DECEMBER THEME — FROM CHRISTMAS TO CALVARY – The Story Love Wrote

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

This morning we moved from the promise of the prophecy to the message of the manger—from Eden’s first whisper of hope to Bethlehem’s first cry of grace. Throughout Scripture, God has preached some of His greatest sermons through simple, silent things: the burning bush declaring holy ground, the ark declaring grace, Jacob’s stone pillow declaring God’s nearness, manna declaring daily dependence, the potter’s wheel declaring restoration, the cross declaring redeeming love, and the empty tomb declaring victory. Creation has always been God’s pulpit, and He still preaches today through hospital rooms where tears fall and kitchen tables where families seek Him. But at the center of all these sermons stands the manger—a rough, forgotten feeding trough that became a pulpit of grace. For over 2,000 years, the manger has preached that the King of glory chose the lowest place to reach the lowest hearts. It proclaims that no one is too far, too broken, or too ashamed for Jesus to enter their story. It reminds us that God bypasses the doors of pride and steps into humble, hidden places where His glory loves to dwell. The manger declares that Christ is not hard to reach—He came down so we could draw near. And if God can preach through wood and straw, He can preach through your darkest valley, your hardest season, and your most empty place. Bring Him your nothing, and watch Him turn it into glory.

GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.

Friends, would you help me pray today about giving a gift that not only gives—but keeps on giving long after Christmas is past? Every marriage—whether thriving, steady, or quietly struggling—needs regular moments to realign, refocus, and place Christ back at the center. Even strong couples can benefit from a spiritual “checkup,” a fresh reminder of grace, communication, forgiveness, and unity. If the Lord brings a couple to your mind—whether they’re in crisis or simply want to grow stronger—consider sharing this Christ-centered tool with them: 31-Day Reset for Struggling Marriagesby Pastor Counselor Nolan Jackson.It’s a gift that strengthens hearts, restores hope, and builds marriages that last.

1

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

MAKE PEACE BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” — Romans 12:18

When Christmas Reveals What’s Still Broken

Christmas exposes unresolved tension. Some people dread gatherings because of unspoken hurt, old misunderstandings, or strained relationships that never healed. You can give gifts wrapped in bows while carrying a heart wrapped in bitterness. Maybe a brother hasn’t called in months. Maybe a friend drifted after a painful conversation. Maybe the distance isn’t outright anger—it’s awkwardness that hardened into silence. Your phone has numbers you scroll past because your heart tightens when you see their name. God may be nudging you to make peace—not because they’ve earned it, but because Christ made peace with you first at the cross.

What Peacemaking Is (and Is Not)

Peacemaking doesn’t always mean full reconciliation—but it always means a willing heart. “As much as lieth in you” means you do what you can, with what you have, before God, whether or not the other person responds the way you hope. Sometimes peace is a long conversation with tears; sometimes it’s a short message that says, “I’m sorry for my part,” or “I love you, and I don’t want this wall between us.” You may not feel ready, but obedience often walks ahead of feelings and lets God catch your emotions up later. You release them from your courtroom and place them in God’s—not excusing sin, but refusing to let it poison your own soul another year.

Peace as a Christmas Offering to Jesus

Imagine standing at the manger this Christmas with your worship in one hand and your grudge in the other. Which one looks more like Jesus? The One who came as a Child was also the One who stretched out His arms and prayed, “Father, forgive them.” When you take the first step toward peace, you are quietly saying, “Lord, I want to love like You loved me—freely, undeservedly, and first.” Maybe it’s asking forgiveness from a family member, or softening your tone with an ex-spouse you co-parent with, or simply choosing not to bring up that painful topic again at Christmas dinner. Making peace becomes your gift to Jesus—a living reflection of the Gospel you say you believe.

Prayer: Father, soften my heart where it has grown tight, guarded, or wounded. Give me the humility to take the first step and the courage to obey Your voice, even if fear whispers that it won’t matter. Heal what I cannot fix, restore what only You can mend, and let the peace that Christ brought into the world be born in me today.
Help me release bitterness, forgive freely, and walk in Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge: Before midnight tonight, send one message of peace—a text, a voice memo, or a handwritten note that says: “I don’t want this year to end with distance between us.” This Christmas, be a peacemaker.

WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Sara Lynn Miller

Betty Hammock

Brando Echarte

Cheryl Knight’s Brother

Debbie Foskey 

Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David

Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards

Gloria Young

Jake Jenkins

June Cronan

Louise Jackson – Richard’s Sister – Home

Jean Partee’s Sister

Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda

Deon Lotter

Doris Loyd

Nancy Brown

Amy Garner’s Dad

Annette Ford

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sisters

Ann Stanley  

Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers

Danny Jarrard   

Darlene Wiggins

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

Linda Alexander 

James Burnette

Jessica Headrick  

John McClain’s Mother

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda 

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher