Do you wonder if this Christmas will fly past without making time to celebrate its true meaning? That happens too easily. We have to become intentional when it comes to recognizing how Christmas was God's idea before it was humankind's. What if this year, we truly welcomed Christmas Day because we had fully prepared our hearts to celebrate? What if we remembered the thoughts we had when we let our minds contemplate Mary's preparation to birth God's Son? What if somehow we more completely felt Joseph's uncomfortableness at marrying a young woman who was with child? What if our knees knelt with the shepherds or journeyed the long stretch across the desert with the wise men who realized the King of Kings had arrived in humility? What if we met Christmas morning with more humility? This, and more, await readers in this Advent devotional. This Advent devotional booklet helps readers set aside a few minutes each day in the four weeks prior to Christmas to reflect upon how the Child in the manger changes lives, including ours, even though we're centuries past Bethlehem's starry night. In addition to directing us to Biblical passages, this daily Advent guide helps us discover how those verses can enrich not only the way we'll celebrate this Christmas season, but live our lives for God's glory. Why not pour yourself a cup of coffee, open your Bible, and let God's Word prepare your heart to celebrate Christmas, the event when God demonstrated His love for you?
About the Author: Paul Warder almost missed the meaning of Christmas even though he was near ordination ceremonies for entering Christian ministry. Like many individuals, he faithfully attended church and participated in "church life," but early in his marriage, he realized knowing about Jesus Christ was not the same as having a relationship with Him. He's grateful that before he eventually stepped into the pulpits, he wasn't going to just offer nice-sounding pat answers to his congregation. He taught God's Word responsibly, knowing God holds pastors accountable for preaching Truth, even when it makes everyone a bit uncomfortable, including himself. Christianity is not a take it or leave it religion, it's a take it and live it or don't take it at all faith. It's a daily walk with Jesus Christ. After four decades of ministry, Paul and his helpmate, Margery, retired and began finding avenues to make their lives count for the Lord apart from serving as pastor and wife in four congregations. Paul believed Margery had devoted much of her life to helping him in his ministry, so he purposed that he devote "the next forty years" to helping bring to life her desire for a writing and speaking ministry. He didn't realize he would also be spending many hours writing, too, but they like occasionally making writinga a joint venture. Margery had graduated from a Christian college and completed several seminary courses before meeting Paul. Throughout her adult life, she voluntarily taught Bible to almost all ages, but she helped support their ministry with interesting employment outside their home. Nearly each of them required some creativity and writing. Her prayer has been answered because she had claimed she'd have no greater joy than to know that her children (and their spouses and her grandchildren) walk in Truth (3rd John 4). Margery has completed two Christian novels, other inspirational writings, and even books for children, thanks to Paul's willingness to let this be her ministry in his retirement. She is never without a book in her head and sometimes in her hand. Both Paul and Margery like opportunities to speak and teach, and sometimes they do dramatic portrayals of Biblical characters. Twelve Times Through (2014) and Christmas Ponderings (2015) are the two books the couple worked on together. They also host "Missional" Christian Writers Retreats to encourage others to move ahead with their writing and speaking.