Youth Advent 12/25

Posted on Dec 25, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-Five: Jesus is Our Greatest Gift of Hope
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should
not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
 

The day we’ve been waiting for is finally here! Christmas is a reminder of God’s great love for us. Not only did Jesus enter into a broken world to experience all the pain and suffering we live through, He carried out the ultimate act of love by dying on the Cross for our sins. While Jesus knew all along He would make this sacrifice, He was born as a human baby. He was wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger (feeding trough). This is what we are celebrating today! Jesus is our greatest gift. He is our gift of hope!

As you celebrate that miracle today, think about the words of “Silent Night,” which describe the birth of hope into the world. This Holy infant so tender and mild is our Savior, Jesus, our greatest gift of hope.

“Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth”

Today is the perfect day to reflect on God’s love and the gift of Jesus as the greatest hope for the world. Because of this gift, we get to be close to God forever when we choose to follow Him. That is the greatest gift, and it’s worth celebrating!
 

Questions:

1. Personalize today’s verse by writing your name in the blank: “For God so loved _________, that he gave his only Son, that _________ should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Spend two minutes in prayer. Thank God for the gift of Jesus that we celebrate today, the gift of hope He gives us, and the gift of being with God forever.
 

Youth Advent 12/24

Posted on Dec 24, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-Four: Our Hope is Jesus’s Return
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” — Revelation 19:11-16
 

Think of the worst argument you’ve ever seen on TV, in a movie, or been a part of yourself. It probably included some heated words or maybe some raised voices. Those individuals who were part of the argument maybe even said things they wish they could take back.

Arguments like these can sometimes feel like a battle—a conflict between two or more people or groups. We see this a lot in our broken world today. There are lots of arguments, wars, and injustices where we see this brokenness on display all around us.

In Scripture, we read about a “spiritual battle” that is going on around us, and in this particular verse, God inspired John to describe this battle using the imagery of war. The book of Revelation can be very difficult to fully grasp because of imagery like this. Biblical scholars often have different ways of interpreting it. However, one thing that all scholars do agree upon is that Jesus is returning. In fact, about one out of every 30 verses in the Bible reference the return of Jesus.

At Christmas, we remember and celebrate that God chose to enter our world as a baby to proclaim the Good News of His love for us. It is also a time to look forward in hope of Jesus’ return and the establishment of his reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords, when everything in our broken world will be made right!

The hymn “Crown Him With Many Crowns” gives us words to praise God for this promise of hope in Jesus as King. As a matter of fact, Matthew Bridges wrote this hymn after reading Revelation 19:12! As you read these lyrics, praise God for this hope that we have today!

 
 

Questions:

1. Where do you notice brokenness in the world around you?
2. How might looking forward to Jesus’s return give you hope?
3. Today, pray this sentence: “Jesus, I put my hope in you.”

Youth Advent 12/23

Posted on Dec 23, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-Three: Our Hope is Jesus, Our Salvation
Have you ever been so excited about something you just couldn’t wait to share the news with someone else? Maybe you made the team or got the part. Maybe your crush finally talked to you. Maybe you went to an awesome concert. You experienced something that brough you joy, and you just had to tell someone! That is exactly how the writer of Psalm 98 must have felt. Take a minute to read it:
 
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” — Psalm 98:1-9
 

The author of this verse was VERY excited about salvation. You might be wondering what that means. Most people, when they think of the gift of salvation, think of eternal life in Heaven. While this is accurate, it is also incomplete. Salvation means deliverance. We are delivered from the power of sin over our lives. Yes, this gives us eternal life in Heaven with God, but it also promises us a life of freedom, abundance, and joy here on earth. That is something to get excited about!

The author also speaks about joy. Sometimes, we can confuse joy with happiness. But, this kind of joy is not just happiness—it’s like a feeling of inner peace and contentment despite our circumstances because we can trust that God is good and God is for us. We can experience joy because of the all-encompassing salvation Jesus brought us.

