Where does Jesus live? Then and now

December 10, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 22 Comments

GOD BESIDE US

From the beginning, walking in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, God wanted to live among His people.

But we know the story: our sin and His holiness created a gap in our relationship (Genesis 3:8).

It was temporarily patched during the time of Moses by God’s bold move to allow His presence to travel alongside His people through a special box, the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:8-22).

[Side note for us word geeks . . . “Ark” doesn’t mean boat, but rather container.

→   The “ark” of the Covenant is the Hebrew word aron, meaning chest or coffer (yes, also used for “coffin”) for holding something valuable.
→   Baby Moses was placed into an “ark” of bulrushes in the river, a different Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→ Noah’s “ark” is also the Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→   Jews today place the Torahs in their synagogues in a “holy ark” (Aaron Kodesh), a special box made to preserve its contents, facing toward Israel.

Interestingly, all these “arks” are containers that protect things. They are places of refuge.]

But what the Israelites couldn’t have known then (we can barely grasp it now), is that the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant would one day become our reality—God living inside of us.

GOD IN A BOX?

It seems strange to us now. God in a box? The Ark was a small chest made of acacia wood, covered in purest gold. Around 4 feet tall and around 2½ feet wide, it was kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and later in Solomon’s temple.

Its lid—called the mercy seat—was a heavy gold plate with two gold cherubim on top, facing each other, wings spread out.

God would appear in a cloud between the wings of the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).

WHAT WAS IN THE ARK…THEN AND NOW?

Three important items were inside the Ark. Can we uncover the foreshadowing of Jesus in them? And discover the living reality of them now in us? [Print this list of scriptures to study for yourself in more detail.]

1. Words

Then . . . enclosed in the ark were the two tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments. They symbolized God’s covenant with His people.
Now . . . Jesus (the Word became flesh) lives in us, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

2. Manna

Then . . . the Ark contained a gold jar of unspoiled manna to remind the Hebrews that God provided for them during their wilderness wanderings.
Now . . . we have the living Bread inside of us, again reminding us that God continues to meet our daily needs, today and forever.

3. Aaron’s rod

Then . . . Aaron’s walking stick with its miraculous buds was kept in the Ark to symbolize God’s power.
Now . . . God’s very Spirit lives on in His priesthood of believers, each one of us together who declare His praises, shining light in dark places.

WHERE DOES JESUS LIVE NOW?

No one knows for sure what happened to the physical Ark of the Covenant (despite the famous movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark). When the Babylonians plundered Solomon’s great temple in Jerusalem in 597 BC, many presume Nebuchadnezzar’s men stole the Ark. It’s presumably never been seen again, although theories continue to abound about its location.

So where is the true home of the Lord’s presence?

We know where He lives now—in His followers. Can there be any greater honor than to house the Lord’s presence in us, having Him go wherever we go, always bringing His presence to others when we show up?

May we never take this gift lightly, this privilege of being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And may we be extra mindful this Christmas to carry Jesus in us with love, joy, and peace.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Please print, study and pray through these fascinating stories of the Ark of the Covenant—then and now—and give thanks for the present of His presence in us.

God in a box? Not anymore. Free printable: Where does Jesus live? Then and Now #JesusInTheOT

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Where is the Ark of the Covenant now? Is there a living treasure chest? Free printable

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How often are you aware that you carry the Lord’s presence everywhere you go? How can you be more mindful of it? Please share in the comments.

Using Carols to Teach Your Kids about Christmas (A Free Christmas Devotional)

December 9, 2015 by Guest Post 1 Comment

We would like to extend a special welcome to our guests Luke and Trisha Gilkerson, who are sharing their new family Christmas devotional with us today. I am really looking forward to using it with my children during the 10 days leading up to Christmas! – Patti

Using Carols to Teach Your Kids about Christmas (A Free Christmas Devotional)

My children love Christmas music, and we play a lot of it in our home around the holidays.

In our pluralistic society, it’s interesting that you can hear songs about Jesus dominating even non-Christian radio stations in the month of December. Granted, you still hear a lot of secular Christmas songs that emphasize snow, presents, shopping, lost loves, family parties, and reindeer, but mixed into all of that are people singing about the birth of Christ as well.

Christmas songs are very familiar songs to a lot of people—kids especially. This is why, one year, we wanted to teach our kids about the story of Christ’s birth through the use of these familiar songs.

