The Word Made Flesh | Merry Christmas

The Life of all humanity has entered our world—the greatest gift of all. We have seen His glory, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-4 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

Life Announced to the World

In the stillness of night, heaven bursts into song—“Good news of great joy!” The Wonderful Life is found not in power or place but in Emmanuel’s presence.

Luke 2:8-20 

As we sit down to write this, we admit things didn’t go as planned. We had hoped to make a video, but life happened—sickness, the busyness of the season, and even the tree not being set up yet. Sound familiar? Maybe you’re still running around trying to finish Christmas prep—outfits for Christmas Eve service, last-minute gifts, and don’t even get us started on wrapping!

Right now, we’re writing these thoughts while recovering from sickness and feeling the weight of the season. Typically, on Christmas Eve, after a beautiful service at The Naz, we come home, open our Christmas pajamas, share a snack, read the Christmas story from Luke, and then Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then comes the challenge of convincing the kids to sleep before the excitement of Christmas morning. After that, we finish wrapping, and when the house finally grows quiet, we take a deep breath. In that moment—there is peace.

The first Christmas wasn’t picture-perfect either. The promised Messiah was born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough because there was no room in Bethlehem. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. No parade, no royal welcome—just simplicity and humility. And yet, God chose that setting for His Son’s arrival. Angels appeared to shepherds, and they hurried to see the newborn King. Mary treasured these moments in her heart.

This Christmas Eve, even if things haven’t gone as planned—whether you’re staying up late wrapping or wishing you had someone to wrap for—our prayer is that you pause at the manger. Take a moment to soak in the quiet and find peace, knowing that being with Jesus is exactly where God wants you to be.

Katie’s Thoughts: “Mary’s example to store precious moments in her heart is inspiring to me. As a mother, I want to remember every special moment. This Christmas, I encourage you to pause during a special moment and take a mental picture. Recognize it as a gift from your loving Father and store it up in your heart. I pray in doing so, that we all are filled with the knowledge of how great our Father’s love is for us.”

Our Prayer for You:
May you find peace in the quiet, joy in His presence, and hope in the Savior who came for you. Merry Christmas!
—David & Katie Morrison

Life That Draws the Nations

A star leads wise men to the Christ-child. Real wisdom still follows the light that points to Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-12 | After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

I loved this story as a child. Imagining wise men travelling such a long distance to honor and present extravagant gifts to baby Jesus. It sounds so perfect and wrapped up in joy…that is if you can ignore Herod’s jealous deception and the drama that goes with it! It’s comforting to know that wise men from far away would somehow recognize the coming of the Messiah. How did that happen? How did they know? Perhaps the answer can be found in the events that happened about 600 years before. Not in a fairy-tale style story, but a violent abduction and a devastating loss in Jerusalem. Lamentations details the horror and destruction as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem, took captive the people and subsequently destroying the city including the Temple and palace. Broken-hearted and hopeless, the people of God were carried off to a far-off land against their will with and with no homes left to ever come back to. With the treasures of the city and temple were scrolls with the scriptures they had, including the writings of Moses and the prophets. Certainly, it must have felt like the darkest moments of their lives and a low time for their nation.

During the long captivity, Daniel (of lion’s den fame) was noticed as a young man and promoted to Chief of the Magi in Babylon. Not only was he trained in Babylonian culture, but he shared his knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures as the confiscated scrolls from Jerusalem became part of the Babylonian library.

Fast forward to the time of Jesus’ birth. This knowledge of the prophets and Daniel’s own prophecies, which provided a very precise timeframe for the Messiah’s arrival, were in the hands of many eastern cultures and studied by wise men or Magi, throughout the region. So these men, informed by God’s word and looking to the heavens for signs, travel great distances to meet this promised “king of the Jews”. Several historians of the time report a widespread expectation in the east of a special man coming. They knew where and when to find him. It seems odd that many of the Jewish leaders who were the keepers of God’s Word, missed it.

At least two truths strike me as I read this story this year.

The first truth that catches my attention is just because I have a Bible, doesn’t mean I know where to find Jesus.

Wise men and women today, look closely into God’s Word, listen for His Sprit, and find a way to be in the presence of Jesus.

The second truth is that somehow, my darkest, most painful moments in life can become exactly what God uses to lead others to Christ.

The Resurrection and the Life

In Jesus, even death bows to the power of life.

Psalm 16:11 | "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

When I reflect on my childhood story, living in a dysfunctional home marked by alcoholism and violence, I deeply understand the meaning of the Incarnation. My mother, fleeing from abuse, took us to a place where we knew no one. She worked tirelessly, making installment payments on those Christmas gifts that brought us a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.

But the Christmas story reveals something extraordinary: while my mother fled seeking safety for us, Mary and Joseph also fled to Egypt, protecting the child Jesus from Herod's violence (Matthew 2:13-14). In both stories I see sacrificial love that seeks to preserve life in the midst of threat. However, there is a radical difference: Jesus came precisely to enter into our pain, not to escape from it.

Galatians 4:4-5 explains the divine purpose: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." My childhood was marked by the absence of a father who loved me properly, but in Christ I received something that no gift bought on installments could give me: adoption as a son of God.

