Christmas and Advent

In America, Christmas tends to be more about family, gifts, traditions and food than anything else— oftentimes with many individuals briefly acknowledging the birth of Christ in a Christmas service.

Prayer is a wonderful way to prepare your heart to receive the true blessings of Christmas. Here are some prayers for you to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

Reflect on the glory of the Savior's birth with this collection of Christmas Bible verses perfect for reading on Christmas Eve or morning! These Bible verses highlight the events and importance of Christ's nativity story, coming into the world as God and man to save us from death and sin.Jesus Christ brought joy to the world as an infant to Mother Mary, so let us rejoice in praising the Lord! These Christmas Scripture quotes will help you to fully appreciate and celebrate the holiday this year. Also, use these Christmas prayers to seek God's mercy and grace for you and your loved ones."May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." ~ Romans 15:13May these Christmas Eve Bible Verses fill your heart and home with love and joy!Photo credit: ©Getty/maximkabb

Here is a list of short prayers (to be prayed individually or collectively as a family). I hope they will bless, encourage, uplift, and set your hearts on the joy, sacredness, and sweetness of Jesus, the true Reason for the Season.

The fourth advent candle is the last one lit for most advent wreaths, marking the last phase of the advent season.

Dear Roger,Economists tell us that we are on the verge of a recession. Some say that it’s 50-50 that we will or won’t have one. I’ve noticed that many families who were cutting their expenses last year are in a quandary about how much to spend on Christmas gifts.For some Americans, this downturn really hurts. Families that cut a little last year are cutting a lot more this year.One of my friends said to me, “We had a pretty good Christmas last year, but we’re not having Christmas this year. We are not even having gifts for our kids.”Can you give us some ways we can make Christmas different this year?Sincerely, JonathanDear Jonathan,Simply by implementing the following two Proverbs, many of us can make Christmas more meaningful than ever before.We tend to spend most all of our Christmas giving on ourselves, our friends, and our family. How much different would it be if we looked down the economic ladder and were intentionally generous to help folks that we tend to overlook?"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."Proverbs 11:24 NIV"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."Proverbs 11:25 NIVWe must learn to climb now down the ladder of socio-economic status.Photo Credit:©GettyImages/maximkabb

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore, I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 NAS)The Holidays can be a difficult and poignant time as the seasons of life change due to loss of loved ones, children and grandchildren being unable to make it home for the holidays, lack of money to buy gifts, or harvesting seeds we’ve planted the past year.I understand and have wasted too many holidays wallpapering my mind with the if-only moments. Mother always quoted, when any of us began that bottomless trek through the quagmire of if-only with one of her favorite retorts. “If wishes were fishes, we’d all have a fry.”But we don’t need stale, unhelpful, sayings. We need help. Real and lasting help from the Helper of our souls.

When you think about Christmas and all the traditions, so many of them point to the gospel. Let’s take time this year to put Christmas in the right perspective

What do I do with a woman and her starving children, peddling candy just around the corner of a massive structure, lined with gold, that is supposedly peddling hope and good news?

Christmas, for many, is a fun time of the year, and if you believe Andy Williams, it is the most wonderful time of the year. However, it is not that way for everyone. For those who have lost loved ones, those who may be single or lonely, or those who cannot afford to provide gifts for their children, Christmas can be a miserable time of the year.

There are plenty of studies that show the impact lack of sleep and proper rest has on your overall health. If you are tired and dragging now, then ramping things up during the holiday season is not going to help that.

Eating a meal together often brings a sense of joy and contentment to our physical bodies, along with drawing people together emotionally and spiritually. Good food helps to build bridges and cultivate connection between us.

Christmas traditions hold the family together. Family gatherings provide fellowship and the opportunity to enjoy traditions, events, and practices that only your family understands and holds special.

We don’t need to be alone to feel lonely. Sometimes a crowd intensifies our sense of isolation. That’s probably one reason why so many experience dejection, and even depression, during holidays. Loneliness targets us all from time to time as a natural part of the ebb and flow of life. God allows and uses such times of trial.

Divorce can rub emotions raw. Keep moving towards Him, and he will strengthen your motions, one day at a time.

The fourth Sunday of Advent we meditate on the peace that Jesus brings our hearts and our world. Scripture is the place we can find the promises of God. Let us meditate on these truths and allow them to comfort our hearts this Advent season!

Many of us are afraid to be open about these contentious topics; however, talking about these things can start repairing broken relationships within the family unit and assist in our healing.

Have you ever been blessed by someone unexpectedly? I’ve had anonymous gifts arrive in the mail, spontaneous baking from neighbors, an email from someone encouraging me regarding my writing, and probably far more mercies on a daily basis than I’ll ever realize. The impact of someone deliberately taking time out of their lives to reach out and bless in words and actions stays with you.As I have sat to write this article, I feel a tinge of embarrassment and regret at how little I feel I have emulated this. I hope that I have been a blessing to others. I just don’t think I often go out of my way intentionally to do it as much as I would like to. I admire those who have a gift in giving. They naturally desire to bless through monetary support, lovingly putting a care package together, or something else that is sure to brighten up someone’s day. I want to be more like that.There are many ways to bless others. Maybe, like me, you long to be a blessing to someone, but you need ideas or prompting on what this could look like. Here are seven unexpected groups that you can start blessing this holiday season:Photo credit: Pexels/Jill Wellington

There is no doubt that she had to have been full of fear, yet she did not say "no." God does not always call us to easy paths or journeys, but He also is with us along the way. We can do the natural, relying upon Him to do the super.

The Bible tells us that long before the world began, God had a plan to bring redemption through Christ to all those who would choose to believe and follow Him (1 Peter 1:19-20). God knew we would need a Savior. He knew we would need to be set free. And He made a way, by sending His One and Only Son, so that we could receive forgiveness and find new life and hope through Him (John 3:16).Throughout the Scriptures, weaved through verse after verse in the Old Testament, are prophecies that speak of the Christ who was to come. Bible scholars have concluded from much research that, hundreds of years before Jesus was even born, more than 300 prophecies were recorded to tell of His coming, His life and journey to the cross, and the power of His Resurrection. These prophecies point to the exact location, circumstances, and even timing of Jesus Christ’s birth. God alone is the only One who could plan those specific details and ensure they all come to pass.Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture. He is the Word. He is the Light. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And the whole message of Christmas is wrapped up in Him, God’s greatest gift, who came as a tiny baby, with one powerful purpose—to save a lost world. Here are 10 specific prophecies of the birth of Jesus Christ.Photo credit: Getty / MKucova