Our format was very simple:

We gathered our kids together to sing! I compiled a playlist a few of my favorite Christmas songs and we just sang them together.
Highlighting one song, I told the story of how that song was written long ago. This helped my kids to think about the song not just as a familiar tune, but as a song someone felt compelled to write because of their love for God.
I then read the part of the Christmas story that pertained to the song—just a verse or two that related to the theme of the song.
Then we briefly talked about the passage. Nothing elaborate. Just a time to get the kids talking about what they noticed about the story. I asked them questions like, “Can you tell me what just happened in this story? Tell me in your own words.” I pointed out important terms (Immanuel, Bethlehem, manger, shepherd, Savior, etc.). I talked about how the story relates to specific lines of the song we sang.
Then we prayed together as a family.
Then we sang the song again, letting the kids get up and dance around.

For younger kids, this format was short, sweet, and simple—and music-filled, which they loved.

For older kids, they began seeing familiar carols through new eyes.

The Stories Behind the Music: Christmas Carol Devotions for Your Family

In my new book, The Stories Behind the Music: Christmas Carol Devotions for Your Family, I use this simple format with 10 popular Christmas songs, arranged so you can walk your kids through the story of Jesus’ birth chronologically over a series of 10 nights leading up to Christmas.

The book includes devotionals about the following songs:

O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Away in a Manger
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Joy to the World
Hark the Herald, Angels Sing
Silent Night
What Child is This?
Angels We Have Heard on High
We Three Kings

We’re giving away free digital copies of this book until December 15, 2015 as a Christmas gift to our subscribers, so go to Intoxicated On Life and grab a digital copy now!

Luke and Trisha write at Intoxicated on Life where they enjoy sharing about raising strong families – body, mind, and soul. They especially love creating resources for families to use together that draw them closer to God. They are the authors of the best-selling Christian sex-ed curriculum The Talk and Changes.

Free 10 day family Christmas hymn devotional from @IntoxOnLife #LetTheChildrenCome

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Use Carols to Teach Your Kids About Christmas – guest post from @IntoxOnLife #LetTheChildrenCome

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Finding Jesus in the Old Testament

December 1, 2015 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

Did you know that the whole Bible points to Jesus? Even the Old Testament…

The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior, and if you miss that, you’ve missed the entire point of the Scriptures. Jesus is the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy.” -Adrian Rogers

If you look, you can easily find Him there. Not only does the Old Testament point to Him, but He was present, as part of the Godhead.

As one of the triune parts of God, Jesus created {and sustains} all things (John 1:3, Col 1:16-17), was the Rock that accompanied Israel through the desert (1 Cor 10:4), some scholars say He was the fourth person who walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Dan 3:25), Jesus refreshed Elijah in the wilderness (1 Ki 19:5-7), and Himself claims to be the Great I Am of the Old Testament (John 8:58).

I find it amazing that the very first verse in our Bible points to Jesus. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The Hebrew word for God used in this verse is Elohim. …A plural word that allows for further expansion of the concept of a triune God revealed throughout the gospels and New Testament.

And not only was Jesus present, but the Scriptures also prophesied both a physical-Jesus-with-us-in-the-flesh coming, and the purpose He would accomplish by putting on flesh and taking our sins. Without the putting on of human flesh, being born in the humblest of states to Mary and Joseph over 2,000 years ago, the work of our Messiah and Savior could never be accomplished. And matter of fact, the Bible contains over 300 prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus.

And He fulfilled them all. (That befuddles the best of mathematicians!)

Jesus Himself met with disciples on the road to Emmaus, in His post-resurrection form, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

This month at Do Not Depart, we’ll be looking into specific scriptures of the Old Testament that show us Jesus. We pray that the more we look at Him as Christmas draws near, the more our hearts will warm in adoration, worship, and praise!

And since this is a printable tools month, each post will contain a special something you can print and use to help you remember all we’re discussing.

Be blessed, and Happy Advent!

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. A new topic with printables for you! #JesusInTheOT

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Want to find Jesus in the Old Testament? Prepare your heart for Christmas! #JesusInTheOT

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Jesus Our Immanuel

November 28, 2015 by Guest Post 2 Comments

{I’m very excited to share today’s guest post with you! I had the pleasure of meeting Jenni Keller recently at a Hello Mornings Leadership Retreat (she’s the Bible Study Director and I serve as a Leadership Manager). I was really excited to get a copy of her latest Bible study and so I asked her if she would do a guest post for DND to tell you all more about it. I know you’ll love her heart for Jesus just as much as I do! – Ali}

God has always been Immanuel. We see this name for God used in the Old Testament in Isaiah 8:8 (ESV), “…and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”

As believers, sometimes our language becomes common. Words lose their rich flavor. Perhaps that’s why when the angel appears to Joseph in a dream, announcing, “they shall call his name Immanuel” (Matt 1:23 (ESV)) and Matthew retells it, he makes sure to add the extra detail: Immanuel means “God with us.”

