Advent Devotional 12-21-24

The Biltmore Connection

During the Fall of 2018, my partner, Jon Parlier, suggested we go to Ashville, NC, to visit the Biltmore, the eight-thousand-acre estate of George Vanderbilt, son of shipping and railroad magnate, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Jon had gone to school in Ashville but had never visited the estate.  We decided to drive down on Christmas Eve, tour the home on Christmas Day, and drive back the next day.

On Christmas Eve, we left early, arrived at noon, and toured the village. Before going to dinner, we decided to attend the Christmas Eve service at Biltmore United Methodist Church.  The service was beautiful, but by the time it ended, we were famished! The restaurants we had planned on visiting had closed, but there in the distance was a brightly lit McDonald’s sign!  As we pulled into the parking lot, the sign went dark! McDonald’s had closed, and because it was Christmas Eve, almost everything else had closed, too. 

We found one open gas station. There we grabbed two gas station frozen burritos, some chips, and two Cokes. That food, zapped in a microwave, would be our Christmas Eve feast! The next day, we toured the beautiful Biltmore and drove home.  We had enjoyed a wonderful trip! 

Recently I ran across the bulletin from that Christmas Eve service. I wondered if Biltmore UMC had fared well during Tropical Storm Helene.  When I Googled it, a posting informed me that the church was permanently closed.  As I researched further, I found that Helene was not the cause.

A newspaper article from 2021 said that the church was selling its building and moving to a building which housed a mortuary and crematorium.  Their Facebook page said they became a Reconciling Ministry in 2022. Somewhere along the way, they joined forces with Wellspring Congregation and became Biltmore Village Cooperative Parish. Lucy B. Robbins is still their pastor and her on-line sermons continue to be filled with joy.

I am writing about this so that churches in similar circumstances can learn to be less fearful. Biltmore UMC gave up their big building because they decided that the people were the church, not the building. Then they decided God’s grace was for everyone. In addition, they have loved and have been loved by their female pastor who did not forsake her congregation.

I am thankful that Jon and I spent that Christmas Eve with such a loving congregation. I am thankful that we were not there to see the beginning of the end of Biltmore United Methodist Church but the advent of a congregation that continues to evolve. 

Prayer: 
Dear God, your church continues to evolve just as this race of humans does the same.  Ease our fears as we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. Let us look to congregations such as Biltmore UMC for guidance. Bless them and keep them safe as they traverse a different path. Amen

Becky Wright Warren

Advent Devotional 12-20-24

Scriptures for Week 4:  Micah 5: 2-5; Psalm 80: 1-7; Luke 1: 39-55; Hebrews 10: 5-10.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  He came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  Luke 1: 26-28

Angels are prominently included in the story of the Messiah’s birth. Zechariah encountered an angel who revealed that his prayers for a son (John) were being answered. An angel appears to Mary and shares that she will bear a son without being with a man.  Joseph dreams of an instructing angel that guides him to accept Mary as his wife and child.  Angels appear to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth and are told to go and worship him. In each instance, the mortal being visited is overcome with fear-so much so that the angel’s first concern is to say:  “Be Not Afraid!! I come with good news”. Or “You have found favor with God.” Or “Your prayers have been heard.”

Angels have appeared previously in the Old Testament:

• The seraph with the sword sent to guard the gate of Eden
• God’s messengers sent to Sodom to save Abraham’s relatives there
• Angels ascending and descending the ladder to heaven in Jacob’s fitful dream
• The angel of death who passed over the homes of God’s faithful in Egypt
• The stately six-winged seraphim Isaiah saw before the throne of God
• The angel who slew 186,000 enemy troops to deliver Hezekiah and Jerusalem in the days of Isaiah
• And Daniel wo was preserved alive in the lions’ den as were his 3 friends in the fiery furnace

The psalmist proclaims that “God will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91)  I find these stories and scriptures very comforting.  In this world of chaos and confusion, God is still listening to our prayers; our concerns; our fears.  Most of us will never see or experience an “Angel Visit”, but perhaps we have been visited by “angels unaware”.  In Hebrews 13: 1-3 the writer shares: “Let mutual love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I am certain that angels have cared for me, watched over my family and been a companion in my dark days.

