DECEMBER – 2025

Arrival: Rediscovering the Heart of Christmas This Advent Season

Hey Church Family,

Can I be honest with you? Every year I watch the calendar flip to November and I feel it — that familiar rush of decorations, shopping lists, parties, and pressure that threaten to swallow-up December like a winter hurricane.

It’s so easy for us to get distracted with all the Christmas “stuff” that we end up taking our eyes off of the One whom we are celebrating this season: Jesus!

I’m ready to keep Jesus FRONT & CENTER for the whole month of December this year – who’s with me? Let’s do this!

Starting Sunday, November 30, we begin a brand-new 4-week series called ARRIVAL — a journey that will radically re-center our Christmas season on the One who matters most: Jesus.

Because here’s the truth the world desperately needs us to remember: Christmas isn’t just about celebrating that Jesus came to Earth once 2,000 years ago. It’s about celebrating that He has three glorious Arrivals:

1. Christ WITH Us — the baby in the manger, Immanuel, God stepping into our mess.

2. Christ IN Us — the Holy Spirit who took up residence the moment we said yes to Jesus.

3. Christ FOR Us — the King who is coming again in glory to make all things new.

We know many favorite Christmas carols and songs that are going to be “dusted off” and “thawed out” of their cold playlists that are going to be played again and again this year. BUT- did you know there is a song heaven never stops singing:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty — who was, and is, and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)

That’s what this ARRIVAL series is based on: Christ Who was, Christ Who is, and Christ who is coming back for us again!

This Advent season, we’re not just lighting candles. We’re letting Jesus light up our homes, our hearts, and our city. That’s why I wrote Arrival: A 25-Day Advent Devotional — to walk with you every single day from Monday, December 1 through Christmas Day. Each morning you’ll get:

A powerful Scripture passage tied to Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love
A devotional that explores all three Arrivals of Christ
Reflection questions that go deep (perfect for personal quiet time or family discussion)
A guided prayer that will keep your heart soft and grateful all season long
A Guide to Lighting the Candle of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love each week in your home

And here’s the part I’m most excited about:

Every Sunday we will light a new Advent candle together at church — and I’m asking you to light that same candle in your home that week. Turn it into a moment.

Invite your neighbors, your small group, your kids who moved away, your co-workers who don’t know Jesus yet. Cook dinner. Sing a carol (even badly). Read the Scripture for the week. Pray together.

Let your house become a lighthouse of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in a world that’s starving to know Jesus.

You can pick up your copy of Arrival online here or - as quantities last – at church this Sunday. Feel free to pick up or order several copies — they make great early Christmas gifts for co-workers, clients, friends, neighbors, teachers, or that person God keeps putting on your heart.

Let’s make this the Christmas where we don’t just survive the season — let’s make this year all about encountering our Savior.

Daily.

Together.

Unapologetically.

Because He came.

He is here.

And He is coming again.

I can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday as we begin this sacred journey.

P.S. Bring a friend to church this Sunday. Seriously. This series might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for without knowing it.

Let’s fill our sanctuary and our homes with people who need to meet the God who arrives — again and again and again.

To get your own copy or send to a friend, click here:

Arrival: A 25-Day Advent Devotional