Advent 2013 Christmas Devotional • Mosaic Church

8/14/2019 Advent 2013 Christmas Devotional Mosaic Church

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or centuries, God prepared His people forthe coming of Jesus and the great rescue He

was going to accomplish through the

redemptive work of His life, death andresurrection. During Christmas we celebrate the

fulfillment of the promises God made to rescue us. Wecelebrate God coming for us by becoming one of us. Advent, which means coming is an opportunity for usto prepare ourselves daily. Through the four weekspreceding Christmas, to remind ourselves of Gods greatmercy. Each week focuses on a major theme and calls us toa response through devotion and mission. The dailythoughts in this devotional are expressions of people fromour Oakland, Winter Garden, and Disney campuses.Ourprayer is that this collaborative work will draw us deeplyinto the wonder of the Gospel and prepare us all toexperience the fullness of God this Christmas! May the Spirit of God awaken in us a fresh view of theincarnationGod becoming flesh and blood to rescue andrestore us. May we all be left in awe of Gods redemptive

work as we journey through this Christmas season.

Renaut van der RietLead Pastor, Mosaic Church

Please take time to look ahead to the Saturday Devotional entries. Eachweek we give Missional Opportunities that are happening throughoutDecember. Check your calendar and make note of these dates now to seewhich opportunities will work for you!

F


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Hope Waits Happily

The Christmas season is my favorite time of the year.Some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to thisholiday. Each year my parents would set presents under

the Christmas tree two weeks before Christmas Day. I could barelyhandle the anticipation. One year, my brother found the spot where our parents wouldhide the presents before they could wrap them and place them under

the tree. I'll never forget it. A few weeks before Christmas, my brotherand I were looking at the presents that we would receive. I rememberthe moment I saw itthat awesome Hulk Hogan skateboard. I wasecstatic! For the next two weeks after seeing my unwrapped present, I hada genuine confidence that I would have a Hulk Hogan skateboard. Inthe meantime, I longed for that day with great hope and anticipation. A few days after my brother and I found the hiding spot, myparents started putting presents under the Christmas tree. Thepresents, of course, were wrapped. In theory, they were supposed to

be a mystery to us, yet every time I walked past it, I knew that therewas something great coming my way. I looked at it each day andknew that Christmas day would eventually come. How did I know my parents wouldn't pull a fast one on me? Howcould I be sure that they wouldn't take away the present? Well, the

reason is simple; we had history. My parents had a track record ofgiving me good gifts every Christmas morning. I could be confidentthat my parents would take care of that because they had proventhemselves over and over again. In the same manner, we can beconfident that God will keep His promise because we have historytogether! As the ole hymn declares, How Ive proved Him oer andoer! During the Christmas season, we are reminded that God keeps

His promises. God had promised the world a Savior, and that greathope is Christ! Just as I possessed a real confidence that I would eventually havemy Hulk Hogan skateboard, we today also have an even greaterconfidence; we will one day be with God in Paradise.

Monday, December 2nd


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Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many

rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I goto prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare aplace for you, I will come again and will take you tomyself, that where I am you may be also.

-John 14:1-4

I possessed an assurance because the truth had been revealed tome. The same is true for us today. We, as followers of Jesus, possess

the same confidence. He has not forgotten us, nor abandoned us.Christmas reminds us that God refused to let the story end with ourdemise. No matter what we face or what trial or affliction we suffer,

we can be confident because we know the end of the story! We can beconfident in Christ. For those of us who have placed our trust andfaith in Jesus, we can be confident that we will one day be with Himin Paradise. We will see Him face to face, and enjoy Him forever! Thisis our hope!

Reflection Questions What is something you know for sure God has done in your life? How does it remind you of Gods faithfulness?

Kenny OrtizStudent Ministry Staff


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Christmas Nostalgia

Christmas TraditionsChristmas traditions make me think of a white

wonderland with snowflakes falling while my toes numbfrom the freezing temperatures. That might be a foreign thought toFloridians. Growing up in Pennsylvania, my family had a tradition tolayer up with hats, gloves and boots and trudge our way through theknee-deep snow to cut down, with a hand-saw, the biggest Christmastree we could find. We usually ended up going on the coldest day of

the year, but we always searched until we found one that looked justright, and it was usually too tall to fit inside the house. Then, thestrongest of the group, usually my dad or brothers, would lay on thefreezing ground and start to saw the tree trunk. When it camecrashing down, someone always shouted, timberrrr! This traditionlived on every year, and it became something I could always counton. Even when I was away at college, my family would wait for me to

make it home before taking the trip to cut down a tree. This will bemy first year living in Florida without snow and Hothands, but thetradition will live on. I will find a Florida Christmas tree!

Christmas Eve tradition My favorite day of the whole year is Christmas Eve when we ringin Christmas together at midnight church service. For the past 26

years, my hometown church in Pennsylvania would sing Watchman!Tell Us of the Night, preach of the Hope of Christmas to the people,and end with hundreds of candles illuminating the sanctuary, and ofcourse, someone always got burned by the hot wax. The unity of thechurch holding candles together in the dark, singing Silent Night, isthe ultimate image of Hope. There is no other way I would want tocelebrate Jesuss birth, the Hope of a new year, and the hope of eternallife with our Lord.

