Eagerly awaiting an arrival…looking forward with excitement…with great expectancy. This time of year is full of the anticipation of what’s to come. Whether it is a young one hoping and dreaming of getting ‘that gift’ they want oh so badly. Or the giver who giddily imagines and looks forward to the joy and excitement of the receiver. Great anticipation is all around us. There is a particular gift we are giving our boys this year that has me so excited I can hardly contain myself much longer. It has been months in the making and has been a labor of love so to speak. I absolutely love how God allows us to gain glimpses of the magnitude of His love for us in ways such as anticipating the giving of gifts. I imagine how I currently feel about this present, is only a mere ounce of how God felt anticipating giving His children the gift of baby Jesus.

Let’s pause right there for a second. Imagine what it must have felt like to not only have the arrival of your baby son, God made fully man, but the arrival of the absolute greatest life-giving gift of all time. Heaven coming down to walk and live as man and destined to provide life too all who choose to receive for eternity. There has never been a gift given before or after that was as purposeful, loving, gracious, and forever captivating. So much love and intentionality went into the gift of Christ. As I was thinking on my own excitement to give our gift this year, I sat with the thoughts and feelings I was having and found myself in awe of Christ’s birth in a whole new way. The song, O Holy Night began playing in my head. I immediately went and found a beautifully sung version with the lyrics and sat with it for several minutes. I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen and let the lyrics sink in. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees. Hear the angel voices. O night divine, o night when Christ was born. Although I have heard that song I am sure every Christmas of my life, the words hit me in such a new way. What a beautiful story, a beautiful night, a beautiful gift. The song continues with chains shall He break for the slave is our brother and in His name, all oppression shall cease. Let all within us praise His Holy name. Christ is Lord! Let ever ever praise thee!  Noel, Noel. O Night, o night divine!

Born was our savior. The one who would set the captive free. The one who would love beyond measure and reason. The night that forever changed the world and continued a beautiful redemption story for all mankind. Oh, what a divine night. I can only fathom the amount of love and joy God felt on the heels of a night such as this. The love and joy he continues to feel for each and every one of us. Let all within us praise His Holy name as we experience and express the love and joy of Christmas.

Have a very Merry Christmas filled with the thrill of Hope in Christ Jesus!

Advent Week 4 is Here!

Click HERE for a printable version

Peace that passes all understanding… I can’t even understand that! Guess that is kind of the point. In a world that is chaotic, Jesus is peace. When my mind is chaotic, Jesus is peace.  When my feelings are chaotic, Jesus is peace.  When I feel afraid, Jesus says  NOT to Fear. Jesus is Peace.

This week as we look at the stories of Joseph and Mary and their versions of receiving the news about Jesus, the Prince of Peace coming, may we experience His peace that transcends circumstances, experiences, feelings, and even understanding.

Advent, Week 2! Let’s Go!

For a downloadable version of Advent Week 2: Peace  – Click HERE

Advent literally means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Today the season of Advent (including 4 Sundays) leading up to Christmas is a time when the church reflects on the long-awaited, planned out, and thought through arrival of Jesus.

This season lends itself to an opportunity to connect spiritually as a family as well as to spend some time in God’s word. The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle. Grace Life has put together some Advent reflections. Each week we hope you find something for everyone! There is no pressure to do it all or any of it but simply to use it as it helps. There are scripture readings, devotional questions, music and movies suggestions for all ages, a mission opportunity, an advent experience, and a suggestion to share on social media. Our heart through these Advent pages is to offer some options that may help our families be reminded and our minds be renewed on the Person of Christmas.

As we read the stories this Advent season, we remember what God did to win us back and celebrate that Christ has come! It is finished! The work of the cross has been done! And we have been made new! We can experience all of Christ today.

We hope you enjoy this season of Advent as we remember the work that God has done and continues to do in and through us today. May this be a resource for you to share your faith and connect spiritually with your family and friends.

Here is a fun Advent Trivia Fact:

Did you know the Advent Wreath tells a story? The wreath is a circle that reminds us God is eternal. The wreath is green which reminds us of our hope in Christ. It has candles in it, and when lit reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Note: If a daily scripture reading is something you would enjoy this holiday season, The Jesus Storybook Bible has exactly 25 stories from creation to the birth of Christ. It is a great read for kids or adults.

Bible Recommendations:

All of these bibles may be purchased at the bookstore at GLF

-Families with children 2yrs of age – 3^rdgraders: The Jesus Storybook Bible

-Families with children 4^th-8^thgrade: NIV Adventure Bible

-Families with teens: new NIV or ESV Teen Study Bible

-Adults: NASB or ESV

Merry Christmas. Advent Week 1 is NOW!

Click HERE  to download a printable version of Advent Week One.