Advent

Pastoral Messages

Pastor Jeff Lucas launches our 2022 Advent series where we will be reflecting on four different Christmas carols each week leading up to Christmas, the first being "Hark the Herald." Pastor Jeff introduces the season of Advent, talking about how it is a season of preparing for Jesus' coming. Watch the full message and learn about the heart of the season of Advent by watching the full sermon here.

Pastor Josh McGinley speaks on the popular Christmas carol, "O Holy Night", in our second weekend of 2022's Advent series. Advent is such a wonderful time of preparation and celebration of the coming of the King of kings and also looking forward to His second coming! There is a powerful line in the first chorus of "O Holy Night" that calls us to “Fall on your knees,” and this is the posture of advent. A posture of worship and humility before the King of kings! Watch the full message here.

Pastor John Mehl starts Windsor's Advent series reflecting on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." More than just looking at the lyrics of the carols, Pastor John beings to look at the Scriptural basis for each of the great proclamations and celebrations of each carol featured in the Advent series. Watch the full message right here.

The great carol, O Holy Night, has quite the history of its development and appearances throughout history. In many ways, this is a microcosm of the ways in which the mighty, miraculous works of the Lord come and meet us in our weary world – just like the very first Christmas. “For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” Watch the full message from Pastor Donny Abbott here.

For a song that is sung every year at Christmas time, do you know the story behind "Silent Night"? Watch the full message from Pastor Dary to learn more here.

Each of us have a choice to make about the coming of Jesus. Will we accept him for who he truly is? Will we allow ourselves to welcome peace with God? Explore the miracle of the divine interruption into the silent night and explore those questions in your heart. Watch the full message from Pastor John Mehl here.

Worship Videos

Enjoy this original take on the Christmas classic "Go, Tell It On The Mountain" sung by Ashley Helmuth, featuring Ryan Jenson on guitar. We hope it blesses you! Watch the video here.

Watch our latest worship video by our very own Matt and Mandy Potts, "Joseph's Lullaby," written by MercyMe. We hope you enjoy this special Christmas reflection of the birth of our Savior. Watch the video here.

Written by Charles Wesley in the mid-1700s, “Hark the Herald” was just one of thousands of hymns penned by Wesley with the intention of bringing the gospel to poor and illiterate people in a way they could understand. Following the structure of the original poem, a colleague of Wesley’s, George Whitefield, added the phrase “newborn king” and turned the song into what it has become today — a staple of praise during the holidays. Boldly proclaim "Glory to the King!" with us as you watch the full video here on YouTube.

With a few tweaks to the lyrics over the years, the English version of “O Holy Night” became the global favorite and has moved audiences and hearts every Christmas season since. To continue the tradition, we pause to share this song as a gift to you. May we sing together, reflecting on the night of our Savior’s birth. Let all within us praise His holy name! Watch the full video here on YouTube.

Silent Night is a global treasure, cherished as an inspiring Christmas carol by diverse audiences around the world. When we sing this carol, we not only continue a special Christmas tradition, but we add our voices to the multitudes who have professed before us: “Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at Thy birth.” Enjoy the full video on YouTube.

“Joy to the World,” sung faithfully during the Christmas season, was shockingly composed without any intention of being linked to Christmas. It began as a simple verse that didn’t form into a complete song until over 100 years later. As you sing, rejoice in the Savior’s birth, and join us in preparing our hearts in faithful expectation of Jesus. Rejoice and sing with the full video on YouTube.

As an early Christmas gift from us to you, here is a video of a Timberline rendition of "O Holy Night" featuring Mandy and Abby, our incredibly talented singer and violinist. You can enjoy this full Christmas video of a centuries-old carol here.

As seen in our Christmas Eve service from 2021, here is our version of "O Come Let Us Adore Him." An extra special thank you to Gracen, the talented singer in this special song. Enjoy the Christmas spirit of the full video here.

"The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."

John 1:9

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"

Luke 2:8-14

"Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:1

Books

Treasuring God in Our Traditions, by Noël Piper

God is the treasure of our lives. He is part of everything we do, think, act, and say-literally, he is a part of us. This precious heirloom of Christ himself must be passed on to future generations. But how? Treasuring God in Our Traditions presents the importance of passing along Christ-centered traditions and a Bible-saturated legacy in Christ to future generations. The book is available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback by clicking here.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas, by Ann Voskamp

Person by person, story by story, retrace the lineage of Jesus. Fall in love with Him all over again as you experience God’s plan of salvation for us―from the Garden of Eden to the manger and beyond. The book is available on Amazon in hardcover by clicking here.

