Monday, December 26, 2011
Please join us
We hope that you have enjoyed sharing Advent with our Church. If you would like to continue on the journey with us, we publish weekly devotionals throughout the year at www.jmdevotional.blogspot.com and daily through Lent at www.jmlent.blogspot.com.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Devotional 12-25-11
Light shines through the lectionary Gospel reading for Christmas Day - the
stunning Prologue to the Gospel of John:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)
Most times when I read this prologue, I am focused on John the Evangelist’s powerful description of how Christ came into the world as the Word: the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, the Word that was in the beginning with God, and the Word that came as life and light. I am often stunned by the power of this poetic prologue and what—and how—it tells us of the God who chose to become human, as life and flesh and light, and a God who is involved with us. Yet, in the midst of the stunning description of the Word, I am drawn back to John—the one who we call the baptizer, the one who prepared the way, who as the Scripture puts it, “. . .came as a witness to testify to the light. . .” Testimony to the light coming into the darkness!
We need darkness. I find myself uncomfortable with the ways that we perpetuate stereotypes that hold that all that is good is light and bright and white, and all that is evil is dark and black. We need darkness. The seed in the ground, the child in the womb, a night of sleep, the body and soul in rest and dreaming! We must have times of shelter from the light in order to grow in the ways that God calls us to grow. The prophet Isaiah says from God, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name” (Isaiah 45:3). Classical spiritual writers speak of the “dark night of the soul”.
And yet, even as we are called to accept the gifts within darkness, the holy season of Christmas bids us to recognize our ancient longing for light - to celebrate the God who came to us as light into the world. In the midst of the shadows in our lives, in the dark nights of the soul, God calls us to look deeper, and to look more closely. We find the presence of the Christ who dwells there – the light of the world. And, when we find that presence of Christ in our lives - to bear witness to the light!
How do we, in our own lives, do what John the baptizer was called to do with his life? How do we bear witness to the light of Christ in our family, our home, our community, and the world?
Entering into the holy season of Christmas, here at the end of our Advent journey, join me in this examination of conscience:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)
Most times when I read this prologue, I am focused on John the Evangelist’s powerful description of how Christ came into the world as the Word: the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, the Word that was in the beginning with God, and the Word that came as life and light. I am often stunned by the power of this poetic prologue and what—and how—it tells us of the God who chose to become human, as life and flesh and light, and a God who is involved with us. Yet, in the midst of the stunning description of the Word, I am drawn back to John—the one who we call the baptizer, the one who prepared the way, who as the Scripture puts it, “. . .came as a witness to testify to the light. . .” Testimony to the light coming into the darkness!
We need darkness. I find myself uncomfortable with the ways that we perpetuate stereotypes that hold that all that is good is light and bright and white, and all that is evil is dark and black. We need darkness. The seed in the ground, the child in the womb, a night of sleep, the body and soul in rest and dreaming! We must have times of shelter from the light in order to grow in the ways that God calls us to grow. The prophet Isaiah says from God, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name” (Isaiah 45:3). Classical spiritual writers speak of the “dark night of the soul”.
And yet, even as we are called to accept the gifts within darkness, the holy season of Christmas bids us to recognize our ancient longing for light - to celebrate the God who came to us as light into the world. In the midst of the shadows in our lives, in the dark nights of the soul, God calls us to look deeper, and to look more closely. We find the presence of the Christ who dwells there – the light of the world. And, when we find that presence of Christ in our lives - to bear witness to the light!
How do we, in our own lives, do what John the baptizer was called to do with his life? How do we bear witness to the light of Christ in our family, our home, our community, and the world?
Entering into the holy season of Christmas, here at the end of our Advent journey, join me in this examination of conscience:
- In the days, weeks, months to come, how will I bear witness to, point toward, open myself to and share the God who came as life and light?
- Are there any shadows that I’ve grown too comfortable with, any places of darkness that God might be wanting to stir around in and shed light on?
- Are there pockets of ignorance or indifference within me that God might be desiring to illuminate?
- Is there some dark corner of my soul that I’ve been content to leave in the shadow, in mystery, where God might be inviting me to light even a small flame and wait in the stillness to see what God reveals?
- What light beckons me? What does God want of me as God’s witness?
Wherever your path takes you, may this Christmas be
for you and yours a season of celebration, one of hope, and a time of peace - a
time of light in the darkness!
Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson
Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Devotional 12-24-11
Please read Luke 2:1-7
“When Christmas morn is dawning, I wish that I could be
There by the manger cradle, God’s son, newborn, to see.
There by the manger cradle, God’s Son, newborn, to see.”
Christmas Eve. Does Christmas Eve mean relief that the season is drawing to an end? As I write this, a local radio station has already been playing Christmas music for two weeks. Christmas displays are out before Halloween! True, Christians stole secular traditions such as winter solstice lighting of trees, but we have allowed the secular world to steal the truth of Advent anticipation from us. Let me rephrase that: it’s one thing for the secular world to do what it does; it is not so fine that we allow the meaning of our faith to be steamrollered by the secular and commercial world. Christmas Eve becomes the “last minute” for attending to secular desires and holiday preparations instead of searching for the manger cradle, “God’s Son, newborn, to see.”
“How kind of you, our Savior, for us to come to earth.
O may we not by sinning, despise your lowly birth.
O may we not by sinning, despise your lowly birth.”
Through the birth of the human child Jesus, we receive the revelation of God to us. In a prayer, Professor Laurence Hull Stookey petitions: “Grant that, being born in our hearts, he may save us from all our sins, and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator.” Jesus Christ, born into this world, is the gift of our salvation from sin and death. What does it say about us to receive the gift of salvation if we then willfully displease to God? “O may we not by sinning despise your lowly birth.”