Matthew wants to make sure we don’t miss what he is saying. God is here. He is with us. Breathing the same air, walking the same ground.

John 1:14 in The Message says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”

Christmas is a time when we celebrate his nearness. We marvel at how by sending His son and involving humanity in His story, we not only experience nearness, but learn how to draw near ourselves, to God and each other.

This Advent season, I invite you to walk slowly through the Christmas story and marvel with fresh eyes at how love came near 2000 years ago, and every day since.

He is God with us. Our Immanuel.

Marvel with fresh eyes at how Love Comes Near. 2ooo years ago, and every day since. #LoveComesNear

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Love Comes Near by Jenni Keller. An Advent Study for you with a family calendar. #LoveComesNear

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{If you’re interested in any of Jenni’s studies beside [amazon_link id=”151876665X” target=”_blank” ]Love Comes Near: An Advent Bible Study[/amazon_link], check out [amazon_link id=”1514195445″ target=”_blank” ]Establish Your Heart: A Six-week Study of James[/amazon_link] and [amazon_link id=”1508825408″ target=”_blank” ]Complete in Christ: Illuminating the Pure Truth of Jesus[/amazon_link], available through Amazon.}

Jenni Keller, author of Love Comes Near - Advent Bible Study... read more at DoNotDepart.com — Jenni Keller, Bible Study Author

[amazon_link id=”151876665X” target=”_blank” ]“Love Comes Near”[/amazon_link] is a 25-day personal Bible study, designed to walk slowly through the Christmas story through the Advent season and look closely at how Love comes near to us in each passage. The Bible study includes an optional Family Advent Calendar, so you can take your kids on the same journey with you. You’ll walk through the Christmas story, told in both Matthew and Luke, as well as look through Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. Available on Amazon or jennikeller.me.

Uncommon Gifts Wrap-Up and Review

December 26, 2014 by Julie 1 Comment

Were the Christmas gifts given and received in your life all you hoped for? Sometimes earthly gift leave us feeling surprisingly … disappointed. Not so with #UncommonGifts. The best gifts are uncommon, given out of sacrifice for the love of giving. They outweigh the love of self, loving both to be given and received.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

The Do Not Depart team prays that you have been encouraged by this month of celebrating our Savior and reflecting on the uncommon gifts we each have to offer Him. As we peer into the dawn of a new year, let’s give Jesus our best. Our #UncommonGifts.

A Wrap-up of Uncommon Gifts

A Gift of Worship (The Wise Men)
The Gift of Identity (Mary)
No Voice Like Yours (Zechariah)
The Uncommon Gift of Obedience (Joseph)
When Hearts Collide with Glory
Changing Plans: the Gift of the Shepherds
Christmas and Advent Books
Hospitality of the Heart

The best gifts are #UncommonGifts

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Changing Plans: The Gift of the Shepherds

December 20, 2014 by Caroline 4 Comments

I’m a planner by nature.My mother teased me for twenty-five years that I’ve always had a five-year plan. And pretty much followed it.

Until I had my son.

God felt it time to teach me that my days and my plans for those days are not my own. And my son is a perfect vessel to teach that, among many other valuable gifts.

Dropping My Plans for Better Plans

My son has multiple special needs and is a very in-the-moment boy. Who cares about what’s happening tomorrow when we have the joy of right now?

Now, besides therapies and medical appointments, I barely plan more than a week in advance, maybe a month. And it’s a lot better this way. Because I never know what will come up (a hospital trip, a split toe, an extra therapy session, a impromptu dance party when his favorite song is played), I’m more apt to adapt. And, for me at least, I’m more likely to lift the day, the afternoon, the hour up to God.

My son teaches me it’s best to drop my (feeble) plans for a better option, whether that’s stopping to hug someone who needs to smile (he does this a lot), an unplanned reading marathon (I almost always stop for this), or to admire an aspect of God’s creation (animal, plant, or otherwise). Being willing to drop my own plans keeps my eyes open for how I can best serve God and best trust Him within every minute of my day.

