CELEBRATING ADVENT: Faith

ANNUNCIATION

From ages past God has been heard

through messengers who spoke His Word;

Although His face they could not see, still His truth many would believe.

On the day Mary heard God's voice, in her heart she chose to rejoice -

The angel's news changed her life evermore

as she humbled herself before the Lord.

And still in our lives today, when God speaks we must obey:

Trusting when we can't understand - this faith is a blessing from His hand.

~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 7-2012 ~

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"...Then Mary said, "Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:35, 38 ~

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"...Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ~ Luke 1:10-11, 17-18 ~

Many people do not believe that God still speaks today like He did in times past. Most of us probably have not seen an angel personally deliver a message to us from God, but He does still speak and the question for us today is...when we hear His voice and understand His message, how will we respond?

I listened to a powerful sermon the other day in which the pastor spoke about the difference in Mary's and Zechariah's responses to the angelic annunciations they received...Zechariah doubted and Mary believed.  But before we criticize Zechariah for his doubt, I think we need to search our own hearts and honestly acknowledge that there have been times when we have not believed the message God made known to us.

Why is this so important? Because, as it says in Hebrews 11:6 -- "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

God has declared in His Word that all those who believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, receive Him and are given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). The real treasure of Christmas is the truth that Jesus Christ came to provide salvation, which comes through faith in Him (Romans 1:16-17).

So, amid the wonder and beauty all around us and in the joy of sharing the love and abundant gifts and blessings God has given us, let us also announce the truth of the gospel in the hope that someone may hear and believe.

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began..." ~ Luke 1:68-70 ~

CELEBRATING ADVENT: Hope

EXPECTATION
From before time began God had a marvelous plan;

The Bible is the story of His revealed glory.

Long years of waiting, His people anticipating - 

The day that would come, bringing the birth of God's Son.
And we are waiting still, for God's plan to be fulfilled:
When we shall see our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whom is our delight.
~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 3-2012 ~

The celebrations and preparations that surround us at this time every year often give me pause...even as much as I enjoy the lights and the decorations and just about everything else associated with this season, what we truly celebrate at Christmas has so much more significance!!

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." ~ Micah 5:2 ~

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." ~ Isaiah 7:14 ~

We live in the time after Christ's birth, so those prophecies have already been fulfilled, but there is still a sense of expectancy and hopeful waiting. Why? Because Jesus Christ is coming again!

The birth of Jesus Christ was the catalyst for the greatest miracle of all -- the miracle of bringing sinful broken people into reconciliation and relationship with their Creator God. But the story doesn't end there...God's plan is not yet complete.

Jesus Christ is coming again, and just like His birth, no one knows when it will be except God the Father. This second coming is the reason for our hope -- that one day we will see Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Let us not place our own expectations on when or how He will return, but simply wait and trust -- and let us give Him the honor and the worship He deserves. It is truly all about Him.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us..." ~ Titus 2:11-14 ~

COME, LORD JESUS

This morning was a beautiful celebration of Christmas with my church family:

The Sunday School children led us in worship, and I rejoiced in the sincerity and sweetness of their faith and their obvious joy!

From the lips of children and infants, you, LORD, have called forth your praise. ~Psalm 8:2

The choir presented a cantata of praise to God for the eternal gifts He gave us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and His presence was so powerful - it was a delight just to be able to sing to Him in worship!

Shout for joy to the LORD all the earth; worship the LORD with gladness! Come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues to all generations. ~Psalm 100

Three young people were baptized, giving testimony to the work of God in their lives, which is the reason that Jesus came to the earth - it was a blessing to see and witness their step of faith!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. ~John 3:16-17

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the advent of God's redemption plan. But we also look forward to when Jesus will come again, and I'd like to share with you a poem that God gave to me as I reflected on that hope...

WHEN JESUS COMES

(Written by Darlene Joy Koop)

The Light of the world shall illumine the sky;

And the glory of God made visible to mortal eyes,

When Jesus comes.

The trumpet shall resound to the earth below;

Every knee shall bow and every heart shall know,

When Jesus comes.

It may be in the morning, or it may be at night;

Yet certainly we shall see God's power and might,

When Jesus comes.

Oh may my soul be ready, and not be taken unawares;

May my heart and mind be free from all earthly cares,

That I may rejoice and welcome the day

When Jesus comes.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

My dad's message this morning was titled "Journey Down Memory Lane" since it was his farewell service at Dorion Bible Fellowship, and as he shared the memories of the past 5 1/2 years in Dorion, I thought back to the Christmas celebrations of the past several years as well.

So here is my picture blog of memories from past Christmases...

CHRISTMAS 2007

Me, my sister-in-law and my mom looking at pictures together.

My brothers Jeff and Tim and my dad watching a movie.



Oma, my dad and my mom playing one of our fave games - Super Scrabble!



This was the Christmas that I received my digital camera!!



Family photograph







CHRISTMAS 2008

Christmas Eve celebration with friends in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Lithuanian & English Carol Sing at a friend's apartment in Lithuania.

Christmas Day meal and celebration with church family in Lithuania.

Christmas meal and celebration with family when I returned to Canada.

CHRISTMAS 2009

Sharing gifts with family.

Ladies trio singing for Country Christmas banquet in Dorion (my mom on the right).

Another fave family activity - doing a puzzle together!

Our homey Christmas tree.

This Christmas will be a lot different than previous ones, but it will be special in its own way. I am so thankful for the blessings and gifts that God gives, which we can celebrate at special times of the year!!