On this Christmas Eve, let your mind and heart feel the emotion of God’s tender love for this world. Focus away from secular concerns toward the love radiating from a cow’s feed bin. Heaven knows, this hurting, struggling world needs God’s love! In the experiences of our lives, WE need God’s love! More importantly, don’t we have some tender love to share?
Let this be our prayer:
“We need you, O Lord Jesus, to be our dearest friend.
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life’s end.
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life’s end.”
The poetry is attributed to Elisabeth Ehrenborg-Posse, translated by Joel Lundeen. It is set to a German folk tune in our United Methodist hymnal and reflects the reading from Luke. May God’s full blessings be yours this Christmas Eve. See you this evening, Christmas Eve at Johnson Memorial! Merry Christmas! Love, Jack Lipphardt
Rev. Jack Lipphardt
“When Christmas morn is dawning, I wish that I could be
There by the manger cradle, God’s son, newborn, to see.
There by the manger cradle, God’s Son, newborn, to see.”
Christmas Eve. Does Christmas Eve mean relief that the season is drawing to an end? As I write this, a local radio station has already been playing Christmas music for two weeks. Christmas displays are out before Halloween! True, Christians stole secular traditions such as winter solstice lighting of trees, but we have allowed the secular world to steal the truth of Advent anticipation from us. Let me rephrase that: it’s one thing for the secular world to do what it does; it is not so fine that we allow the meaning of our faith to be steamrollered by the secular and commercial world. Christmas Eve becomes the “last minute” for attending to secular desires and holiday preparations instead of searching for the manger cradle, “God’s Son, newborn, to see.”
“How kind of you, our Savior, for us to come to earth.
O may we not by sinning, despise your lowly birth.
O may we not by sinning, despise your lowly birth.”
Through the birth of the human child Jesus, we receive the revelation of God to us. In a prayer, Professor Laurence Hull Stookey petitions: “Grant that, being born in our hearts, he may save us from all our sins, and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator.” Jesus Christ, born into this world, is the gift of our salvation from sin and death. What does it say about us to receive the gift of salvation if we then willfully displease to God? “O may we not by sinning despise your lowly birth.”
On this Christmas Eve, let your mind and heart feel the emotion of God’s tender love for this world. Focus away from secular concerns toward the love radiating from a cow’s feed bin. Heaven knows, this hurting, struggling world needs God’s love! In the experiences of our lives, WE need God’s love! More importantly, don’t we have some tender love to share?
Let this be our prayer:
“We need you, O Lord Jesus, to be our dearest friend.
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life’s end.
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life’s end.”
The poetry is attributed to Elisabeth Ehrenborg-Posse, translated by Joel Lundeen. It is set to a German folk tune in our United Methodist hymnal and reflects the reading from Luke. May God’s full blessings be yours this Christmas Eve. See you this evening, Christmas Eve at Johnson Memorial! Merry Christmas! Love, Jack Lipphardt
Rev. Jack Lipphardt
Friday, December 23, 2011
Devotional 12-23-11
“Someone With Skin On”
At the feet of my friend and mentor, Kathy, I learned the practice of looking to the person of Christ in fleshing out emotions and experiences. Kathy taught me to ask “When did Jesus feel this way?” when facing something uncomfortable and to find comfort in the knowledge that He had. For example, “Did Jesus ever feel sad?” He did. See John chapter 11; He cried when his friend died. “Was Jesus ever betrayed by someone He loved?” Yes, and the betrayer’s name was Judas (see Matthew 26).
In this season of Advent, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, I am grateful. Grateful for His life and the comfort I find in knowing Jesus experienced many of things I experience. I invite you to read the following story from MaxSmithOnline.com. I love this story because it reminds me that Jesus’ life’s purpose was more than to be our savior, redeemer and ransom. He is our example, our comfort.
A little girl had been tucked in bed one night after the family prayers. It was a stormy night, the lightning flashed across the sky and thunder shook the house. The youngster endured this as long as possible. Then, she scurried to the living room and threw herself into her mother’s arms exclaiming, “I am afraid.” The mother quieted the child as she put her back to bed saying, “Remember, honey, God loves you and He will keep you safe.”
But, no sooner had the mother returned to the front room and seated herself comfortably, than the child appeared in the doorway crying, “Mommy, I’m still afraid.” Mother put the child back to bed telling her, “Honey, you must stay in bed, you are perfectly safe, I told you that God loves you and He will take care of you.” The little girl replied, “I know God loves me mommy, but, when it is thundering and lightning, I want someone with skin on to love me.”
God knows that we, like the little girl in the story, need someone with skin on to love us. Someone to walk like us, talk like us, love like us, hurt like us… to be like us. Jesus came to us. Became flesh. Put on skin. Walked. Talked. Breathed. Healed. Taught. Lived. Died. And loved. Let us also love. Glad tidings to you of comfort, and of joy. Amen.
Marcia Canterbury
At the feet of my friend and mentor, Kathy, I learned the practice of looking to the person of Christ in fleshing out emotions and experiences. Kathy taught me to ask “When did Jesus feel this way?” when facing something uncomfortable and to find comfort in the knowledge that He had. For example, “Did Jesus ever feel sad?” He did. See John chapter 11; He cried when his friend died. “Was Jesus ever betrayed by someone He loved?” Yes, and the betrayer’s name was Judas (see Matthew 26).