The best gift I received was not that Christmas toy, but the day in Queens, NY, when I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. That encounter transformed my narrative of pain into a story of redemption. The angel announced to the shepherds: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). That Savior was not only born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago; He was born in my heart that transformative day.

Matthew 1:23 proclaims: "Emmanuel (which means, God with us)." This truth changes everything. We do not have a distant God indifferent to our suffering. We have a God who voluntarily entered our story, experienced our brokenness, and triumphed over death to show us "the path of life" and fill us with "fullness of joy."

In this Christmas season, the message is simple no matter how dysfunctional your story, how deep your pain, or how great your shame. Emmanuel came for you. Jesus Christ is the best gift you will ever receive, because in Him, even death bows before the power of eternal life.

Salmo 16:11 – “Me darás a conocer la senda de la vida; en tu presencia hay plenitud de gozo; delicias a tu diestra para siempre.”

Cuando reflexiono sobre mi historia de infancia, viviendo en un hogar disfuncional marcado por el alcoholismo y la violencia, entiendo profundamente el significado de la Encarnación. Mi madre, huyendo del abuso, nos llevó a un lugar donde no conocíamos a nadie. Ella trabajó incansablemente, haciendo pagos a plazos por esos regalos de Navidad que nos traían un destello de esperanza en medio de la oscuridad. Pero la historia de la Navidad revela algo extraordinario: mientras mi madre huía buscando seguridad para nosotros, María y José también huyeron a Egipto, protegiendo al niño Jesús de la violencia de Herodes (Mateo 2:13–14). En ambas historias veo un amor sacrificial que busca preservar la vida en medio de la amenaza. Sin embargo, hay una diferencia radical: Jesús vino precisamente para entrar en nuestro dolor, no para escapar de él.

Gálatas 4:4–5 explica el propósito divino: “Pero cuando vino el cumplimiento del tiempo, Dios envió a su Hijo, nacido de mujer y nacido bajo la ley, para redimir a los que estaban bajo la ley, a fin de que recibiéramos la adopción de hijos.” Mi infancia estuvo marcada por la ausencia de un padre que me amara correctamente, pero en Cristo recibí algo que ningún regalo comprado a plazos podía darme: la adopción como hijo de Dios. El mejor regalo que recibí no fue aquel juguete de Navidad, sino el día en Queens, NY, cuando invité a Jesucristo a mi corazón. Ese encuentro transformó mi narrativa de dolor en una historia de redención. El ángel anunció a los pastores: “Que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor” (Lucas 2:11). Ese Salvador no solo nació en Belén hace dos mil años; Él nació en mi corazón aquel día transformador.

Mateo 1:23 proclama: “Emanuel (que traducido significa: Dios con nosotros).” Esta verdad lo cambia todo. No tenemos a un Dios distante, indiferente a nuestro sufrimiento. Tenemos a un Dios que voluntariamente entró en nuestra historia, experimentó nuestra quebrantamiento y triunfó sobre la muerte para mostrarnos “la senda de la vida” y llenarnos de “plenitud de gozo”.

En esta temporada de Navidad, el mensaje es simple: no importa cuán disfuncional sea tu historia, cuán profundo sea tu dolor o cuán grande sea tu vergüenza. Emanuel vino por ti. Jesucristo es el mejor regalo que jamás recibirás, porque en Él, aun la muerte se inclina ante el poder de la vida eterna.

ETERNAL LIFE IF KNOWING GOD

JOHN 17:3 | “And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”

In John 17, often called the “High Priestly Prayer”, Jesus lifts His eyes toward heaven and reveals the deepest longing of His heart; that His followers would truly know God. Not merely know about Him, but live in a deep, personal, and transformative relationship with the Father through the Son.

Eternal life is not just a distant reward after death. It is a present reality grounded in relationship. It begins the moment a person comes to know God through faith in Jesus Christ. This knowing is not intellectual alone; it is relational and experiential. It involves trust, love, and ongoing fellowship.

When Jesus says, “this is eternal life”, He defines life itself in terms of relationship. Life apart from God is death, no matter how full it may seem. But life in Christ is eternal, because it draws from the source of all life – the one true living God. Our understanding of salvation affirms this relational reality. We believe that by grace, through faith, we are justified, and adopted into God’s family, and invited to walk daily in His presence.

But the journey does not end there. God calls us not only to forgiveness but also to holiness. A full surrender of the heart that allows the Holy Spirit to cleanse, empower, and perfect love within us. This sanctifying grace deepens our knowledge of God. The more we yield to His spirit, the more we experience His nature within us. Holiness, then, is not about reaching moral perfection but a growing intimacy with the One who is holy.

John 17:3 reminds us that eternal life is knowing God through Jesus Christ. This means our faith is not centered on rules or rituals, but on a relationship. The holy life flows from knowing Him – His character, His will, and His heart. When we know Him, obedience becomes joy, and love becomes our natural response.

In practical terms, this calls us to daily communion with God, spending time in prayer, reading the Word, worship and service to others. It also calls us to live out this relationship in community, reflecting God’s love in our words and actions. The world around us longs to see a genuine love lived out in lives full of grace and truth.

