Devotions
While there’s a world full of incredible, biblically sound devotionals, there’s something special about a shared experience with those you attend church with. At DCC we want to provide a resource for anyone interested in investing in time with the Lord that they can discuss with others who attend DCC or frequent our website. Devotions are provided during Advent each year, and during the year as special needs arise.
Advent 2025: Devotional for Sunday, December 7 - Share the Magic
December 7, 2025
Walking into a home filled with the smell of a turkey roasting in the oven, tamales steaming, gingerbread cooking, the woody fresh fragrance of a freshly cut lodgepole pine, or the smoky smell of a fire in the woodstove can take us right back to memories and times we treasure. Each scent can trigger a story or memory – recipes passed down, favorite tunes playing in the background or sung around the piano, worn hands working to make the days special as they care for us or wrap a present, words read from a well-handled leather Bible.<br><br> God’s ways of linking our thoughts to simple things like a scent can be magical. Hopefully the memories triggered are sweet ones that anchor us to our faith and our family. Some of us carry harder stories, and Christmas can sting. God knows.<br><br> Ecclesiastes 3:11 says how God has made everything beautiful in its time, and He has planted eternity in our hearts. Yet no one of us can fully grasp what God is doing from beginning to end. While we may not understand the gifts God gives us, I love that he has created us with curiosity to know more, to keep reaching for more of Him. This holiday season don’t lose the wonder, remember the magic. Let the smells, the songs, the stories, and the memories of our faith and family remind you that Jesus stepped into every culture, every kitchen, every broken and beautiful life of ours and those sitting next to us in the church pew.<br><br> He is still making all things new. So bring your recipe, your memory, bring your hurt or your joy, and set an extra place at the table.<br><br> Kathy Jo Pfeifer
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Saturday, December 6 - Somewhere
December 6, 2025
Somewhere tonight, a candle burns in a cold room. Someone is wrapping their arms around themselves for warmth. Someone wishes that they had the comfort we often take for granted, like family, laughter, joy, and a safe place to rest. As Christmas lights begin to glow bright in our town and neighborhoods, it’s easy to overlook the blessings we enjoy. We should be grateful to God who provides good gifts and honor him.<br><br> Somewhere there’s a heart that’s heavy. Somewhere a prayer is being whispered through tears, and somewhere someone is asking God for the very things we already have.<br><br> This season reminds us that comfort doesn’t mean being complacent. The season is meant to make us compassionate towards those who have less. The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Our blessings should be invitations to pray, to give, and to help someone’s story with the love of Jesus.<br><br> As we celebrate the birth and coming of our Savior, let us pause and ask: Who can I help, who can I bless, who can I pray for? There’s someone who has nothing and someone that God has not forgotten.<br><br> Somewhere right now, hope is waiting to be delivered, maybe through us.<br><br> We pray that the Lord will make us grateful, make us aware, and make us generous this Christmas season.<br><br> Steve Miller<br> Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Devotional for Friday, December 5 - The Light of Advent
December 5, 2025
When we switch our clocks to standard time at the beginning of November, there is a stark transition in which we find ourselves in early darkness that seems to creep in too soon, and makes us wonder if we should eat dinner at 4:30! Light and radiance are good things, and during the 400 years of prophetic silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament, the wait for the light and radiance of a savior continued.<br><br> When we celebrate Christmas, it’s filled with twinkling lights and candles shining in our homes through the darker days of the year to remind us that the Light of the World is coming. The early darkness of December is filled with glowing color and sparkle – the light piercing through the night on the houses and trees. Maybe instead of thinking about which houses did a good job decorating for the celebration, I should contemplate just how much light came into the world on that day so long ago.<br><br> I grew up in a tiny little town about 20 miles outside of Chicago. As early as I can remember, the whole town prepared for Christmas Eve by going to the hardware store and purchasing kits for the Luminaria that would be lit precisely at 6:00 on the 24th. Our whole village would come alive all at once with streets illuminated with candles in bags – a tradition some say to light the way for the Christ child’s arrival. I prefer to think of it as the arrival of Jesus Christ, suddenly cracking the darkness with the brilliant light of His presence.<br><br> “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12<br><br> Lynne Tarras<br> Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Devotional for Thursday, December 4 - The Shepherds’ Wonder, Our Anticipation
December 4, 2025
