I want to personally thank you for considering writing a devotional for this year’s Christmas season. The devotional will be something our church family will cherish for years to come. As we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ in the manger, we also look forward to His second coming. Advent is the celebration of both. Here are a few things to consider as you pray about the devotional.

The Advent schedule is:

Hope: December 1-7

Love: December 8- 14

Joy: December 15- 21

Peace: December 22-25

Below, I have included two samples for you to see what we are roughly looking for. However, if the Holy Spirit leads you in a different direction, that is okay. God has a plan for someone. Follow His lead first.

The deadline for turning in your devotion is November 19, 2025. Please do not delay in writing the devotion. We desire this to be done with excellence that will inspire people to focus upon their Savior this holiday season. You can handwrite it or send it to me in an email: cself@chicopeebaptistchurch.com

If you have any questions or need any more information, please feel free to contact me.

SAMPLE 1

THE ENCOURAGMENT OF HOPE

“Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover, my flesh also will live in hope.”–Acts 2:26

Read Psalm 16:8-11

Read Acts 2:22-28

The night felt endless.

My heart pulsed with anticipation, and my mind raced like a car circling the track — lap after lap, unable to stop, waiting for that final turn. I tried to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come. So I pretended, hoping that if I could just fake rest long enough, morning would arrive — and with it, the joy of Christmas.

I held onto what I now call anticipated hope — the belief that what I longed for would be waiting for me when I awoke.

Christmas Eve as a child was the one night I truly wanted to sleep, yet sleep was the hardest thing to find. But when morning broke, joy erupted. What I had hoped for was finally in my hands.

In Acts 2:26, Peter quotes David to express the fullness of hope realized. As an eyewitness to the resurrection of Christ, Peter’s heart overflowed with joy, and his words became a declaration of that hope. Because Christ had risen, Peter could live with renewed purpose, passion, and power — and he did.

So what happens when hope is no longer distant or abstract, but deeply believed and joyfully received? Could it be that our very lives — our words, our actions, our presence — begin to reflect that hope?

May today be filled with the living hope of Christ in all you do.

Heavenly Father, the gift of hope comes through Jesus Christ alone. Thank you for Your son and the hope I have in my heart, in my words, and in my actions. May I live today as one with eternal hope! In Jesus Name Amen.

 SAMPLE 2

REMEMBERING THE HOLIDAYS

“Your Word I have treasured in my heart . . .” – Psalm 119:11a

Read Psalm 119:9-16

Read Luke 2:1-20

Looking back over the 81 years of my life on this earth, I was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1932. I remember my mom always reminded me that she had a big turkey on that day because I weighed almost nine pounds. My older sister always said that I was so ugly as a child that my dad had to hang a pork chop around my neck before the dogs would play with me. Through the years, my birthday has come on Thanksgiving, but some years it did not. This year, 2013, my birthday was Thanksgiving day.

Since I was born during the depression, I did a little research and the found the stock market crashed in 1929. There were more suicides in America than anywhere else in the world. In 1930, there was such a hunger for God’s word, 37 million volumes of the Holy Bible was issued throughout the world. God does work in mysterious ways.

In 1931, a woman was born named Bernice Ester Nash, my wife for over 60 years and I believe God put her here on earth to be my soul mate and keep me out of trouble. Since 2008, I have come face to face with death many times, but with my faith in God and lots of prayers from family and friends including members of Mount Salem, and the help of my wife, I made it through all these challenges.

In remembering the holidays, 28 days after my birthday, December 25^th is the greatest holiday ever celebrated in the history of mankind, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 9:6-7 in the Old Testament, God reveals to his prophet Isaiah that he is sending his Son to set up His Kingdom and government here on earth that will last to the end of time. This day reminds all simmers and believers that Jesus Christ was born into this world to pay the price for our sins. This day also brings happiness to little children worldwide, because Santa Clause comes to town and brings many gifts, but Christ is the greatest gift of all.

Since Christ is the head of the church here on earth, if I could make one wish and it would come true, I would wish that everyone would set time aside every evening to read the Book of Life (the Holy Bible). Here are a few chapters to read, which will bring a big smile on your face and a heart full of love.

Most Dramatic Book: Job Most Love Book: Esther

Faith: Hebrews 11 Grandest Chapter: Acts 26

Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13 Home Chapter: John 14

How Christians Should Live: Psalm 15

One last thought. During my 82 years, I have visited many churches, but have never been part of Christians who are more loving and friendly than members of Mount Salem Baptist Church. Please keep devoting your life to Christ and have a Merry Christmas.

Heavenly Father and Lord, may today be filled with the joy and love of family and giving, but may it never replace the greatest gift any of us can ever receive, Jesus Christ. In the midst of all the presents and feasts, may I be reminded of You. May I fall deeper in love with You and Your Word today as we celebrate the earthly birthday of your only begotten Son, Jesus – Amen