The Shepherds’ Gift

Sometimes I need a little push (or obvious shove) to drop my plans though. I like to be in control (a myth). I like having an idea of what will happen in the day. But, you never know when glory will show its face.

The shepherds tending sheep outside of Bethlehem knew this much better than I do.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'” – Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

The shepherds’ plan was to watch their flock over the night, as they usually did. But then glory showed up in the form of an angel (which we can’t even imagine how brilliant and amazing and humbling of an experience that would’ve been). This angel brought them the news. The news all believers had been waiting for. The Messiah was here.

But false messiahs had popped up all throughout history. What would you do in this situation? Would you change your plans and try to find out what happened? What about your sheep? Who would tend them if you ran off? That’s your livelihood! Shepherds were often very loyal and dedicated to keeping care of their sheep (think of Matthew 18:12-14).

Here is what the shepherds did:

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:15-16 (NIV)

They hurried off. That doesn’t suggest hesitation to me. They dropped their plans of tending sheep to race after this news. But they didn’t return to their grazing and sleeping sheep right away:

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” – Luke 2:17-18, 20 (NIV)

They changed their plans further and went around town sharing this good news (using their gift of voice). Their change of plans helped spread the message that Christ indeed had been born! Besides Jesus’s parents and heaven’s angels, these shepherds, who sacrificed their original plans to receive God’s much-better plans, were among the first to help celebrate the newborn King.

I love how Julie put it in her introduction post for this month:

“The best gifts are uncommon. Gifts carved out sacrificially by one who felt the cost, but gladly gave anyway. Gifts crafted uniquely when inspired by love for the receiver, outweighing the love of self.”

Both lifting our plans and receiving His plans are gifts to Him and gifts to us. Here’s what I’m praying for you and for myself this Christmas:

God, thank You for the birth of Your Son. For the grace in that ultimate gift. Remind us this Christmas to lift our own plans to You and keep in mind that You might have better plans. Keep our eyes open for how to share Your love this Christmas with our plans, our actions, and our hearts.

How are you lifting your plans to Him this Christmas as a gift to Him and a gift received? (Click here to read the rest of the posts from this month on uncommon gifts.)

Download this free verse printable as a reminder to share the good news this Christmas. (You can also use it as a screen wallpaper.) Click here to access the image and then download to your computer.

#UncommonGifts: How the shepherds offered a gift by changing their plans:

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Can plans be a gift? @Keep_Tha_Faith looks at the shepherds’ story to see:

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Christmas and Advent Books {Let the Children Come}

December 17, 2014 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Last December, we shared a round-up of Christmas and Advent activities and crafts. (Be sure to check that post for ideas, if you’re still looking for some to implement in the next week!)

This year, we’d like to share a list of ten of our favorite Christmas and Advent books for your preschoolers, elementary, and middle school-aged kids!

Christmas and Advent Books

Listen to the Silent Night by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson (Dutton, 2011) – This book shares a more realistic look at what Christ’s birth could have sounded and looked like. The story is perfect as a read-aloud with great rhythm and beautiful illustrations on each page. (Ages 2-8)
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Margaret K McElderry Books, 2004) – This sweet picture book offers a calm look at celebrating the birth of Christ. (Ages 2-6)
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp (Tyndale, 2014) – This newest release from Ann Voskamp offers a family advent book to read and with accompanying activities. The devotions are in true, Ann heart-wrenching, gorgeous writing. (Ages 3 and up!)
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergen, illustrated by David Hohn (WaterBrook Press, 2006) – A sweet look at learning about the first Christmas. (Ages 2-6)
Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Alison Jay (Zonderkidz, 2011) – If you’ve read The Jesus Storybook Bible (one of our very favorites), you know Sally Lloyd-Jones’s style of writing. This book offers a beautiful poem in celebration of Christ’s birth. (Ages 3-8)
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick, 2007) – While not specifically talking about Christ’s birth, this book still offers a beautiful look at sharing love and hope, with a tear-inducing conclusion. (Ages 3-8)
The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Brian Floca (Atheneum, 2009) – From the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, this book offers a simple and lyrically-written story about offering love and hope to all people and creatures. (Ages 7-11)
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin, 1968) – If you’ve read The Snowy Day when you were a kid or with your kids and fell in love with it, take a look at this one from Ezra Jack Keats. (Ages 2-8)
The Nativity by Julie Vivas (HMH Books for Young Readers, 1986) – This picture book tells the nativity story from Mary’s point of view with enchanting illustrations. (Ages 2-6)
B is for Bethlehem by Isabel Wilner, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton, 1990) – This book tells the nativity story through poetic couplets and includes traditional aspects. (Ages 2-6)

What are your favorite Christmas and Advent books for kids? Share your favorites in the comments below, plus what age group the book is best for!

