Come with your questions, come with what’s precious to you, come with everything you have - it all matters to Him.

Who is this Baby Son? Whose shoulders the government rests, who’s called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, whose name will be the hope of all the nations?

I must come and see for myself! I must bring my caravan of questions, my camels of precious goods, my anything, my everything!

Everything I’ve brought can’t help but gush forward, to flood his feet. I am empty - and yet - I am full?

Surrounded by simplicity and glory - this Shepherd King, this King of Love - here he is now, come to fill and fulfill and make abundant every vessel that's been emptied. 

A Royal Bounty indeed!

Mouth open in awe, eyes cascading around the room, who is this King? What more can he offer me? 

The half of it was not told to me! You exceed in wisdom and prosperity, in love and peace, in justice and righteousness! How blessed to be a servant in your house!

What more can I offer him? My pockets emptied - my hands bare - and yet it is not enough! 

What’s this? Can this King offer me more still? Anything I ask, you say?

“Everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Inspired by 1 Kings 10 and the Gospels. (Specifically Matthew 2, 6, 19, Mark 12

For Advent we will have some households share how they celebrate Advent/Christmas — we invite you to receive with wonder the vast diversity in traditions, activities, reflections, or other meaningful expressions of the season.

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair

Proverbs 1.3 NLT

Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Proverbs 2:4 NLT

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.

Prov. 3:13-16 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Prov. 4:23 NLT

For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.

Prov. 5:21 NLT

13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27.13-14

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Psalm 34.4-5 NLT

34 Joyful are those who listen to me (Wisdom), watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!

35 For whoever finds me finds life  and receives favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 8:34-35 NLT

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Proverbs 9:10 NLT

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

Proverbs 10:11 NLT

24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24=25 NLT

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 12:25 NLT

“You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people! He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Proverbs 15:17 NLT

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.

Proverbs 16:7 NLT

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 17:17 NLT

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 NLT

To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.

Proverbs 19:8 NLT

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

Proverbs 22:11 NLT

Don’t envy sinners,  but always continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

Proverbs 23:17-18 NLT

The wise are mightier than the strong,  and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

Proverbs 24:5 NLT

Merry Christmas!

“What if the Lord had not been on our side?…”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