In this season of Advent, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, I am grateful. Grateful for His life and the comfort I find in knowing Jesus experienced many of things I experience. I invite you to read the following story from MaxSmithOnline.com. I love this story because it reminds me that Jesus’ life’s purpose was more than to be our savior, redeemer and ransom. He is our example, our comfort.
A little girl had been tucked in bed one night after the family prayers. It was a stormy night, the lightning flashed across the sky and thunder shook the house. The youngster endured this as long as possible. Then, she scurried to the living room and threw herself into her mother’s arms exclaiming, “I am afraid.” The mother quieted the child as she put her back to bed saying, “Remember, honey, God loves you and He will keep you safe.”
But, no sooner had the mother returned to the front room and seated herself comfortably, than the child appeared in the doorway crying, “Mommy, I’m still afraid.” Mother put the child back to bed telling her, “Honey, you must stay in bed, you are perfectly safe, I told you that God loves you and He will take care of you.” The little girl replied, “I know God loves me mommy, but, when it is thundering and lightning, I want someone with skin on to love me.”
God knows that we, like the little girl in the story, need someone with skin on to love us. Someone to walk like us, talk like us, love like us, hurt like us… to be like us. Jesus came to us. Became flesh. Put on skin. Walked. Talked. Breathed. Healed. Taught. Lived. Died. And loved. Let us also love. Glad tidings to you of comfort, and of joy. Amen.
Marcia Canterbury
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Devotional 12-22-11
Living the Joy of the
SeasonScripture References: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98
Advent begins for the northern half of the world
during the darkest, bleakest time of year – winter – a time of short days,
dreary weather, and restless waiting…
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis tells us how young Lucy Pevensie discovers entry to the mythical land of Narnia through the back of a wardrobe. Narnia is an intriguing, somber, snow-covered place inhabited by talking animals and creatures who endure a dismal existence because Narnia is under the powerful spell of the white witch. It is a place, Lucy is told, “where it is always winter and never Christmas.” It is a place without joy, without warmth, without reason for celebration.
Yet the citizens of Narnia are not without hope. They await the arrival of Aslan, the great lion, who alone is able to break the power of the white witch and her hold of eternal winter. They have heard the prophecy; they know the signs heralding Aslan’s arrival; they cling to the hope the prophecy will soon be fulfilled. Then, a messenger, Father Christmas, arrives with the joyous news that Aslan has come!
Aslan’s presence begins the weakening of the power of the white witch. Christmas arrives and Narnia begins to celebrate. Spring begins. Ice and snow dissolve. As Aslan moves through the land, grass and wildflowers explode with new life; the sun breaks through the overcast sky; the sea reverberates with the sound of its waves once again rushing to meet the shore.
This season of Advent we await the coming of Christ – in quiet anticipation; we contemplate the birth of the One who brings life and meaning to all we are, to all we do. May we give thanks for Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Child, given to us to break the power of the eternal winter of our souls and bring joy to our lives.
Gracious Father, renew in us the warmth of Christmas joy through the love of Jesus Christ. Bring us to the manger with eager hearts and willing spirits. Let us kneel in loving worship. Send us forth in loving service to share the Good News that our LORD has arrived and His light has overcome the darkness of our world. Amen.
Linda SummersTo leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis tells us how young Lucy Pevensie discovers entry to the mythical land of Narnia through the back of a wardrobe. Narnia is an intriguing, somber, snow-covered place inhabited by talking animals and creatures who endure a dismal existence because Narnia is under the powerful spell of the white witch. It is a place, Lucy is told, “where it is always winter and never Christmas.” It is a place without joy, without warmth, without reason for celebration.
Yet the citizens of Narnia are not without hope. They await the arrival of Aslan, the great lion, who alone is able to break the power of the white witch and her hold of eternal winter. They have heard the prophecy; they know the signs heralding Aslan’s arrival; they cling to the hope the prophecy will soon be fulfilled. Then, a messenger, Father Christmas, arrives with the joyous news that Aslan has come!
Aslan’s presence begins the weakening of the power of the white witch. Christmas arrives and Narnia begins to celebrate. Spring begins. Ice and snow dissolve. As Aslan moves through the land, grass and wildflowers explode with new life; the sun breaks through the overcast sky; the sea reverberates with the sound of its waves once again rushing to meet the shore.
This season of Advent we await the coming of Christ – in quiet anticipation; we contemplate the birth of the One who brings life and meaning to all we are, to all we do. May we give thanks for Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Child, given to us to break the power of the eternal winter of our souls and bring joy to our lives.
Gracious Father, renew in us the warmth of Christmas joy through the love of Jesus Christ. Bring us to the manger with eager hearts and willing spirits. Let us kneel in loving worship. Send us forth in loving service to share the Good News that our LORD has arrived and His light has overcome the darkness of our world. Amen.
Linda SummersTo leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Devotional 12-21-11
Read Titus 2:11-14
Christmas is the time of celebration of one of the mysteries of the Christian faith, the Incarnation. The root word “carn” means flesh; God took on flesh and dwelt among humans. Other words in the English language with the same root word invoke negative images. Statistics of war and catastrophe are measured in carnage, or the number of bodies slain. Preachers warn not to be interested in carnal pursuits. And, while I’m a fan of his music with partner Paul Simon, the seventies movie Carnal Knowledge certainly conjures up some negative images for me of Art Garfunkel.