This psalm was what inspired the Christmas hymn “Joy to the World.” We can celebrate Christmas (and every day) by remembering the truth of this song because sin no longer rules over us! Instead, we can experience God’s truth, grace, and wonders of His love.
 
 

Questions:

1. What is something you experienced that you couldn’t wait to tell someone else about?
2. Have you ever experienced joy despite circumstances? Why do you think you were able to still experience joy at that time?
 
Spend two minutes asking God to help you choose joy today, no matter what you may be facing right now.

Youth Advent 12/22

Posted on Dec 22, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-Two: Our Hope is Jesus, Prince of Peace
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” — Ephesians 2:14-18
 
We live in a world where it’s easy to become anxious. Maybe you or someone close to youstruggles with anxiety. It’s not surprising considering the world that we all live in today.
 
You have experienced a pandemic that likely interrupted your normal life.
There’s a constant pressure to perform and succeed.
Social media is constantly tempting you to compare yourself to others.
 
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to live at peace with the world around us. You might be feeling that tension on social media or with friends or at home. At times, you might even feel it with God. It’s all evidence that we all live in a broken world.
 
Christmas is a great time to be reminded that, through Jesus, we can still experience peace despite our circumstances. He brings hope for reconciliation with both Him and others.
 
Before Jesus came, Jews and Gentiles (anyone who was not a Jew) were often considered enemies. The Jews were God’s chosen people. The Gentiles were considered pagan and unclean. But Jesus “has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…making peace.” Jesus also broke down the dividing wall between man and God. Because of this, we have hope for both peace and reconciliation with God the Father.

Jesus, as the Source of our peace, was the inspiration for the third verse of the Christmas hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Because of Jesus, we no longer have to live without peace. This Christmas (and always), we can choose to experience the peace that Jesus offers, inside ourselves and in our relationships with others.
 
 
Questions:
1. Who is someone you are not at peace with right now? With the peace that Jesus offers you, what can you do to take a step toward reconciliation?
2. What are ways you can choose peace in your school, in your friend group, or in your family?
3. What is something you need to confess to God or hear from Him to help you experience His peace?

Youth Advent 12/21

Posted on Dec 21, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty-One: Our Hope is Jesus, the Lamb of God
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” — John 1:29
 
You may have heard of John the Baptist. He was Jesus’ cousin, and some people found him a bit odd. He lived out in the wilderness. He wore clothes made out of camel hair. He ate locusts and wild honey. He definitely stood out from the crowd but wasn’t looking for fame. Instead, he was trying to point people to Jesus. He was baptizing people and preaching to all who would listen about the need for all to turn away from their sins and follow God. Then, one day, while John was preaching and baptizing, he saw Jesus approaching and called Him “the Lamb of God.” Have you ever wondered why?

The Old Testament is filled with references of God instructing His people to sacrifice a lamb as an offering to Him for their protection, provision, or forgiveness of sin. We see it in the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22), in the Passover (Exodus 12), and as part of the sacrificial system God implemented for His people to be forgiven of their sin (Leviticus.) Some who were listening to John that day may not have fully understood what it meant when he called Jesus the Lamb of God, but God was using John’s words to reveal Jesus’ mission of sacrificing His life as the final and ultimate sacrifice for our sin. When the Israelites offered sacrifices in Old Testament times, it granted them forgiveness, peace with God, and hope for their future. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross offers us these things once and for all.

 
At Christmas, we are reminded that we have eternal hope because Christ’s birth led to His death, which covers our sin and gives us the ability to live and thrive with God on Earth and in Heaven!
Read the words of the Christmas hymn “Little Lamb Who Made Thee.”

Through this verse and these lyrics, we can remember the truth, that as humans, we need a Savior. We need someone to save us from our sins. That Savior is Jesus, and He is with us!

 
 
Questions:
1. How does knowing that meaning behind Jesus as the Lamb of God change your understanding of His sacrifice for you?
2. How do the words of this hymn help you better understand the love God has for you?

