“Christmas Playlist” Series

“A Deep Subject for Christmas”

Revelation 22:17
“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
Merry Christmas!
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet His birth is only the beginning. Today’s passage, from the last chapter in Revelation, comes after John’s emphasis on the importance of Christ’s return. He reminds the reader that, in the midst of uncertain times, Christ offers salvation to all who will “Come.” This offer is extended to all people through the Spirit and the Church. And WE are the church.
Do you remember Christ’s invitation to the woman at the well in John 4? Jewish readers would have caught something significant in the setting of this conversation that most of us miss. When a Hebrew author wanted to signify the beginning of a relationship leading to marriage, the author would have the couple meet at a well. The Old Testament does too. You have Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, and Moses and Zipporah. These stories always followed a particular order:
  • Journey
  • Encounter at the well
  • Water is drawn
  • The women go and share the news of their encounter
  • The man is invited into the woman’s home and a meal is shared with her family.
  • Wedding
In John’s gospel, Jesus stopped on his journey at a well in Samaria where he encountered a woman.
Here’s the twist. He offered her not just water but “living water,” a life in connection with Himself. His words were unusual.  He spoke of living water.  He brought up her five previous husbands as well as her current living situation, not to mention that she was from a people despised by the Jews. To any Jewish reader, it would be obvious that there would be no marriage here, not to someone so undeserving. But the “well” pattern continued. The Samaritan woman went to tell others about this man who knew everything about her, yet offered her living water, a way to never be thirsty again.
The “marriage” we witness in John 4 is the bond between the Messiah and His bride, those who choose to join themselves with Him. Let’s read the Scripture in Revelation again. “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” The imagery in this verse is so beautiful, so full of hope. Its position, at the end of John’s description of the trials believers were facing and would face, reminded them that the Church is bonded to Him. We are united with Him. And that is the good news we get to share with all who will hear.  It’s a beautiful invitation to ALL people, from the Holy Spirit and the Church. It’s an invitation for us to invite others to unite with Christ.
What part of this verse stands out to you?
  • Is it His invitation to come?
  • His reminder that you are united with Him and not alone?
  • His expectation that we are to reach out and extend His invitation to all?
Who are you inviting to come?
Use the HEAR method to dig deeper into today’s passage, and again have a Wonderful Christmas!
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
April Price,  Jon’s wife
 

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“Can God put the pieces back together?” – Luke 2:36-38

Luke 2:36-38
“And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Here is this woman who was widowed after only seven years of marriage. She never remarried and is now eighty-four and spends her days at the temple worshipping, praying, fasting, and looking at every newborn child that comes into the temple. Her life was in pieces, but she kept looking for that face, that face of God. Anna, whose name means “Favor” or “Grace.” Mary found favor with God and Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. She was from a place named Penuel which means “The face, or appearance of God” from the time of Jacob. Perhaps the most intriguing, and somewhat mysterious information the Gospel gives us about Anna is that she comes from one of the lost tribes of Israel, the house of Asher. But without knowing what exactly happened to the lost tribes after the exile, we do know that at least some of them made their way back to Israel. Anna, a member of the tribe of Asher, was praying, fasting, and worshiping there in the Temple.
God placed a member of a lost tribe, widowed, named Favor or Grace to see the face of God where the lost can be found. God has some very intricate puzzle pieces He can put together at the right place, at the right time, for His glory and His purpose. Let us see what He does with our circumstances and convoluted puzzle pieces.
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What pieces do you have in your life that don’t seem to fit into the puzzle of your life?
  • Is there a time in your past when God took a “convoluted puzzle piece” from your life and fit it in a way that you didn’t expect?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jim Sellers, Minister of Music and Sr Adults
 

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“We Must Tag Someone With This Message”

Luke 2:15-21

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
 
One of the most universally known games in the world is “tag.” One or more people are “it,” giving chase to others until they are tagged, and in turn become “it” to carry on the game.
 
While the shepherds were in the field, angels tagged them with the message of Jesus’ birth. This news excited the shepherds so much that they had to see for themselves, then they began tagging others with this message. This process of tagging people has continued since that day. As a matter of fact, it is intended for you to speak up and tag someone you know with this same message – the Gospel. There are three reasons why the shepherds spread the news and why you and I must as well.
  1. You are a witness to His life. (“And when they saw it…” vs. 17a) The shepherds were eyewitnesses to the angel’s message and the baby’s existence. As followers of Christ, we are witnesses to the life-changing power of Christ in us and the Spirit’s work through us.
  2. God gave the responsibility to you. (“…they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.” vs. 17b) The angels did not go to the Temple. The angels did not go to the king. The angels came to the shepherds. When you became a follower of Christ, you also became an ambassador for Christ.
  3. He is worth talking about.  (“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” vs 20) The birth of Jesus was not ordinary. His birth confirmed a promise of salvation. Jesus is the hope for all humanity and the life that He brings to my home is worth talking about.

We must tag someone with this message!

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Who tagged you with the life-changing message of the Gospel? As a way to tag others, hare your story in the comments below!
  • Who is someone in your life that you can tag with the blessing of this message?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Pastor Stephen Williams
 
 

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“You’ve Made the List!”

Luke 2:8-14
 
“And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
 
It’s a common trope – a long line outside the hottest new club, populated by those hoping to be pretty enough, rich enough, or important enough to get the nod to get through the door to the party inside. We see this same thing at play early on in our own lives when we wait nervously to see where we’ll end up in the daily dodgeball pick – will it be first, second, third or last? We learn at a young age that this is the way the world works. There’s a pecking order, and you have to stand out from the pack to make the list. Your worth is tied to what you bring to the table, what you can do for me.
 
