Christmas can be as dark as the shortened days outside our window. We want the hope and joy of the holidays, but good luck finding it amidst all the hurt and noise screaming for our attention. What if there is hope to be found, but we just haven’t seen it yet? Today Kyle takes us on a journey through time, space, and an angel’s perspective to see if maybe the reason why we can’t find hope is because we’re looking at the wrong time.

We all know the Christmas story—Jesus, Mary, the manger, some shepherds, and so on. But what if we told you that the Christmas story started way earlier than that nativity scene? Turns out that we aren’t the only ones waiting for Christmas. Join us today as Chuck talks about the good things we can find in the waiting.

__Weekend Follow-Up Questions:__

__1)__ What would be your ideal food-infused advent calendar? Did that cheese and wine one sound good, or would you design something different?

__2)__ It’s easy to live in the “in-between” (*the space between a desire and its fulfillment*). What in-between spaces have you been living in, and how have those spaces affected your level of hope?

__3)__ Read [Romans 15:14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+15%3A14&version=ESV). What are you basing your hope in this holiday season? Is it something you need to be disillusioned of?

__4)__ Read [Isaiah 9:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+9%3A3&version=ESV). What steps can you take this week to find hope in the dark like Isaiah and Desmond Tutu this week? Is it a prayer walk like the one Chuck described? Something else?

__5)__ Now close your time in prayer. Here’s an example: “*Fear, we know you have power, grief we know you have power, division we know you have power, darkness we acknowledge your strength but we know our God is stronger. Jesus, deliver us from the midst of our struggles. Thank you for helping us dance in the dark. Amen.*”

__More from the weekend:__

Read [John 1:14](https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A14&version=ESV). At Crossroads we’re about the power of God who transforms lives. Everyday we’re getting outside ourselves trying to make a difference in the world. One way we do this is partnering with organizations who literally are changing the world everyday. If you want to jump in and start giving risk free, you can try the 90 day tithe test [here](https://www.crossroads.net/tithetest/).

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A Promise of Peace

Isaiah | A Promise of Peace Week 1 - Live Service

Did you know that Jesus wasn’t the only miracle baby in the Christmas story? Today we’re going to tell the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth—a couple who were too old and barren to have a kid, at least until God showed up and did something incredible. Join us as Brian tells the story of how God’s goodness showed up in the least likely of places.

__Weekend Follow-Up Questions:__

__1)__ What’s a gift you waited a long time for and how did you feel when you received it?

__2)__ Often, discontent can rob us of peace. What part of your life do you not like right now? Share where you need more peace in that space.

__3)__ Brian shared a story about finding peace by sitting in the presence of God and believing His promises even after his house burned down and he lost everything. How do you feel you can find peace regardless of your circumstances (or have already found it)?

__4)__ Read [John 14:23](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+14%3A23&version=ESV). In what part of your life can you be counter-culturally obedient to God this week, and find supernatural peace? 

__5)__ Now close your time in prayer. Here’s an example: “Lord, thank you so much for providing peace that surpasses all understanding. Please give us the faith to receive your peace, to not allow our circumstances to steal it from us. We know you are good, remind us. Amen.”

__More from the weekend:__

Read [John 1:14](https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A14&version=ESV). At Crossroads we’re about the power of God who transforms lives. Everyday we’re getting outside ourselves trying to make a difference in the world. One way we do this is partnering with organizations who literally are changing the world everyday. If you want to jump in and start giving risk free, you can try the 90 day tithe test [here](https://www.crossroads.net/tithetest/).

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Zechariah | A Promise of Peace Week 2 - Live Service

Join us as Greg McElfresh, the Oakley Community Pastor, takes a look at the story of the innkeeper.  We will evaluate the clutter in our own lives to see how we might actually prepare Him room in these weeks leading up to Christmas.  

Gabriel | A Promise of Peace Week 3

Gabriel | A Promise of Peace Week 3

Prayer

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