A list of 10 of our favorite Christmas and Advent books for kids and families:

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What are your favorite Christmas books for kids? Share your suggestions here, plus read about our favorites:

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The Uncommon Gift of Obedience: Joseph

December 16, 2014 by Lindsey 1 Comment

The Uncommon Gift of Obedience- Do Not Depart — photo courtesy:freedigitalphotos.net/tigger11th

All this month at Do Not Depart, we’re talking about uncommon gifts that were given that first Christmas: the wise men who gave their worship, Elizabeth who gave hospitality, Mary who gave up her identity (and then received a new one), and others.

Each of these people played an integral part of bringing the Savior into the world.

There’s one person I want to focus on today who gave an uncommon gift and was then blessed in return. This man was Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph.

In Matthew 1, we get a glimpse into the battle that waged in Joseph’s mind when he discovered his fiancé was pregnant.

Matthew 1:18-24:

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit….

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment. What would you think if your fiancé told you she was pregnant? Would you believe she was a virgin? You’d probably feel betrayed, maybe foolish, and certainly broken-hearted.

This person Joseph loved cheated on him and gave herself to another. Nonetheless, Joseph still loved Mary and didn’t want her to face the wrath and judgment of those around her when they learned she was pregnant out of wedlock. That’s the dilemma Joseph faced when the angel visited him in his sleep and told him to move forward with the marriage.

What’s amazing to me is that Joseph immediately obeyed. As far as we know, he didn’t ask any more questions. He didn’t investigate further. He obeyed, even when it was hard and even when his obedience drastically changed the direction of his life.

There are a few lessons you and I can learn from this…

Life Lessons from Joseph:

Joseph obeyed immediately.

He didn’t ask a lot of questions. He didn’t put it off until a better time. He didn’t seek the advice of his friends. When he knew God wanted him to do something, he did it. Period.

Joseph didn’t have to understand everything to obey.

As far as we know, the angel didn’t give him a lot of information about this very odd event that took place in the womb of his fiancé. I’m sure Joseph had a lot of questions. Nonetheless, he obeyed without having to understand the specifics.

Joseph was blessed because of his obedience.

Because Joseph chose to obey God, God gave Joseph the privilege of raising Immanuel, God with Us! That’s an amazing privilege, isn’t it? And it’s all because Joseph gave the gift of obedience.

The other day at the Y, as I dropped my three-year-old son off at the nursery, I reminded him, “There are blessings when we obey. Don’t forget, Son.”

You see, at the front desk of the Y sits a candy bowl, and my son knows he only gets a piece of candy if he behaves while I exercise.

On this particular day, when I picked him up from class, his teachers were thrilled with his behavior, so he got two pieces of candy as we left.

There are blessings when we obey.

It’s true, isn’t it? It was true for Joseph, but it’s also true for us.

When Joseph gave the gift of obedience to God, God gave something even more wonderful back to Joseph. He gave Joseph the privilege of being the earthly father of the Savior of the world.

I can’t help but wonder what might happen if we choose to obey…

To help you think more about why obedience matters so much to God, you can download this free printable list of Bible Verses on Obedience

There are blessings with obedience. Read more from @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell #UncommonGifts

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Printable List of Bible Verses about Obedience from @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell #UncommonGifts

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The #UncommonGift of Obedience via @DoNotDepart and @LindseyMBell

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*photo courtesy:freedigitalphotos.net/tigger11th

No voice like yours: An uncommon gift

December 11, 2014 by Lisa Burgess 25 Comments

The gift of “Voice” is not trending on this year’s Hottest Holiday Gifts list (well, unless you count My Friend Cayla, who uses speech-to-text software).

But consider this: Isn’t your voice one of the most sacred gifts you can offer?

Just ask Zechariah. When the angel Gabriel materialized in the temple, announcing that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a child (at last!), Zechariah answered back with discouraging words. Luke 1:5-20

So for the next nine months, he was unable to speak at all. And how much he had to tell!

Not until the baby was born and Zechariah scribbled to his community, “His name is John,” was his tongue untied. Now his words were of praise to God and confidence in all God had done and was going to do. Luke 1:63-64

You can use your voice the same way this Christmas.

But you can’t wrap it inside a Christmas box and tie it with a bow.
So how can you give your voice?

