New Calendar, New Possibilities There’s something about getting a calendar or planner for the new year (at least for those of us who still love having one in hand) – pretty much blank with the aroma of new possibilities. God has written all over those pages exactly what the new year holds for us; but to the human eye, He has written in invisible ink! Only as the months unfold will we see what His hand has prepared for us – and what He has permitted in our lives. One item that has been on my calendar for almost the past decade has been coordinating the IBC Devotion-Writing ministry – which has consumed a big portion of not only my calendar, but also my heart, my energy, and my focus. In the new year, that will no longer be filling in the squares on my calendar. Like me, you too may be going into the new year leaving some things behind – even some things you have loved dearly. It has been my absolute joy coordinating this ministry and writing for you – imagining we were sitting across the table from each other chatting about things of the Lord. However, some challenges in my life have made it necessary for me to acknowledge that a new chapter is unfolding. So, it is with some sadness but also with hopeful anticipation that I leave this very special chapter behind and look forward to what is yet to come. There is a scripture passage that seems to find itself on lots of Christian graduation cards; but today, I’m claiming it for myself. And I hope those of you who are also turning a page might want to claim it for yourselves. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) As long as we have breath, we have a future – perhaps a new beginning. It could be a new line of work, a family addition, a cross-country move, a new way of serving the Lord, a new creative endeavor, a fresh start. Newness is a central theme in our faith, encouraging us to move forward with confidence in the One who holds our future in His hands. Although none of us have a clue what this new year holds for us, we can be assured of one more thing: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Won’t you join me in embracing with hope, joy, and optimism the newness that lies ahead for all of us? By Judy Shrout

NEW BEGINNINGS This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. A few years ago, an insurance company released a series of funny commercials with the theme “life comes at you fast.” The gist was that because unexpected things can happen quickly, you need insurance. I will not speak to the pros and cons of various insurance products, but I wholly endorse the idea that life indeed comes at you fast. Want a quick personal example? On a shelf near me at this moment sits one of my favorite stuffed animals from when I was a kid. His name is “Ert”, and he still looks and smells like he did when I was little. My phone lies nearby, and its lock screen features the smiling face of our son and daughter-in-law’s baby boy – our first grandson. Life comes at you fast. We spend a lot of time at Christmas talking about Jesus’ birth, and in a few short months at Easter we’ll talk a lot about His death and resurrection. The rest of the year we mostly think about Jesus’ three-year ministry at the end of His life on earth, and how His teachings influence the way we should live and treat each other.  We talk very little about what Jesus was doing in the “in between” time between His birth and His public ministry. We just don’t know much about it. Luke chapter two starts with His birth, and by chapter three He’s thirty and launching His ministry. What happened in between? Was Jesus like other boys, good-naturedly shoving His buddies around before class, or inexplicably trying to jump and touch the top of every doorway? We don’t get much detail: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:52 HCSB) During this “in between” time Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, where stature isn’t simply physical presence, but also influence. Two key milestones in our lives as Christians are our spiritual birth and our physical death. In between, we should demonstrate our adoration of Jesus by following His example, to grow our own wisdom and stature. This Christmas I spent time adoring Jesus. As we enter the new year, what is one change I can make to demonstrate that adoration better to others? By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.

REJECTION This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. Do you recall the anxiety that came with “picking teams” for sports or games in elementary school? Our son has a pitiful story about a time he wasn’t picked at all. The other kids chose up teams and just started playing while he was still standing there. It’s not that he wasn’t athletic enough; they just didn’t notice him. As adults we seldom play touch football, but we experience the same rejection. Maybe some nice people at your workplace socialize outside the office and you wish just once to be invited. Or maybe within your family, even if it’s a healthy and loving one, you just somehow don’t fit. It’s painful to be rejected, and painful to witness someone you love being rejected. Simeon came to the temple to see Jesus in person, praising God for His salvation, and amazing Joseph and Mary in the process. But Simeon’s visit was not all sunshine and roses, because he also delivered a harsh truth. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed - and a sword will pierce your own soul - that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35 HCSB) Jesus would face opposition, and it would pierce Mary’s soul. But what does it mean by “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed?” A Bible commentary helped me understand it better. For some, Jesus is a stumbling stone that reveals our hearts’ imperfections: He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, He will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be snared and captured. (Isaiah 8:14-15 HCSB) But Jesus is supposed to be a cornerstone: Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable. (Isaiah 28:16 HCSB) Jesus’ divine perfection reveals my flaws, and I am sure to stumble and fall again before this day is through, but the foundational cornerstone will not be knocked aside by our failings. During Christmas season we adore and celebrate Him. This new year let’s not reject or overlook Him. Let’s stand on His foundation that won’t be shaken no matter what this year brings. By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.

