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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 Seven: The Christmas Greeting

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays are a couple of the most popular greetings during the Christmas season. But did you know that each phrase carries its own meaning? Happy Holidays derived from the phrase “Happy Holy Days” which was a greeting used toward those who worshiped God. Eventually, the phrase shifted to “holiday” which means “enjoy this time of year no matter what you’re celebrating.” On the other hand, “Merry Christmas” means “pleasant, happy, or joy” and “the feast or mass of Christ”. Why would we use a word like “Christmas” that reminds us of Jesus’ death to celebrate Jesus’ birthday?

Read Romans 15:13.

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When you greet someone by saying, “Merry Christmas!”, what you’re actually saying is, “I have joy because Jesus is alive in me.”

Read 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”
⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Takeaway: Think of the places that you can share a “Merry Christmas” greeting with others and share the joy and love of Jesus this Christmas season. 

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 Six: The Star

One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the star. We use them to decorate our Christmas trees, our homes, and we even cut cookies into the shapes of stars. The most significant star is in the story of Christmas; it was the light that guided the Magi to Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. God created this moment in history to place a spotlight on the humble beginnings of a child who would become our King. 

Read Matthew 2:10.

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Astronomers today have used science and computers to replicate what the sky could have looked like 2,000 years ago. Some suggest the Star of Bethlehem was a rare conjunction of planets that came together in brilliant synchronization. 

Read Psalm 25:4-5.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

Takeaway: Go on an adventure tonight, either around your house or your neighborhood. Grab a flashlight and let it guide you through the darkness. Think about how Jesus is the light of your life and guides you each day.  

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 Five: The Candy Cane

In the 1900s a candy maker took a sugary candy stick and added color and flavor to it which can be used to illustrate the meaning of Christmas. The hook was added to it so that it would look like a shepherd’s crook or if turned upside down it makes a ‘J’. The large red stripe represents the blood that was shed and the white represents the purity of Jesus. The candy is hard which reminds us that Jesus is our rock.

Read Psalm 34:8.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Read John 10:11.

¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

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.

Read 1 Peter 2:4-5.

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by Godand precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

When we take a first step toward following Jesus we discover that He is good and kind and we begin to see His goodness all around us. 

Takeaway: Which symbol of the candy cane is your favorite?  

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 Four: The Christmas Tree Ornaments

In medieval Europe, December 24th was declared Adam and Eve Day and a play about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was performed to celebrate. Since fruit trees were impossible to find in the winter, the director of the play decided to use a pine tree decorated with apples to represent the Tree of Knowledge. The audience loved the decorated pine tree so much that years later families started decorating their own pine trees with fruit and other sweet treats. 

Read Romans 5:19

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

One of the treats hidden among the fruit was a biscuit that was placed there to remind them that in the midst of our sin Jesus was sent to die on the cross for us.

Read Romans 6:23.

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Takeaway: Look at the ornaments on your tree. Are there any that have a special meaning to you? Are there any that remind you of God’s love?