Christmas is all about God coming to be with us through the birth of Christ, but what about the cross? How are the two connected? Do we take time to consider the cross when we celebrate the cradle?

When we think about Christmas there are likely many symbolic things that come to mind. What about the cradle? Have you ever considered what it represents? How might the gifts of the cradle influence the way we live, celebrate, and worship God today?

The Advent season gives us a chance to focus on all the gifts that God has given to us, starting with creation. Have you thought about the gift that creation truly is? Does it lead your heart to want to worship this amazing gift-giver?

We are continually learning or being taught by someone or something. Which then influences what we pass along to others in our lives. Who are you looking to as your teacher and what kind of teacher is that making you?

Do our lives reflect the grace we say we believe? Does grace shine through in what we say and how we say it, what we do and how we do it?

What role does grace play in our lives? Are we reminding ourselves of its power and ability to help us live in this present age? Are we passionate about good works, to express the joy we have because of the grace we've encountered?

The gospel's good name is maintained by the conduct of those who claim it. Man or woman, young or old, slave or free, are we living in such a way that our lives display the gospel's truth and beauty?