Arts and Crafts

Tuesday, December 3rd


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This easy arts and crafts project is fun for all ages(3-99). Materialsneeded; red and green paper, scissors and a stapler. To start, cut paperinto inch wide strips (tip: made easy with a paper cutter!). Loop paper

into circles and staple together. Alternate red and green, connectingthrough each loop to form a chain. Goal: See if you can go around

your entire house with the chain (world record accomplished in 1998in a four bedroom house in PA).

Why do I love this easy Christmas tradition? I can remember thehours cutting and stapling and the family time spent together. As I

became a teenager, I used the chain as an easy decoration for mylocker in high school, a few years later to decorate my grandmasassisted living apartment, moving the tradition to decorate my firstrental house at college, then to teach my niece and nephew to start a

brand new generation of the tradition. Variations include puttingwords on the paper strips, Bible verses, names, glitter paint, theoptions are endless!

Lori LeitzingerWinter Garden Campus


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Creating Memories

The thought of Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookiesautomatically makes me smile. This isn't a gourmetrecipe, but it's a yummy recipe that brings back joyful

holiday memories from my childhood. These cookiestake me back to afternoons spent in the kitchen baking with my mom,

while Christmas music plays happily in the background. I lovedspending this quality time with my mom. Once my little brother was

old enough, he joined in on the fun. The three of us would laughtogether as we assembled the reindeer cookies. Of course, thesecookies are delicious, but I love them most because they remind meof these special memories made with loved ones and embody thegeneral joy of Christmas-time.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup peanut butter1 "cup firmly packed brown sugar#cup shortening3 tablespoons milk1 tablespoon vanilla1 egg1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon saltChocolate-covered mini pretzelsMini brown M&MsRegular-sized red M&Ms

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Preheat oven to 375. Combine brown sugar, peanut butter,shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speeduntil well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add tocreamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended. Form dough into #inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies,Pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gentlyflatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on agreased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just

beginning to brown.

Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two minipretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeers antlers. Presstwo mini brown M&Ms in for eyes and one red M&M for the nose(or any other color some of mine ended up with green noses. Theymight be South Pole reindeer.). Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a

wire rack or paper towel to cool completely.

Makes a serving of 40 cookies.

Morgan PageOakland Campus


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LegacyThe assurance of things hoped for, the conviction

of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1

When I think of Christmastime, I think of crisp weather, giftgiving, holiday baking, festive parties and many other amazingtraditions that seem to make the first 11 months of the year dim incomparison to this very special time. After all, it is the most

wonderful time of the year. It is a time to gather with family andfriends and be thankful for the myriad of blessings the Lord has

bestowed on us throughout the year. However, as each year passes and as I grow older, I am alsoreminded of another realityloss. Just as the holidays bring incredibleamounts of joy, for some they bring the deepest pain. As humans, wehave the capacity for countless emotions. So naturally, the loss of afamily member or a dear friend touches our hearts in incredible ways.There is a kind of desperate longing for those who no longer hold aphysical place at the dinner table and are held only in our hearts as wecontinue through our days on this earth. That longing seems to bemagnified in times of celebration such as Christmas. However, thereis great beauty and redemption in loss.

In its simplest terms, the very story of Christianity is living forsomething and someone bigger than ourselvesJesus. It is so easy to

forget the simplicity behind the story of Christmas: a baby came tothis earth and rescued us all from ourselves. Through His birth, Hisdeath and His resurrection, we have the hope of eternity. Think aboutthat. Jesus was born to a mother and father on this earth. He was a

baby. He grew into a man, and his disciples mourned desperately forthe loss of their friend when He died, but His story did not end there.His legacy remains to this very day. His good news of redemption still

remains.

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I have experienced loss in this world. I know how heartbreakingand earth-shattering death can be. Chances are if you are reading this

you too have lost someone incredibly dear to you; a baby, a mother, a

father, a sibling, a spouse, a friend. My challenge for you thisChristmas season is to remember. Remember how the Lord blessed

you through this person. Remember how our great God used theirdays and hours on this earth to shine His light into the darkest ofplaces. Remember their precious legacy as a disciple of Jesus Christand use that memory to challenge yourself each and every day toleave a beautiful legacy of your own. And most of all, remember Jesus.

One of the worst things we can do is forget. Just imagine what ourlives would be today if the disciples had forgotten.This Christmas let us create a ripple effect of remembering. Let us

rejoice and be thankful for the lives God has used and continues touse to further His kingdom. Most importantly, let us remember: deathhas no victory, especially when our hope is in Jesus Christ.

Reflection Questions

Who is someone in your life that has left a legacy for GodsKingdom?

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

Jennafer NewberryMosaic at WDW Campus


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The Meaning of ChristmasFor unto you is born this day in the city of David a

Savior, who is Christ the Lord.-Luke 2:11

So many times, we lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.

The holiday season is incredibly busy. We've got office parties,extensive shopping, recitals, decorating, baking, family get-togethers,and an endless amount of extra tasks.

