Each received a message informing them that their lives were about to drastically change. The long awaited Messiah was about to arrive. Simple, fully human people prepared the way for the King of Kings to come. Were they prepared for His arrival in the reality of His little infant birth, and the responsibility that followed?

Today’s post is a prayer for those who are going through any kind of infertility this Christmas. May you experience Christ’s joy and peace more deeply as you look to Him.

Have you deeply studied the Christmas story? There are so many profound details to enjoy! Through a fictional description, today’s post offers a window into what Elizabeth’s story might have been like to get your mind and heart prepared for the upcoming birth of the Messiah.

Christmas is approaching and we are aware that many struggle with this holiday for various kinds of sorrows and expectations not feeling like they’re being met. Some are grieving the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or even the lack of one. Singleness is obviously hard at Christmastime as family and friends gather to celebrate and share memories of the year. This is no exception for Christians either. Is it possible to have peace and joy while being single? Rachel asks Natalie hard questions about this topic in today’s episode, and Natalie courageously shares the struggle in this, as well as offers solid encouragement and advise to those who empathize with her.

The wonder of Christmas was beautiful to me as a child. A special annual concert at church, both for kids and adult choirs. Meals around the tables of my relatives while us grandkids ran around oblivious to any weight of the holiday. There was the excitement of presents under the tree, of a special neighbour who kindly dressed up as Santa Claus every year and blessed my brother and I with gifts on Christmas Eve (a special stop on his way around the world, of course). Then there was the pinnacle of it all: the awe of Jesus’ birth.

Have you ever prayed about something for years and received seemingly no results, but because it’s now part of your daily rhythm, you still utter the words? Your heart has grown numb to the request, but your mind still goes through the motions? Eventually, that numbness moves into other areas of your spiritual life, and it feels dry altogether? Well, there’s good news! God is still in the business of reviving hearts and lives!

Do you find it easy or challenging to make decisions? What’s your normal plan in making a difficult choice? Do you make it on the spot, ponder the outcomes for a time, follow a friend or two’s advice, see what the popular trend is, or a mix of these?

A young woman was faced with an incredibly phenomenal, beautiful, and yet gut-wrenchingly hard assignment – to mother the Son of God. Unless inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself, no one would believe this woman was impregnated by Him. This story oozed perceived scandal, one that should have led to her death. How did this woman survive such a weighty commitment?

God has so graciously allowed the world the opportunity to join together with His people, the Israelites, to be one family, to those who accept Jesus’ gift of salvation.As we discovered last month, we also are united together as one army under the Lord of Armies. He’s given us Holy Spirit to counsel and defend us, His heavenly army to fight alongside us, as well as our brothers and sisters on earth.One of the most vital things to protect in this family is our unity. The Devil works hard to create division among us, so that we won’t be the Christ’s example of hope, light, or love to this hurting world. When we become aware of this, we can make, “every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3When we do keep the unity, God does mighty work through His body of believers, joining the…

Do you still use cash for most purchases, or are credit cards your most frequent way of spending? It’s easy; just tap, insert, or swipe your card and the product is yours without having to think or feel the difference of how much you spent. Let Jennifer teach you how best to use your credit card, to keep yourself from racking up a bunch of debt, and what better time to learn/be reminded in the highest spending week of the entire year!