REFLECT: In this week’s passage, Gabriel’s describes how John would prepare the people of Israel: “He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God...turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Is your heart prepared to receive what God has for you this Christmas season? What might be keeping you from hearing from Him or being receptive to His refining hand? Sometimes it’s as simple as too many distractions, as complicated as past hurts driving us to hold tightly to a sense of control, or as straightforward as unrepented sin.
This Christmas, how do you need to prepare to celebrate King Jesus? What does it look like for you turn your heart to God?
RESPOND: As we anticipate celebrating Jesus, we don’t have to wait to engage Him; He doesn’t require us to submit a request for an audience with Him but rather invites us to talk with Him anytime and anywhere—even in the midst of our mess.
Today, spend some time preparing your heart to celebrate Jesus at Christmas. Ask Him to reveal what distractions you might need to eliminate, the uncovering of sin requiring confession, and the softening of your heart to trust Him in all areas of your life.
Invite the Spirit to prepare your heart for the King’s arrival and celebrate with joy.
December 11: Podcast, A Heart Prepared
Advent Calendar
December 11, 2021 • Tim Furnanz
December 25: Merry Christmas from SVC Staff
December 25, 2021
Merry Christmas from Summit View Church Staff! We love you! Don't forget that tomorrow's (Dec.26th) service is an all-church family service hosted at our Heritage Park Campus. Services are at 9 am & 11 am. See you there! 7701 NE 182nd Ave. Vancouver, WA
December 24
December 24, 2021
REFLECT: Merry Christmas Eve, Summit View family! We hope to see you, your family, and your loved ones TONIGHT 12/24 as we celebrate the birth of our Savior at one of our Christmas Eve services! Check out service times & locations below! Heritage Park Campus | 7701 NE 182nd Ave. Vancouver, WA | 3PM & 5PM Westside Campus | 11718 NW 31st Ave. Vancouver, WA 98685 | 3PM & 5PM Battle Ground Campus | 1900 NW 20th Ave. Battle Ground, WA 98604 | 6PM Can’t join us in person? Our Online Campus will be streaming the service live at 3PM & 5PM. In town for the weekend? Join us for our day-after-Christmas All-Church gathering at the Heritage Park Campus. All-Church Family Service | 7701 NE 182nd Ave. Vancouver, WA | 9AM & 11AM We would love to see you there!
December 20: Light of The World
December 20, 2021
REFLECT: Are you in a season of waiting? Do you feel like things aren’t going as planned and all your questions remain unanswered? Do you feel hunger for more of the Lord’s presence yet feel far from Him? Have you prayed and prayed with no answer? Do you wonder or doubt God’s goodness? This is your hope – Jesus Christ, the light of the world, has come to save and to restore. To bring peace on earth. To be with us, and to heal us from suffering. For all who wait, for all who hunger, for all who've prayed, and for all who wonder – The King, the Messiah, Emmanuel has come. RESPOND: Where do you need peace in your life? Not just a good feeling about something but a peace that surpasses all understanding? God cares for you and desires you to rest in the safety of His promises. Spend time today identifying where in your life you need His peace, then reach out to a friend or a Life Group member and ask them to pray with you. Ask God to grant each of you His peace wherever you need it most this Christmas season.