2018 Christmas Series: O, Come Let Us Adore Him

Advent, Week1 Candle of Hope (a.k.a. Candle of Prophecy)

--purple

The human spirit is indomitable. We have heard news reports and seen film footage of terrible devastation experienced by individuals and groups, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms and tsunamis that not only destroyed communities but also countries. And we’ve seen the horror and pain on the faces of those confronted with the enormity of the task of rebuilding their homes, communities, and lives. We shake our heads and mention that ‘our hearts go out to these folks’, even as we wonder how they will recover, rebuild, and move forward from the experienced trauma. Furthermore, we question how long it will be before basic and essential services will be restored. Additionally, we watch in awe as these victims of mother nature are interviewed and admire them when they remark that they have lost everything they owned, but they are grateful to still be alive.

We also see the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people, recorded in the Scriptures, as well as in the historical record.  They, too, suffered and experienced devastation and injustice down through the ages, such as having their status of free people changed to slaves in Egypt, being exiled in foreign lands, and the atrocities they were subjected to in WWII, including the holocaust. Yet if we take a glimpse at the account of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, we also observe God’s faithfulness that was demonstrated to His Chosen People. In addition, we have the advantage of 20/20 hindsight and can clearly see that the Hebrews were delivered from physical slavery, but they weren’t prepared to be in charge of their own lives. And their expectations of what lay ahead may have stemmed from the excitement and enthusiasm of being set free, which left them even more unprepared for the realities of daily living.

So when it came to the Messianic prophecies, the Israelites had great expectations indeed. The Scriptures were filled with information regarding where He would be born and what He would do. In fact, we are not so different from the Israelites.  We often have great expectations about how our lives will proceed and what we will accomplish. If our dreams don’t come true, we may look to God to ‘fix’ things in the same manner His Chosen People looked to the coming Messiah to right all wrongs and restore their kingdom. And with that mindset the Jews waited and waited for their Saviour to make an appearance—some waited in hopeful reverence, others were spurred on by their desire to escape all the bad circumstances in their lives, and, undoubtedly, some adored the idea of a Messiah, coming in power and glory, like a shining knight on a white horse.

       As we prepare our hearts and homes to celebrate the coming of Messiah, may God give us revelation of His Son and increased understanding of His purposes and our mission. May we submit in adoration and worship to Jesus. Amen. 

Suggested Daily Scripture Readings:

Messianic Prophecy & Fulfillment

Sunday-- Genesis 3:15, Galations 4:4

Monday—Genesis 12:3, Matthew 1:1

Wednesday—Genesis 49:10, Luke 3:33

Thursday—Isaiah 9:7, Luke 1:32-33

Friday—Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4-5, 7

Saturday—Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1: 26-27

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor), Canada

A Prophetic Word!

A Prophetic Word!

A "Survival Guide" for Mission-Driven Leaders

This little parabolic adventure (with graphics) is about leadership and the dangers of monument making—where maintenance of the monument (process, caution, pre-servation) becomes more important than the mission. The world today is replete with examples, a sampling suggested in this book’s "Postlude." Discover where you and your movement/institution fits within the “Revolutionary Cycle.”

LAUNCH DATE: 12/01/2018

Watch this space for updates

(My apologies if you received duplicate copies)

joe@joenoland.com

joeNdoris

Share Via:

Check out my website 

Created with Wix.com.

Love It?

Try It! It's Free.

2018 Christmas Series: O, Come Let Us Adore Him

Introduction

Once again the Advent Season is Upon us. “Advent” means the arrival of an important individual, thing, or event, and this applies to both the 1stand 2ndComings of Christ. Each year Christians celebrate Advent, a time of spiritual preparation, to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ. In addition, many Christians also reflect upon and observe His 2ndComing to prepare themselves for this glorious future event. The Advent season starts on the Sunday that falls between November 27thand December 3rdand continues for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Then, from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6th, the 12-day celebration of Christmastide takes place.

