The High Point of Grace: Recent Episodes
Dr. Brandon Pardekooper
In this 25-day devotional, experience Christmas through the eyes of those who lived it. You will take a journey through the Christmas season with a refreshing and insightful perspective as you meet the characters of the Biblical story and go deeper into what their experience would have been like. You will want to make this devotional a Christmas tradition to share with the whole family.
Israel was in captivity. Jerusalem was in shambles. Judah waited to be conquered. All hope had been lost.
That's when Isaiah wrote the words that foretold the coming of Immanuel. A King would be born who would restore hope to his people. Isaiah's reality didn't reflect the promise the Lord spoke to Him, but Isaiah chose to believe in the promise rather than his circumstances.
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There isn't much more to say at this point. It's Christmas and all the wonderfulness of the day is upon us.
Have fun, enjoy yourself.
Focus on loved ones.
Celebrate Jesus.
Accept his gift of love, grace, mercy, and acceptance.
You will hear from me again in the near future, but for now, enjoy this last episode and have a wonderful holiday!
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Can you believe that we have made it here? Christmas Eve is here and tomorrow is Christmas. Arguably the best day of the year.
Over the last few weeks, we have walked through this Christmas devotional together exploring the various characters we see in the scriptures and a few who may be just beyond the sight of the words we see in our Bibles.
We have watched as some struggled, some rejoiced, some protected, and others pondered. Part of the reason we have done this is because Christmas brings with it a variety of emotions and responses, and I think that is okay.
Throughout his whole ministry and even today, Jesus creates a range of emotions in people, and he is okay with that. What is important is that we take the time to look at him, in his eyes, and deal with his presence.
So, today, as you get all the final details put together for the big day tomorrow, keep in mind that a baby in a manger who was born over 2000 years ago to a young couple in a stable on a silent night, is calling to you today. He isn't yelling, but instead, he whispers in his strong, loving voice.
He is trying to get your attention, and in the next 48 hours, you will be more aware of his presence than the rest of the year. Take a moment and look him in the eyes. Bring all your emotions to him...his shoulders are big enough to handle it and allow his grace and love to surround you.
Enjoy your Christmas Eve, take time to observe the calm before the storm, and get ready for the most wonderful day of the year!!!
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I can't believe we are so close. Needless to say, if you haven't finished your shopping yet (like me) you're in trouble. I know I am going to have to fight the crowds to secure those last couple of gifts. But, it is all worth it to see those happy smiles and excited faces.
It is so wonderful when you have that moment of satisfaction at the end of a long journey, or difficult challenge, or endless planning. That release within your mind and body when you have arrived at the end of whatever journey you have been on.
I can only imagine what it would have been like for the Wisemen when they finally arrived at Jesus' home and were able to see their journey come to an end. I am sure they felt excited, satisfied, and maybe even a little sad that it was all over.
We are coming to the end of the journey. Only a couple more days. And, even though it will be Christmas and exciting, our daily moments together will come to an end.
My hope is that you will feel satisfied, excited, and maybe a little sad it will be over. But, I have some thoughts on how you can have this experience again for years to come. More on that in the future.
Today, enjoy's episode as we see the Wisemen's part in this tale come to an end.
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Ever been on a long trip and felt so relieved when you finally arrived? But have you ever been in a situation where then you realized you were in the wrong place, or your hotel reservation was at the hotel across town? You packed back up and continued the journey you thought you had already completed.
Then, when you finally arrive, get into that hotel room, your relief is almost overwhelming.
So, imagine how the wise men felt when they walked out of the King's palace and were disappointed by their encounter with King Herod. They thought they had arrived only to discover they were in the wrong location.
Would you have climbed back up on that camel and continued your journey? :)
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We are in the final stretches of the Christmas season. Just a few days away and it will be time for the presents to be unwrapped, the big Christmas meal, and whatever fun traditions you have or create.
Every Christmas morning we start the day by reading the Luke passages of the Bible and beginning the day with the boys focusing our attention on Jesus coming to earth to save his people. Even though it is hard to break through the excitement the boys have for opening presents to get them to focus on the story, we feel it is important to remind them right away on Christmas morning that presents are a result of the Baby Jesus coming, not a separate aspect of Christmas.