To know God through Christ is to enter into a relationship that transforms everything – our priorities, desires and our destiny. This is the very heart of the gospel; that we may know Him, be made like Him and to live with Him forever. Let me leave you with these words that are printed on a sign in my office, “Jesus loves me this I know. Knowing Jesus, this I love.”

Crossed from death to life

THE GIFT ALREADY RECEIVED 

JOHN 5:24 | “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

During the holidays, life can become so busy and overbearing that we forget why we celebrate Christmas and how what Jesus did completely changed our lives. My hope is that this devotional today will be a reminder to appreciate who we are now because of what Jesus has done for us.

John chapter 5 is a point in time where Jesus makes claims about who he is in relationship to God. He’s not a prophet, or just a wise teacher, but the Son of God! This is important because he therefore has the authority to speak the words from our devotional today:
“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
John 5:24 NLT.

When Jesus says “I tell you the truth”, or “Truly I tell you,” take a moment to pause and really consider what he is trying to tell us. This is a spiritual truth that can and will forever alter the course of your life. Those who listen to his message of salvation and believe in God (and therefore believe in him) will now and forever have eternal life. True belief in the Father is belief in the Son, and true belief in the Son is belief in the Father.

Jesus is taking a stance for truth and giving us an opportunity to everlasting life. This is the biggest decision you make on this side of eternity. I’m reminded of C.S Lewis’ quote, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance; the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

For us who have made that decision, we have crossed over from death to life forever. But, I think that is something that we can easily take for granted. If we truly believe the words Jesus says here, we were spiritually on our deathbeds, waiting for the inevitable to come, similar to a patient in hospice care. Life without Jesus’ sacrifice for us is one of going from one thing to the next, hoping it will satisfy the needs and desires of our hearts, and ultimately coming up short.

We have new, everlasting life and a legacy that will outlive us forever. We have a new identity where we’re told we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in all spiritual realms. We have direct access to God because of who Jesus is and what he did for us.

My hope is that you would pause and reflect on this truth today, and that it might shift your thoughts away from the business of the holidays, and instead set your eyes on an eternal truth that will give you peace in all circumstances, and the courage the share this truth with others. If we truly believe and appreciate that Jesus died for all of us, we will share that to everyone we meet so they can experience the new life that we have.

We know we have passed from death to life because we love one another

1 JOHN 3:14 | We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

One of the best movies of all time is Interstellar – a masterfully made movie about space travel. Without giving away any spoilers, the movie centers around the premise that when earth becomes uninhabitable, a team is sent on a mission to find a new planet for humans. When things don’t go as planned, the main character, Joseph Cooper, finds out that there is something that transcends even the biggest obstacles and distances. What is that thing you may ask? Love. Love ends up being the thing that unites and connects the main character to everything he values. The movie explains that love is a unique quality that human beings have. We were innately created with the ability to love, and it is fully experienced even in the middle of space.

I believe the movie gets it right – amid the flashing lights and amazing sound effects, we see a biblical truth about how we were created by God. Out of an abundance of God’s love, we were created with the innate capability to love one another. This is not just a fun thing we can do, but it is a sign that we are children of God. We were created in His image with this gift of love.

In this holiday season, we are reminded that there is much to be grateful for, yet we are often reminded of the things that may not be the way we’d hope they’d be. We may be missing a loved one, or there may be discord or disagreements between you and someone you know. It may be difficult for you to show love to others in this season for several reasons, but even in the midst of that, God sees you. There is another bible passage in John 13:35 that says, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” What would it look like for God to show His love through you in such a way that it is undeniable that you are a disciple of Jesus? Living in love can be like a signpost that you have passed from death to life. From nothing to something. This is how we can continue to spread God’s love – by loving our neighbors and giving back to our communities, by going outside of ourselves and transcending the boundaries that we have previously set for ourselves. If we are truly alive, love is the natural response.

Maybe today you could text or call someone who God may be putting on your heart. Maybe it’s someone you’ve felt distant from. Maybe it’s someone who has hurt you in the past. Maybe it’s someone who may feel lonely in this season. Ask yourself, “How can I embody love to someone today?” This is an amazing way for people to know that you have been so transformed by God’s love that you now are able to show love to others. The Connections Team plans to spend some time writing down one way to show love to someone around us and then putting it into practice. Maybe you would like to join us! Write a name down on a note card or sticky note and put it somewhere you will see it – a fridge, computer, or the door before you leave the house. This will be a great reminder to pray for them and show love to them in a tangible way.

All who belong to Christ will be given new life

1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-22

If you have never seen the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, it tells the story of George Bailey, played by James Stewart in 1946. He has had a difficult day, and the pressure causes him to reflect on past life choices—many of which involved personal sacrifice to help those around him. He feels these sacrifices have deprived him of his own opportunities to live a fulfilled life. As things become bleak, he comes to the heartbreaking conclusion that it might have been better if he had never been born.

In that moment, an angel comes alongside him to show that his life has had a profound impact on those around him and that the world is undeniably better because he is in it. The angel reveals an alternative world without George, making the truth unmistakable.

Just as in It’s a Wonderful Life, where George Bailey wrestles with despair and doubts about the worth of his life on Christmas Eve, the Corinthian church also struggled with deep doubts—particularly about the resurrection. They feared that if Christ had not been raised, they were still in their sins and would face God’s judgment. Their actions, rooted in uncertainty, reflected a spiritual state that Paul urgently sought to address.