As our family adds the angels handcrafted by my mother to our trees each season, it sweetly reminds us of the love-gift God sent us that first Christmas. What God’s angels were sent to tell is not an announcement of some distant birth of a friend or relative, but a birth that truly matters to each of us. Jesus’ birth is an “Up close and personal” event.  “Unto YOU is born this day in the city of David!” Jesus’ birth was over 2000 years ago, but he is born anew in our hearts each day of the year – but each of us have to prepare our hearts and invite Him in to our lives each season!

Prayer:
Dear Lord and Savior:  Thank you for sending your angels to continually share the good news with us. Help us to serve as caring servants to others so that the world might see you amid our fear and the world’s darkness.  May your light be reflected in all we do.  Amen

Chyrl Budd

Advent Devotional 12-19-24

 

The Magnificat – MARY’S SONG

Luke 1:39-55

In these verses we read the lyrics to the song Mary sings when she visits her cousin Elizabeth, who has also miraculously has recently become pregnant when past her child bearing years.  Mary’s song is called the Magnificat and is one of the  eight most ancient Christian hymns.  Originally sung as a Gregorian Chant or 5th century plainsong numerous composers have created their own settings of the Magnificat.  There are numerous hymns based on the Magnificat including The United Methodist Hymnal hymn called “My Soul Gives Glory to my God.” 

I have 3 instant reactions when contemplating these verses in Luke.  First that a woman and mother’s song has become one of the most celebrated songs of the Christian faith.  This gives me hope that the female perspective has had a greater impact on Christianity than history often portrays.  The prayers of a woman facing pregnancy and the joy of a woman proclaiming her faith are central to all of Christian faith.

A second thought that struck me was even before Jesus was born Mary understood what his message would be.  She speaks of God and his works and proclaims he has “scattered the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”   These words are considered so revolutionary in India, Guatemala and Argentina that they banned Mary’s Song during different periods in their history.

The third is that when the mother of Jesus needed to share her joy and faith she did so through music.  Music is the medium where I have most often felt enveloped by the Divine.  Because words are inadequate the emotion of music can create an opening in the heart for us to receive God’s message and feel his love.  Music is frequently referenced in the Bible.  All manner of songs and instruments are mentioned.  Indeed, the whole book of Psalms is a collection of poems and songs meant to be sung.

Psalm 98 exhorts us to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” 

So perhaps we can take time this Advent season to reflect on 3 things. 

1. Think about the joy and hope mixed with sorrow all mothers face when carrying a child.  Mary, so faithful and full of wonder and hope who will soon face hardship and sorrow.  As an unmarried pregnant woman who must give birth in a stable and later watch her son be prosecuted and executed before He arises from the Dead.  How quick are we to judge women who are pregnant or caring for children?  What do we really know about their lives and circumstances?  Have we extended respect and understanding to mothers for their joy and sorrow to come?
2. While we all try to make our holiday decorations beautiful and to shop for the most perfect present remember Mary’s words and Jesus’s teachings.   We all do not need more things but there are many others who do need even the basic things.  We all could use a helping hand or a kind word or a moment of laughter and so can those around you.  Do we need all those calories so easy to come by at Christmas?  Share it with those in need.
3. As we hear an endless stream of Christmas music everywhere we go pay special attention to the old carols and hymns.  Think about their words and give yourself over to the music and the message.

Leslie Petteys

Advent Devotional 12-18-24

 ‘With God you are Never Alone’

Read Luke 1:39-55

Have you ever envied people who God apparently singled out for special blessing?  A cure for jealousy is to rejoice with those people; realizing that God uses his people in ways suited to his purpose.  When you rejoice with what God has done for your friends realize that He can lift you up and bless and keep you in his care too! 

When your life is going along well and you think “I am grateful for what God has given me, God is good, all the time, God Is Good! But wait…………………. You never know when there will be a turn in the road.” This happened in my family…. Three years ago my older brother, Mike, a very healthy 75-year-old was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. This led to so many meds…… infusions, scans, and MRI, and health issues going up and down throughout the years. 

