Denison: Advent Devotional for Monday, December 23

Dr. Jim Denison's 2013 collection of Advent devotionals is entitled, "Looking Forward to Christmas", which he describes as "a time to celebrate the Nativity, and Christians around the world look forward to the season ... The details surrounding Christ's birth are a treasured story to each of us but, to the first century population, Jesus was an unexpected gift that most didn't know how to receive. It is still difficult for some people to receive what Jesus was born to give. Maybe that is why we have a Christmas season – to help others receive the most valuable gift, a relationship with the baby in the manger ... The Denison Forum offers this Advent book to help you spend a quiet moment each day, looking forward to Christmas and remembering why the baby in the manger was God's promised Messiah.

CLICK HERE for a free copy of Dr. Denison's complete 2013 Advent Devotional (in a downloadable/printable Adobe .pdf file)

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Monday, December 23

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him
John 1:10-11

Thousands of people will line up today, hoping for a photo of their children on Santa's lap. I love watching the different reactions on the faces of the boys and girls when they catch their first close up glance of the old man in the red suit. The reaction on their parents' faces is a lot of fun as well. Parents work hard to convince their children that Santa is "coming to town!" But Santa won't be coming – Jesus will.

• read the rest of today's devotional

Prior to founding the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, James C. Denison, Ph.D., was pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church, a 10,000-member congregation in Dallas, Texas. He also pastored churches in Midland and Mansfield, Texas, and in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. He is also the the author of seven books.