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Christ-Centered Countdown: Weekly Challenges for a Sacred Season

As December unfolds and the holiday season gathers momentum, it's easy to get caught up in the commotion of merriment. It's important to remember what Christmas is really about, beyond the gifts and decorations. Christmas is meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the values of love and hope that come with it. Keeping this true meaning a priority over all of the seasonal activities makes Christmastime more meaningful. Doing this helps us appreciate the joy of giving, be thankful for what we have, and enjoy real connections with others. 

To help maintain the central focus on Christ's birth throughout the Christmas season, we've crafted a calendar that has been thoughtfully designed to steer your attention back to the spiritual essence of Christmas, providing simple yet meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the joyous occasion of Jesus' birth. From simple acts of kindness to finding quiet moments of connection, each daily suggestion is a simple nudge to shift your attention from the busy routine to what really matters during the holiday season. When you use this calendar, you voluntarily make room for joy, kindness, and the true meaning of Christmas throughout the month. Take this opportunity to make the season more meaningful and share the warmth of Christ's love with those around you. Challenge yourself to follow through with two activities from the calendar each week. 

Feel free to download a copy of the calendar, or follow us on social media, where we will share each day's challenge on our stories. You’ll notice that on December 1, the challenge is to begin each day with an Advent Calendar Devotional. We’ve gone ahead and created a devotional for December 1-25. You can find a printable version for download, and we will also be sharing each devotional on social media, too. 
Download a copy of the Christmas Calendar Challenge Here
Download the Daily Advent Calendar Devotionals Here
Follow Us on Instagram Here
Follow Us on Facebook Here

Accept the Challenge

As we roll through December, think of this calendar as a friendly guide steering us back to what Christmas is all about. Each day's idea, from spreading kindness to taking a moment for some soul-searching, is a simple way to keep the holiday spirit real. In the thick of the holiday chaos, let's make these little choices to add some joy, spread positive energy, and remember what Christmas is truly about. May our days be filled with giving, thoughtful moments, and a good dose of the real magic of Christmas.

-Torrance Church of Christ

Faith in Action: Christian Values and Veterans Day

As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us remember that the values we hold as Christians—service, gratitude, unity, and protection—resonate with the dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. Take a moment to express your appreciation and, in doing so, live out the call to love one another and honor those who have served with distinction and honor.

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Sacrifice and Service: The Bible emphasizes the value of service and sacrifice. Veterans exemplify these values through their willingness to put their lives on the line to protect their fellow citizens and preserve the freedoms we hold dear. The ultimate act of sacrifice is often seen as a reflection of Jesus' teachings about selflessness and love for others.

Gratitude and Thankfulness: The Bible encourages us to be thankful and express gratitude. Veterans Day is a chance for us to extend our appreciation to those who have served, acknowledging their dedication and the sacrifices they and their families have made.

Promoting Peace: Believers are called to be peacemakers, veterans contribute to the cause of peace through their commitment to safeguard and defend their nation and its values, helping to maintain harmony, stability, and security in a world often fraught with conflict.

Unity and Brotherhood: Christianity underscores the significance of unity and brotherhood among all people. The military is a place where individuals from various backgrounds come together and stand united with the common goal of safeguarding our nation, mirroring Christ’s teaching about loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Protecting and Defending: The Bible acknowledges the role of protectors and defenders. Veterans have held very important roles to protect and defend their nations. This idea aligns with the principles of protecting and advocating for the vulnerable.

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As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to extend Christ's love and support to our veterans. We can assist them through acts of service, gratitude, and advocacy. Below are examples of ways that you can make a difference in a veteran's life. We’ve included some links and invite you to take a moment to explore the valuable resources and information contained in the links below. These resources cover a range of topics, from educational content to support for veterans and their families. Your involvement can make a difference, so please click on these links and discover the opportunities they offer. Join us in learning, supporting, and honoring those who have served. Together, we can create positive change and make a meaningful impact. 
***If you find a link particularly inspiring, share it with your friends, family, and social network.***

Say "Thank You": When you encounter a veteran, a simple "thank you for your service" can mean a lot. It shows your appreciation and recognition of their sacrifices.
Helpful information about sending thank you letters and more!
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Listen to Their Stories: Veterans often have unique experiences to share. Listening to their stories honors their service and provides an opportunity to learn from their wisdom.
There are many stories to hear
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Show Compassion: Be empathetic to veterans' unique challenges. Sometimes, simply being a compassionate and understanding friend or neighbor can have a positive impact.