Through your in-person conversations
Through your emails
Through your Christmas cards
Through your social media updates
Through your songs
Through your blog posts
Through your Facebook comments
Through your phone calls

Like Zechariah, use your voice to give hope to those needing deliverance, to assure others of God’s faithfulness, to relay how God has worked in your circumstances, to promise that God gives mercy, and to remind that He transforms the unrighteous into His righteousness. Luke 1:67-79

Your spiritual voiceprint is as unique as your physical fingerprint. You have an exclusive perspective, a different angle, another tongue to add to the celestial choir singing of God’s love.

No other voice can substitute for yours, nor yours for another.

God used His voice to call the universe into existence. He sent Christ into our world as the Word. Now He continues to send His love into the world through your voice and words.

So designate your voice to be a divine gift this Christmas.
Entrust it as a beloved present from God through you to others.

Consider the following questions for these last two weeks before Christmas.

[print here]

What’s the most unusual gift you are giving this Christmas? Please share in the comments.

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Free printable as you prepare for Christmas: My voice is a divine gift. #UncommonGifts

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Uncommon gifts: A December celebration

December 2, 2014 by Julie Leave a Comment

Do you know what gifts are trending this year? Some new gadget or toy, creation or product rises to the top in popularity each holiday season. Cabbage Patch dolls of the 80s, Tickle Me Elmo of the 90s, Ugg boots of 2000, and Turduckens (no one can agree on their year) have gone down in the holiday hall of fame as winners. But sometimes so many are sold that the novel items become, sadly, common. Once the market is flooded with a more-than-adequate supply, the too-typical gifts lose their value simply by virtue of how common they are.

The best gifts are uncommon. Gifts carved out sacrificially by one who felt the cost, but gladly gave anyway. Gifts crafted uniquely when inspired by love for the receiver, outweighing the love of self.

Uncommon gifts can’t be held back, for they long to be offered and love more to be received.

As the Do Not Depart team celebrates the birth of our Savior with you, we want to be known by our uncommon gifts. We’re taking this December to learn from those who gladly gave at the first coming of Christ to earth. This month, will you reflect with us on what makes our earthly offerings truly uncommon? #UncommonGifts

Uncommon gifts can’t be held back #UncommonGifts

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More Than a Holiday – A Christmas Family Devotional

November 19, 2014 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

It is easy to let the busy-ness of December distract from the real purpose of Christmas. Helping your children be intentional can require some planning. Right now is a good time to be thinking and planning for how you can keep Christ in focus for your family during the quickly approaching Christmas season!

I recently discovered a rich resource for families, designed to be used for the month of December, that helps keep attention where it should be.

“More Than a Holiday,” by Scott and Sarah Nichols, is a 25 day devotional for families. Each day focuses on a different topic. The various characters and elements of the Christmas story are among the topics, as well as some major theological issues, such as prophecy, truth and sin nature.

Every chapter includes at least one suggestion for each of these six categories:

A Closer Look – designed for parents, this section explains the historical context and theological significance for that day’s scripture
Daily Reading – scripture reading to be read aloud as a family
Daily Devotion – read together after the scripture
Let’s Talk – discussion questions
Prayer – a simple prayer related to the day’s topic
Family Time Activities – a number of options are usually given; these might be games, crafts, books to read together, a skit, or a meaningful activity

I like the fact that More Than A Holiday gives you a range of options. This makes it flexible enough to be adapted to families with children of different ages.

It is simple enough to use with preschool children, if you opt to focus most heavily on family activities. And if you have older children you can incorporate more discussion of theology. We are planning to use this as our family devotional this year, and because our oldest is 17, we will be reading the “A Closer Look” section aloud in addition to the scripture and devotion.

I am really impressed with the depth of the “A Closer Look” section. The authors provide a fascinating underpinning for parents and older children, with extensive discussion of scripture, theology, history and culture. The reference section for the footnotes is seven pages long!

If your family needs a shorter devotional, the authors have created alternate schedules you can follow. You can find 7 day, 10 day and 14 day reading options here.

Start planning now to help your family stay focused on Jesus during the Christmas Season!

What are your favorite family devotionals?

A new family Christmas devotional with reading, devotions, prayer, and activities to do together! #MoreThanAHoliday #LetTheChildrenCome

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of More Than a Holiday in exchange for my honest review.

Recap: Good tidings in modern times

December 31, 2013 by Julie Leave a Comment

In the past month we’ve celebrated the Word who became flesh and lived among us. We’ve talked about how to use our gift of words to display God’s glory and to share His truth. It’s all about Good Tidings in Modern Times.