WAIT. WHAT?  This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. Have you ever heard a parent say something like this? “Our school had parent-teacher conferences this week. Mrs. Jones said that Johnny is well-behaved and quiet and never has to be told twice to do something. I just looked at her and said, ‘Wait, are we talking about the same kid? Do you have me confused with another parent? That’s not how he acts at home!’” I once had the opposite experience. I got a call from the school principal wanting to talk about something bad our son did. It was unexpected and shocking to me until the principal said something along the lines of, “as we discussed after the last incident…” Because there had been no prior incident, I politely interrupted him, explained my confusion, and asked for clarification. After a few awkward moments, we realized he had dialed the phone number one row above the one he intended to call - and because our son coincidentally had the same first name as the troublemaker, neither of us realized the mistake immediately. (The poor principal was mortified; I was relieved.) Parents know more about their kids than anybody else knows, so it can be a shock when others have different opinions about them. We expect others to think of our children the way we think about them. Luke chapter two tells of a man named Simeon who knew (from the Holy Spirit) of the Messiah’s coming, so he sought out the child Jesus and His family at the temple. Upon finding Him, he proclaimed to God that he had seen God’s salvation. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. (Luke 2:33 HCSB) Wait a second. Joseph and Mary were amazed at something being said about Jesus? Hadn’t they already experienced first-hand just how unique and special He was (and would be)? Why were they amazed by this? I think there is an involuntary emotional response when a stranger reinforces something we already know about our children. If somebody I’ve never met walks up and tells me they encountered my child somehow at school or church (or now in their workplaces) and found them delightful, I’m not amazed by the facts but might be amazed by how far and wide the facts have traveled. If Mary and Joseph can be amazed by hearing about Jesus, how much more so could my friends and family be amazed by what is said about Him? Or am I saying anything at all? By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.

NOW I CAN DIE IN PEACE This week we’re in Luke 2:21-38, moving from Christmas into the New Year. In 2004 the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918. In 2016 the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1908. Stories abounded about older, lifelong, fans who had feared they might never see their beloved team win a title. They rejoiced that they got to see it happen, and some joked “Now I can die in peace!” (At least I think they were joking). Simeon was a righteous man in Jerusalem who had also been waiting expectantly for something, but he didn’t wonder if it would happen in his lifetime, because it had been promised. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And here is how it happened: Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said, “Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:27-30 HCSB)  What a remarkable moment. A faithful servant of God not only got to see the baby Jesus in person but knew who Jesus was and that He was the Messiah. He held Him in his arms and sincerely proclaimed, “Now I can die in peace.” The temptation is for us to flippantly respond by saying, “We should all be so lucky.” But luck has nothing to do with it. I see two challenges for us in this moment. First, Simeon was afforded this opportunity because he was righteous and devout. Second, he followed the Spirit’s guidance and went to the temple. God foretold many things to Joseph and Mary, but He never said, “There’s this cool old guy named Simeon. After you take Jesus to the temple, I need you to swing by his house because I promised him that in his lifetime, he’d see the Messiah.” That’s not how it worked. God’s plan for Simeon to receive the promised blessing required Simeon to not only listen to the Holy Spirit, but also to act. This Christmas season and new year let’s not make adoring Jesus a passive activity like looking at a Christmas tree or watching a favorite Christmas movie. Simeon took action to show his adoration. What actions should I take to demonstrate to others my adoration of Jesus? By Mark Stuart Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.

