Emily Hardie

Our Advent Series comes from a plan provided by Church of the Valley on The YouVersion Bible App. For more information, please visit: https://ccv.church.

Day Twelve: The Christmas Card

The Christmas card was created by a man named Sir Henry Cole back in the 19th century. But in 1842, an Englishman named J.C. Horsley heard about this good idea and started selling Christmas cards. These early cards were illustrated with Nativity scenes, Christmas themes, and warm Christmas greetings. Today, just in the United States, there are more than 2 billion Christmas cards sent out every year.

Read John 20:21.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

By sending Christmas cards that specifically focus on the hope and peace that Jesus brought, we are able to reach people near and far with a message that can change lives and homes forever.

Read John 16:33.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Takeaway: Make a list of people that you can show God’s love to by sending them a Christmas card. 

Our Advent Series comes from a plan provided by Church of the Valley on The YouVersion Bible App. For more information, please visit: https://ccv.church.

Day Eleven: The Candles

In the 1600s, the British conquered Ireland and implemented harsh laws that affected Irishmen. The British even drove out the religious leaders and warned them never to return. However, on Christmas Eve, Irish families of faith would place three candles in their windows to represent Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. These signaled to a traveling priest that the doors were unlocked and he would be welcome to come in, share a meal with the family, and celebrate Christmas.

Read John 1:5.

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Believers understood that no matter how powerful their oppressors were they could not wipe out the Light of Jesus. 

Read 2 Timothy 1:6-7.

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Takeaway: Light a candle in your home and think about the ways that you can stand firm in your faith even when you are facing challenges.  

Our Advent Series comes from a plan provided by Church of the Valley on The YouVersion Bible App. For more information, please visit: https://ccv.church.

Day Ten: The Angels

During the very first Christmas, angels kept appearing out of nowhere. The angel Gabriel, appeared to Mary proclaiming the good news that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Another angel appeared to Joseph, telling him that they shall name the Messiah, Jesus. Then, the night of Jesus’ birth, an entire army of angels delivered the announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem. Angels were messengers from God. They came to announce important news to others.

Read Exodus 23:20.

²⁰ “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.

Jesus is the most special gift that we can give or receive this Christmas. That’s why we are called to share Jesus with others. 

Read Mark 16:15.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Read Matthew 28:18-20.

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Takeaway: Who can you invite to Christmas services so that you can share the hope of Jesus with them?

Our Advent Series comes from a plan provided by Church of the Valley on The YouVersion Bible App. For more information, please visit: https://ccv.church.

Day Nine: The Colors of Christmas

When we think of Christmas we often think of colors like red, green, white, blue, and gold. Each color holds a special meaning. Green reminds us of living things like plants and trees and the eternal life that we have in Christ. While red reminds us of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and white reminds us of the pureness of Jesus. Gold was one of the gifts given to Jesus by the wise men, and blue reminds us of the sky and heaven. 

Read Isaiah 1:8.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.

Colors are used throughout the Bible to express God’s love and forgiveness. 

Read 1 John 1:7.

⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Takeaway: Talk about other colors you see at Christmas and think about how they help you to remember the meaning of Christmas.