In the Manger: 25 Inspirational Selections for Advent, by Max Lucado

Though the bright lights of Christmas glitter briefly, the message of the season lasts forever--the Word becomes flesh, and the Creator becomes the creation. Join pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado as he invites you to bear witness to the birth of Christ as you've never seen it before. The book is available on Amazon in hardcover and ebook by clicking here.

Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always, by Ruth Chou Simons

Christmas Day is not the end of our celebrations, but the beginning! Emmanuel is an invitation to rejoice in the everlasting fellowship and hope God extended to us on the day of His Son’s birth, guiding us to realize that having God with us all year long is Christmas’s most incredible gift. The book is available on Amazon in hardcover by clicking here.

Blogs

O Night Divine, by Donny Abbott

Did you know "O Holy Night" has a powerful history relating to war and Christmas Eve? Read the full article right here on our website by clicking here.

Voices of the First World War: The Christmas Truce, by Imperial War Museums

In his "O Holy Night" message for our 2022 Advent series, Pastor Donny Abbott referenced a Christmas Eve phenomenon when soldiers — in the midst of war — began to sing Christmas carols, including "O Holy Night," resulting in a temporary truce. Listen to the audio and read more about the once-in-a-lifetime wartime occurrence by clicking here.

Spotify Playlists

Our Timberline Children's Ministry team has put together an incredible Christmas Songs of Worship playlist for you to play throughout the house during this special time of year. We hope these songs help you reflect on the true reason for the season and bring you and your family together into a place of worship toward God. Listen to the full playlist by clicking here.

Bake some cookies, decorate your tree, and turn on our CHRISTMAS in Timberkids playlist to fill you with joy during the Advent season. Listen to the full playlist here on Spotify.

Articles/Books

We have been lucky enough to partner with Parent Cue and are able to provide you with these incredible resources for you to navigate the Advent season as a family!

The Only Thing Your Kids Need For Christmas, by Leah Jennings

One aspect of Christmas that Leah Jennings focuses on is this truth: your kids won't remember what they received for Christmas, they'll remember how they felt. As you read the article, reflect with Jennings on how to create a Christmas season that is memorable, fruitful, and intentional for you and your family. Read the full article on Parent Cue by clicking here.

A Christmas Prayer, by Amy Parker

Offer a prayer of thanks this holiday season for all the people, animals, and angels who helped welcome Jesus to earth in the true Christmas story. A Christmas Prayer by bestselling author Amy Parker is a padded board book that children will love to carry along with them. The book is available in our Timberline Café and Bookstore at our Timberline Road campus or on Amazon by clicking here.

The Newly-Single Parent Holiday Guide, by Holly Crawshaw

The holidays can be a difficult time, especially during a tough transitional period in a relationship. Holly Crawshaw gives applicable, realistic ways to cope with the holiday season, even if you are still in a period of grieving. Read the full article on Parent Cue by clicking here.

How to Find Joy in the Midst of Chaos, by Parent Cue

Read about the difference between joy and happiness and how you can find optimism even in sad or difficult times, like the holidays. Find the full article on Parent Cue by clicking here.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Fewer Gifts This Christmas, by Parent Cue

The Christmas season can be a difficult time of year, especially when financial stressors are at the forefront of your mind. Parent Cue shines a light on this difficult position and how you can healthily prepare your children while still having a joyful and fulfilling Christmas. Read the full article on Parent Cue by clicking here.

In-Person Resources at Timberline Fort Collins

Stopping by Timberline during our Advent series or Christmas Eve services? Be sure to check out our Parent Resource Wall in our Timberkids area for more resources to understand and enjoy Advent as a family!

Spotify Playlists

Christmas Spirit

We've put together a Christmas playlist to help you get in the spirit while reflecting on the Advent season and Christ's goodness! Listen to the four foundational Christmas carols we've based our Advent series around, as well as other Christmas music to help you worship the Lord in His season. Listen to the full playlist by clicking here.

Christmas Devo Music

Our Timberline Women's Ministry put together a playlist as they followed a devotional throughout the Advent season. Listen to the full playlist and reflect on the Advent and Christmas spirit by clicking here.