Support Veteran-Owned Businesses: Look for local businesses owned by veterans and make an effort to support them. This can include restaurants, shops, or service providers.
Find a Veteran Owned Business in your State
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Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to veteran-focused organizations or local veterans' hospitals. Even a few hours of your time can make a difference in the lives of veterans.
There are so many diverse ways you can volunteer. Check out the many different ways below. You might be surprised by the different ways you can help. 
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Assist with Household Chores: If you know a veteran who may need help with yard work, home repairs, or other tasks, offer your assistance. Small acts of kindness can be very meaningful.

Send Care Packages: Send care packages to active-duty service members. Organizations often facilitate this, or you can send packages directly to deployed troops.
Learn more about sending a care package
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Attend an Event: Participate in local Veterans Day parades, Memorial Day events, and other gatherings that honor veterans. Your presence shows your support.
Find events in your area
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Donate to Veterans' Charities: Contribute to reputable charities that support veterans and their families. Even small donations can make a difference.
There are so many different ways to donate. You can donate directly to a family with a specific need, set up a monthly donation to a charity, and so much more. 
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Assist with Benefits: If a veteran you know is navigating the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) system, offer to help with paperwork or accompany them to appointments.

Hire Veterans: If you're in a position to hire employees, consider veterans for job opportunities. Their unique skills and discipline can be valuable to your organization.
Share employment opportunities with Vets
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Educate Yourself: Learn about veterans' issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), homelessness, and employment challenges. Understanding these issues can help you be more supportive.
There are so many educational resources 
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Offer a Ride: If you know a veteran who has trouble with transportation, offer to give them a ride to medical appointments, shopping, or other necessary errands.

Advocate for Veterans: Support policies and programs that benefit veterans. Contact your local representatives and advocate for veterans' rights and well-being.
Learn more about becoming an advocate 
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Respect Military Customs: If you're attending a military ceremony, funeral, or other event, familiarize yourself with military customs and etiquette to show respect.
Learn more about military traditions and customs 
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Whether we offer a listening ear, engage in local initiatives, or provide practical assistance, our appreciation encourages and uplifts. By standing for policies and programs prioritizing veterans' well-being, we demonstrate our commitment to caring for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. Above all, let's remember to pray for veterans and their families, asking for God's peace and blessings upon those who have served. By showing kindness and support, we reflect the love of Christ in action, honoring the sacrifices made by our veterans and embracing the opportunity to be a source of comfort and encouragement to those who have served. Thank you for your time and commitment to making a difference in the lives of veterans. 

- Torrance Church of Christ

Understanding Grace: A Fundamental Concept in Christianity Part 7: Conclusion with Quotes & Scriptures about Grace, & Overall Takeaways

Over the past 7 weeks, we’ve undergone a pilgrimage of discovery and uncovered numerous shades and hues of grace that illuminate our walk of faith. In that time, we’ve discussed Key Characteristics of Grace, established The Biblical Basis of Grace, examined  Misconceptions about Grace, toured what it means to Live a Grace-Filled Life, considered Tips for Extending Grace to Others and Self, and canvassed the Different Forms of Grace. Today, we conclude our excursion by sharing beautiful quotes and Bible verses that serve to remind us about how wonderful grace truly is. 