I hope you have some wonderful traditions you use to keep your focus on Jesus on Christmas, and if not, I want to encourage you to create some this year.
I hope today's episode is an encouragement to you that you don't have to make everyone in your life happy. Focus on glorifying God and the rest will fall into place for you.
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I hope you are doing well this morning.
When I started writing this devotional I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't quite sure where it was going to go or how it would develop. I just knew that I wanted to write something that glorified the Lord, magnified the birth of Jesus, and encouraged you during this Christmas season. Only, I didn't know you would be here on this journey with me until you signed up. :)
But, God knew and it was his sovereignty that brought you to this devotional for this Christmas season. I hope that this journey has been encouraging and uplifting over these last few weeks.
We are only a few days away and I am so excited for Christmas day. So many have sent me messages, dropped me an email, and even commented and let me know how much this was an encouragement to them. I hope it has been for you, {{ subscriber.first_name }}.
Today, we turn the corner on our story and introduce new characters who will bring us a completely different perspective on our story. Through their eyes, they saw something strange and foreign, but also divine and magnificent.
Enjoy today's episode.
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One last weekend of shopping left before Christmas. I hope you are getting everything finalized, wrapped, and under the tree.
Over this next week, some of us will be finishing up work, finishing up school, attending parties, and settling in for the holiday. My prayer for you over these final days before Christmas are that you will get all the details finalized and that you will find time to enjoy yourself, reflect, and get your heart and mind in a place where you can take full enjoyment from Christmas.
In today's episode, we look at Joseph's struggle of wanting to act but needing to follow. I hope this is an encouraging episode for you, especially if you are a person of action but God calls you to wait.
I hope this today is an encouragement to you if you feel the same struggle Joseph had.
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One week from today is Christmas Eve!!! Can you believe it! I am so excited to be this close to Christmas Day. Now, don't mistake my excitement for complete preparedness and having everything ready to go for the big day.
Nope!
That's okay though. It will be great no matter what. Right?
Today's episode takes a look at what it would have been like to welcome Jesus into the world. We also talk about our dreams and whether or now we are worthy of them.
Do you have a dream?
Are you pursuing your dream? If not, why?
I hope today is an encouragement to you to pursue the dreams you have been given and that burn within your heart.
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It's a boy!!!!
You may not know this, but my wife and I are proud parents of boys. Three of them. Aiden (6), Isaiah (4), and Emerson (18mo). So, three times we have had the announcement "It's a boy" go out over Facebook and in phone calls and emails and text messages. It has been so much fun to make those announcements.
Well, in today's episode, we get to peek in on the announcement of Jesus' birth. The big announcement was more than "It's a boy" and was more, "It's the Messiah".
This announcement came to the most unlikely people in first-century Jerusalem. And it was all on purpose. I hope that today's episode is encouraging to you.
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Alright! It is time to start buckling down and getting ready for Christmas. Most people I talk to right now are telling me they are not ready. They have presents to purchase, things to wrap, the kids aren't out of school yet, and they don't know when they are going to get everything done.
I am with you. We actually did some shopping this year ahead of time which is unheard of in the Pardekooper household, but we are still not quite ready for the big day.
That's okay. We are enjoying ourselves through it all anyway. Carissa and the boys made chocolate covered pretzels the other day, which were amazing. We were able to spend a little time playing in some snow, and we finally have all our decorations up.
But, we still don't have our stocking picked out, waiting on gifts to arrive in the mail, and we still haven't begun shopping for each other. Maybe a candle and blanket again this year for Carissa. Shhhh, don't tell her though and ruin the surprise.
It is nice to have everything in order, but even if things aren't done, it's okay. Christmas will come, everyone will have fun, and memories will be made.
Have a wonderful day, whether you are able to get things done for Christmas or just fall further behind. Take a deep breath, sing some Christmas carols, and smile.
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How are you doing so far at this point in December? Are you excited about the holidays? Are you dreading them? Do you feel refreshed despite the craziness of this Christmas season?