Good tidings tools we’ve shared

Daily scriptures to help tame the tongue (An awesome printable calendar)
Using words for purposeful praise (Christmas praise cards)
How to send our words responsibly in modern times full of social media
How to use our words to incorporate Christ into our conversations
Advent activities and Christmas crafts for the hearts of our children
A visual reminder for Celebrating the Word with our words
How to repeat the joy of Jesus’ coming in our words
Christmas: What to do when it’s over

Though most ribbons are untied and most gifts are unwrapped, it’s still the right time to use our gift of language to reflect and share about the Word. In him is life itself!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)

We’re grateful to have you reading with us at Do Not Depart as we share tools and encouragement to abide in the Word.

If your thoughts have already turned to a new year and you just can’t wait for January inspiration, take a look at last year’s theme about Spiritual Disciplines.

How to Grow in Spiritual Disciplines

(from January 2013)

Mentoring, are you ready? Mentoring
Serving Others: Service
Staying in the Word: Reading the Bible
Following the knee-worn path: prayer
Let’s mean it – God bless you!
Giving God His due: worship
Finding quiet in an incredibly loud world: silence & solitude

Christmas: What to do when it’s over

December 26, 2013 by Julie 4 Comments

Before Christmas, there are designated songs to sing, appropriate decorations to display, and even timely tasks to do. But when it’s suddenly “done,” people sometimes flounder and ask, “What now?”

Life’s challenges didn’t pause for Christmas, and it doesn’t take long for leftovers and laundry to pile up. So “What now?” What do we do AFTER Christmas? Some of the most humble earthly characters of the incarnation story left a not-so-humble example for us to follow.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)

If our attention and our hearts were truly turned afresh to the coming of Christ as a babe in swaddling clothes as the hope of all men, then it should show on the day after Christmas.

The shepherds went back to their regular lives.
The shepherds went back as changed people.
The shepherds continued to believe what they had heard and seen.
The shepherds glorified and praised God.

Most of our readers (and all of our team!) fit more closely into the “shepherds” category than the wise men/kings category. We can take our after Christmas cues from the common folk of old who experienced the not-so-common birth of God’s Son, Jesus.

Get back to regular life. What we celebrated changes life today!
Get back to work, but be changed because of what you know.
Keep on believing in the truth of Christ’s coming.
Let your heart be full of praise and overflow in words of praise.

Everyone who heard what the shepherds had to share wondered at the news. As the cultural distractions of the season fade, let’s give our world reason to “wonder” at how Christ’s coming changes every day of our year!

Other “After Christmas posts” from our team you might enjoy:

5 Tips for Setting Spiritual Growth Goals for the New Year with Kathy Howard

The Most Important Thing to Do This Christmas with Lindsey Bell

After Christmas Instructions with Julie

Repeat the Joy

December 24, 2013 by Caroline 2 Comments

We have many favorite Christmas-themed picture books around here.

This is one of our favorites this year.

[amazon_link id=”0525422765″ target=”_blank” ]Listen to the Silent Night[/amazon_link] is gorgeously illustrated, focused on the journey to Bethlehem and the beginning of the Word become flesh (John 1:1-4). The steady rhythm the words take when read aloud help you feel the possible emotions of the night.

This is one of my personal favorite pages:

Look at that unabashed joy on the shepherd’s face.

The urgency of his posture. The importance of that job to spread this new of great joy.

It makes me almost think those shepherds immediately grabbed that good news and ran with it.

But reading Luke 2 reminds me otherwise.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appear to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:8-9, NIV

They were what? Terrified?!

Considering the awe-inspiring appearance angels might have had (not necessarily the “happy” simple faces on Christmas crafts), I might’ve been terrified, too.

The angel greeted the shepherds:

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” – Luke 2:10-11, NIV

That’s pretty upfront. Do not be afraid. I bring good news. Here it is!

Did the angel stop there? Nope. Read on, and we see:

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12, NIV

The angel told the shepherds this good news outright, and he told the shepherds they would have visual confirmation!

Is this the only message the shepherds receive? Nope.

“Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” – Luke 2:13-14, NIV

Not only did the angel tell the shepherd the good news and say they’d have visual confirmation, but an entire host of angels appeared to sing praises of God and confirm this great news.

In just seven verses, we have one revelation and two big reminders of immeasurable joy.