Hearing His Voice in the Year Ahead  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 ASV) The glow of Christmas lights still lingers, and the joyful melodies of the season echo in our minds. We have celebrated the birth of our Savior – Immanuel, God with us. But now, as the wrapping paper settles and the pace of life begins to quiet, we are invited into a deeper, quieter posture: listening. The noise of the world can make it easy to overlook the gentle voice of God. Yet Jesus Himself declared, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 ASV). The celebration of His coming is not meant to end at the manger. It continues as we learn to recognize His voice and respond with obedience. As we stand just days from a new year, God is not calling us into busyness – He is calling us into awareness. Into attentiveness. Into a readiness to hear Him in Scripture, in prayer, in quiet moments, and even in ordinary rhythms of life. Elijah discovered that God’s voice was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire – but in the gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). That same whisper calls us today. It cuts through distractions, pride, fear, and the noise of our own ambitions and resolutions. It invites us to surrender our plans and trust His. Listening begins with positioning ourselves before Him. “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9-10 NLT) is not just Samuel’s posture – it is ours for the coming year. When we listen, God gives direction. When we obey, He provides grace. When we follow, He leads us into His purpose. As you prepare to step into 2026, take these next few days to settle your spirit and tune your heart. Let the quiet after Christmas become the space where God begins to shape your path. What noise or distraction do you need to lay down so you can hear God’s voice more clearly in the coming year? By George Donkor George and his wife, Christiana, are proud parents of Annajoy and Elijah. They love serving Jesus together and showing Him to the world around them.

Whadya’ Get? It won’t be long now before most of us will be asked, “Whadya’ get for Christmas? Did you get everything on your list?” Then, we will list our gifts and perhaps share our opinions on them. Gifts are synonymous with Christmas. They have been since the beginning. In Mary’s song found in Luke’s Gospel, she shares, “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy” (Luke 1:49). God has also done great things for us as well. As we reflect post-Christmas on our gifts, let’s also reflect on the great things God has done for us: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2) You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11) If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11) God has done great things for us. The next time someone asks you,“Whadya’ get?” think about the great things God has done. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.

Christmas is for Children “Christmas is for children.” Maybe you’ve heard someone share that sentiment or that exact phrase. There’s an excitement that children bring to Christmas that adults just don’t always bring. Maybe it’s a visit from SC. Maybe it’s receiving toys and gifts from parents and families. Maybe it’s special foods, lights or being together. Children love Christmas in a way that is infectious. There is something about a child’s point of view that makes the day special. Jesus loved children and their point of view. And He wanted all of His followers to be like children. Consider the time that “Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:2-4, NIRV) Children rely on others for everything, not just on Christmas Day. They take delight in small things such as Christmas lights. Jesus wants His followers to humbly rely on Him. He wants us to take delight in Him. He wants us to remember who He is and who we are in relation to Him. Today, celebrate Jesus like a child. Remember Him. Thank Him. Find joy in Him. Christmas is for children… of all ages! By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.

Hopeful Waiting Christmas Eve seems just as magical as Christmas Day, particularly in the evening. It’s as if anything is possible and the world is awash with hope as we await the next day. The very first Christmas Eve had a different effect. True, Mary and Joseph knew what was to come or, should I say, Who was to come. But that night, Mary was very uncomfortable and Joseph was looking for a place to stay. The shepherds were bored in the field. The wisemen were watching the heavens for a sign, any sign. And the people of Israel had no idea if the Messiah would ever come. For everyone except Mary and Joseph, it was an ordinary day. No one else knew what God had planned. No one knew that the next day, His promises would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Today, as you wait for Christmas, remember that God is always at work even when we don’t know it. God may seem slow or our prayers are going unanswered. That is not the case. “Dear friends, here is one thing you must not forget. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years. And a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, he is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIRV) You see, not only does God fulfill His promises, He fulfills them at just the right time. When we fully trust in God, we know that anything is possible and we can be awash with hope as we await the fulfillment of God’s will. Trust. Hope. Watch. By LaRaine Rice LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She teaches the sixth-grade girls on Sunday morning.