This August Mike called me to let me know that they were going to be in Ohio in October and would come to visit me on October 8th, four days after my knee replacement on Oct 4th.

I was so looking forward to seeing him! He said he was feeling good other than being tired because he had just finished playing 18 holes of golf.  That Sunday he was taken to hospital and admitted to ICU.  He was diagnosed with a small brain bleed, very high blood pressure, kidneys and gastrointestinal issue.  His vitals were normal, his condition continued to decline, he was taken to a Hospice Facility. We wanted to go to Texas to see him, but there was nothing we could do because he was sedated. Mike went Home on August 20th. 

Mikes Celebration of Life was on September 30th in Dallas, and we were driving down to attend.  In the meantime, I was scheduled for a third knee replacement on October 4th, at my pre-opt appointment they did a EKG, it showed some abnormal results that could cancel my surgery; this scared me!  They got me an appointment with a cardiologist in 2 days, he determined that since I had no shortness of breath, no pain, or feeling tired, there was no reason to cancel my surgery!!!  Thank you, God!

My knee replacement was done on October 4th, everything went well, until about 2 weeks after surgery, I was having complications with the pain medication, that was so bad that Fred had to cancel my Surprise 75th Birthday Party.  We finally have everything worked out now. Tylenol is my friend, and physical therapy helps getting my knee bending and moving.

With everything that happened, I can say, “Thank God for being there for our family.”

I am so thankful to our church family and friends for all the prayers, calls, messages, and cards of sympathy, Happy Birthday, and get-well cards that were sent to me. They gave me strength to keep going! I am thankful for my loving husband, Fred, for taking care of me!
I couldn’t have done it with out you! 

If you are facing situations and need support, you too can have the love and support from God!  All you must do is to call on him!  He will be there for you too!

Let us Pray,
Dear Lord thank you for caring for us during any tough situation that may come our way.
Please keep us in your caring hands and guide us on the path that you see that we need.
We trust in you and know that you are leading us the way that you want us to go.

Melanie Herr

Advent Devotional 12-17-24

A highlight of the Christmas Season is our Sanctuary Choir’s Service of Lessons and Carols which includes Scripture readings, anthems and Christmas carols. One of the most delightful anthems is the Zither Carol, a traditional Czech folk tune with a waltz-like rhythm. The carol is named for the zither, a stringed instrument. While not always played on a zither, the carol is named for the instrument’s unique melodic sound. The lyrics were written by Sir Malcolm Sargen (1985-1967), an English conductor, organist, and composer, who arranged the version we hear.

Zither Carol

Girls and boys
Leave your toys
Make no noise
Kneel at his crib and worship him
At thy shrine
Child divine
We are thine
Our Savior’s here

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
All must draw near

On that day
Far away
Jesus lay
Angels were watching ‘round his head
Holy Child Mother mild, undefiled
We sing thy praise

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
Our hearts we raise

Shepherds came
At the fame
Of thy name
Angels their guide to Bethlehem
In that place
Filled with grace
Saw thy face
Stood at the door

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
Love evermore

Wise men too
Haste to do
Homage new
Gold, myrrh and frankincense they bring
As ‘twas said
Starlight led
To thy bed
Bending their knee

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
Worshiping thee

Oh, that we
All might be
Good as He
Spotless, with God in unity
Savior dear
Ever near
With us here
Since life began

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
God head made Man

Cherubim
Seraphim
Worship him
Sun, moon and stars proclaim his power
Every day
On our way
We shall say
Hallelujah

Hallelujah the church bells ring
Hallelujah the angels sing
Hallelujah from everything
Hallelujah

You can listen to the Zither Carol at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EvfPmZOw60

Anita Farrell

Advent Devotional 12-16-24

 “The Great O Antiphons” – deep corporate prayers preparing for Christmas

One of my deepest expressions of prayer during the Advent season is shared with the universal Church – praying each evening The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) and for the seven days of the last week of Advent praying the antiphons known as “The Great O Antiphons”.

The O Antiphons developed during the Church’s very first centuries. Spiritual writers mention them in the 6th century; by the 8th century, they were being used in the liturgy of the Church. There are seven of these special antiphons and their texts come from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Prophetic and Wisdom Books.

