Merry Christmas

I hope that the journey through Advent with the help of the Polar Express helped you to see Jesus in a new way. I had a lot of fun writing the devotionals and God shared a lot with me.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. A time for families and loved ones to gather together and celebrate. Maybe you will exchange gifts and read the Night Before Christmas. As you celebrate and enjoy being together remember Jesus and the gift he gave to you.

Have a great Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

Devotionals will return in February of 2012.

The Bell Sound

Do you hear it?

Have you ever been on a spiritual high? A time, where you really feel God's presence and you are wanting to prayer and read your Bible and tell your friends about God. Maybe after a week of camp or a mission trip. Spiritual highs usually only last for a short time. Then you are stuck in a rut again, wishing you were back wanting to spend time with God.

The bell sound can only be heard by those who believe. Those are mostly children, but to the main character he is able to forever believe because he was the one who experienced Santa and the train ride that night.

If we aren't careful our spiritual lives can becoming like the bell sound. Faint or non-existent. It's important to be spending time in the Bible, in prayer and conversation with God, and to let God use you.

This Christmas where are you spiritually?

Are you a little faint? Or maybe non-existent? Or can you hear that most beautiful sound?

Where ever you are, I challenge you to give a gift to yourself and God. Give the gift of your time and your heart. Truly begin to let yourself explore the Bible and prayer. Trust that God is working in and through you. And when it gets rough don't give up.

When we meet God, let's be able to say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Christmas Day

Let's read from the book:

On Christmas morning my little sister Sarah and I opened our presents. When it looked as if everything had been unwrapped, Sarah found one last small box behind the tree. It had my name on it. Inside was the silver bell! There was a note: "Found this on the seat of my sleigh. Fix that hole in your pocket." Signed, "Mr. C."

The last thing the boy expected was to see the bell under the tree. What a surprise it must of been!

How have you seen God work when less expected?

God is at work in our lives.

Spend the next few days before Christmas looking for evidence of God.

Just Believe

"Believe in what your heart saying, hear the melody that's playing. There's no time to waste, there's so much to celebrate. Believe in what you feel inside, give your dreams the wings to fly. You have everything you need if you just believe."

One overarching theme of this movie is believing. Our main character has the word believe punched on this ticket, he can't hear the bells of Santa's sleigh because he doesn't believe, and his parents (and eventually sister and friends) cannot hear the bell because they don't believe.

When we look at the people around us, they all believe in something. It might be that if they work hard enough they will achieve, or if they know the right people they will get ahead in life. They might believe that things are not going to get any better for them.

What is it that you believe?

God sent us a gift. A gift that we celebrate here in a few days. That gift came so that we can have eternal life with God.

Today take time to read John 3:1-21, the link below will take you there. After reading, spend some time reflecting on it and then answer the question again:

What is it that you believe?

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:1-21&version=NIV

Feelings

Movies do a great job of playing with emotions. Right now, the boy has lost the bell, that's sad. Earlier we were playful with having hot chocolate.

Today, the video is from the soundtrack. As it plays, close your eyes and see how your emotions or feelings change with the music.

If music can develop those feelings within us, what can Jesus do within us? If we were silent and devoted of six minutes what do you think would be the result.

As Christmas is less than a week away, spend time with Jesus. Thank him for his gift to us and see if you can give him your heart.

Losing the Bell

Let's read from the book

"As soon as we were back inside the Polar Express, the other children asked to see the bell. I reached into my pocket, but the only thing I felt was a hole. I had lost the silver bell from Santa Claus's sleigh."

How do you think the main character felt to find out the bell was gone?

The bell was his proof. The bell proved that Santa was real. The bell proved the great adventure he went on.

What do you have that gives you proof that God is real?

For me, it's my story. God has been at work in my life. I have been through situations that only God could bring me through. That is my proof. What's yours?

Today continue to ask God to reveal his existence to you.

First Gift of Christmas

The time has come for Santa to pick one of the children and give out the first gift of Christmas.

This scene is huge in the movie. Our main character hasn't believed in Santa and now Santa is asking him what he wants. It doesn't take him long to decide to ask for the bell, the sound that the other kids have been able to hear and he hasn't.

If you could see Jesus and you get to ask him one question, what would you ask?

Take time to think about that. Go beyond the simple what's your favorite food questions to something that you really are unsure about. Maybe if Hell is real, or if God is real, or what about your friends who don't believe.

Write down your question and give God time to answer.

Where'e the Line to See Jesus?

Today I needed to break away from the Polar Express to share with you this song and story.

A few years ago, during a shopping trip to the mall a little boy asked his aunt where the line to see Jesus was. He grew up knowing that Christmas was about the birth of Jesus and was confused about the line to see Santa. Being inspired by that question, the following song was penned:

This song makes me think about how much we think of Santa over the Christmas season versus how much we think of Jesus.

Today see if you can spend it only thinking about Jesus and not Santa.

