Once Upon A Holy Night

We invite you to gather your friends and family for a virtual Christmas program you won’t want to miss! This year has been full of many changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the HOPE of our Savior and the promise of JOY to those who follow Him! Join us this year for a 4-day Christmas Event celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ beginning Monday December 21st at 6:00 pm. We will post a short devotional followed by special music each night leading up to Christmas with a final virtual Christmas Eve program on December 24th. You can also join us LIVE on Christmas Eve at FCC @ 6:00pm for an outdoor Christmas Eve program.

https://youtu.be/Zi_YiFHV644

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL: DAY 1

“Once upon a time.” These familiar words have formed the opening line of countless children’s stories. We read those four short words, and expect to hear about princes and princesses and all sorts of mythical creatures. The song for this evening begins in a similar way, but make no mistake, the Christmas story is no fairy tale, nor did it take place at a random time. Galatians 4.4 tells us that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman…” .  The “fullness of time” was the perfect moment, chosen by God, to send Jesus to us to be our savior. His birth in Bethlehem wasn’t a minute too early or a day too late. The religious, social, political, and technological conditions were perfectly aligned so as to be effectively used in God’s glorious plan of redemption. So, as you prepare to enjoy the song, ask yourself if there are any desires in your heart that God is calling you to wait for? Take a moment to pray and ask God to give you patience and peace knowing that his timing is always perfect.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL: Day 2

So what made the night of Jesus’ birth different, sacred, holy? Why was there a “thrill of hope” that caused the “weary world to rejoice?” What changed so that the next morning became a “new and glorious dawn?” What changed was that Jesus, the eternal second member of the trinity, humbled himself and came to us! In “towering grace, he laid aside his glory!” For in our lost-ness, there was no way that we could go to him, no way that we could enter into his presence. So Jesus robed himself in humanity and came to us. He did so in love. He did so in order to “reverse Adam’s fall,” to save us from our sin by taking our punishment. So as we “hear the gospel story,” how are we to respond? We are to “fall on our knees,” bowing in worship before the “Promised Son.” This posture is to define us; it should characterize our lives. For in bowing in worship, we are acknowledging that Jesus is king and surrendering ourselves to him. This is no easy task, for we all are tempted to grasp for our own crown. As you prepare to listen to this song, take a moment and reflect on your own heart. Are you bowing before Jesus in true worship? Does your life show him to be the true king? Go to him in prayer, knowing that the love that compelled him to be “born on the floor of a hay scattered stall” will cause him to hear you and continue to work in your life.  https://youtu.be/wyxrzLTNWc

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL:Day 3

Recently, I was talking to a friend of mine who, because of the craziness of this year, was looking for a job. He had begun to fill out an application for a certain position, but got sidetracked and never actually completed or submitted it. To his surprise, a few days later he received a call from a company representative seeking to set up an in-person interview. He agreed to meet, and was offered the job on the spot. I joked with him that he must have been doubly qualified as half of his qualifications were sufficient. The reality is that he was an ideal candidate for the job. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. What is shocking about this list is the inclusion of several rather shady characters. Individuals whose life experiences included prostitution and the solicitation thereof, as well as assault and murder. Unlike my friend, these people seem remarkably unqualified to be part of the family of Jesus, and yet, by the grace of God, they are. Our song for today is entitled O Come all You Unfaithful. It is an invitation to all those who are “weak and unstable, guilty and hiding.” And it is a reminder that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, that he came to save those who in humility acknowledge their sins. Jesus doesn’t call the perfect (for there is no one that can honestly claim that), rather he perfects the called. The gift of Christmas is cleansing and salvation and restoration through Jesus Christ! As you listen this evening, take a moment and search your heart in order to confess your failings to Jesus. And do so knowing that it is he alone who perfectly forgives!

https://youtu.be/LTwmmUXCBWY