It is so easy to forget to celebrate the birth of Christ, themanifestation of God's rescue plan. But certainly the busyness of theholiday season isn't the only thing that causes us to forget that Godloves us and rescued us. We do this year-round, don't we? We allowour failures and our own inadequacies to blind us from the fact thatGod loves us and that He is enough for us. What is the meaning of Christmas? It is the celebration andremembrance that God did not abandon us even when we were at our

worst. The Christmas season reminds us that a child was born to saveus. One of the most famous clips that reminds us of our rescue comesfromA Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie had allowed the opinions of

his friends to influence how he felt about himself. He allowed his ownfailures and insecurities to overshadow the fact that God rescuedhumanity. But Charlie's friend Linus reminds him that there is a

reason for the season, he reminds us that despite our own failures andthe stresses we bring upon ourselves, Jesus still rescued us, and He isour hope. Linus proclaims, "for unto you is born this day in the city ofDavid, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Friday, December 6th

http://mosaicfl.org/dec6


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Bringing HopeMay the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirityou may abide in home.-Romans 15:13

One way that Mosaic likes to demonstrate hope is by sponsoringthe Mosaic Christmas Mall. At this event, we give families in need theopportunity to provide their children with Christmas gifts. If you would like join this story and help bring hope to those

families in need, the following are opportunities to be a part:

Dates and Times!Setup

Friday, December 6th 9pm to 12am

!Help with the Christmas Mall

Saturday, December 7th 7am to 12pm

!Clean up Saturday, December 7th 12pm to 2pm

Location

Mosaic Church608 West Oakland AvenueOakland, Fl 34760

Contact

[email protected]


Why do you believe it is important to demonstrate the hope inChrist?

In what ways does the hope we have in Christ inspire us to showothers?

Saturday, December 7th


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The Finality of PeaceAnd the effect of righteousness will be peace, and

the result of righteousness, quietness and trustforever.-Isaiah 32:17

What is the first image that comes to mind when you read theword Peace? I think of early mornings kayaking alone on theHudson River in New York. I remember one particular morning. It

was early December almost exactly six years agonormal people had

put away their kayaks for the winter. I, on the other hand, was suitedup in my dry-gear and on the water by 6AM. My wife and I had justdiscovered that while we thought we were done having children, Godhad decided otherwise, and we were unexpectedly expecting ourthird! I needed to breathe. I needed to think. I needed peace. Asexpected, I was the only one on the river that morning, which gaveme the freedom to speak freely with God. And I did.

I protested,

God, I am done with diapers. God, I am going to be an

empty nester at 48! God, we have this big 10 year

anniversary trip to the Caribbean scheduled for next

summer, right about the time that Aimee will be

giving birth! God, you are really messing up my

plans!

As I loudly complained to God, I felt like every bit of His creation wasspeaking to me through its very silence. The river was eerily glassy. A light fog hung maybe 20 feet abovethe water creating a sound and light canopy closing me in and limitingmy vision. The crisp northeast December air felt still, in the way thatice feels still. And out of nowhere, God invaded that stillness with themost gentle snow you could imagine. The flakes floated down likefeathers all around me before melting into the river unseen. And

while my mind was racing, and my heart was turbulent, and myattitude was harsheverything around me was slow, still, and soft. Like a mother soothes a child with soft noises and gentle words,Our Father used that moment on the Hudson River to whisper into

Monday, December 9th


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my ear that everything was going to be just fine. He calmed my heartand mind and gently rebuked my doubting approach to His good willand purposes. He breathed Peace into my soul and called me to the

unique privilege and burden of raising a boy in hopes that one day, hewill become a man of God. And 8 months later, Simon WisdomTaylor was born. Peace can mean so many things. Its a greeting that gently says,Peace be with you. Its the end of war, it stirs up images of healthand good-times, well-being and security, but the most powerful andfinal image of peace is the reconciliation of God and Man through the

birth, and ultimately the death of the Christ-Child. Much like mymorning on the Hudson River, the Gospel of Jesus Christ bringssilence to the noise of our sinful souls. Christs birth quietly invadesour world with grace and truth, and calls us to a greater purpose as wetoo speak the Peace of Christ to the world around us.Reflection Questions

Where do you most need to experience the reconciling Peace ofChrist in your life today?

Spend some time in prayer about that. Ask God to quiet your souland create a space for you to encounter Him.

Phil TaylorExecutive Pastor


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Peace in the Midst of the StormWhatever you have learned or received or heard

from me - put into practice and the God of Peacewill be with you. -Philippians 4:9

In the summer of 1996, my brother Lonnie was faced with adiagnosis of ALS, a disease of the nerve cells in the brain. Devastated from the recent news, the extended family decided togather for Christmas in Oklahoma City that year. We met for the first

time on Christmas Eve at the church we grew up in. The sight of mybrother walking slowly towards us with a cane took my breath away.I vividly remember songs of Christ echoing around us. It was not hisfragile state that captivated us, but the incredible peace radiating fromhim. He witnessed to us during that time despite the storm he wasfacing with each loss of muscle control. While we wanted to grieve,he was giving thanks to God for every blessing in his life. He never stopped smiling, even smiling with his eyes, right untilthe end on March 5th, 1998 when he went home to the Lord. Prior tohis passing, he had shared with us that he saw Jesus at the gates

welcoming him home. We had such peace. Lonnie had no time to feel sorry for himself. He had an eternalagenda, and that agenda was to proclaim the name of Jesus toeveryone he encountered. We will always carry that piece of

Christmas 1996 in our hearts. It was a time when God reminded usthat true peace is found in Him alone.