I know this devotional isn't going to magically wipe all your challenges away, and despite all the wonderfulness of the Christmas season, life still happens. My prayer for you is that at this point, December 15th, with 10 days to go before Christmas Day, that you will even find a glimmer of joy and hope to hang onto and bring a smile to your face.
I would love to hear your story if you would be willing to share it. I would like to hear why you love Christmas, struggle during the Christmas season, or anything else you want to share.
Every character we have looked at in this devotional, and every character we have yet to meet, has a part to play in the Christmas story. They play a role, fulfill a part, and impact people's lives somehow.
You have a role this Christmas season as well. You just have to decide what role that will be. Will you bring hope? Will be a conqueror? Will you throw the most festive party? Will you give the best gifts? Will your smile brighten up someone's life?
You can choose the part you will play. Even when things may are difficult, we still have choice. You still have choice.
Today, how will you choose to play your role in the Christmas story?
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Grace has come for you and me. Does that reality ever hit you? No matter how important you may think you are or insignificant you believe you are, the truth of the matter is that grace came to earth for you.
There is nothing you can do about it and there is nowhere you can go where that truth won't find you.
When Jesus came to this earth, which is the focus of this devotional experience we are on together, he came to offer his grace to you and me. I hope through the last 14 days you have felt the reality of that truth in your life. If not, well, we have 11 more days to go. Allow yourself to face the truth behind the Lord's grace coming to earth for you, and then open yourself up to what that means for you, for those around you, and for the rest of your life.
So thankful you are on this journey with me. It has been a wonderful experience for me, and I hope it has been for you as well.
Enjoy today's episode as we peek into a lonely stable on the edge of Bethlehem.
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Welcome to December 13! We have officially crossed over the halfway point of our devotional...which means we are also past halfway to Christmas.
So, just so we are clear...you have more days behind you than in front of you to get ready for Christmas. I am not saying you are at the point of needing to panic if you aren't ready, but I will maybe throw up a yellow flag of caution. It is right around the corner and time is passing quickly.
I am a little bit sad too because that means there is more time behind us together than in front of us. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey and I look forward to seeing you at the end!
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I am so excited that you keep showing up with me each day. Going on 12 days now and going strong! You've stuck with me longer than some girlfriends did in high school. Way to go!!!
Alright, so it is time to check-in and make sure you actually are with me along this journey. Today, I would love for you to drop me a note and let me know what your favorite day has been so far.
For me, my favorite so far...I want to emphasize 'so far'...was December 5 when Gabriel visits Mary. It gives me the chills every time I listen to it. So, what is your favorite day? Respond to the email, send me a text using the number in my signature below, or send me a message on Facebook by clicking the button below.
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With yesterday and today's episodes, we are bringing our focus to the day of Christ's birth. As we go through the next few days, place yourself in that day, in the events, in the moment. Place yourself where the character is and what was going on in their lives, all the while keeping in mind in the night in a stable somewhere around Bethlehem a baby was going to be born and he would change the world.
What an awesome moment to live, if only I would have taken to pay attention. Today we see someone who wasn't able to notice for a variety of reasons, all valid.
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I hope you are doing well and enjoying your week as we are counting down the days to Christmas! I can't believe we are already to December 11th. Christmas is right around the corner.
A couple of things I wanted to share with you today. First, I want to share a little Christmas music. I love Christmas music of all kinds from several different genres. My favorite, though, is Christmas music that is Christ-focused and reminds us of the reverence and power of Christ coming to earth. So, I wanted to share with you my Reverent Christmas Playlist on Spotify. You can access it by clicking the link below and feel free to subscribe to it so you will have it every year. I build on it each year as well.
Reverent Christmas Music
The other thing that I wanted to share with you is the background of how The High Point of Grace came to be. One of the pastors I coach asked me if I could write a devotional for his church to give them something they could be connected with together through the Christmas season. Since I have always wanted to write a Christmas devotional, then I obviously said yes and jumped at the opportunity.
