:: God With Us While We Wait ::

Welcome back friends! Be sure to listen in to today’s episode as we dive right on into M’s most favorite time of the year = Advent + Christmas.

With that in mind, did you know that Advent actually has two meanings? He has come + He is coming. The first Advent of Jesus as the baby in the manger and the second Advent will be when He returns someday to make all things right and new. In the meantime, though, Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us. In the hard and the good. The joy and the pain.
In the weariness. In the waiting.

Truthfully friends, we must trust that waited time is not wasted time with God. M invites all of us to join her in taking the opportunity Advent brings to slow down and consider the gift of Christ’s coming.

To discover ways our weary souls can rejoice… Even while we wait.

// Show Notes //

Let’s take a closer look at the arrival of Jesus long ago by reading the Christmas story to prep for our next Advent podcast episode.

:: The Christmas Story ::

Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20

:: The Christmas Story With Christmas Carols ::

The Census (Luke 2:1-5)
[Prophecy of Bethlehem: Micah 5:2]
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Christ’s Birth (Luke 2:6-7)
Away in a Manger

Angelic Birth Announcement (Luke 2:8-12)
The First Noel

Glory in the Highest (Luke 2:13-20)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
O Come Let Us Adore Him

A Search for the King (Matthew 2:1-8)
We Three Kings

Gifts of Worship (Matthew 2:9-12)
Joy to the World

Light in the Darkness (John 1:1-14)
Silent Night (Sing by Candlelight)

Here are the 15 Days of Scriptures to study in the days leading up to
Christmas morning as mentioned in today’s episode as well.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. – 2 Corinthians 9:15
When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. – Galatians 4:4-5
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abounding in faithful love to all who call on you. – Psalm 86:5
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10
We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19
See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated "God is with us." – Matthew 1:23
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent – Jesus Christ. – John 17:3
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. – Psalm 16:11