The O Antiphons are short prayers sung before and after the Magnificat, the prayer of Mary in Luke 1:46-55, when coming to visit Elizabeth her cousin, Mary praises God for God’s favor & wondrous deeds. The Magnificat is sung during Vespers, evening prayer. The O Antiphons begin on December 17th, seven days before the Vigil of Christmas (Christmas Eve). The seventh and last antiphon is sung at Vespers on December 23rd. They are called the “O Antiphons” because they all begin with the letter-word “O”: they address Jesus by one of his Hebrew Scripture titles. They are fervent and deep prayers asking Jesus Christ to come to us and into this world in which we live – a world fractured and broken.

Advent has been about the many ways in which the Lord comes. He came at Bethlehem as a baby – God choosing to become human. In the Church and our daily lives he comes to us through his holy Presence. He comes in the breaking of the bread. He comes in the words of Holy Scripture. He comes in the persons around us and with whom we live.  He also comes in the person of our neighbors, especially those who are in need. He will come again at the end of time as Judge of the living and the dead.

The Latin versions of each of the titles of the Messiah are: Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root), Clavis (Key), Oriens (Rising Dawn), Rex (King), and Emmanuel (God with us).   Take the first letters of each of the titles, starting with the last and working back to the first.  They form an acrostic and spell: EROCRAS or “ero cras… I will be (there) tomorrow”.

The hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (UM Hymnal #211) is a hymn reworking of the seven O Antiphons. When we sing it, we are joining ourselves with Christians stretching back across centuries and throughout the whole world today who pray as all Christians do, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
Here are the traditional O Antiphons:

17 Dec.  O Sapientia (Wisdom), coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.

18 Dec. O Adonai (Lord) and leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flames of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

19 Dec. O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse), who stand as a sign among the people, before whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the nations shall make supplication:  come to deliver us, and tarry not.

20 Dec. O Clavis David (Key of David) and scepter of the house of Israel; who open and none can shut; who shut and none can open:  come and lead to freedom the prisoner who sits in darkness and the shadow of death.

21 Dec. O Oriens (Rising Dawn), splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice:  come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

22 Dec. O Rex Gentium (King of the nations) and their Desire, the Cornerstone who binds two into one:  come and save (humankind), whom you fashioned from clay.

23 Dec. O Emmanuel (God with us), our King and Lawgiver, the hope of all nations and their Savior: come and save us, O Lord our God!

Blessings to all in this holy season; may God alone be glorified and let us prefer nothing to the love of Christ!

William H. Wilson (Bill)+
Retired, former District Superintendent & Assistant to the Bishop 

Advent Devotional 12-15-24

 It was a strange time for the people of Judah. So much had happened and so much was changing. And not all for the better. The truth is they were headed for dark and dreadful days because they had turned away God and God’s ways. So, Zephaniah the prophet warned of the judgement and destruction that would surely come. But all was not lost.  There was good news even in the darkest of times. God would bring them home.

It reminds me of a pastor named Veronica who says that when she was a little girl her best friend, who was seven years old, wanted to go home. The trouble is she was lost. And she was wandering up and down streets that didn’t look familiar. She was in some strange part of the city, and she wanted desperately to find the way home. But she didn’t even know which direction it was in. 

Finally, a policeman saw the little girl. He could see her tears and the fearful look in her eyes. So he offered to take her home. But the child had not memorized her address. So, he invited her to climb into his squad car and he would help her find her street. Up and down and all around they went, and the little girl still couldn’t find her way. She still couldn’t find the way home.

Then the little girl saw something familiar. She pointed it out to the police officer. And then she told him firmly, “You can let me out now. This is my church… and I can always find my way home from here.” 

And the child’s words touched something deep within the officer’s heart.... Because he felt it too – this longing for home. A different kind of home – where there is love and acceptance, and healing and hope, and grace and forgiveness. And for him it was like the singing of Silent Night on Christmas Eve. It was one of those warm, beautiful, holy moments when God seems so close....  

“This is my church,” she said.  

This is your church... and you can always find your way home from here. 

Rev. Tom Nolan