So, it is because of this pastor and his church that you are able to enjoy this devotional this year. I just received some feedback from the pastor on how his church feels about The High Point of Grace so far, and he said
"We have been very pleased with the experience and it has been exceptional for our church."
That really touches me to know that it is impacting so many people, and I pray it has been a wonderful experience for you as well.
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Do you like to travel? I love to travel!!!
I have had some interesting travel experiences over the years. Running to catch a train in Frankfurt, Germany before it left us, flagging down the last bus in Cork, Ireland before we were stranded miles from the house we were staying, and missing flights with my wife because I didn't read the ticket correctly.
But, I have never traveled on a donkey for four days, uphill, while 9 months pregnant! Thank the Lord!!!
That's where we pick up with Mary today. On her way to Bethlehem, riding on a donkey, about to give birth to her baby boy.
Such a challenging time, but what a wonderful memory she had. Just as I look back on my traveling challenges now with laughter, I hope you are able to look back on your own challenges and difficulties and find the silver lining in them.
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"It's made me laugh, it's made me cry, and it's helped me see things in a new light about the Christmas story."
This is what one listener shared about their experience so far in the High Point of Grace devotional. This makes my heart jump for joy and demand more candy canes because this is what I hoped for each of you along this journey.
I hope your experience so far has been somewhere close to this. I really hope you haven't stopped listening because it didn't capture your attention, or that you have gotten too busy. If you have fallen behind and feel the burden of catching up but never do, then just jump into today's episode, and if you have time go back.
I wrote this devotional to impact you for the holiday season and not let another Christmas go by where you missed out on the wonderful goodness of the most wonderful time of year. And if you just rolled your eyes because I called it the most wonderful time of year, then you definitely need to listen to today's episode. :)
Whether we are celebrating with family or friends, Christmas is a season we have to make sure doesn't pass us by. So, enjoy today's episode as we look at friendship.
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Welcome to Week 2 of the Christmas season!!!
For those keeping track, you have 17 more days to shop for Christmas. And that is if you are one of those who buy gifts all up to the last minute. So, it isn't time yet to panic, but that time is coming soon.
I hope you are feeling Christmasy despite the craziness of the holiday season, the shopping crowded stores, the online deals, the challenging traffic, and anything else that threatens to steal your Christmas joy.
I am really enjoying our journey so far. I know that I wrote it, but what has made it really enjoyable for me is doing it with you and hearing from other listeners like you how much the devotional is enhancing their holiday. I pray it is enhancing yours.
Yesterday we looked in on Elizabeth, and today we are going to check in with Zechariah. This is a couple who really understood what it meant to wade through disappointment and wait for the impossible. There's is a wonderful addition to the story of Jesus' birth and our own Christmas celebration.
Allow yourself to feel the love these parents have for their boy who would prepare the way for the Lord.
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Can you believe it has already been a week? This week has been a wonderful journey with you as we have gone through the High Point of Grace devotional. Thank you for joining in the journey with me, for sharing with others, and inviting friends and family to be a part. Every day the audience grows and the message reaches more people during this Christmas season.
On our journey we have looked in on prophets, Mary, Joseph, and even the angel Gabriel. Over the last seven days we have tried to get a sense of what was happening for each character in a snapshot of time leading up to the greatest expression of grace of all time.
We have a little more than 2 weeks remaining, and I can't wait to see where this takes us.
I pray that you have a wonderful day today. I pray the burdens you carry will be lightened, that you will encounter people who will lift your spirits, and you will be joyful even if nothing goes your way. Most of all, I pray that you will encounter Jesus today and allow him to shine through you.
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Welcome to December 6th!!!!
I feel like we are starting to hit our stride here on our devotional journey. More and more people are listening in each day, and our listeners are surpassing our email audience. Which means the word is getting out and people are discovering us through other channels and word of mouth.
That is so exciting because that means that the message from the High Point of Grace is growing and more people are being touched by the real magic of the season.
Thank you for all the kind messages and encouragement. It has been so nice to hear from so many of you. Keep it coming!
Alright, without any further delays, let's get into today's episode!!!
