Christmas

Christmas Devos For Teens // 5 Days // Free!

During this Christmas season, I’ve been receiving a number of emails with free resources.  This week Youth Ministry 360 made a five day Christmas devotion for teens available . . . for free!

Students can start them anytime this month.  The purpose of these devotions is to help students identify characteristics displayed by characters in the Christmas narrative, and challenge them to apply these in their lives.

Take advantage of this free resource  to prepare for Christmas.  Explore themes like surrender, thankfulness and trust.  A simple tool to use this season.

Click on this link to view or print the devotions:

ym360_christmas_devotions_teenagers

What’s Your Christmas Elf Name? @YouthCartel

Looking for a little break in your day?  Trying to get into the Christmas Spirit?  Ever wonder what your name might be if you were an elf (knowing that Buddy has already been spoken for)?

Check out the The Christmas Elf Name Generator.  Our friends at The Youth Cartel sent out an email that included a link to what I am sure is a very scientifically accurate generator of your name as an Elf.

Go ahead.  You know you want to know.

BTW, here’s mine:

Get your own Christmas elf name from the Christmas elf name generator!

Your Christmas elf name is: Syllabub Jinglewine

He loves to be in charge of the other elves and tell them what to do! He wears pointy green shoes with bells on the end, and he makes tasty marshmallows and chocolate covered candy for all the good little children.

Get your own Christmas elf name from the Christmas elf name generator!

Great Christmas Opener from North Point

In the past I’ve posted things I’ve heard on the podcast from North Point Community Church in Atlanta. A couple of years ago several of us from Wilmington went to a conference they put on and we saw some of their creativity first hand.

Each year they have a Christmas opener that kicks off their services. In inviting people to this year’s services, they posted last year’s opener. It is so funny and so well done. Take about 9 minutes and check it out. You have to watch the first half (the part with the kids) which makes the second part so humorous.

Christmas 2013 Opener: “Christmas In Bevelton (The Best Christmas Carol Ever)” from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Raising Jesus

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, most people – and churches – are focusing on Christmas. Last Sunday kicked off our latest sermon series and it is taking a look at the Christmas story. One of the cool things about this sermon series is that several churches in our area will be preaching from the same text each week. As we worship and study at WCC, there will be four other congregations examining the same piece of scripture.

The message this past Sunday focused on Mary and Joseph and how they responded to God’s call to be the parents of Jesus. Joseph, because Mary was pregnant outside of marriage (which was punishable by stoning), wanted to divorce her quietly. When the angel appeared to him, the Bible tells us Joseph was obedient.

Mary, when the angel appeared to her, was understandably taking by surprise that she would be chosen to carry God’s Son. When the angel explained God’s plan, she submitted to it – “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

In his message, our pastor made a great point. (He said it probably wasn’t original with him, but I’ll give him the credit). He pointed out that Jesus learned obedience and submission from his mom and dad. As an adult, Jesus was obedient to His Father – to the point of death on a cross – and he saw that attribute in His earthly parents. Jesus was also submissive to God’s will – an attribute He saw in Mary and Joseph.

While Mary and Joseph weren’t perfect, they were an example of obedience and submission as they fulfilled God’s plan for their lives. It’s interesting to think how their example impacted their son, Jesus, as He was growing from a young boy to a man who would give His life for us.