Paul proclaims that because Christ has been raised from the dead, he is the “firstfruits,” guaranteeing that more fruit—new life—will follow. Paul appeals to his readers by pointing to his own transformation: once struck down on the road to Damascus while zealously persecuting the early church, he became part of this new harvest, living a new life identified with Christ.

How does this speak to us today—far removed from Corinth, living in a time when life may not feel wonderful, even as we approach a season of celebration?

For Paul, the resurrection fulfilled everything God promised. It was not only victory over death but also victory over sin. Being identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection means we are also identified as the fruit of God’s redeeming work, the ones brought near after the separation caused by sin.

This becomes the foundation of our new life as God’s children, pointing to His ongoing work of reconciliation. We celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas because He stepped into time, was born among us, and lived a life that culminated in the payment for our sins. Rising from the dead, He led the way for us to become that fruit.

One of the greatest changes this brings is the transformation of our hearts—our stone hearts becoming hearts of flesh—and shaping us into people who love as described in 1 Corinthians 13: patient and kind; not envious or boastful; not arrogant or rude; not insisting on our own way; not irritable or resentful; not rejoicing in wrongdoing but rejoicing in the truth. Love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

This is the kind of love George ultimately shows toward his friends and family as he realizes his sacrifices were not in vain. And in the same way, our hope in the resurrection is not in vain; it is the secure foundation of our new life in Christ.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Life’s meaning and purpose are found in union with Him.

Philippians 1:21 | For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

In the book of Philippians, the theme of joy is central. The apostle Paul, despite writing from prison under terrible circumstances, sought to uplift the name of Christ. His passion for serving Christ and encouraging others shone through as he reminded them to remain joyful in the face of adversity. I’ve often found that joy can be challenging to hold onto, especially when life throws unexpected challenges our way as I’m sure you can relate.

Paul’s perspective on life and death was profound. He faced numerous challenges but managed to model joy throughout his painful circumstances. In Philippians 1:21, he states, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” This highlights his belief that both life and death could be viewed as victories, reflecting an eternal perspective that is often hard to maintain in difficult times. It can be a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is a greater purpose at play.

I can relate to Paul’s message on a personal level. Just four years ago, I experienced an overwhelming loss. Within three months, I lost my mother, my husband, and our beloved pet, Rocky. The pain was so intense, that there were moments when I wished to escape my suffering and join the Lord and them in heaven. During these times, I often thought about how fleeting life can be and how important it is to cherish every moment. God showed up, just like he did for Paul, to give strength that I knew that I didn’t possess, and I knew that somehow God was going to work all things together for his purposes. Henry Blackaby said, “how we live our life is a testimony of what we believe about God.” I learned that suffering could serve as a powerful tool to strengthen our faith and build character, especially if we shift our focus from our own pain to the needs of others. Motivated by this realization, I started a ministry for widows five months after my husband’s passing, determined not to let my pain go to waste.

Paul’s time in prison serves as a reminder that our circumstances do not define us. Even in the most challenging situations, we can make a difference. There are many ways to do this, such as writing encouraging notes or letters to others, adapting to challenges with courage and confidence, practicing gratitude, and maintaining an eternal perspective.

Ultimately, life is about who we are in Christ. When we approach life with a joyful attitude, regardless of the challenges we face, and trust God in all circumstances, we can truly experience a “Wonderful Life” in Christ.

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

IN JESUS, EVEN DEATH BOWS TO THE POWER OF LIFE

JOHN 11:25 | Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die

John 11:25 offers one of the most wonderful promises in all of Scripture: eternal life for all who believe in Jesus. It is a promise strong enough to secure our future and tender enough to comfort our present. This promise of eternal life through our belief in Jesus is truly a precious gift. A gift not only meant for the future but also meant for the present.

The life that we receive the moment that we believe in Jesus resurrects hope, joy, and peace within us. From our restored hope springs joy – the kind we find as we walk daily with Jesus and follow Him. Not only do we have elevated joy, but we also receive a constant flow of peace that goes beyond what we can understand. And the assurance of eternal life that we received when we first believed in Jesus continues to bring forth that hope, joy, and peace as we live our lives now. Who wouldn’t want a wonderful life like that?!

This gift is too good to keep to ourselves. The life that Jesus promises is a gift that multiplies as it’s shared. When we speak His name, when we share His word, when we give other people the chance to believe in Him, we extend the same resurrected life that has transformed us. Through us, God invites the world to experience the gift that keeps on giving, promised now and in the future.

And that future promise is just as wondrous. Because when our earthly life ends, we will live forever with Jesus in Heaven. When we believe in Him and embrace the promise that Jesus declares in John 11:25, death does not have the final word. Jesus Christ does. In this season of Advent, a time of waiting and expectation, lean completely on Him and His words. Remember His promise and His gift. Revive hope, joy, and peace in your life. And share that gift with everyone! A gift given and a gift shared. How truly wonderful is that?

The Way, the Truth, the Life

Jesus isn’t one path among many; He is life itself.