Tuesday, December 10th


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Take time today to pray for those who are struggling with loss thisChristmas.That all would feel the peace and comfort of our greatGod.

Is there someone who stood out during your prayer time?Think ofa practical way to bless them this week.What can you do to let themknow that you love them?

Jeanne AwtreyOakland Campus


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Finding Refuge in the LordThe Lord your God is with you... He will take great

delight in you, he will quiet you with His love... -Zephaniah 3:17Chocolate DelightThis recipe is a holiday staple in my family. I have distinct memoriesfrom childhood of standing on a chair in front of the stove helping mymom prepare for our annual Christmas feast. She would let me pour

in ingredients and stir until my hearts content, all the while teachingme that even the simplest activities can create the fondest memoriesof laughter, bonding, learning, and love. Its easy to take traditions likethis for granted, but when we pause to think of the meaning behindthem, we are reminded and amazed that the Lord takes delight ingiving us these special blessings.

To prepare the crust, mix together the butter, pecans, and flour. Themixture will be loose. Press into the bottom of a greased 13x9casserole dish. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Let cool 1 hour. For thefirst layer, mix 1 cup Cool Whip, cream cheese, and powdered sugar

with a hand mixer until smooth. Pour over layer, beat pudding andmilk until thick. Spread over cream cheese layer. Top the puddinercrust. For the second layer with the rest of the Cool Whip. Sprinkle

additional pecans if desired. Keep refrigerated.


Crust:#cup butter or margarine, softened1 cup chopped pecans1 cup self-rising flour

Layers:3 cups milk8oz. cream cheese1 cup powdered sugar1 large carton of Cool Whip, divided1 large package of chocolate instant

pudding


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What are some holiday traditions you share with your family?

What does God teach you through each of those special traditions?Take some time this week to share with your family how muchthose traditions mean to you.

How can you revive the meaning and purpose of the traditions inyour family?

What new tradition can you start with your family or friends thisChristmas?

Holli SmithMosaic at WDW Campus


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Remembering JesusFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and

the government shall be upon his shoulder, andhis name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6

Jesus is the reason for the season. We hear this and other familiarsayings every year.Have they become commonplace, ordinary,

maybe even worn out? Is Jesus truly the reason for the season in yourlife?In today's society, the true meaning of Christmas getsovershadowed by gifts, decorations, snowmen, santa, and thecommercialization of Christmas. It's easy to get caught up in thehustle and bustle of holiday traffic and forget about Christ. We evendisregard patience, do away with forgiveness, and love is reserved forour closest friends and family. Endless distractions keep us from focusing on Jesus during this

time of year. So in the midst of good friends and family, take time todelight in the Lord and give thanks for our Savior's birth. Rejoice inthe fact that Jesus was born to forgive our sins and bring joy and loveto the world. Its worth remembering and honoring year round, and itstarts at Christmas.Lets remind ourselves that Jesus is truly thereason for the season.

Reflection Questions How will you remember our savior's birth? What will you do to honor him in your life in the coming year?


Joseph WarrenMosaic at WDW Campus


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The Son of Godbecame a man to

enable men to becomethe sons of God.

- C. S. Lewis


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Christ, Our CornerstoneFor it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in

Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious,and whoever believes in him will not be put to

shame. -1 Peter 2:6

In masonry and construction, it is always essential that buildersand architects have a strong foundation, which the rest of the buildingcan be properly built upon. If the foundation is unreliable, the

building is doomed to eventually collapse. One of the greatest thingsabout God is that He has given us a strong foundation upon which wecan relyJesus! God wasnt going to leave this to chance and take a risk with thecornerstone of our lives. He, Himself, chose to become thecornerstonemotivated by His love for us. We have the opportunity this Christmas to remind ourselves thatChrist alone is our cornerstone.

Recently, Hillsong recorded a new version of thetraditional hymn Solid Rock, called Cornerstone. Itreminds us that God is the cornerstone of our lives.

Reflection Questions In what ways have you allowed the love of God to be forgotten in

your life? In what ways has Jesus been the number one priority in your life? What things can you insert or add to help you make Jesus the

number one priority?




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Experiencing JoyBut let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them

sing for joy, and spread your protection over them,and those who love your name may exult in you. -Psalm 5:11

There are many ways in which we can experience the joy that Godbrings. This week we can do so by helping out at Matthews HomeChristmas Carnival. We will set up and run a booth that has games for

kids, as well as, give out gifts to the families. Another opportunity thisweek in which we can do so is volunteer at the CBC Foster CareChristmas Party. We will help put on an annual Christmas party forthe children in foster care If you are interested in helping and being a part of either of theseevents, heres how to do so:


Why does God want us to experience His joy?

