14 Days Until Christmas!
Song: “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby
Christmas Album: “When My Heart Finds Christmas,” by Harry Connick Jr.
Christmas DVD: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Netflix Movie: “Angela’s Christmas Wish”
Amazon Prime Movie: “Christmas in Vermont”
Disney+ Movie: “The Ultimate Christmas”
Hulu Movie: “Every Other Holiday”
Hallmark Movie: “A Christmas Memory”
On TV:
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 4:05 p.m., Freeform
• “Christmas at Holly Lodge,” 4 p.m., Hallmark
• “Christmas on the Vine,” 4 p.m., Lifetime
• “Christmas With the Darlings,” 6 p.m., Hallmark
• “Radio Christmas,” 6 p.m., Lifetime
• “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” 6:45 p.m., AMC
• “Home Alone,” 6:45 p.m., Freeform
• Arizona State at Arizona, 7 p.m., ESPN
• “The Christmas Caroler Challenge,” 8 p.m., CW
• “The Polar Express,” 8 p.m., AMC
• “Twas the Chaos Before Christmas,” 8 p.m., BET
• “Five Star Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark
• “Inn Love By Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime
• “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime
• “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 8 p.m., USA
• “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” 9:15 p.m., Freeform
• “Snow Day,” 10 p.m., AMC
• “If Only I Had Christmas,” 10 p.m., Hallmark
• “The Santa Squad,” 10:05 p.m., Lifetime
Recipe: Free Range Fruitcake
Quick Thought for Christmas
Read
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Reflect
The Jews were indeed looking for a warrior king, and that definitely meant it had to be a man. A grown man, ready to step in and lead a nation into battle against its oppressors.
Amazingly, God had told them exactly where to look for their Messiah. In Isaiah 9:6, they were told that the Messiah would be a child, and in Micah 5:2, they were informed that their Savior would come from Bethlehem.
And just like we’ve read earlier, they were also told that the Messiah wouldn’t be about war, but peace. “Wonderful Counselor.” “Mighty God.” “Everlasting Father.” “Prince of Peace.” Those aren’t words of war. They’re words of comfort and peace.
During this season of Christmas, peace can be a little elusive. We’re surrounded by so much seasonal noise and clamor – buy the gifts, fix the dinner, go to the party. Lost in the shuffle is the peace that comes with a close relationship with the promised Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today, try to spend just a few minutes with that child Savior and seek his counsel, comfort and peace. Prepare your heart for a joyous celebration that is now less than two weeks away.
Reflection copyright © 2020 by Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