Interestingly, this negative association is not seen in Spanish. The root of encarnación has the same root word and meaning, but without the negative associations. Moreover, it has connections to everyday words in the language that help lead to an understanding of the Incarnation as God’s flesh and blood in human history. One can readily see the link, for instance, between the flesh of the Incarnation and the meat, or carne, being sold at the butcher shop, or carniceria. Author Luis G. Pedraja suggests that these subtle language differences help lead to an understanding on the part of Hispanic people that in the Incarnation, God enters into ordinary, everyday human life.1
If that is true, does our language suggest that we do not want to think of God having entered the human realm as a helpless baby in the same messy way we all did? After all, why would God do that?
The writer of the Letter to Titus attempts to answer the question. It was God’s gracious act to come down here and show us how to live. We needed an example, someone to show us what it really means to fulfill God’s law. In Jesus Christ, God gave us that example, not so that we can wait for some heaven that is light years away, but so that we can live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.
Dear God, thank you for the Incarnation, and for showing us in human form how we ought to live. Give us strength to live up to that example. Amen.
1Luis G. Pedraja,Teología: An Introduction to Hispanic Theology(Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), 130-135.
Jeff Taylor
Christmas is the time of celebration of one of the mysteries of the Christian faith, the Incarnation. The root word “carn” means flesh; God took on flesh and dwelt among humans. Other words in the English language with the same root word invoke negative images. Statistics of war and catastrophe are measured in carnage, or the number of bodies slain. Preachers warn not to be interested in carnal pursuits. And, while I’m a fan of his music with partner Paul Simon, the seventies movie Carnal Knowledge certainly conjures up some negative images for me of Art Garfunkel.
Interestingly, this negative association is not seen in Spanish. The root of encarnación has the same root word and meaning, but without the negative associations. Moreover, it has connections to everyday words in the language that help lead to an understanding of the Incarnation as God’s flesh and blood in human history. One can readily see the link, for instance, between the flesh of the Incarnation and the meat, or carne, being sold at the butcher shop, or carniceria. Author Luis G. Pedraja suggests that these subtle language differences help lead to an understanding on the part of Hispanic people that in the Incarnation, God enters into ordinary, everyday human life.1
If that is true, does our language suggest that we do not want to think of God having entered the human realm as a helpless baby in the same messy way we all did? After all, why would God do that?
The writer of the Letter to Titus attempts to answer the question. It was God’s gracious act to come down here and show us how to live. We needed an example, someone to show us what it really means to fulfill God’s law. In Jesus Christ, God gave us that example, not so that we can wait for some heaven that is light years away, but so that we can live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.
Dear God, thank you for the Incarnation, and for showing us in human form how we ought to live. Give us strength to live up to that example. Amen.
1Luis G. Pedraja,Teología: An Introduction to Hispanic Theology(Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), 130-135.
Jeff Taylor
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Devotional 12-20-11
Christian belief, he says, should understand Eschaton metaphorically and with
the affirmation that the second coming of Jesus occurs over and over again for
modern man. He asserts it can come in the form of the Eucharist; be present in
our daily experiences of the Spirit, or be expressed in the celebration of
Christmas, which occurs year after year.
My goal is not to claim that Borg is right and orthodoxy is wrong. In fact, as a Karl Barth loyalist, I often shutter at some of Tillich’s theology. But, just for a moment, let us suppose that T. S. Eliot got it right about the end of time in his poem The Hollow Men: this world ends with just a whimper . . . there is no big bang. Or, consider the present day lamentations of those environmentalists who claim that it will be our carbon footprint which causes all life to cease on this planet rather than in parting clouds or descending visions. Will such an end make a fraud of our faith? Of course not. God is God, and only He knows the time and the season and the method for the world’s end.
Therefore, rather than ducking our heads and shrugging our shoulders about the meaning of the Book of Revelation, should we not give some deference to Tillich’s and Borg’s faithful witness? Doesn’t Jesus, in truth, come again and again to each one of us to comfort us in times of turmoil and to motivate us to daily feed the hungry, heal the sick, and end warfare and racial discrimination? Doesn’t Jesus come to each of us again and again at each Christmas after blessed Christmas?
The absolute truth is that no one knows the end game and no one will until it arrives.
Until then, we can be fortified by the awareness that both eschatologies may be right. Our Jesus can both come to us daily as well as at the end of time. So, welcome Christmas, hail Jesus, please come into our world for a second time this Christmas Day for, in my case, at least the 65thtime, and, for all of us, every other day thereafter.
Tom Craig
My goal is not to claim that Borg is right and orthodoxy is wrong. In fact, as a Karl Barth loyalist, I often shutter at some of Tillich’s theology. But, just for a moment, let us suppose that T. S. Eliot got it right about the end of time in his poem The Hollow Men: this world ends with just a whimper . . . there is no big bang. Or, consider the present day lamentations of those environmentalists who claim that it will be our carbon footprint which causes all life to cease on this planet rather than in parting clouds or descending visions. Will such an end make a fraud of our faith? Of course not. God is God, and only He knows the time and the season and the method for the world’s end.
Therefore, rather than ducking our heads and shrugging our shoulders about the meaning of the Book of Revelation, should we not give some deference to Tillich’s and Borg’s faithful witness? Doesn’t Jesus, in truth, come again and again to each one of us to comfort us in times of turmoil and to motivate us to daily feed the hungry, heal the sick, and end warfare and racial discrimination? Doesn’t Jesus come to each of us again and again at each Christmas after blessed Christmas?
The absolute truth is that no one knows the end game and no one will until it arrives.