How are you demonstrating the Joy of Christ in your life andinspiring other with that?


MatthewsHopeCarnivalDate and Time

Saturday December 14th 1pm to 3:30pm

Location1460 Daniels Road

Winter Garden, Fl 34787

[email protected]

CBCFosterCareChristmasPartyDate and Time

December 14th 4pm-7pm

Location4603 west colonial driveOrlando, Fl 32808

[email protected]


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Jesus Presence Is Our Pure JoyWhen they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly

with great joy.-Matthew 2:10 In normal life your celebrations don't usuallyintersect with your sad times and your sad times aren'ttypically your times of celebration... We try our best to keepour sadness and our celebration separate. It just makes life

less complicated.

-Paul Tripp

The Joy of Christmas beckons us to behold gladness and gloom.Joy is the third week of our Advent celebration. What joyfulcharacteristics are evident in your celebration? Could it be singing,serving the least of these, sharing a meal, repentance, prayers ofpraise, comforting the sick and the mourning, blessing a stranger withthe last parking space, hospitality in your home, crying, greeting hello

and bidding goodbye, strolling on the beach, mesmerized by theartistry of a masterful God? Is it possible for all of these descriptions to be in harmony withjoy? If so, then what on earth is joy? Perhaps we must look beyondearth - the temporal - and saturate our longing with a more promisinglook at joy. Everything changed when the wise men (also rendered Magi) saw

the star (Matthew 2:1-18). They were plunged into worship as theycame closer to the presence of the King. Little did they know thatonce they walked through the door of that lowly place, they wouldencounter their exceeding joy, a King in full disguise, arrayed in the

vesture of a vulnerable child. However, His appearance didnt matter;it was His Presence. They could not contain their joy. It came in themost untamed ways with gushes of rejoicing. Was their joy obstructed when they would soon leave thepresence of their King? Was their joy diminished in any way whenthey were severely warned in a dream to depart in a secret manner? What might Mary or Josephs joy have looked like to witness theirpeculiar Child being lavished with gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

Was their joy deflated soon after Joseph received his distressing

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dream about Herods intention to destroy Immanuel? Joy, Im sure,isnt what you first see when Joseph or the wise men reacted uponreceiving seemingly bad news. Their authentic joy was deeply-rooted

in an encounter, not an emotion. Their exceeding joy, our exceedingjoy, is not all about receiving good earthly news, which is temporal(important, but temporal); rather, its all about receiving and resting inthe good heavenly news, which is ultimate and eternal.

In view of Jesus being our greatest joy, when we encounter lessthan delightful news, especially when we encounter less thandelightful news, we can allow joy and sadness to dance together in

our hearts. We, of all people, have the peculiar privilege to weep withjoy and celebrate with sadness until He makes all things new! Jesus' presence in our life will inevitably shepherd us in our sadand happy places. Joy, such as this, can never be overshadowed ordiminished by the temporal things in this life. His presence alone isour permanent and pure Joy.

Reflection Questions In view of challenges, suffering, or overwhelming feelings, how can

you and those you love authentically savor and count it all joy in themidst of this Advent season? (James 1:2-4)

What does Jesus promise to all of His disciples? (John 17:12, 13)

Andrea PalmerWomens Ministry Director


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Choosing JoyYou make known to me the path of life; in your

presence there is fullness of joy; at your righthand are pleasures forevermore.-Psalm 16:11

Have you seen those people who just radiate joy?There issomething about them that draws others to them. Do they have fewerproblems than the rest of us? The answer is no. In fact theyprobably have more.

Joy is a product of hardships and trials.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because youknow that the testing of your faithproducesperseverance. Let perseverance finish its work sothat you may be matureand complete, not lackinganything.-James 1:2-4

Joy is a choice in the midst of trials. Persevering through hardtimes leads to maturity, and we should be joyful because God is

working in and through our lives. God is making us into the personwho HE wants us to be, just as the potter works with the clay. Often,the very things that we try to avoidtrials, suffering, persecution,painare the very things that will help bring us abundant joy. Howoften do we pray against the work that God wants to accomplish inour lives?

Those people who just radiate joy do it because they choose tolook at adversity as an opportunity. They choose to walk with Jesusfor in His presence there is fullness of joy. When you are in Godspresence, the cares of the world fade away. They cannot compete

with His majesty. You make known to me the path of life. Joy comes from thecomplete fulfillment of our ultimate purpose, which is to glorify God

and enjoy Him forever.



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Joy is much deeper than happiness or getting swept up in theChristmas spirit. Joy is birthed in the presence of God, maturedthrough perseverance, and completed in eternity.


In what areas of your life are you hindering joy? How can you experience more of Gods presence this holiday

season?

Jamin WunderinkWinter Garden Campus


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The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength"Do not be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord

is your strength!"-Nehemiah 8:10

Arroz Con Gandules(Rice with Pigeon Peas)

This is our traditional Holiday rice dish. Gandules are also known as

Pigeon Peas and can be found in markets that cater to Latinos.