Where's the Brake?

Have you ever wished you could just slam on the brakes and stop for a minute to catch your breath?

In this clip the kids are looking for the brake. Do you need a break? Has the Christmas season become overwhelming? Are you stressing over what to get that special someone in your life?

Jesus wants us to focus on him this holiday.

Just like the little girl needed to pause and listen for the right sound to know the way, we need to pause and know God.

Be still, and know that I am God, says Psalm 46:10.

How can you today, amongst the busy-ness and stress take time to be still and focus on God?

Arrival

Just like the Polar Express, Mary and Joseph eventually arrived to their final destination.

As you read the the different accounts of Jesus' birth, it is interesting to compare what the Bible says to what we know through songs or pictures.

For example:

In Luke 2:7 it talks about a manger and guest room. We usually think of Mary and Joseph having to staying in a stable because there was no room in the inn.

When I hear stable, I think of barn, but the image that is closer to stable would be a cave in a side of a hill or mountain. And when I hear inn, I think of hotel, but the image that is closer to guest room, would literally be some one's house.

Today I challenge you to check out the stories in the Bible, the accounts of the journey Mary and Joseph took. Read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. See the differences and the similarities and then compare that to what you already knew before your reading of the Christmas story.

Arrival

"We've made it!"

There can be no doubt now that we have arrived. 

Today we are going to look at Scripture that comes after Jesus' death. Let's read John 20:24-29:

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Like Thomas and our main character it's not also easy to believe something you haven't seen.

We have seen the North Pole in the movie and it makes you want to believe. As we see the birth of Jesus will you believe?

When Christmas Comes to Town

In the movie, this little boy spends most of his time alone. According to one boy, he wasn't even a scheduled stop.

Do you ever feel alone?

When the train stops for this boy, our main character encourages him to run faster to make it on the train.

Who in your life encourages you to not give up?

From the above clip through the rest of the movie, these three characters pretty much stay together.  In Scripture we read that two is better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9) and that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). 

Life isn't meant to be lived alone. Think of who you can share your spiritual life with and ask that person for some encouragement. 

Driving

After exploring the roof, next is the engine!

This clip starts with the boy finding the girl and yelling "YOU" out of shock that she is there.

I wonder how Mary felt when people started to find out that she was pregnant and not yet married. I do know that people had to be shocked about her being pregnant! I'm sure there were people who weren't afraid to speak their minds (both good and bad things), those who spoke about her behind her back, and those who got to know her and wanted to help.

What about you? Is there something in your life that if people would find out about that they would be shocked by?

Or is there someone in your life who you would be shocked to hear about their relationship with God? Would others be shocked about your personal relationship with God?

Today spend time talking with God about the things that shock us about others and those things about us that would shock others. Be open and honest about the good and the bad.

Hobo

If you have never traveled by train, then you have to explore. In the process of exploring the main character ends up on the roof of the train and meets Hobo. Watch their interaction-

Two big things happen in this clip. First a question and then a phrase.

1. How would you answer the following question:

What exactly is your belief in Jesus?

Would you respond like the little boy, "I believe but..." or are you not quite sure what Jesus is all about, or do you have a relationship with Jesus?

Whatever your answer is, that's okay. God accepts you right where you are. 

2. In this clip the hobo says "seeing is believing." We might not be able to see God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but we can see what they are doing through those who have a relationship with God and what God has done.

Look at the world. The beauty you see is God's art work.
Look at human beings and see God's masterpiece.
Look at Jesus and see God's son and a love only God has for us.

Today as we traveling think about the interaction with the hobo. Are you happy with the answer you gave? Do you see God at work today? Take time and talk to God, tell God your answers and wait for a response.

Travel

"Soon there were no more lights to be seen. We traveled through cold, dark forest, where lean wolves roamed and white-tailed rabbits hid from our train as it thundered through the quiet wilderness." An excerpt from the book, Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The holidays are known to be a busy time for highways and airways. People travel to be with friends, family, and loved ones. Today we can travel pretty fast, unless there's a traffic jam or delayed flights.

Mary and Joseph had to travel also. Let's read Luke 2:1-5:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

As we are settled in on the train watching the forest go by and wondering about what's to come, what do you think Mary watched and wondered about as the donkey carried her to Bethlehem?

(I do have to say, I am glad we are traveling by train and not by donkey!)

Hot Chocolate

What train ride full of kids wouldn't offer Hot Chocolate??

After getting their refreshment, the kids settle in for the ride. Yesterday we read how the angel appeared to Joseph, today we are going to read how the angel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:26-35:

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will  overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

What do you think Mary did to have favor with God (verse 30)?

What can you do to have favor with God?

All Aboard!

The journey starts today. The train has arrived and now all you need to do is get on board.

The journey for Jesus started when the angel appeared to Joseph. Let's look at the story in Matthew 1:18-25.

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. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Joseph got on board, will you?