Messiah will rule with divine wisdom, justice, and righteousness. This prophesy says that a “shoot out of the stump of Jesse” will emerge, telling of a king who will be a descendent of Jesse, the father of King David.
It says that the Messiah will be endowed with the Spirit of the Lord, which will include wisdom, understanding, council and might. It also states that the Messiah will not judge people based on wealth or status. He will rule with equity for the poor and meek.
This passage talks about a time of total peace, where predators and prey will co-exist. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. This peace will not just be a time without wars but will start with individual people and spread to the whole world.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
PREPARATION
Hymn “O Come, O come Emmanuel”
What is your favorite Christmas hymn? “O Come, O come Emmanuel” is one of the Christmas favorites. (For the record, “Emmanual means, “God with us.”)
This hymn resonates with our soul—like a contemplative prayer, it tells of desperate people held captive by the cruelty of their world. Yet each verse telling of hardship ends with the hopeful and well-known refrain: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanual. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
What is your hardship? Your prayer? Your plea? Try this: Listen to the hymn, then ask the Holy Spirit who wants to be your advocate and comforter to “Come”. “God be with [me]”. Open your heart to his promise of Love and Redemption.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel”, God with us.
Let us pray: Lord God of all the Earth, you gave us prophecies, you sent us messengers, you deployed angels to prepare us. You have always desired to bring us back to you. We ask your forgiveness for our sins. We rejoice in your unfailing love. Thank you for sending Jesus—God with us. Amen
Monday, December 8, 2025
PREPARATION
Isaiah 40:3-5
3”Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!…5Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!”
The prophet Isaiah is shouting, “Listen!” He declares a messenger will come to prepare the people for the coming “glory of the LORD”. Indeed, many years later that prophesy happened—the messenger’s name was John, the Baptist.
You have to be practically living in a hole to escape all the advertisements shouting, “It’s Christmas, Buy! Buy!” And there’s also the extra-long ‘to-do’ list we impose upon ourselves—dust, vacuum, bake.
And then we have Advent, still another preparation. But unlike the others, Advent is for preparing our heart and mind for this annual celebration of God sending his Son Jesus as a baby to live among us. The CHRIST in Christmas.
Most Holy God, be present in our chaos, help us slow our frantic pace and calm our mind helping us focus on what’s really important. CHRIST JESUS. Amen
Friday, December 5, 2025
HOPE
Hymn: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
The hymn, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” was written long ago by Charles Wesley, in 1744. This short, simple, endearing hymn tells the story of our Messiah, referencing passages in both the Old and New Testament.
The hymn’s message still rings true today, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” applies to our world today for a day will come when Jesus returns.
The hymn—rich and timeless expresses our heart’s deepest longing and ultimate HOPE, finding peace and rest in our glorious heavenly King—Christ Jesus.
Listen to the hymn. Let it seep into your soul. Hit replay, …and replay again.
“Come, though long expected Jesus,
Born to set they people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.”
Our search to fill that deep longing in our heart is found in Jesus. Listen to the hymn. Breath deep. Your HOPE has come.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
HOPE
Isaiah 2:2-5
Have you ever lived a moment of mountaintop experience? A moment of clarity when God seemed to put life and purpose in focus? When you could look out and see everything clearly, all the way to the ‘horizon’?
People often climb mountains—real and figurative mountains—hoping to experience God. The prophet Isaiah says that the day will come when God’s mountain will be chief of the mountains, and people will gather to go up the mountain and be taught God’s ways.
But before you ask for new hiking shoes for Christmas, know that the prophet also says that the law and the Word will go out from God’s mountain to all people.
Our God is not exclusive, accessible only to those who can afford to travel to the mountain or those who are physically fit for the climb. Scripture shows us that our Messiah comes to us.
While we may search for Jesus in the most lofty places, in the rarest air, Jesus—”the Word”—comes looking for us wherever we are. Our search for God need not take us beyond our own community, our own family. Our Messiah isn’t sitting on a mountain top; he’s waiting to welcome us home.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
HOPE
Isaiah 35:1-10
HOPE for restoration. These days we hear a lot about “broken”. Broken world, broken promises. “Broken” usually pairs with disappointment and hurt. But when we learn that what was broken has been restored, we are encouraged. The dark clouds we felt enveloping us part and light shines through bringing renewed HOPE.
In the Bible, Isaiah Chapter 35 is filled with vivid imagery of HOPE for Israel to be restored. We read passages describing a desert wasteland being changed into an emerging paradise. (You should read this short chapter yourself—very encouraging.) The chapter ends with this, “…and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”
During Advent we are preparing for Christmas. During the holiday season we hear a lot about Faith, Hope, Joy, and yes, Light and Gladness, too. These gifts aren’t bought or made, we find them when we search for the Messiah, our Jesus. He gives us HOPE. He can fix our “broken”.
Dear Jesus. Restore us from our brokenness. Amen
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
HOPE
Roman 5:1-5
3”We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
This passage in Romans [New Testament] was written by the Apostle Paul to the early followers of Christ in Rome. Paul explains how in the face of difficulty, we can still have HOPE.
Our HOPE starts with Jesus. Paul’s message to the Romans—still relevant today. Strength of character does come when we overcome a difficulty—it may be a physical challenge, an emotional set-back, a challenge that we had no part in creating, but find ourselves facing the consequences of nonetheless. When our reliance on self fails, is often when we find our dependance strengthened in our omnipotent, all-powerful God.
All power and glory to you Mighty God. Grant us endurance, strength, confidence and HOPE through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Monday, December 1, 2025
HOPE
Isaiah 9:2
“The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
It’s difficult to navigate our steps in the dark. Hence, outside motion lights are my new favorite device. As soon as I step into the sensor’s path, Wah-lah! Magic! Instant light. No more darkness.
In today’s Bible verse, the prophet Isaiah isn’t declaring a “Wah-lah” experience for the people of Israel to instantly guide them out of their dark trials; rather, the prophet is offering HOPE. That HOPE was his prophecy of a coming Messiah—our Jesus.
If you find yourself in a season of personal darkness, take HOPE. Jesus is still there with you. Turn on the light of your soul. Find HOPE in Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you and give praise for the ‘Light’ of your Son Jesus to guide our journey. Amen
Smyrna Advent messages are funded in part through Thrivent Financial.