Ingredients:

2 cups grain rice (rinsed)4 to 5 cups of hot water, or beef broth- appx.#cup sofrito16 ounces can of gandules2 tablespoons of alcaparrado (capers and olives mixed together)1 packet of Sazon with achiote1 can tomato sauce3 tablespoons of oilSalt & pepper to taste

In a medium size caldero (cast aluminum pot) add the oil, tomatosauce, alcaparrado, sofrito and sazon. Cook over medium heat for 4

minutes. Add all other ingredients, and enough water to cover the rice1" above the rice line. Start with 1 teaspoon of salt stir and keep addingand mixing well until you are satisfied with the taste. Bring to a boiland cook over high heat until most of the water is absorbed. Once the

water has been absorbed, stir gently from bottom to top - once ortwice only. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 30minutes or until the rice is tender. Serve with pork.



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Life is a precious gift from God, yet the very thing we are so

incredibly blessed with can also be so complicated and painful withall its obstacles and challenges. How is it that the joy of the Lord can be our strength on lifes journey when were wounded, hurt, andin so much pain? Ive learned to do one specific thing to sustain meand experience this joy despite what my circumstances may looklike: praying Gods Word. How is it that the joy of the Lord can beour strength when we pray according to the word of God?

What need can you express to your Father, in exchange for Him to

show you His joy and power?

Raquel ShreveOakland Campus


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The Joy of GivingEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from

above... -James 1:17 I'm the worst at surprises because as soon as I buya gift, I want to give it right away so I can see the joy on the person'sface when they open it. But in order to see that light and excitement in the eyes of therecipient of your gift, you have to give them a gift they will actuallyenjoy - and that involves taking the time to know that person well. Sometimes with extended family that you only see once a year atChristmas, its hard to really know and be known well. A fewChristmases ago, my Aunt Lisa handed me a giant gift bag, and I pulledout the tissue paper to find a huge 2-foot tall stuffed Holiday PoohBear. I thought to myself, What in the world were you thinking when

you bought this? However, I knew I had to tame my tongue, so Iquickly replied,

Er, thanks... Aunt Lisa.

You like Pooh Bear dont you?

Yeah... thanks again.

I did like Pooh Bear an awful lot when I was in third grade, but Iwas 22 at the time. And granted, to this day, Im still a Disney fanatic,however, Pooh isnt really up there in my top ten. Now its a joke with my family to get me Pooh Bear paraphernaliaas gag gifts. Well all my family except Aunt Lisa who still believes Ireally like Pooh Bear, and I havent the heart to tell her otherwise.



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Reflection Question

God loves giving good and perfect gifts to His children because He

knows us and loves us completely. And He graciously invites us toenjoy the gift of giving with Him! What person in your family or

community could you endeavor to know more completely, so you

could bless them with a gift that will bring light to their eyes and joy

to their heart?

Sarah StinsonOakland Campus


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Joy, Unspeakable Joy!You will show me the path of life; in Your

presence is fullness of joy, at Your right handthere are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:11

As we draw closer to December 25th, we continue to prepare ourhearts to receive Jesus during this season.

Unspeakable joy is found in the pursuit of God Himself; it is to befought for on a daily basis. It is to be found in the trenches of battling

our daily struggles, in the simple pleasure and the complexities of ourlives. Unspeakable Joy is found in hearts willing to listen to theinnumerable ways God whispers to us as He reminds us of HisfullnessHis presence. Acts 2:27 assures us, You have made knownto me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul withjoy with and in Your presence]. Above all, let us willfully acknowledge that joy is found in themidst of intimacy with a loving God who desires to fill us with joy

unspeakable joy!

Take time to sing aloud today Joy to The World byChris Tomlin


How will you show joy to a world in the midst of your daily

struggles or disappointments? How will you commit yourself to being filled by Gods extravagant,

unspeakable JOY during a season of busyness and calendarmadness?




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Helping HandsNow may the Lord of peace himself give you

peace at all times in every way. The Lord be withyou all." -2 Thessalonians 3:16

The Christmas season reminds us that we can have peace withGod. The Christmas season reminds us of a fresh start that we cantrust God. We can go out and reach others and help them toexperience a peace with God. One incredible way we can do so this

week is by leading a hand at the New Beginnings Helping HandsChristmas Outreach. We will be serving lunch and offering groceriesand clothing to families that are in need.

Date and Time Saturday, December 21st 10am to 1pm

LocationWinn Dixie Parking Lot684 East Highway 50Clermont, Fl 34711

[email protected]


Have you experienced peace with God and lended helping hands? How have you inspired others to experience that peace with God as

well?

