This past Sunday marked the last Sunday of Advent - the four-week period leading up to Christmas that is a season where we reflect and wait on the birth of Jesus Christ.
Each week, we’re sharing a special message about fulfilling God’s hope for the Christmas season in your personal life. We’ll be hearing from some recognizable faces including Jesse Hutch, Karen Abercrombie, Lucas Black and Danica McKellar.
Subscribe to the Great American Pure Flix Insider newsletter for the latest faith & entertainment news
We’ll be adding each week’s new devotional to this list, giving you more to contemplate on, including Bible verses and questions to ponder in addition to the message we hear from members of our Great American talent.
Advent Week 4: Pray About Everything
Great American actress Danica McKellar shares her Christmas wish for everyone this holiday season is to know the love and the joy that comes from having a relationship with God.
"It is summed up so perfectly for me, this joy, in Phillipians four, six and seven," McKellar details.
How many of us find ourselves worrying about everything, especially as we enter the holiday season? We busy ourselves so much that we worry and worry about every little thing on our to-do list. This Bible verse shared by McKellar reminds us that this season isn't about doing more, spending more or being more, but about spending time with God and the baby Jesus.
Read Also: 14 Christian Movies About God & Faith
How are you able to stop yourself from worrying about everything and instead praying about it all? Maybe it's simply taking five minutes each day to pause and sit in silence with God, or reading His word first thing in the morning. Maybe it's finding one way to share the Gospel each day. Whatever it is, we pray that it brings you closer to God and more joy - not worry - this holiday season.
Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Movies to Watch
If you're looking for movies that talk about not worrying and trusting in God, stream "A Thousand Tomorrows," "Birthright: Outlaw," and "Sun Moon," all exclusively streaming right here on Great American Pure Flix. Not a member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial.
Advent Week 3: Forgiveness and Peace
New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury talks about the need for forgiveness in our relationship and how to spread God's peace through our own lives.
"Forgiveness can't happen unless peace fills our heart," Kingsbury says.
As we get closer to the Christmas season, we need to ask ourselves if there's peace or regret and anxiety filling our hearts. God calls us to be peacemakers, to be the one who extends the olive branch to others. Just like God gives each of us grace, we must extend that grace to others, even those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:12-14 NIV).
Reflect on where in your heart you still need peace and healing. Who do you need to forgive in order to fully know and embrace the peace of Christ? Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal this to you, then pray for the courage to forgive them this Christmas season.
Read Also: 5 Healing Prayers for Forgiveness
Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Movies to Watch
If you're looking for movies and shows to watch about forgiveness and peace, watch "Moonrise," "God's Country Song," "A Thousand Tomorrows," "Saved By Grace," or "Going Home" all exclusively streaming on Great American Pure Flix. Not a member? Sign up for a free 7-day trial.
Advent Week 2: Most Incredible Example of Sacrificial Love
Lucas Black talks about God sending His only Son to earth shows us how much we mean to Him - how much He truly loves us. God sacrificed His only Son to save us from our sins and be able to be reunited with Him again in heaven. How are you showing God gratitude and praise for His endless love and mercy this advent?
God's act of sending us His son and allowing Him to die for our sins is the ultimate act of sacrificial love and an example we're called to follow. How can you show sacrificial love to your spouse, family, friends and local community? Choose one sacrifice this week to do in honor of showing someone your love for them. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to find that one sacrifice to do this week.
Read Also: 'God's in Control': Actor Lucas Black Opens Up about Time in Hollywood & Return to the Small Screen
Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
John 1:14 (NIV)
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.
Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
Movies to Watch
Great American Pure Flix has a ton of movies about God, faith and His endless love and mercy. For movies about sacrificial love. stream our favorites such as "Birthright Outlaw," "Legacy Peak," and the Original series "Karen Kingsbury's A Thousand Tomorrows."
Advent Week 1: Helping Those Around You With Jesse Hutch
“For me, the Christmas spirit is actually belief in Jesus Christ in Scripture. So during the holiday season, that's, in our family, just another reason for us to focus not on ourselves but on others. … Christmas is always a reminder of helping those around you,” Jesse Hutch shares.
Jesse expanded on this idea by teaching his children how “to shift our personal outlook from a self-centeredness to an outward view.”
The worldview of Christmas can skew us into thinking it’s all about us. Whether that’s getting the ‘right’ present for everyone, having a long list of presents we ourselves want to receive, making sure our schedules are packed with holiday activities and traditions or decorating our homes to look like they could be straight out of a holiday magazine.
Read Also: 'I Follow Jesus': Get to Know Great American Family Star Jesse Hutch
But Jesus asks us to take time out of our busy schedule and family time this holiday season to serve His people. He desires that we give to others more, not receive more for ourselves. How can you give more this holiday season? Who do you know in your life or local community that is in need of some Christmas hope and joy that you can serve? Pray about it and then take action, just like Jesse and his family are doing.
Bible Verses to Reflect Upon
Acts 20:35 (NIV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Read Also: Inspire Giving & Serving Others with These Great American Pure Flix Movies
Movies to Watch
Looking for movies to inspire serving and giving others? Here's a full list of movies you can stream today on Great American Pure Flix that are all about giving and serving others. Some of our personal favorites include "Divine Influencer," "5000 Blankets," and "A Christmas Blessing."
Stay tuned for next week's video devotional! Or get it emailed straight to your inbox by subscribing to the Great American Pure Flix Insider weekly newsletter.
COMMENTS