2019AdventSelfControl

Welcome to Advent and Christmas at The Abbey, a six-week study that explores the season of Advent (4 weeks) and the season of Christmas (2 weeks) from a unique perspective.

While the Christmas narrative is so familiar, we often neglect to see how it is one of the most practical examples of people living out a life of faith. In it we see people trusting God not knowing the future, being asked to surrender and take steps of faith.

This study will delve a bit deeper into exploring these examples of faith during these seasons.

In creating this study we have partnered with writers and pastors from Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Cedar Springs Presbyterian, Johnson University and Emerald Youth Foundation. We are so thankful for their hard work and faithful ministries. Each writer has written a section exploring an aspect of the Christmas narrative.

Abbey Advent: Self Control Week 1 Day 1

I have always thought that Joseph was one of the most fascinating and often overlooked participants in the Christmas story. From what we can learn from history, he was older than Mary and well-liked in the community. He was a devout follower of God and longed to serve Him.

In following God he was engaged to Mary. Everything looked great and just as he had hoped. Then Mary told him she was pregnant, and that the baby was from God and going to be the Messiah.

And just like that, his dream shattered.

Britton SharpDecember 1, 2019

Abbey Advent: Self Control (Introduction)

We probably think about self-control in the context of the Advent and Christmas seasons in regards to eating and spending. However as we sit down to dig a bit deeper into this very familiar story, we see some incredible examples of ordinary people like you and me, trusting God to produce and provide self-control in their lives and the situations they are facing.

Britton SharpNovember 30, 2019