Saturday, December 21st


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Love is an ActionDear children, let us not love in word or in talk;

but in deed and in truth. -1 John 3:18

Friends, the month of Advent Celebration isdrawing to a close and Christmas is only two days away! And byChristmas, of course, we commemorate the birth of our Lord andsavior, Jesus Christ. Hopefully, these last three weeks together havegiven us a chance to contemplate the hope, peace and joy that we

enjoy because of the arrival of Christ.This last week of Advent, asHis birthday nears, we turn our hearts toward love as we gather tocelebrate the birth of Jesus and share the longing all Christians have incommon for the return of the Messiah. Love is a magnet that draws believers together and attractsunbelievers to Christ. When we have the love of Jesus, it strengthens our connection to

the body of Christ, and it perplexes the unbelievers who sensesomething different and wonderful in our lives. They want to knowmore, and they want to experience it. This week of Advent, the weekof love, is an opportunity for Christians to share our love for Jesus, forour families, and for the people in our lives. When you think about it,love in action is the story of Christmas. For God so loved the world that He sent his only son.This is thetruth, for God so loved the world, followed by the action, that He senthis only son. The truth is confirmed by the action. Even moreamazingly, an all-knowing God sent his only son to be the justificationfor us;He sent His Son to die. In Hebrew, this is calledHesedlove, the

passionate, undying devotion of a superior to an inferior, especiallywhen it is undeserved. When you pause and reflect on that type oflove, you are both humbled and grateful, comforted and awestruck.

Jehovah so loved us that He came to show us the way.He became

fleshexperiencing pain and sufferingknowing that He would be thesacrifice on the cross.Jesus had every ability to change course, but Hefollowed through on his words with His loving sacrifice. This is theultimate display of love in action.

Monday, December 23rd


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So friends, lets not merely say we love each other; let us showour love for each other, by our actions.How do we love people this

week? Hug them, feed them, forgive them, pray for them, spend time

with them, laugh with them, smile at them, give to them, bless them,and you wont have to tell them they are loved, because they willalready know.

"...and the greatest of these is love." -1 Corinthians 13:13Reflection Questions

Is there a friend in your life, whether he or she is a believer or not,in need of a spark, who you can reach out to and say, I would loveto celebrate Advent with you. And then, let your actions reflectyour words. Show them that you love celebrating Christs birthdaywith them.

Pick someone in your life to show an act of love; try not to pick aneasy person or the first person that comes to mind.Reach insideyourself and pick that person far down the list.Show them love.

Alex EllermanOakland Campus


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Remain in Gods LoveAs the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Abide in my love. -John 15:9

Christmas is a time for family, reflection, and love. God hasblessed our family with His unconditional love through His Son, JesusChrist. It is only through His grace and great love that we walkedthrough years of infertility and into parenthood. However, Gods

blessing did not stop with one. In prayer, I dared ask that God give meHis eyes, and He showed us favor by increasing our family with a 17-

year-old young man who had been tossed aside by his family. Foralmost a decade, we have called him son and adopted him into ourfamily. Without Gods eyes, we would never have noticed him. Gods story was not finished. Three years later, He wouldintroduce us to a young lady who would also be adopted into ourhearts and into our home. We are now a family of five, and we havelearned to love past the flaws and unconditionally accept the childrenGod has given. Infertility gave us eyes to see the eternal value in all ofGods children created in His image. I am glad that we stayed in the

battle for the souls of these young people. They are a blessing andtruly a wonderful addition to our family. As I reflect on this season of love and gifts, I am sure that Jesus isthe greatest gift of all, followed by the gift of family. It is the longing of

our hearts to belong and our earthly family is a prelude to eternity.



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Reflection

Abide in my love is Jesus instruction to His disciples in John 15:9. Only

through remaining in Christs love can we do the impossible. Not everyoneshares the same background of upbringing, but Gods love has a way ofbreaking through hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts of flesh.

Madeline SpencerWinter Garden Campus


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The Ultimate Gotcha DayGod places the solitary in families. -Psalm 68:6

Gotcha Day is known as the day an adoptivefamily brings a child into their family forever. Just asearthly adoptive families anxiously anticipate the arrival of a most

beloved child, Mary and Joseph awaited the arrival of Jesus. Hisarrival, like those of most adopted children, was more humble thanheroic. On the day Jesus came to earth to put on flesh and squeeze allHis Glory into a fragile human shell, He left the familiar andcomfortable to embrace hardship and trial. Lavish love compelledHim to come. His purpose was to give us the opportunity to be a partof His Forever Family.

We could never earn our way into this Forever Family. Weneeded someone willing to take on our sin, to overcome it, and pave

the way for our souls to be with Him. God's remedy for our maladywas to give us each a home in Him and to make His Home in us. Aforever family would be a place to restore what was lost and a placefor the lost to be found.

On Christmas Day, we celebrate God's heart on full displaythrough our adoption. We celebrate belonging to the EverlastingFather and being found by the Prince of Peace. We give thanks for the

Gotcha Day when God made a Way in a Manger so we could be partof his forever family.



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Reflection

"The Spirit you have received adopts you and welcomesyou into God's own family. God's Spirit confirms in our

spirits that we are His children."-Romans 8:15-16

Amy BradyOakland Campus


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Gods Empathy For UsFor we do not have a high priest who is unable to

sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who inevery respect has been tempted as we are, yet

without sin. -Hebrews 4:15

When we think of Jesus birth, most people picture a quiet,peaceful manger. Nothing in scripture indicates that Mary and Josephhad an unusual birth experience apart from who she was giving birth

to: the savior of mankind.