But Jesus – his message, ministry, and even his grand earthly entrance is characterized by the exact opposite dynamic. It makes no sense. Of all the people the angels could have shown up to, really? Shepherds? Was this a case of a supernatural singing telegram delivered to the wrong address? These men were not the cherubic Precious Moments figurines we’re familiar with this time of year. These folks were poor, ignorant, and smelly. They were the bottom of the barrel in the social order.
 
No, it was no mistake. If anything, it was a foreshadowing of one of the things that makes the “Good News” so good! God includes those who would never make the cut anywhere else. At the outset of his ministry, he chose young men to be his disciples that had already been passed over by the other rabbis. He took criticism for going to the wrong parties, spending time with the wrong people, and turning a religious order on its head that had become all about being “good enough.”
 
That is great news for us because none of us are worthy. As much as we try to put our best foot forward and present ourselves as having it all together, deep down we know there’s a little shepherd in all of us. But it’s in this context, seen as we truly are – broken and dirty, where God calls out to us. We are on His list. We are all invited to come and see this thing that has happened. We are invited to marvel, to celebrate, and then to go out and share what we’ve seen and experienced!
 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Jon Price, Associate Pastor
 
The Lion Comic Book Hero Bible, copyright © 2015 The Edge Group.
Used by kind permission of Lion Hudson Ltd.
Artists: Jeff Anderson, Siku, and Richard Thomas.

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“Your Packing List for 2021”

Luke 2:1-7

 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
 
I like to be prepared when I’m going on a trip. Especially if it’s a conference or an event. I want to know where I’m staying and what’s available there. I want to know what the expectation is for what everyone should wear. I want to know where I am supposed to go and what I’m supposed to be doing. I am definitely an over-packer. The car is typically loaded down with anything I could possibly need, and honestly, a lot of what I don’t need.
 
So, I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary to set off at the end of her pregnancy not knowing what each day would hold. Not knowing where they would stay, or who would be there to help her. She may have wondered what she should bring that might be of help to her. I know I would not have liked that situation one bit.
 
But God knew. God knew exactly what was going to happen. Long before any of this took place, God had everything planned. We won’t always understand what God is up to and what our tomorrow holds. God’s plans for us won’t always be easy. Sometimes it will be inconvenient, but we can trust that whatever we go through will always be worth it. Mary trusted God when she said to the angel, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” We must trust God’s plans for us and know that He has everything under control.
 
As we prepare for an uncertain 2021, here are three things we must be sure are on our list for a good trip:
  1. A daily check-in with God – Spending time each day with the Lord in prayer and reading His word aligns us and reminds us why we are here and what life’s all about. Belmont’s daily blog helps you do just that!
  2. Christian connections – Having regular interaction with a close group of Christian friends will provide the encouragement and accountability God intended for us as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the days ahead. If you don’t have a group to connect with, Belmont would love to help you find just the right one. mybelmont.org/smallgroups
  3. Weekly worship with a local church – At Belmont, we provide times for worship on campus and online. These are opportunities to catch the vision of the pastor, the direction of the church, and a reminder that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s also a time to recharge for the week by actively worshipping with other believers.
And Parents, just as you have the responsibility of helping your children pack for any trip you go on as a family, the habits that you set with them today will prepare them for a brighter future in the many trips they have ahead of them. We’d love to help you in any way that we can! mybelmont.org/kids
 
While using the HEAR method to dig deeper into the passage above, consider the following questions:
  • Do you have these three “must-haves” on your packing list for 2021? If so, how have these items helped you in the past in the challenges and opportunities that have come your way?
  • If you find yourself “packing light,” what will you do to take advantage of what God has provided for your journey?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Katie Marchman – Children’s Director
 
Photo by STIL on Unsplash
 
 

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“A Promise of Peace”

Luke 2:14
 
“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
 
Can you imagine it? Nighttime in the fields of Bethlehem. You’re watching your sheep, minding your own business, then, all of a sudden, an angel appears in the blinding light of the Lord’s glory. You’re terrified, but the angel calms you with his words and with the news he brings – news of a king. You’ve heard of this promised king, but it seemed so far off that you weren’t sure if it would ever really happen. And if it did, what would that matter to an insignificant shepherd?
 
“Good news. Isn’t that something we’ve heard of before? The word Gospel means “Good News!” The angel was sharing the Gospel with the shepherds. He was bringing them hope and confirming the prophecies pointing to the birth of a Savior – a Savior that would live a perfect life and take the ultimate sacrifice to bridge the gap between mankind and their Creator. The promised King and Savior coming into the world, just like us, as a baby. This is something worth celebrating!
 
As we spend this season reflecting on the miraculous birth of our Savior, consider the significance of his birth. Without each prophecy being fulfilled, our hope turns into hopelessness. Without Jesus coming to Earth and becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, we would have no chance of forgiveness or reconciliation. But because of God’s faithful love seen through His perfect plan – we can rejoice and celebrate today.
 
This Christmas season, you may find yourself singing along with the popular Christmas song, “Gloria in excelsis Deo.” This song is translated to exactly what the host of angels were singing – Glory to God in the highest! So let’s join together and sing along with the host of angels, Church!
 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:

  • Why do you think Christmas music is so effective in getting us into a special mood?
  • Do you feel peaceful at Christmas time? What are some of the contributing factors to your answer?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Michelle Gallman,
Life Group leader for young
families with her husband Zach
 
 

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