Until then, we can be fortified by the awareness that both eschatologies may be right. Our Jesus can both come to us daily as well as at the end of time. So, welcome Christmas, hail Jesus, please come into our world for a second time this Christmas Day for, in my case, at least the 65thtime, and, for all of us, every other day thereafter.
Tom Craig
Monday, December 19, 2011
Devotional 12-19-11
Isn’t That Ironic?
The eyewitnesses standing in their yards and those
looking from their windows stated that the car, once its right hand set of
wheels returned to the pavement, rolled four and a half times before coming to
rest, upside down, in the oncoming lane. Since I wasn’t standing with these
witnesses, I can only attest to the ‘and a half’ part. When the car stopped
moving, I was upside down, my back resting on the ceiling of the interior, and
my knees resting right beside my ears. The roof of the car was smashed down to
the level of the seat tops. I managed to get rolled to one side and crawl
through what was left of a broken window frame. Once outside I stumbled and
fell -- my equilibrium gone by the way of the best any roller coaster could have
offered. I turned on my hands and knees and started back towards the car to
look for my friend. He had been driving and was no doubt tossed about inside
just as I was. I hadn’t crawled far when I saw his head appear. A wreck of a
boy being birthed out of a wreck of an automobile. We both survived. The car
had to be hauled away. Charlie and I had left an end-of-school- year
party/barbeque to search for two friends that we had heard were in a car
accident. They had not been and were unhurt. We had been and were fairly banged
up. Isn’t that ironic?
I once heard a minister say, when questioned about the mysterious, nearly unbelievable events of Christ’s birth, “Come to Christmas by way of Easter. If you can believe that Jesus died and rose for us, then believing in Christmas is easy.” Begin with death to understand birth. That’s a little bit of an ironic twist.
Jesus taught and healed, and when He questioned the “religious” leaders, they killed him. I can just see them brushing their hands together as if dusting chalk from their finger tips, “Got rid of that trouble maker. Now we can get on with worshipping God.” The ones He had come to save took his life. In silencing Him they gave Him a voice to be heard through all eternity.
Oh look, a baby. Who doesn’t love a baby? Well, apparently Herod. His insecurity and anger at having his own position questioned forced him into an action that would strengthen Mary and Joseph’s faith and steadfastness to have their son stay safe. That child made safe would change the world.
The Christmas shopping season comes earlier and earlier each year. Carols playing before the turkey at Thanksgiving is carved. We complain about that, don’t we? The most wonderful time of the year (no play on the song here), and we don’t want it to be here before we are ready. We finally do go shop, with loving thoughts of a family member or friend in mind, and the battle begins. Someone parks in the spot we were going to take. Another customer cuts line at the checkout. The sweater – the last sweater – just got picked up by another shopper. All of these events add together and what should be a love filled time converts us into angry, sad, “I can’t wait till Christmas is over” people. You have to admit, that’s a wee bit ironic.
I pray this season that we see the blessing that is the birth of a baby and embrace it. That we feel the warmth of grace poured out and that we don’t find ourselves saying ironically, “I love Christmas.”
Steve MatthewsTo leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
I once heard a minister say, when questioned about the mysterious, nearly unbelievable events of Christ’s birth, “Come to Christmas by way of Easter. If you can believe that Jesus died and rose for us, then believing in Christmas is easy.” Begin with death to understand birth. That’s a little bit of an ironic twist.
Jesus taught and healed, and when He questioned the “religious” leaders, they killed him. I can just see them brushing their hands together as if dusting chalk from their finger tips, “Got rid of that trouble maker. Now we can get on with worshipping God.” The ones He had come to save took his life. In silencing Him they gave Him a voice to be heard through all eternity.
Oh look, a baby. Who doesn’t love a baby? Well, apparently Herod. His insecurity and anger at having his own position questioned forced him into an action that would strengthen Mary and Joseph’s faith and steadfastness to have their son stay safe. That child made safe would change the world.
The Christmas shopping season comes earlier and earlier each year. Carols playing before the turkey at Thanksgiving is carved. We complain about that, don’t we? The most wonderful time of the year (no play on the song here), and we don’t want it to be here before we are ready. We finally do go shop, with loving thoughts of a family member or friend in mind, and the battle begins. Someone parks in the spot we were going to take. Another customer cuts line at the checkout. The sweater – the last sweater – just got picked up by another shopper. All of these events add together and what should be a love filled time converts us into angry, sad, “I can’t wait till Christmas is over” people. You have to admit, that’s a wee bit ironic.
I pray this season that we see the blessing that is the birth of a baby and embrace it. That we feel the warmth of grace poured out and that we don’t find ourselves saying ironically, “I love Christmas.”
Steve MatthewsTo leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Devotional 12-18-11
Please read Luke
1:26-38
I’ve tried to imagine the young Mary as she meets
the Angel Gabriel. So often the Annunciation is depicted in paintings with the
long-flowing robes of Gabriel as he stands before a radiant young Mary. In my
mind, Mary is a typical young, skinny, awkward, wide-eyed teenager. She is
engaged to be married, but has no idea what married life means. She is just
doing as she has been told and taught. I think God may have had it right in
asking a teenager to share in this astonishing task. An older, more mature
person would probably have said, “No.”
It was eight years ago this week that a call came to me that changed the path of my life journey. Ice and snow blanketed Bluefield each Sunday of Advent. The children were scheduled to present their offering of the Christmas Story to the congregation on the 4thSunday of Advent, but the weather had disrupted our carefully laid plans and their rehearsal schedule. Now I needed to preach on that last Sunday before Christmas.