The shepherds didn’t hear this good news just once. They heard it three times. Repeated joy.

So off the shepherds run (dashing with that excitement in the illustration above, I imagine) to Bethlehem to see for themselves. (They need another reminder!)

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to the Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:15-16, NIV

They see him! They actually see Christ the King, born in the humble, new, fresh form of a human baby. The beauty. The joy. Unimaginable, isn’t it?

And so they go, ready to the share the news as they’ve been commissioned to do.

Do they tell just one person? Speak this good news just once?

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…The shepherds returned, glorying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” – Luke 2:17-18, 20

Who knows how many times these shepherds repeated themselves. But they did. They told many people, and then they returned, still praising, still repeating the joy.

We Need Reminders

We need truths repeated. “Do not be afraid” is one of the most repeated phrases in the Bible (Luke 1:30). The psalms repeat again and again to “rejoice” and to “trust” and that God’s love endures forever (Psalm 136).

We need reminders.

Sometimes I need reminders of the joy myself. Sometimes I need something repeated until I really get it, trust it, understand it. (And I’ve seen the same happen with others, whether it be about faith or about other things, like health or habits.)

Here are five Scriptures to remind yourself or share with others to repeat the joy and share good tidings this Christmas:

“The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.” – Psalm 145:13b
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5
“Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This list is not at all comprehensive. What verses would you add? How can you repeat the joy to yourself and others this Christmas?

Celebrate the Word with our words

December 19, 2013 by Julie Leave a Comment

As we praise, as we share, as we converse, as we witness … may our words be an offering to the Word who became like us, to live among us, and then give His life for us.

Advent Activities and Christmas Crafts {Let the Children Come}

December 18, 2013 by Caroline 3 Comments

Disclosure: Some affiliate links are included below. Thank you for supporting this site!

Kids and adults alike get excited about Christmastime. As families of faith, we want our children to know and focus on the reason for Christmas.

God’s Word is the best source to teach His truths. When we include other activities, we can also encourage community, invite exploration, reiterate knowledge, engage additional senses, and more.

Read on for several great resources for advent and Christmas, including several you can still jump in on with just a week until Christmas!

Advent Readings, Studies, and Activities

We love the Jesus Storybook Bible for anytime reading with your family. Erin at Home with the Boys has an advent reading plan that accompanies Jesus Storybook Bible with one story a night each day in December until Christmas. I particularly love how this Bible circles back around to Christ in every single story, including all the Old Testament retellings. It all points to Him!
The Sparkle Box – Carisa at 1+1+1=1 shares their plan for using the Sparkle Box story and idea and blessing others this Christmas! Carisa also created some lovely Jesse Tree printables.
Last year, Kathy shared 10 meaningful family Christmas activities here on Do Not Depart.
Grapevine Studies provide family Bible studies focus on timeline and using stick figures to add a tactile component to learning and studying the Word. (I reviewed their studies here and here on my personal bog.) Be sure to check out their “Birth of Jesus” study! Because it’s a downloadable document, you could still get it this week and study a few lessons between now and Christmas! Click here to visit Grapevine Studies.
Last year, I shared several ways to share the Word through serving others, including Christmastime ideas.
Patti shared how her family throws a birthday party for Jesus at Christmas each year.
Becky at This Reading Mama created an awesome, free Nativity Pre-K/K printable packet with loads of activities incorporating early literacy and math skills.
Truth in the Tinsel is an advent program by Amanda White where kids create crafts to accompany studying a few verses within advent readings. It’s beautiful, simple, and engaging. Amanda offers many resources and blog posts at the Truth in the Tinsel website.

Christmas Crafts

While you’re reading the birth story aloud, you and your kids can also make these lovely Christmas crafts:

Here are two versions of an angel craft – one using handprints and another using coffee filters.
No Time for Flash Cards shows us a fun nativity shapes craft for a window display.
I recently shared about a resourced called “Winter Brick Activities and More!” on my personal blog. This downloadable resource from Educating Laytons gives several winter- and nativity-themed templates for brick creations, plus many other hands-on activity ideas. Many of the ideas shared can be completed with minimal preparation, which can be helpful during Christmas week when visiting family!
Maureen at Spell Outloud put together a useful list of activities to accompany Song of the Stars by Sally-Lloyd Jones (the same author as the Jesus Storybook Bible). (Maureen also posted a huge list of nativity resources here.)
While crafting and reading, listen to some Christ-focused Christmas carols and look for Jesus in them using this series we did, or read about their origins in this post from (in)courage,