Quotes

"Grace is the love that cares and stoops and rescues." - John Stott
"Grace is a gift of the humble to the humiliated." - Brennan Manning
"Grace is the gift that keeps on giving." - John Ortberg

"Grace is like a good story. The characters are flawed but the plot is beautiful." - Unknown
"Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning." - Dallas Willard
"Grace is the pleasure of God to magnify the worth of God by giving sinners the right to be called sons of God." - John Piper

"Grace is the inexplicable, the unexpected, the undeserved." - John MacArthur
"Grace is that fleeting moment of solace when we embrace our flaws and accept who we are." - Unknown
"Grace is the virtue that elevates and perfects human nature." - Saint Thomas Aquinas
"Grace is the most beautiful word in the language of God." - Unknown

"Grace is not a part of God's character, it is His character." - Jerry Bridges
"Grace is not about what you have done, it is about what Jesus has done for you." - Unknown
"Grace is the hospitality that God offers us even when we have turned away." - Brian Zahnd
"Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve. Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve." - Unknown

"Grace is the only thing that can save us and the only thing that can transform us." - Max Lucado
"Grace makes beauty out of ugly things." - U2
"Grace is the power to do God's will with a smile." - R.C. Sproul

"Grace has been defined as the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul." - William Hazlitt
"Grace is not part of consciousness; it is the amount of light in our souls, not knowledge nor reason." - Pope Francis
"Grace is the absence of everything that indicates pain or difficulty, hesitation or incongruity." - William Hazlitt

"Grace is the garment of salvation." - John Chrysostom
"Grace is the antidote to everything." — Anne Lamott
"Grace is the purest of all attributes of God." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"Grace is finding a waterfall when you were only looking for a stream." - Vanessa Hunt
"Grace is the ability to let something go and let someone grow." - Mandy Hale
"Grace is the ability to go from one situation to another with calm, composure, and a smile on your face." - Joyce Meyer

"Grace is God's love in action." - John Ortberg
"Grace is the invisible hand of God that guides us along life's path." - John C. Maxwell
"Grace is the divine energy that lights our path and guides us home." - Joseph Prince
"Grace is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God." - Timothy Keller

"Grace is the love that gives without any expectation of receiving." - Joyce Meyer
"Grace is the beauty of the soul." - Saint Augustine
"Grace is the wisdom of God, an inherent part of God's divine character." - Max Lucado

"Grace is the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom." - Friedrich Schiller

Bible Verses

1 Peter 1:2: "Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
Ephesians 2:5: "made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved."
Romans 16:20: "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."

John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
Galatians 2:21: "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

Psalm 84:11: "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Romans 6:14: "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

2 Thessalonians 2:16: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope."
2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Romans 5:2: "Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 3:10: "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care."

John 1:16: "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."
Romans 5:17: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Titus 2:11: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."

2 Timothy 1:9: "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
1 Peter 4:10: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
James 4:6: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Romans 11:6: "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
Acts 20:24: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Romans 3:24: "And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Colossians 3:16: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Ephesians 1:7: "In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Ephesians 4:7: "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
1 Corinthians 1:4: "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."
John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Hebrews 12:15: "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Titus 3:7: "so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Colossians 4:6: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
2 Timothy 2:1: "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 1:13: "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."

2 John 1:3: "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love."

Concluding the Past Few Weeks

Grace encompasses kindness, forgiveness, and divine favor. It involves acts of goodwill, forgiveness, and mercy toward others, driven by empathy and compassion. As we look back on the past couple of weeks and the insights we've gained, take a moment to reflect on the profound and elaborate nature of grace. Consider how it manifests in various contexts, from divine favor to acts of kindness, and how your understanding of grace has evolved. What insights have you gained, and how might these newfound perspectives influence your outlook on life and interactions with others?

We'd love to hear your thoughts and feelings about the valuable lessons on grace that you've acquired over the past several weeks. Share your insights, experiences, and any changes you've noticed in your approach to life and interactions. Let's keep the grace-filled journey alive by engaging in ongoing self-reflection and consciously practicing it in our daily lives. Continue exploring and extending grace and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can fill the world with kindness and compassion.

Before we go, we want to share one last quote to contemplate: 

"Grace is not a theology. It is not a subject matter. It is not a doctrine. It is a person, and his name is Jesus. Grace is not about principles. It is about a person." - Joseph Prince

- Torrance Church of Christ