Only the bravest were on the roads that afternoon, so I used the time to begin work on a sermon I hadn’t planned to need to preach. The Gospel lesson was this passage from Luke. I can remember trying to decide if Mary could have answered with a “no.” In the midst of that work, the phone rang. It was Bishop Ives calling (which was most unusual). I sat up straighter wondering what I might have done that would cause the Bishop to call. After a few pleasantries about the weather, he said that he was calling about my appointment—particularly about a place on the cabinet, asking me to become the superintendent of the Western District. We scheduled conversation time for later in the week when I would give an answer and the phone call was over. I didn’t want to be a superintendent. I was flattered by the honor of being asked, but I valued the opportunity to serve with a congregation. I searched for ways to say no to this new appointment possibility.
As I tried to work on that sermon again, every resource that I read seemed to offer the same message: Sometimes the logical, thoughtful, practical, even desired response is to just say no. If Mary had thought about Gabriel’s question for even a little while, I think she probably would have wanted to say no. But sometimes – sometimes you have to say yes.
I do not know what you are being asked to do; what new opportunities you have been called to do; or what new places you have been challenged to go. The most thoughtful choice may be a no, but God isn’t about the practical, logical, sensible things. God’s desire for us often leads us beyond the safe and secure, tried and true, rational and logical answers into God’s wonderful and mysterious possibilities, with Mary’s assurance that God will be with us every step of the journey.
Mary answered, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your Word.”
Prayer: Here am I, Lord, your servant. May your Word come alive even through me as I offer my heart and life to you. Amen.
Rev. Mark Connor
It was eight years ago this week that a call came to me that changed the path of my life journey. Ice and snow blanketed Bluefield each Sunday of Advent. The children were scheduled to present their offering of the Christmas Story to the congregation on the 4thSunday of Advent, but the weather had disrupted our carefully laid plans and their rehearsal schedule. Now I needed to preach on that last Sunday before Christmas.
Only the bravest were on the roads that afternoon, so I used the time to begin work on a sermon I hadn’t planned to need to preach. The Gospel lesson was this passage from Luke. I can remember trying to decide if Mary could have answered with a “no.” In the midst of that work, the phone rang. It was Bishop Ives calling (which was most unusual). I sat up straighter wondering what I might have done that would cause the Bishop to call. After a few pleasantries about the weather, he said that he was calling about my appointment—particularly about a place on the cabinet, asking me to become the superintendent of the Western District. We scheduled conversation time for later in the week when I would give an answer and the phone call was over. I didn’t want to be a superintendent. I was flattered by the honor of being asked, but I valued the opportunity to serve with a congregation. I searched for ways to say no to this new appointment possibility.
As I tried to work on that sermon again, every resource that I read seemed to offer the same message: Sometimes the logical, thoughtful, practical, even desired response is to just say no. If Mary had thought about Gabriel’s question for even a little while, I think she probably would have wanted to say no. But sometimes – sometimes you have to say yes.
I do not know what you are being asked to do; what new opportunities you have been called to do; or what new places you have been challenged to go. The most thoughtful choice may be a no, but God isn’t about the practical, logical, sensible things. God’s desire for us often leads us beyond the safe and secure, tried and true, rational and logical answers into God’s wonderful and mysterious possibilities, with Mary’s assurance that God will be with us every step of the journey.
Mary answered, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your Word.”
Prayer: Here am I, Lord, your servant. May your Word come alive even through me as I offer my heart and life to you. Amen.
Rev. Mark Connor
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Devotional 12-17-11
Landon’s Logic
Recently my grandson, Landon, came to spend the
night. Landon and Don wrestled and played Super Hero vs. Villain, but as bedtime
neared, I thought I should do something to get Landon ready to settle down. He
took a warm bath where he formed words with foam letters which stuck to the side
of the tub, he had a snack to get his tummy full, and then I offered to read his
favorite book DC Super Friends Flying High. This book is part of the Step into
Reading Series that encourages children to read for themselves.
I started the familiar saga of Batman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman by reading and pointing out the title, author, and illustrator. ( Once he told me he didn’t want to hear that part, but I told him if he had written a story or had drawn the pictures, he’d want people to know it.) As I read the story, I asked Landon what he thought would happen next and what else he saw in the pictures.
Landon had been extremely patient , but finally I pushed my
luck. When I told him that the “c” in city had an “s” sound, he came back with
the logical counter point that c was for cookie; therefore, it had the “k”
sound. I told him that sometimes it didn’t. It was then that he said in an
exasperated but respectful voice, “Grammy, I promise I’ll learn it if you’ll
JUST READ THE STORY!”
So I read the story.
In the Bible, Jesus tells stories to make his teachings as simple as possible. His disciples tell stories so we can know the real Jesus Christ. Reverend Lipphardt tells us “the rest of the story” to make it even more relevant to our lives in 2012. We just need to read it. Landon promises we’ll learn it, if we just read the story. So does God.
P.S. My favorite story is found in Luke 1:1-40. Merry Christmas!
Becky Warren
Friday, December 16, 2011
Devotional 12-16-11
His wife slept
Luke 2: 1; 3–7
His wife slept.
He was grateful that she could
He could not.
His mind was overtaken by crowded thoughts
As he sat near the manger
Watching the newborn fitfully sleep.
He struggled with the weight of what had happen
In the past year of his life.
His wife slept.
He was grateful that she could
He could not.
His mind was overtaken by crowded thoughts
As he sat near the manger
Watching the newborn fitfully sleep.
He struggled with the weight of what had happen
In the past year of his life.
His betrothed had been found to be pregnant,
And he knew the child wasn’t his.
He was angry.