John 14:6 | Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year – and it’s especially sweeter this year with a baby in the family! Now we get to see the wonder of the holiday through his little eyes and watch as he takes it all in. As I’ve been thinking about that though, it hit me just how many choices or options come with the holiday —from what gifts to buy, what events to attend, where to spend time, what traditions to keep or even start for the first time, what cookies to bake. It can very quickly lose its wonder and start to feel overwhelming. And if I’m being honest, as my husband and I learn to navigate parenthood – a lot of normal life can feel that way too. The decision fatigue sets in or we stress about making the right decision, the best decision, and just feel overwhelmed. But in life, and in this holiday season, we can be reminded that there is one decision/direction that is so clear. In John 14:6 Jesus cuts through the whole idea that faith could work the same way. He isn’t offering Himself as just another option on a seasonal spiritual menu. He isn’t saying, “Here’s one path you might like if it fits your vibe.” He says, plainly and boldly, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Not a way.

Not a truth.

Not a life.

The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Christmas is where that wonderful and bold claim becomes real. Jesus didn’t just show up as the newest teacher with good ideas, or a leader with flashy inspirational thoughts, or even advertising why He’s the best option out there – I mean he was born in a manger! During Christmas, it’s easy to treat Jesus like one part of the season. He’s in the songs, the nativity scenes, the Christmas Eve services. But He can easily get put on the same shelf as everything else: family, gifts, lights, memories, nostalgia, comfort. He can easily become another good thing in a long list of good things.

But especially as we seek to create traditions with our little family of 3, we want to make sure that Jesus is not another thing we add in, but He is the foundation for the season and the sole foundation for our faith and life. Because as our son grows up and starts to look at the options in front of him for how he can live and things he can pursue, I want to make sure he knows the options the world offers – like success, relationships, popularity, perfection, fun, even good traditions – while they can be wonderful, they will all fall short eventually. They can make moments feel full, but they can’t make a heart full. They can keep us busy, but they can’t help us experience life to the full.

And so I want to start with Christmas. Where the way, the truth and the life came to us. As I sit by our Christmas tree, snuggling our little man, I’m reminded that this season celebrates the way, the truth and the life, became a baby – taking his first breath and little cries in a manger so He could breathe life into us. So as we enter into this Christmas season, with all of it’s wonderful options, I don’t want to treat Jesus as one part of a warm, nostalgic holiday. I want to be reminded and pass on that there is one decision we don’t need to stress about – that there is one way, one truth, and one life in Jesus and that’s the most wonderful part of the season.

SECURE IN LIFE ETERNAL

JOHN 10:28 | I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Life — what is it? Many people have different definitions of life, especially in this day and age. In scientific terms, life begins at the point of conception and ends with our last earthly breath. For some people, it would be something much less — but as Christians, we believe it’s so much more. We believe that life is eternal, and that our souls live on forever in eternity with Christ for those who have accepted Him as their Savior and Lord.

For a long time in the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah seemed so far away because the people had hardened their hearts. They believed in the stories of God. They believed that Moses was their leader, that Abraham was their father, and that God was Almighty. Yet time and time again, they chose not to serve Him. When you think about all the prophets who came to help Israel find the truth and lead them back to God, it almost seemed pointless. The Israelites refused to listen and take heed of the warnings.

They believed, they served, and then they got tired of waiting. Inevitably, they got tired of serving and started serving themselves. Then came conviction, frustration, and anger toward God. The cycle repeated — turning away, suffering consequences, growing desperate, and finally returning to God. And then the waiting began again.

What are you waiting for in this life?

This life truly is wonderful. But what makes it wonderful? What makes it worth living? Is it a fancy house, a nice car, a great family, or lots of friends? Or is it something more?

Having the joy and the privilege of serving the one true, living God is what makes this life wonderful. Yet so many people are missing it. Why? What are our responsibilities as the church and as followers of God’s Word?

John 1:14–15 says, “The Word became flesh and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

But too often, we turn away. We’re like sheep who have gone our own way. We get lost along the path because we’re not paying attention to our heavenly Father — the One who loves us dearly, the One who sent His Son to die for us.

And in this wonderful, yet sometimes not-so-wonderful life, we sometimes ask, what’s the point? Many people are on the outside looking in — just wanting truth, just wanting the grace that comes from knowing there is a Savior. Are we pointing people to Jesus, or are we turning them away?

John the Baptist was always pointing people to Jesus. His entire life was about preparing the way for the Savior. Even in the womb, he leapt for joy because Jesus was there. He knew his Savior! He wanted all people to know Him too.

When people wanted to follow John, he made it clear: “I’m not the one.” He shouted to the crowds when he saw Jesus and said, “This is the one I was talking about when I said someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.”

And in John 10:27–28, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”

I love that. Because I’m a sheep, and you’re a sheep — we are the sheep of His pasture. Isn’t it an incredible joy to know that our heavenly Father has given us to Jesus, and that He is more powerful than anyone else? Our Father in heaven is the most powerful being, and He longs for us to surrender to Him — so He can work in our lives and show us what a truly wonderful life looks like.

The way we experience this wonderful life is by having the Holy Spirit dwell in us. We don’t have to wait until we die to see Jesus. Giving our lives to Christ means giving them now — walking with Him, talking with Him daily, and listening to His voice.