Youth Advent 12/20

Posted on Dec 20, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Twenty: The Hope in the Temple
“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’” — Luke 2:22-24
 
When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple, they were fulfilling the Jewish law given by God long before. But this wasn’t just about following the rules. It was part of a bigger plan. In these verses, we see a glimpse of God’s incredible faithfulness. God had made promises throughout the Old Testament about a coming Savior, and here, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of those promises. This small, quiet moment in the temple of offering turtledoves as a sacrifice was part of something much bigger: God keeping His word to rescue the world.
 
When Jesus was brought to the temple as a baby, it was a moment pointing to the future, where He would offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. His mission was clear, even if no one else fully understood it yet.
 
Jesus was born not just to live a normal life but to save humanity from their sins. From His birth, He was set apart for a purpose: to bring light and life to a world in darkness.The Christmas hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” celebrates this exact thing:

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.”

These lyrics celebrate the promises God kept and the hope we have because of Him: that Jesus came to bring healing, peace, and life to the world. We can choose to experience that same healing, peace, and life in Jesus today, too!
 
 
Questions:
1. How does knowing that Jesus’s birth was part of God’s plan to save the world make you feel?
2. What promises of God have you seen fulfilled in your life, or what promises are you still waiting for?

Youth Advent 12/19

Posted on Dec 19, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Nineteen: The Shepherds Share Hope
“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.” — Luke 2:16-20
 
Imagine you are one of the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth. Reread these verses from that perspective now!

Can you even imagine discovering that Jesus had been born? And the shepherds didn’t keep quiet about what they saw! After meeting Jesus, they praised God and spread the word that the long-awaited Messiah was finally here!

These shepherds weren’t people of power or great influence; they were just regular people who were going about their regular, non-glamorous lives. In fact, shepherds were considered lowly in society and in the culture of the time. But God chose them to be some of the first to see His Son, experience the birth of hope firsthand, and share the Good News! From this, we learn that anyone, no matter who they are, can be used by God to tell others about Jesus.

The song “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is often sung during the Christmas season. The lyrics talk about the role of the shepherds in spreading the Good News of Jesus’ birth! It also encourages us to go and share the Gospel everywhere, just like the shepherds did.

 
We live in a world of people who need to experience the hope that Jesus offers but don’t yet know about it! And we don’t need to wait to tell them about it. Just like the shepherds, we can be the people to share the Good News: that God sent Jesus to Earth to save us from our sins so that we could be with God forever.

Now, “go tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born!”

 

 
Questions:
1. Why is the hope of Jesus good news to you?
2. Who is someone you know that needs to hear the Good News of Jesus right now?
3. How can you tell or show that person the Good News today?

Youth Advent 12/18

Posted on Dec 18, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Eighteen: The Gifts of Hope
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:10-11
 
Gifts are always nice, but it’s the meaningful gifts that we remember the most, right? When someone takes the time to think about what we like or what is special to us, it means more.
 

Shortly after Jesus was born, the wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While these might seem random, each gift had significance. The meanings of the gifts foreshadowed the identity of Jesus and His life!

The gift of gold pointed to Jesus’ royalty. Obviously, gold is an appropriate gift for Him because gold is the “metal of kings.” This gift from the wise men acknowledged that Jesus was the King of kings.

The gift of frankincense showed that Jesus was the great High Priest. In fact, it showed that Jesus was God in human form! Incense was used in the temple for worshiping God. Incense mixed with oil was used to anoint the Israelite priests. It was also part of the meal offerings of thanksgiving and praise to God. Through this gift, the wise men acknowledged that Jesus was fully God and fully man!

The gift of myrrh represented Jesus’ death. In that time, myrrh was used for embalming the deceased. This might seem like an odd gift to give to a newborn baby, but in this case, it was not. The wise men acknowledged that Jesus would die a brutal death to save humanity. He would live a life as an acceptable and worthy sacrifice for the sins of all humans.

