Christmas Doesn’t End

There is a hymn titled “In the Bleak Midwinter” — a Christmas hymn that makes me think of mid-January weather. Even though you’ve probably taken down the Christmas decorations, do you still have Christmas in your heart? Do you still think about Jesus lying in a stable, surrounded by Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds? The hymn ends with the writer giving Jesus the only gift she has, her heart.

Remembering this wonderful gift of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, will brighten the bleakest January day! As we think about the gift of salvation, let us also think of those who have not yet heard of Christ and His love.

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. In the spirit of Christmas, share this gift of salvation with your neighbor, friend, or someone who hasn’t heard the Good News — the greatest gift of all!

God bless your new year!

Click here for Christmas-centered devotions.

Susan Donnelly

Public Relations Director 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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New

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5a).

Happy new year! How are you celebrating the new year? Maybe you have a brand-new calendar on your wall or desk, fresh linens purchased at a department store white sale, or a special new item received as a Christmas gift. As children of God, we can experience the joy of renewal each day as we make the sign of the cross in remembrance of our Baptism.

LWML offers many resources to support women in their baptismal lives. Faith Building Help for Groups 2021-2023 Planner includes new and renewed devotions and Bible studies. It is available to download free at lwml.org and can be used by individuals or LWML groups or be shared with other groups within your church.

Make it your plan for the new year to spend more time with our Lord. Devotions for All Seasons is a compact booklet of 22 new devotions that fits into your pocket or purse for use throughout the year.

Have a blessed new year! Enjoy each new day of your life as a child of God!

Ruth Badciong

Christian Resources Editors Committee
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Never Lonely?

“I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b).

Do you ever feel all alone, that even God seems far away? In this sinful world, it’s not surprising loneliness comes periodically.

But God never — ever leaves us alone! He has promised most clearly that He is always with us. How do we know that? Before Jesus came, in His time, to pay for our sin through His life, death, and resurrection, God’s people had the promise of a Savior. They knew God was with them, but they had to trust in His promise of a Savior. When Jesus came, they — and us — now have living proof that God is with us. God came out of eternity to live with us — in His time.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas, we can know, without any doubt, that God is with us — Jesus is with us. He gives forgiveness, He gives life eternal, He sustains us until He comes again. Praise God for Christmas!

Rev. Gary A. Piepkorn

Junior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Hard to Keep In

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

Have you ever received a Christmas gift that made you so excited you had a hard time trying to contain your joy? Did you have to tell someone about it because you were so excited?

On that first Christmas, the shepherds received an angelic announcement that the Savior had been born, and upon finding the Christ child, they were filled with joy. The excitement they had over this fulfilled promise caused them to return to their homes glorifying God — they could not keep in their joy!

Again, this Christmas, the Lord is reassuring us that our Savior has been born. In this child, all the promises of eternal salvation are fulfilled in His subsequent death and resurrection. In Jesus, we find unending life and light. May that great news fill us with so much joy that we find it hard to keep in this Christmas and, like the shepherds, excitedly share our joy: Christ, the Savior is born!

Click here for a Christmas devotion about the shepherds.

Rev. Brian Noack

Senior Pastoral Counselor
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Our Infinite, Eternal, Omnipresent, Triune, Creator

Have you ever, like me, just sat in wonder and awe thinking about all the attributes of our Triune God? The magnitude of God is immeasurable. Each time I return to His Word, I learn more about Him and His will for my life, and I am embraced by His loving presence. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Each day, God invites us to be in His Word. We learn about Him, His saving grace, and we are drawn closer to our Lord.

Let’s come together to read the whole Bible in 2022. On the Gospel Outreach webpage there is a “Read Through the Bible in a Year” resource. This can be done in half an hour each day. We pray that as you read God’s Word, it illuminates your path (Psalm 119:105), it lessens your burdens (1 Peter 5:7), and it fills your heart with hope, peace, and joy (Romans 15:13).

Leslie Colligan

Gospel Outreach Committee, Chairman
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Program Resources for You

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3).

Have you ever found yourself on the program planning committee for your LWML Christmas or other LWML event? I have and it was a committee of one. After a little panic and prayer, God answered and directed me to the LWML website. You can do the same — it is easy.

Go to lwml.org/program-helps and you will find many possibilities, organized by type. The categories include: Bible studies, sketches, devotions, crafts, mite offering ideas, and many more suggestions. These resources are downloadable at no cost to you. Best of all the resources on the LWML webpage have all gone through doctrinal review and are ready to go. Your biggest challenge may be deciding which one to use for your program. When you commit your efforts to God, you can trust that God will bless your event.

Arlene Naasz

Meeting Manager
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Happy New CHURCH Year!

This week marks the beginning of Advent, the first season of the church year. Advent — which is from the Latin word for “coming” — helps us prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Family traditions surrounding Christmas are plentiful. Trimming the tree, baking Christmas cookies, and gathering with family and friends are wonderful activities that help us focus on the celebration. But what about other traditions that help us count down to the celebration of our Savior’s birth?

As a child, I remember having an Advent wreath on our dining room table. Each night after dinner we would gather for an Advent devotion. My two sisters and I would take part by lighting the candles, reading the devotion, or blowing out the candles afterwards. Memories were made and traditions were established as we turned our focus toward celebrating the birth of Christ.

To access more information about how to make and use Advent Wreaths, check out Sharing Jesus’ Love in Action — Making an Advent Wreath on the LWML website.

Deaconess Betty Knapp

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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