In fact, given that the birth of Jesushappened in a stable and He spent his first minutes of life in a feedtrough, the experience was possibly more hectic than a moderndelivery room! The birth of Christ sent an enduring message from our God thatreverberates today; our God not only sought to save us from our ownsin, but He sent Jesus as fully God AND fully man, so that He couldempathize with our plight as humans. Starting with the manger, Jesus

experienced life as a human with all of its struggles and temptations.Out of all the possible ways that God could atone for our sins, He gaveus a Savior that was willing to humble himself and neglect his ownstatus in order to sympathize with our weaknesses. Our Fatherfulfilled His plan, which allowed us to re-enter an intimaterelationship with Him through Jesus. We serve a God that cares about our eternal salvation, and

understands and cares about our everyday needs and struggles. He,above all else, deserves our eternal gratitude.



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How does the empathy that God showed in sending Jesus impact

how you should relate to others? What markers can you place in your life to remember that Jesus is

relatable, and that he came to live an unblemished life as fully Godand fully man in order to empathize with humanity and restore ourrelationship with God?

Andy KellyWinter Garden Campus


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Ten Ways To Love

Listen without interrupting(Proverbs 18)

Speak without accusing(James 1:19)

Give without sparing(Proverbs 21:26)

Pray without ceasing(Colossians 1:9)

Answer without arguing(Proverbs 17:1)

Share without pretending(Ephesians 4:15)

Enjoy without complaint(Philippians 2:14)

Trust without wavering(Corinthians 13:7)

Forgive without punishing(Colossians 3:13)

Promise without forgetting(Proverbs 13:12)



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Surface LoveAnd I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I

will put within you. And I will remove the heart ofstone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.-Ezekiel 36:26

A friend of mine has a close and loving family. He has fantasticrelationships with his children and wife.One day on a long walk, heshared his secret with me:

So many families are rude or disrespectful to eachother every day. They may come back and say, I knowI'm not nice to you, but deep down, I really love you. I disagree. So I told my family, despite how we feel onthe inside, we are going to love each other on thesurface.

My family loves each other on the surface everyday, even in the

little things. We're nice to each other, we do things for each other, wecare for each other, and we all say, I love you. I tell my family, if youwant to hate me deep down that's fine, but on the surface, in ourwords and deeds, we're going to love one another despite how wemay feel inside. What my friend and I realized wasit's impossible to love eachother constantly on the surface and not love each other deep down.Nevertheless, this is the example that Christ has set for usBut I say

to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecuteyou. (Matthew 5:44) With the Christmas season coming to an end, letus continue the journey in loving one another.


Who is someone God has placed in your life that you haveexperienced difficulty loving?Maybe its someone at work,

someone at school, or someone in your extended family. Think of a tiny step you can take toward this person in love. Take

that step, and be confident that love never fails.



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A Conversation With Hope

Me: God, would You speak to me about hope?

God: Yes. Hope is like a place. A spacious room that you enter into.

Me: How do I get there?

God: Fix your eyes on Me. Focus them on Me. Keep them on Me. Thisis what will usher you into the Place of Hope. You may not see

with your natural eyes the fulfillment of what you are hopingfor, but when you hope with Me, when your hope is in Me, I will

be the fulfillment you most long for.

Me: My experiences have taught me that when I fix my eyes on my

circumstances or people or anything but You, I find myselffeeling hopeless, lost, controlling, desperate.

God: I know, and that is not what I have for you. Listen to Me. WhenHope dances with Trust there is Peace. Trust must be present ifHope is desired.

Me: As I fix my eyes on You there is a certainty. There is a quietconfidence. There is a calm assurance. There is unspeakablepeace.

God: Remain steadfast with Hope and when you are filled up, you willbecome a beacon of Hope for those around you.

Me: That is my heart's desire.

God: I know it is. Always remember that Jesus is My One and OnlyHope for the world.

Bonus Devotional


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Me: Ahhhh...no wonder Joseph and Mary and the shepherds and theangels and the wise men and anyone else that encountered Jesusthat first Christmas and the weeks that followed exclaimed with

elation and joy, "Hope has entered the world!"

God: (smiling) Yes, My child. Color Hope on every circumstance, onevery trial, on every challenge and you will find yourselfsplashing Hope on others. It is a beautiful thing.

Me: I will clothe myself with Hope. I will put Jesus on. I will trust

that I am Yours and You are mine and that Your love for me willcontinue drawing me into deeper, abiding, lasting hope.

God: Dance your way into Hope. Dance your way into Me. Theinvitation is to hide yourself in Me where you will stay hope-filled, hopeful, full of Jesus. So that when you are bumped, it isHope that spills out. When you are tested or provoked it is Jesusthat comes pouring out of you.

Priscilla MalinOakland Campus


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The greatest and mostm o m e n t o u s f a c t

which the history ofthe world records isthe fact of Christs

birth. - Charles H. Spurgeon


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Documents

Advent 2013 Christmas Devotional • Mosaic Church