Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

Zechariah 9:9-13

Reflections: Verse 9 paints a picture of unmistakable joy.  There are to be shouts of praise when the king approaches.  It’s not somber…it’s a celebration! 

Are you experiencing that joyful celebration in your walk with Christ?  Or has it all become a bit mundane?  What can you do to regain the joy you once had?  The king is here, and it’s time to celebrate!

Isaiah 53:1-6

Reflections: How does this passage change your view of the cross?  Go back and read it again.  Read it slowly, focusing on every phrase.  Allow Isaiah to make the sacrifice of Christ come alive in your mind.  What phrase is the most descriptive?  The most convicting?  The most hopeful? 

“Bethlehem and Golgotha, the Manger and the Cross, the birth and the death, must always be seen together.” (J. Sidlow Baxter)

Isaiah 11:1-10

Reflections: Verse 3 tells us that Jesus does not judge by what he sees or hears.  He has the ability to go beyond appearances and judge the heart.  How do you feel, knowing that Jesus is judging your heart right now?  Does that thought bring about feelings of anxiety or peace?  Jesus wants to give you peace in your life (verses 6-9), but he can’t do that if your heart is far from him.  He can’t give you peace if you are holding onto some secret sin.  What do you need to give to him today so that you can fully experience his peace?

Micah 5:2-5

Reflections: Bethlehem was little more than a dot on the map.  Yet it was the place God chose for the birth of his Son.  He didn’t choose the great cities of Rome or Athens.  He chose tiny, out-of-the-way Bethlehem as the place of Jesus’ birth.  God usually works through the small and insignificant instead of the powerful and influential.  How does that truth make you see your life and your service to Christ today?

Isaiah 9:1-7

Reflections: Think about the four descriptions of Jesus in verse 7.  How is Jesus a “Wonderful Counselor” in your life?  “Mighty God?”  “Everlasting Father?” “Prince of Peace?”

Who do you know who is still “walking in darkness?” (v. 2)  What can you do to shed the light of Christ on them?  Take some time to pray for them today.

In the classic Christmas special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown became confused and frustrated with the commercialization of the holiday.  In the key moment of the show, Charlie Brown cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” 

A lot of us can probably relate to that.  Most of us know that Christmas is supposed to be about Christ.  It is a holiday that originated as the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  But in our culture, it’s really easy to lose sight of “the reason for the season.”  The frantic pace of shopping, office parties, and family gatherings can take our eyes off of why this holiday exists in the first place.

This blog is designed to help us stay connected to Christ during the season of his birth.  Starting November 30, there will be one post every day through Christmas Eve.  Each post will include a link to a Scripture passage.  There will also be some reflections written by our senior pastor, Mike Edmisten.  These reflections might help you see the passage in a new way.  Some are designed to spur us to action.  Others are simply meant to give us peace.

We pray you and your family will experience all the wonder and joy that Jesus can bring this holiday season. Merry Christmas!