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| They cried because they still longed for God's forever King to come (Big Picture 227) |
Ornament: HeartEzekiel 36:22-38
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Matthew 5:17-18
Revelation 21:9-27
Verse: Ezekiel 36:26a "And I will give you a new heart."
Christmas Song: Infant Holy
Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
The Big Picture Story Bible: God's Promise Remains (220-227)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Get Ready! (170-175)
The Ology: The Holy Spirit: God's Best Gift (137-138)
The Gospel Story Bible: The Exiles Return (152-153)
Today's thoughts are simple. We are sinful. We cannot save ourselves. We need someone to help us and rescue us. Only God can give us what we need.
A remnant of God's people were able to return home and rebuild Jerusalem. God did as He promised and brought them back. The people worked hard, listened to God's Word, and celebrated. They sang, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136). But even in the midst of celebration, God's people were sad - they knew that the walls that they had just built would eventually crumble. They mourned because they realized that this was not a permanent restoration. They longed for something better - Someone better.
We too look around us and mourn. We do all we can to build a good life for ourselves and for our families, but we too still feel sad because we know that this is only temporary. But we have hope! God tells us that His people are now made of His people, and that Jesus is the head of the church. We can rest and have hope, not in a building or in our lives here on earth, but in Jesus' death and resurrection. We now have God dwelling IN - the Holy Spirit, and we long for Jesus to come again and to restore us permanently to our forever Home with God. Those walls will never crumble, His Kingdom will never be overthrown, and Jesus, the Light, will always shine. This promise is grace to us and to our children, GRACE in all its fullness. Live in hope!
Tidings and Tidbits:
Hymn: Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart
The Big Picture Story Bible: God's Promise Remains (220-227)
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Get Ready! (170-175)
The Ology: The Holy Spirit: God's Best Gift (137-138)
The Gospel Story Bible: The Exiles Return (152-153)
Today's thoughts are simple. We are sinful. We cannot save ourselves. We need someone to help us and rescue us. Only God can give us what we need.
A remnant of God's people were able to return home and rebuild Jerusalem. God did as He promised and brought them back. The people worked hard, listened to God's Word, and celebrated. They sang, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 136). But even in the midst of celebration, God's people were sad - they knew that the walls that they had just built would eventually crumble. They mourned because they realized that this was not a permanent restoration. They longed for something better - Someone better.
We too look around us and mourn. We do all we can to build a good life for ourselves and for our families, but we too still feel sad because we know that this is only temporary. But we have hope! God tells us that His people are now made of His people, and that Jesus is the head of the church. We can rest and have hope, not in a building or in our lives here on earth, but in Jesus' death and resurrection. We now have God dwelling IN - the Holy Spirit, and we long for Jesus to come again and to restore us permanently to our forever Home with God. Those walls will never crumble, His Kingdom will never be overthrown, and Jesus, the Light, will always shine. This promise is grace to us and to our children, GRACE in all its fullness. Live in hope!
Tidings and Tidbits:
- Here is a wonderful text if you don't know it already.
- I did not post the traditional tune to our hymn today. The arrangement above was written by a dear mentor and friend, Dr. Gustafson. It is beautiful. Thankful for how God used Him on earth and thankful that He is now Home with Jesus.
- Take Psalm 136 and teach your children the phrase "for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." You can read the phrases that change, and they can participate. If they are very small, try having them just fill in one word like "good" or "love" or "forever."
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