Last year we used the Christmas season theme, “New Beginnings: See? I Am Doing A New Thing!--God”. I pray that you were able to see the new thing that God was doing in your life and that it drew you into a closer relationship with Him. This year we will explore the significance of the events surrounding Messiah’s birth, via the theme, “O, Come Let Us Adore Him. I pray that we will fall in love with Jesus all over again as we adore Him.

But what does it mean to ‘adore’ or to lavish ‘adoration’? Adore, as a verb, is action-oriented and it means to love and respect someone deeply. Some synonyms include to love dearly, to be devoted to, or to dote on. The word adore is also used in the context of worship and veneration, which includes devotion, worshiping, glorifying, praising, revering, extolling, esteeming, exalting, paying homage and magnifying Someone. [Oxford Dictionary, online] Phew! Whom knew that this little, five-lettered word had so much meaning?! I am challenged to examine my own love-relationship with Christ. And I encourage you to do the same as we focus on the Christmas narrative, in which we will see the stark contrasts between those who were longing for Messiah’s coming and demonstrated awe, wonder, and adoration and those who were either ignorant or even hateful toward Him.

As has been our tradition for these annual devotional posts, we will use the symbolic Advent wreath candles to enhance the meaningfulness of the Christmas season. The circular Advent wreath—used in private homes and churches-- is formed with evergreen branches, represents eternity, and helps focus our hearts and minds as we prepare to celebrate Messiah’s birth. In addition to the round green garland, five candles are added to the center of the wreath—3 purple candles, which represent Hope, Preparation, and Love, 1 pink candle to symbolize Joy, and the white, Christ Candle.

And so, as our thoughts turn towards the upcoming Christmas season, I invite you to join me, again, this year for the 2018 devotional Christmas series, “O, Come Let Us Adore Him!”, which will begin with an introduction, and include the four weeks of Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, Epiphany, and a conclusion. The devotionals will be posted on Saturdays for your convenience. In addition, Advent begins later this year (December 2nd), but I am planning to begin the series two weeks before (i.e., November 17th) in order to post the Introduction, as well as to have a little more time between the 4thSunday of Advent and Christmas.

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

2018 Christmas Season Devotionals

2018

Christmas Season Devotionals

Promotion!

Adoration—how much time do we spend adoring our Saviour? Or do we reserve adoring Him for when we are reminded by Christmas carols?  Adoration and worship go hand-in-hand. Let's take time ou7 of our busy lives to adore Jesus, Who loved us first, sacrificed His life for us, brings healing and wholeness to our lives, and promises us Eternal Life with Him. Now, if everything He is, and everything He has done for us does not evoke adoration, what will? Something to think about.

And so, as our thoughts turn towards the upcoming Christmas season, I invite you to join me, again, this year for the 2018 devotional series, “O, Come Let Us Adore Him.” The series will begin with an introduction, and include the four weeks of Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, Epiphany, and a conclusion. The devotionals will be posted on Saturdays, because Sundays are really busy for many folks, especially at this time of the year. In addition, Advent begins later this year (December 2^nd), but I am planning to begin the series two weeks earlier in order to post the Introduction (on November 17th), as well as to have a little more time between the 4^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas.

I look forward to sharing this most wonderful time of the year with you and invite you to join me as we pursue a greater understanding of what it means to adore our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

O, Come Let Us Adore Him: Christ the Lord! Hallelujah!

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor)

Canada

A LAMENT FOR PEACE and A Song of Hope

A LAMENT FOR PEACE

Will wars be never ended, And blood forever shed?

Will peace remain elusive In memory of the dead?

Did millions die for nothing? Are they not dying still?

Beneath the fields of poppies Has earth not had its fill?

Do you not hear our pleading? Have you not heard the cries

Of countless generations With blighted, ruined lives?

You know the source of hatred, It nailed you to a tree.

Lord, end man's warring madness, Make peace reality.

Howard P. Webber, Major (Retired)

The Salvation Army Bournemouth

Phil Cobb
LSO and
The Hendon Citadel Band

Дружно, смело за Христом иду я,

Дружно, смело за Христом иду я, Вот наш лозунг – выше к небесам. Все вперед – воспойте «Аллилуйя!» Сам Христос Хранитель, Вождь Он нам!