He was heartbroken.
A visit by an angel?
Who would have imagined?
Marry her anyway.
Hadn’t he struggled to accept that?
To obey?
To believe that this child was of the Holy Spirit.
Then, of all times, in all places,
After his world has turned upside down,
Caesar changed his plans.
Go to Jerusalem.
Take his betrothed across country,
To the home of his ancestors.
He wasn’t even surprised
After everything else that had happened
That the child would come as they arrived in the town.
No room, no place to stay, no plans, no help.
At least the innkeeper had offered them a stable.
He had found a clean place for her
Clean straw, clean water.
The manger was falling apart,
So he had taken nails from his pack,
And hammered them into the wood.
As he struck the blows,
His wife had cried with the labor pain.
Finally, both of them slept
She in the straw,
He in the manger, carefully wrapped.
And Joseph sat keeping watch,
struggling to catch up with his life.
Kim MatthewsAnd he knew the child wasn’t his.
He was angry.
He was heartbroken.
A visit by an angel?
Who would have imagined?
Marry her anyway.
Hadn’t he struggled to accept that?
To obey?
To believe that this child was of the Holy Spirit.
Then, of all times, in all places,
After his world has turned upside down,
Caesar changed his plans.
Go to Jerusalem.
Take his betrothed across country,
To the home of his ancestors.
He wasn’t even surprised
After everything else that had happened
That the child would come as they arrived in the town.
No room, no place to stay, no plans, no help.
At least the innkeeper had offered them a stable.
He had found a clean place for her
Clean straw, clean water.
The manger was falling apart,
So he had taken nails from his pack,
And hammered them into the wood.
As he struck the blows,
His wife had cried with the labor pain.
Finally, both of them slept
She in the straw,
He in the manger, carefully wrapped.
And Joseph sat keeping watch,
struggling to catch up with his life.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Devotional 12-15-11
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
There is a central theme in all the readings for
this week. All of them praise God for His promise to His people. We begin with
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. David wants to build God a temple, but He prefers the
tent. Then David praises God for His promise to his dynasty. In Luke 1:46-55,
Mary praises God for His promise of generation after generation of David's
dynasty. In Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, God is again praised for making a solemn
promise to David. In Romans 16:25-27, Paul sings the praises of God so that the
people around the world will have faith. Finally, in Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel tells
Mary that her baby Jesus shall be called the son of God, and the Lord shall give
him the throne of his ancestor David.
It is the month of Christmas in the year 2011 but we can still see that God had plans for the future even in the time of David. His son was to be in the line of King David, and we still praise God for His promise. He promised that He would die for our sins, and He knew it early in His life here on earth. This baby that Mary totally accepted was the promise of God, and she felt honored to be chosen.
Let us Praise God:
Dear heavenly father, we sing your praises for your promises. Your blessings flow to us as your children. You lived on this earth to die on the cross for our sins. Your resurrection is the promise to us that there is life after death where we can meet our mothers, fathers, and other loved ones. We praise you for your promise to David long ago. We sing your praises for your blessings as they flow over us. Amen
Carolee Brown
It is the month of Christmas in the year 2011 but we can still see that God had plans for the future even in the time of David. His son was to be in the line of King David, and we still praise God for His promise. He promised that He would die for our sins, and He knew it early in His life here on earth. This baby that Mary totally accepted was the promise of God, and she felt honored to be chosen.
Let us Praise God:
Dear heavenly father, we sing your praises for your promises. Your blessings flow to us as your children. You lived on this earth to die on the cross for our sins. Your resurrection is the promise to us that there is life after death where we can meet our mothers, fathers, and other loved ones. We praise you for your promise to David long ago. We sing your praises for your blessings as they flow over us. Amen
Carolee Brown
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Devotional 12-14-11
I'm sure many of you have at least one poinsettia in your home over the
holidays. Do you know The Legend of the Poinsettia?
There was once a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.
"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.
Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.
As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.
From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia.
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent His purity.
Anita Gardner Farrell
There was once a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.
"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.
Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.
As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.
From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia.
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent His purity.
Anita Gardner Farrell
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Devotional 12-13-11
A couple weeks ago, Steve Matthews gave a wonderful sermon about getting
out of your comfort zone, which must have made some impact on me. Kim was later
whining about needing Advent devotions writers . I have successfully ignored her
til now, but in the back of my mind Steve was saying "do it". So I reluctantly
am giving it a try.
Christmas is approaching and everyone is busy buying gifts for people, either because they want to, or feel guilty about not buying them. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. I love a cheerful giver too. However, for there to be a cheerful giver, there must be a cheerful receiver.
Several years ago my Mother was very sick. She made many trips to the hospital for treatment. As she could no longer drive, and I was also retired and had plenty of time, I drove her to and from her appointments. I was so pleased that I was able to do this for her. Early on, she asked to give me money to help with the gasoline. What are you thinking Mother? I can certainly buy my own gasoline. I thought I was being kind to her by not taking her money. In fact, her feelings were hurt. Although she was very sick, she still needed to do this, not because I needed it, but she wanted to contribute to the cause. This was my pride which was hurting her feelings, very selfish on my part. This is when I discovered the concept of the "Cheerful Receiver". I finally let her make a contribution for the gasoline. This pleased her, and that was what I wanted to for Mother.
So remember, if someone wants to do something for you, don't brush it aside because of your pride. Be a cheerful receiver.
Scott Ramsey
Christmas is approaching and everyone is busy buying gifts for people, either because they want to, or feel guilty about not buying them. 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. I love a cheerful giver too. However, for there to be a cheerful giver, there must be a cheerful receiver.