The wise men preached the Gospel with the gifts they gave. Their gift-giving told the story of how God Himself came down from Heaven as Lord and King to fulfill God’s plan and die for us. They brought their best and gave gifts appropriate for the Savior of the World who was bringing hope to the world. The same hope that we celebrate at Christmas time!

 

 
Questions:
1. What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever been given?
2. What made that gift meaningful?
3. Listen to or read the lyrics of “We Three Kings”. Spend some time learning more about each of the meaningful gifts the wise men gave to Jesus.

Youth Advent 12/17

Posted on Dec 17, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Seventeen: Hope Amidst Fear
““When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” — Matthew 2:3-8
 
We all have fears or things we are worried about. What are some of your fears right now?
 
In this passage, we read about King Herod. Herod was known for his desire for authority and control. He didn’t want anyone or anything to threaten that. He even executed his own family members whom he thought were disloyal. So, when he hears the Messiah is born, he’s scared of what may happen to his power. We read that not only was Herod fearful, but all of Jerusalem was fearful as well. They may have been scared of what Herod would do, or they may have been anxious about the uncertainty of the future.

Herod investigates more and asks the historians where the Messiah was born. They tell him Bethlehem. Herod then asks the wise men to find the Messiah and report back what they discover. Even though Herod tells the wise men he just wants to worship Jesus, he really wants to put an end to any threat. His fear will cause him to act irrationally.

Sometimes, our fears and anxieties do the same. They often cause us to think irrationally and even act illogically. While a little fear or anxiety can be helpful or even healthy at times, they can also quickly become unhelpful and very unhealthy for us as well. When we face these fears and anxieties, reminding ourselves of God’s truth can help us. Remembering the promises of God can help combat those unhelpful thoughts!

In the hymn “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” we sing about the birth of Jesus bringing “tidings of comfort and joy.” Because of the birth of Jesus, and knowing that Jesus is WITH us, we too can have comfort and joy. We can rest knowing He will comfort us in our fears and give us joy in the midst of our anxiety.
 
Questions:
1. What are some of your biggest fears or anxieties right now?
2. Does knowing Jesus is with you bring you comfort and joy? How?

Youth Advent 12/16

Posted on Dec 16, 2024 in Youth Advent 2024 |

Note: This devotion material was purchased digitally from YM360 to be used for the Advent Season of 2024.
 
Day Sixteen: The Wise Men Seek Hope
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:1-2
 
What are some activities you’re looking forward to? You might have a big Christmas party coming up with your friends, a family gathering at Christmas, or something in the new year you can’t wait for. These things give us hope. Many times, when you lack something to look forward to, you might even feel a little hopeless!

In Matthew 2, we’re introduced to the wise men. We don’t know very much about them. But, we do know they were from the East, probably near Persia, and studied stars. Upon discovering the star over Bethlehem, the wise men were instantly filled with hope and left everything to follow that star. They knew the significance of it—that it represented the birth of the Messiah (meaning the anointed one or chosen one)! After centuries of waiting for this King to come, He had finally arrived! Matthew tells us their response to this Good News was to go worship this King. They left behind everything to follow this
star because of their hope in this Savior.

Their hope in the Messiah outweighed their hope in anything they’d find in the world. So many times, we try to find hope in relationships, possessions, hobbies, or money. The wise men left all of these behind because they knew that their ultimate hope was in Christ.

This Christmas, we can have that same hope. The Messiah has come to us. He has lived a life we couldn’t. He has died the death we deserve, and He has risen for us! This Christmas, we can celebrate no matter what we find ourselves facing in this season with this same hope!
 
Today, read the lyrics to the Christmas hymn “Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!” “Noel” is a joyous declaration to the world, saying, “A Child is Born, and now all is well!” Indeed, it is. Just like the wise men did, let’s celebrate that this Christmas season!
 
Questions:
1. What’s something you’re hoping for or looking forward to right now?
2. Why might it be hard to place your hope in Jesus?
3. Why do you think placing your hope in Jesus instead of worldly things matters?

« Older Entries