As His sheep, we have the privilege of following Him, of knowing that we are safe in His hands, and of sharing that hope with others. His perfect gift of eternal life is something we can share this season — and always.

That is what this wonderful life is all about.

Amen.

LIVING WATER WITHIN

The Spirit fills us with a wellspring that never runs dry.

JOHN 4:14 | “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends was admitted to the hospital because of an autoimmune disease. She was there for a week. During that time, I was able to visit her and observe everything that was going on. When I think of hospitals, I think of sterile white rooms, sick people, and death. These are not warm or welcoming images, especially when you’re living there for a week.

Although my friend was in the midst of the unknown, she (like always) was a wellspring of life in that hospital. When the nurses and caretakers came in to check on her, she would check right back in on them. She would ask how their shift had been or if they needed anything. After coming out of her procedure, the first question she asked the doctors was, “How are y’all doing?” This seems a little backwards, but this is exactly what it looks like when we receive the living water that Jesus offers.

Jesus meets us where we are, even in hospital rooms. He knows us like He knew the Samaritan woman at the well. Our sin, hurt, and circumstances don’t push Him away; rather, He draws close to us, renewing us if we allow Him to. He doesn’t ask us to be perfect when we come to Him; instead, He wants us as we are—with all our questions and imperfections—because only through Jesus are we made perfect.

If we ask Jesus for His living water and we seek Him out, He will give it to us. This living water is the Holy Spirit dwelling in our lives so that we may become a living well. He dwells with us even in the midst of hospital rooms, through sickness, in dry seasons, and even when we don’t feel good enough for Him. When we seek Him, He fills us, and it overflows into the lives of those around us, just as it did for the doctors caring for my friend. As we continually seek Him, He fills us more and more—turning our dry and barren lives into a well “gushing up to eternal life.”

the bread of life

Only Jesus satisfies the deepest hunger of our souls.

John 6:35 | “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

Ahhh, bread. Just the thought of a loaf baking in the oven brings a wonderful memory. We can almost smell it! Bread can satisfy hunger, can easily be carried with you, can be freely shared, and provides nutrition for healthy growth. Sounds a lot like our Savior, Jesus, doesn’t it? He truly is the Bread of Life that we all need.

What a wonderful life we have, knowing Jesus and knowing that He will provide for our needs. As He did for His people in the desert when He provided daily bread (manna), He will do the same for us today. Not only can we count on Him for our daily physical care, but even more importantly, we can count on Him for our daily provision of His love, guidance, and peace. When the Israelites were in the desert for so many years, God provided manna from heaven every new morning. They did not need to put any away for the next day, as it would appear the following day without them doing anything. Every day. Without fail. God provided. They could trust Him and not worry. God has been teaching me to do the same. I’m learning to not worry about tomorrow but to trust that God has a perfect plan and will give me what I need tomorrow, even if I can’t see the plan. He wants me to live today and leave tomorrow in His hands. We can trust Him.

In this wonderful time of year, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we can allow stress to overwhelm us and worry about tomorrow to take away the joy of today. Let’s seek God in prayer and His Word and learn to trust Him with our tomorrows. Enjoy each moment of today. And share His love and light with those whom He brings across our path.

As I thought about this scripture about bread, a memory came to mind. In the late 80s, a phenomenon occurred across America. Friendship Bread became a “thing” and went “viral,” as the kids would say today. You can Google Amish Friendship Bread for the details and recipe. The idea was that you would make a starter kit for a loaf of bread. Over several days, you would work with that starter bag. Then, after about 10 days, you would divide the original dough into four bags and give three away to friends. They would then do the same with their starter bag, and it went on and on and on. This made me think that our witness for Jesus should be the same. We need to share it with others so that they can share it, and then that person can share it. And it will go on and on and on. It could “go viral.” We need to share the Bread of Life that is Jesus. Let’s do that at every opportunity over this Advent season. Let’s share His hope, joy, peace, and love with everyone we encounter.

LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Jesus doesn’t just save us from death—He calls us to abundant life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full | John 10:10 |

“You can open one present, but you have to wait for the rest until tomorrow morning.”

“Oh man, well can I pick which one?”

The answer to that question was always “no.” The present for that evening was predetermined. It took a few years to catch on that the “one” gift we got to open each Christmas Eve was always the same. Inside that wrapped box contained the dreaded, matching, family pajamas! The type of festive pj’s that would be worn maybe once a year. Honestly, as a child, this Christmas Eve conversation above brought a gift that didn’t appease what I hoped to see inside that box. Looking back now it certainly has made rewatching of Christmas videos more comical now! But for a child who counted down the days until the 25th, the pajamas always left me unsatisfied and longing even more for what awaited the following morning.

How many of you have experienced these holiday letdowns? As we get older the circumstances surrounding our unsatisfied moments become are more serious than receiving Christmas pajamas. We all have seen this pattern play out. Time and again, we want to obtain what our hearts desire. We often aspire to have the best of what we’ve seen in this world for ourselves. So, we eagerly anticipate a day that will ultimately bring us something we’ve longed to receive…only to obtain it and remain unfulfilled. When that occurs don’t you feel disappointed and unhappy. The thing that should have brought you joy, made your life better, maybe even propped you up to a new level in life, once acquired, leaves you depressed and discontent.