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These past few days have been so much fun! I hope you are enjoying yourself each day as a new episode drops into your email. We aren't even a week into December and I am hearing so many great things from listeners like you.
And let me remind you...you still have plenty of time to shop for your Christmas gifts. No panicking...yet. ;)
Yesterday we saw a young, innocent, and unknowing Mary excited about the prospect of being married to Joseph. But, all of that is about to change, and the world is about to be turned upside down.
But we don't look in on Mary this time, but we pull back the veil on the spiritual realm and peek in to see what may have taken place.
Keep the feedback coming and keep inviting more people to the journey with you. For those of you who have a little competitive edge to you, I just want to throw this out...
Statistically, the men and women have been 50/50...until today. The women are starting to edge out the men, so let's see if the women can keep their edge or if the men will rise to the challenge and become the majority of listeners.
Just a little added fun for us on this Christmas experience! It has been a wonderful journey so far and I am thankful you have decided to join in. Keep pressing play, engaging with the content, and allowing Jesus to speak his life and truth into you.
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Merry Christmas!!!!
That may be a little too much for you on December 4th. I realize not everyone has been waiting for two months for the Christmas season to get here.
Even if you aren't super stoked about Christmas yet, I hope the last few days of our devotional journey together has made an impact in your life. I hope it has brought you a little joy, maybe a glimpse of the wonder and splendor the season should entail.
I want to take a moment and thank you for going on this ride with me. It has been a lot of fun getting notes, messages, and texts from listeners like you, and so please don't be shy. Let me know how the High Point of Grace is impacting you.
Once again, I want to encourage you to invite others. No matter when they jump in, they will immediately be caught up to the day we are on, so invite others, challenge them, bribe them, or even threaten them... in the Spirit of Christmas of course. :)
Honestly, it is always fun to have more to join in the experience. As they say, the more the merrier. You can share the link below and invite others to join. https://brandonpardekooper.com/highpointgrace
We have looked in on the groom of our story yesterday, but today let's visit the bride in her home going about her day. Little does she know what is about to happen to turn her world upside down.
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Welcome to December 3!
It is still early in December and you have plenty of time to get ready for Christmas...even if you feel like it is right around the corner.
Thank you so much for joining me this Christmas season. I am getting some great feedback on how the High Point of Grace is moving people and renewing their love for Christmas...and we are only a couple of days into this.
Your friends and family still have time to join you. Invite your coworkers, friends from church, your family members, or your small group to join you. If they sign up today they will get each day's devotional right away and be ready for tomorrow right along with you.
I'm okay with you inviting all your Facebook friends, ;)
Just share this link with anyone you want to take along with you: https://brandonpardekooper.com/highpointgrace
Yesterday gave us a glimpse into what Zechariah probably imagined the great King would look like. I think it is safe to say he probably didn't imagine a baby in a manger and surely he didn't imagine a king that looked like a slave.
Today, we jump into the first century and start looking at the characters directly in the Christmas story. Central to the story of Christ's birth is the Roman government who ruled over the Jews. First-century Jews lived a life that was in stark contrast to the Kingdom Jesus was bringing to earth. His government would look nothing like anything man has ever known.
How is the devotional impacting you? I would love for you to reply to this email and leave me a quick note.
Thank you, again, for being part of the devotional. Dive into Day 3 and I will see you again tomorrow.
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I pray yesterday was a wonderful introduction to our journey towards Christmas. The contrast between what Isaiah saw in front of him and the hope the Lord was allowing him to see for his beloved nation. Even if it didn't fully make sense to him at the time.
Today, we look at another prophet who foresaw the coming Christ. Like Isaiah, Zechariah's image of the coming King was very different than what Jesus looked like when he came to earth.
May Zechariah's words lift you up today and encourage you to engage in an active relationship with the Lord.
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Welcome to the High Point of Grace devotional. In this introduction, you will get a feel for what the devotion will feel like and what to expect in the days to come.
I want to encourage you to invite others to join the journey with you. They can sign up at any time and get caught up immediately, so invite everyone you know to share in this Christmas experience like no other. Together we will take a fresh new look at the real magic of Christmas.
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