The small group gathered close, rumors and whisperings moving softly through the air. Those huddled in the dim room carried the same scent as their surroundings—hay, grain, and the dust and dander of nearby animals. The packed mixture of dirt and livestock dung, swept out morning and evening, left familiar smells that no one even noticed anymore.<br><br> But what drew them there was anything but ordinary. They were gathered for the arrival of the King—the Creator, the Messiah, the Hope of the world. Angels had announced His birth not to the powerful, but to the humble: shepherds in the fields who were suddenly surrounded by heavenly glory that flooded them with joy, peace, hope, and love. Compelled by the message, they hurried to see Him for themselves—a newborn lying in a manger, wrapped in cloths, with Mary and Joseph nearby, treasuring every moment in their hearts.<br><br> The shepherds eventually returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God, sharing with everyone they met the wonders they had seen and heard.<br><br> Israel had waited generation upon generation for this moment—the coming of Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.<br><br> And as we now look forward to His return, we too should be filled with joy, peace, hope, and love—not sparked by a chorus of angels, but stirred within us by the heavenly presence of the Holy Spirit.<br><br> Jim Anderson<br> Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Wednesday, December 3 - A Special Kind of Waiting
December 3, 2025
Advent is a special season of waiting. Not the hard kind – like waiting in a long line – but joyful waiting. Joyful waiting because we know what is coming.<br><br> All throughout scripture, God promised the same message: "I will send a Savior." When the time was just right, God kept that promise through the birth of Jesus.<br><br> Imagine the darkest night you've ever experienced. So dark you can't see your hand in front of you. Then someone lights a single candle, and suddenly you can see! That's what Jesus did when he came into the world. Jesus is that great Light. He came to bring Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to every person trusting in him. (Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." )<br><br> As we count down to Christmas, we remember that Jesus did not stay a baby in the manger - He grew up to rescue us from sin and restore our relationship with God. Advent helps our hearts slow down, look up, and remember that God always keeps his promises. This week, take time to notice "light moments" with your family. Moments where you see kindness, forgiveness, joy, or peace. Each one reminds us that the light of the world has come and continues to shine brightly.<br><br> Rachael Tapper<br> Children’s Ministry Director
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Tuesday, December 2 - A Season to Recognize the Gift We’ve Received
December 2, 2025
As Advent approaches and the pace of life hopefully slows for each of us, I’ve found myself reminiscing through family photos, reflecting on life and on the joy those memories created.<br><br> Now that my daughters are older, the anticipation of them coming home for the holidays brings a different kind of joy, one rooted in appreciation and the awareness of the importance of time with family and friends. Their return reminds me of why we pause to celebrate.<br><br> Advent is not only about reflecting; it’s about recognizing the incredible gift we receive through the grace of Jesus, a gift that shapes our lives and prepares us for the challenges we will face throughout the year. A gift that will someday unite us with our Lord and Savior.<br><br> Brett Confer<br> Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Monday, December 1 - Have you ever considered Christmas from Mary’s perspective?
December 1, 2025
Every year, as the Christmas season approaches, we remember the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. But have you ever paused to consider the incredible journey from Mary’s perspective?<br><br> Imagine being a young woman, visited by an angel who brings unthinkable news: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”<br><br> For nine months, Mary carried not only a child but the hope of the world. Each day brought new challenges—traveling to Bethlehem while pregnant, finding no room at the inn, and giving birth in humble circumstances. Yet, through it all, Mary remained steadfast, knowing she was part of God’s promise of salvation.<br><br> On that holy night, Mary welcomed her son into the world. She cradled Jesus in her arms, marveling at the miracle before her. What awe she must have felt, realizing the hope and love her child would bring to all people.<br><br> As Mary gazed upon her newborn, she may have whispered prayers of gratitude and longing. She trusted the One who had chosen her, knowing that her child would change the world. Through joy, uncertainty, and wonder, Mary teaches us to respond to God’s call with open hearts and unwavering faith.<br><br> Merry Christmas!<br><br> Michele Thompson<br>Elder
READ MOREAdvent 2025: Sunday, November 30 - Taking TIME for Advent Reflections
November 30, 2025
There are many different ideas about Advent and what it means to us as Christians. Perhaps we need TIME to reflect on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s coming. Advent should be a season of joyful preparation, a season of great hope, a celebration of peace that only Jesus brings, a time to open our hearts in appreciation of God’s love for us in the gift of His son. These things help us center on the true spirit of Christmas. Focusing on what Advent really means can help us clear everything in our way that distracts us from Jesus’ coming past, present, and future!<br><br> Our Missions Committee recently took TIME to handwrite personal notes; words of hope, love, and encouragement, thanking each of the DCC-supported missions/missionaries for all they are doing to share the love and hope of Jesus around the world. One card (from The WORD of Christmas) offered reflections for the gift of TIME:<br><br> “Somewhere in the flurry of the season, may we find<br> TIME TO DREAM About that Blessed Holy Night that changed the world…<br> TIME TO WONDER About the Awesomeness of the day He comes again…<br> TIME TO REMEMBER The truths He taught and everything he has done for us…<br> TIME TO GIVE THANKS WITH ALL OUR HEARTS<br> That GOD so loved the world… John 3:16”<br><br> Wishing you the GIFT of TIME to share with HIM at CHRISTMAS and all through a Blessed New Year. AMEN<br><br> Cindi McDonald<br> Elder & Missions Committee Chair
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