This reality, played out in our lives, is in line with the disgruntled trap set by God’s enemy, and the holidays seem to be a time we are targeted in this way. John 10:10, “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The temptation of the enemy this time of year is to place our lives against the measuring stick of what we’ve obtained, who we have around us, and to focus on what is absent. When our minds are set on those things it steals our joy, kills the peace and destroys our ability to celebrate the truth.

So, the reminder of this day is to know that there is a gift being given to you this Christmas Season. A gift meant to give you the most satisfying and fulfilled life. God gave us the gift of Jesus so we all can receive the best life possible: a life fulfilled! May you spend time today thanking Jesus for the relationship we have with Him! Through Jesus we get all of God’s best, an abundant, wonderful life!

THE ASSURANCE OF LIFE

ETERNAL LIFE ISN’T DISTANT - IT’S ALREADY OURS IN THE SON

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” — 1 John 5:11–13

It’s a Wonderful Life: Safe in His Promise

These verses are more than a promise—they are security for every person who is a believer. John doesn’t write so that we might feel confident; he writes so that we may know that we have eternal life. The confidence of eternal life is security that helps us have joy in our life now, not after we have moved on to Heaven. It reminds us that in Christ, our identity is settled, our eternity is secure, and the battles of the world—sin, fear, shame, spiritual struggle—have already been defeated through Him.

Because of this, there is a deep, unshakable freedom that stirs in our souls. Freedom from the fear of not being enough. Freedom from anxiety about the future. When we belong to Christ, we live inside the safety of His victory. We walk through life with a sense of protected confidence—not because the world is easy, but because the Savior who overcame the world holds us.

This assurance mirrors the way an elementary-aged child lives under the protection of loving parents. Think of the way a child plays freely in a backyard, not worrying about who locked the doors or whether the world outside is dangerous. They run, laugh, and explore without fear because someone wiser is watching over them. Their safety is not in their own strength, but in the adult who loves them.

In the same way, believers rest in the strong and tender protection of Christ. We don’t have to earn safety or fight battles alone. We live with spiritual freedom—like a child running in open space—because we trust the One who guards our life. Just as a child knows, deep down, “My parents will take care of me,” our hearts can say, “My Savior has already won for me.”

1 John 5:11–13 invites us into this childlike confidence. We are not merely surviving this world; we are protected, covered, and held by the One who conquered it. And from that assurance flows a life of joy, courage, and freedom—a life of knowing we truly belong to Him.

This artwork was created free-hand by a 4th grader at GCCS.

ADOPTED INTO LIFE

BORN AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, JESUS CAME SO WE COULD BE GOD’S CHILDREN

Galatians 4:4-7 – “When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.”

Have you ever waited for something really special? Maybe your birthday party, Christmas morning, or the first day of summer break. Waiting can feel long, but when the right moment finally comes - it’s amazing!

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born at just the right time. God had a perfect plan. He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world - not too early, not too late – so that we could become part of His family.

Paul writes in Galatians 4:4-7 that because Jesus came, we are no longer strangers or outsiders. We are adopted as God’s children. That means we belong to Him, forever! Adoption is when someone chooses you to be part of their family. Isn’t that wonderful? God chose us. He wanted us. He loves us.

Think about it like this: Imagine being picked for a team at recess. You’re standing there, hoping someone calls your name. Then the leader says, “I want YOU on my team!” That’s when God does for us. Through Jesus, He says, “I want YOU in my family.”

And because we’re His children, we get all the blessings of being part of His family – His love, His care, His promises, and His forever home in heaven.

So this Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus being born, remember: He came at just the right time so you could be adopted into God’s family. That’s the most wonderful gift of all.

Activity Idea from Naz KDZ Elementary: Adoption Gift Wrap

Create a simple but meaningful family activity using the theme of adoption into God’s family. Write words like Love, Belonging, Forgiveness, and Family on small slips of paper. Place each slip inside an empty box and wrap them like Christmas presents.

During your family time, have each person choose a “gift,” unwrap it, and read the word inside. Use the moment to talk together about how Jesus is the ultimate gift—because of Him, we are welcomed, loved, and adopted as God’s children.

Grace That Reigns in Life

Where sin abounds, grace overflows—and life triumphs.

Sin spread when the Law was given. But where sin spread, God’s loving-favor spread all the more. - Romans 5:20 [Romans 5:15-17, 20-21]

Our world seems to grow heavier with each passing day — headlines, disasters, destruction. Sometimes it feels as though death itself has covered the earth. And in those moments — when the weight of the world or the pain in our own lives begins to surface — what do we do? Do we choose to deny, to disbelieve, to stop trusting? And, don’t get me wrong - I know we all feel tempted to feel this way. But we don’t… No. Instead, we choose to live in the grace and forgiveness of our God. We choose to dwell in the place where His grace defeated sin. We choose to remain in the presence of a powerful and faithful God. A God that heals even through the destruction. A God who forgives even after horrific headlines. A God that loves even when we question if the world has lost love altogether

This grace is beyond undeserved. We look at our heavy world and pass judgment on the people or things that created such destruction. And that alone causes destruction, division and separation. We ourselves become a part of the problem. We continue to spread sin against the given law, which creates more space for God’s grace.

As the world continues to overflow with sin, we are reminded of this promise in Romans 5:20: as sin increases, God does not shrink back — He grows greater still. His grace covers death. His grace overflows and fills every dark space with light and life. And it’s there, in that abundance of grace, that we find triumph.

Consider how God continues to show up in ever-widening spaces. Maybe it begins quietly in a classroom, then spreads into the community… and before long, it’s reaching headlines. The Lord permeates every corner of the world, and suddenly the doors of faith are flung wide open for all to see.

When we step back and see just how much grace God has poured out over this earth, we become less aware of the death and sin that once tried to reign. Because we know — and we stand confident — that our God will always triumph. There is such deep comfort in knowing that even as our world feels heavier with loss, we are covered by an even greater blanket of the Lord’s grace and forgiveness.

As we continue to journey through this Advent season, I encourage you to look at those headlines not with despair, but with triumph — knowing that God’s grace will overflow beyond the darkness of those stories, and His forgiveness will continue to grow through the revival that follows.

THE WAGES AND THE GIFT

Sin leads to death, but God freely gives life through Jesus.

Romans 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I don’t know about you, but I often let my heart settle too long on the first half of that verse—the wages, the sin, the consequence. And while that truth is real and sobering, working with children has taught me something beautiful: they think about the gift.

Yes, our sinful nature is a reality. But God’s gift is a greater reality. During chapel when children hear about the gift of Jesus, they don’t get tangled up in adult worries: Am I worthy? What will Jesus ask me to change? What might I have to give up?

No—children simply marvel. Their hearts leap straight to the wonder:

Jesus wants to live in my heart!

Jesus will be my best friend!

Jesus will help me when I’m in trouble!

To them, it’s not something hard to figure out… it’s just amazing news.

I’ve watched a child raise their hand to accept Jesus with total joy—unembarrassed, unafraid, not wondering what someone else thinks. And sometimes, they raise that hand hoping their friend will do it too: “Jesus can live in both our hearts!” Double wow.

The gift of God is simple yet incredible: eternal life in Christ Jesus. He gives it not because we’ve earned it, not because we are worthy, not because we’ve done something special… but because He loves us. Deeply. Personally. Eternally.

We are His children.

And children know what to do with a gift—they receive it with joy.

Reflection - Romans 6:23 reminds us that while sin earns us separation and death, God’s love gives us something entirely different—a gift we could never earn: eternal life through Jesus Christ. At Christmas, we should remember that this gift came to us wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Children don’t overthink a gift—they receive it with joy and wonder. As we celebrate this season, may we let our hearts return to that same childlike awe, focusing not on what we fear we lack, but on the incredible gift God freely offers to us through His Son.

Prayer - Dear God, help me to approach this Christmas season with a childlike heart. Teach me to embrace the joy, the wonder, and the beautiful gift You have given in Jesus Christ.  Help me to receive Your gift with the same simple trust and excitement as a child. Amen.

It’s a Wonderful Life (Wonder-filled Life)

the gift of god’s love

The wonder of Christmas: God so loved that He gave His Son to give us life.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT 

On August 22, 2023, my husband and I had our prayers answered. We welcomed our very first child, a beautiful baby girl, into this world. Before we knew it, she was crawling around getting into everything she could get her hands on, us chasing after her. Then not long after, she was walking, running, getting into even more, us chasing even faster. Then she talked, very specifically, "dada". This precious little baby we brought home, what felt like days ago, was calling out for us. Then, in the blink of an eye, she was forming sentences, repeating absolutely everything we said.

Then on January 5th, 2025, our second blessing came into the world, our first boy. And we got to see all those first again. First crawls, first teeth, first word, which again was "dada". We also got new firsts with our daughter. We saw her become the best big sister, being so helpful and kind, and caring to her new baby brother.

As my husband and I look back over the past two years, we try and remember what our life was like before we had kids. Although it came with more freedom, we are excited in anticipation to find out who our children become and their purpose in this world.

As Naz YTH leaders, we have the privilege of watching your children grow, not only in age, but in maturity, in love for others, and their love for Christ. As I reflect on their growth, I am so proud of the young men and women they are becoming, and I’m sure moms and dads feel this 10-fold.

Can you imagine, as a parent, knowing your child’s purpose involves the greatest sacrifice ever known to mankind? God did this for us. The loveable and the unlovable. The popular kid and the quirky kid. You and me. How wonderful that God loves us so uniquely and definitely that He would send his Son to the world, to save us and to have the ability to spend eternity with Him. How wonderful, indeed!

Father,

Thank You for the precious gift of our children and how You give us a glimpse of Your own Father’s heart, a love deeper and wider than we can fully grasp. Lord, help us never forget how wonderful this life is because of You.

Help us lead our children toward the life You offer: a life filled with purpose, hope, and the promise of eternity. May our hearts stay tender, our faith stay strong, and our gratitude stay deep as we remember the sacrifice that made our salvation possible. Thank you, father! In name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

With love,

Lindsey Bentley, Gabby Higgins, and Ashley Timberlake