Several years ago my Mother was very sick. She made many trips to the hospital for treatment. As she could no longer drive, and I was also retired and had plenty of time, I drove her to and from her appointments. I was so pleased that I was able to do this for her. Early on, she asked to give me money to help with the gasoline. What are you thinking Mother? I can certainly buy my own gasoline. I thought I was being kind to her by not taking her money. In fact, her feelings were hurt. Although she was very sick, she still needed to do this, not because I needed it, but she wanted to contribute to the cause. This was my pride which was hurting her feelings, very selfish on my part. This is when I discovered the concept of the "Cheerful Receiver". I finally let her make a contribution for the gasoline. This pleased her, and that was what I wanted to for Mother.
So remember, if someone wants to do something for you, don't brush it aside because of your pride. Be a cheerful receiver.
Scott Ramsey
Monday, December 12, 2011
Devotional 12-12-11
Our Goal!!
Hope: In hope we are saved; we pray that we abide in hope.
Peace: O, Prince of Peace, come and grant the world your peace.
Joy: Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Love: God is love. God created us out of love and redeemed us out of love.
Folks, during this time of Advent we are preparing for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During the past several Sundays, we have examined Hope, Peace, Joy and this week Love. But Advent is only the beginning of the message of Christ it is not the goal. Our goal is to be like Christ, it is to bring Hope for those in need of being saved, of having/giving Hope. It is to bring Peace to wherever it is needed, to ourselves, our home, our family, our city, our church, our county and our world. It is Joy to all, the Joy of knowing our Lord of Peace and Hope that is found in and through him. And this week Love, the Love of our God. Our God that came to walk and live among us through his son Jesus Christ. To be the greatest example of Love of how we should live our lives even to the Cross.
Please read Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:12-21
Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
17-19Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
20-21But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Pray: Father thank you for your Love, for sending your son Jesus Christ to live among us to show us the way we should live our lives even to the cross. Please help me live like Christ a life of Hope, Peace, Joy and LOVE. In the name of Christ your Loving Son and the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen
To all With Hope, Peace, Joy and LOVE
Fred Herr
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Devotional 12-11-11
The season of advent is one of waiting…eager and watchful waiting. It is a season of waiting, but it is not about the waiting, it
is really about the coming of the one for whom we wait – The Christ, God with us. The advent season is about more than a Christmas countdown, and about more than remembering the coming of the God in the flesh “once upon a time”. We wait now for that same Christ who died, who rose, and who comes again. Though the season we call advent culminates with Christmas, the present advent, the second coming, will go on (unless Jesus shows up at our Christmas service!). We're living in an advent all year, every season,
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
These lines in the psalm speak instruction to the spirit. The image of those who wait in the psalm is an image of a people not simply mourning as they wait. They are working as they wait. They go out sowing even as they weep, groaning with all the creation for better things and better times. Even if the seeds fall on hard ground, they sow. Even if the seeds fall in shallow soil, they sow. Even if they fall in choking weeds, they sow. They weep. They groan. They wait. And they keep sowing – hoping, waiting, for the Lord of the Harvest to perfect their work. Let us not grow weary in our labors, knowing that the time of joyous harvest comes.
Come quickly. Lord Jesus
Rev. Joseph Hill
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)
These lines in the psalm speak instruction to the spirit. The image of those who wait in the psalm is an image of a people not simply mourning as they wait. They are working as they wait. They go out sowing even as they weep, groaning with all the creation for better things and better times. Even if the seeds fall on hard ground, they sow. Even if the seeds fall in shallow soil, they sow. Even if they fall in choking weeds, they sow. They weep. They groan. They wait. And they keep sowing – hoping, waiting, for the Lord of the Harvest to perfect their work. Let us not grow weary in our labors, knowing that the time of joyous harvest comes.
Come quickly. Lord Jesus
Rev. Joseph Hill
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Devotional 12-10-11
John 1: 19-28
Who are You?
Who are You?
In this passage, the Jewish leaders are confused and
unsure who John is and what he is doing. The scribes question him as to whether
he is the Christ……Elijah……..or a Prophet. When John answers no each question
they demand an answer to take back to Jerusalem.
I think this question is central to our spiritual journey during Advent. This is a time of preparation!
As we “walk” toward Christmas, it is the time spent in prayer, bible-study, reflection and service that paves the road to a closer relationship with Jesus. I don’t think we can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas without Advent!
God revealed to John the Messiah! When John spoke of the lamb of God he knew what was ahead for Jesus. Yet he also rejoiced for the Light of the World gave way to eternal life! God with us!
I LOVE the Christmas season. The decorations, the parties, the search for that perfect gift. I DREADthe work of putting up decorations, cleaning the house before hosting a party and receiving another set of color-coordinated running clothes. I think you get my point. I enjoy the end result but not the effort required to get there.
If you are like me, I challenge you to embrace the work of Advent so that you can truly enjoy the Christmas season.
Who are you…………?
Prayer: Heavenly father we thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Life, family, friends and church. We thank you for this time of preparation as we point toward Christmas. Thank you for your son, thank you for his sacrifice and thank you for the promise of eternal life! Be with us as we search for the answers as to who we are.
Amen
Marv Jones
I think this question is central to our spiritual journey during Advent. This is a time of preparation!
As we “walk” toward Christmas, it is the time spent in prayer, bible-study, reflection and service that paves the road to a closer relationship with Jesus. I don’t think we can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas without Advent!
God revealed to John the Messiah! When John spoke of the lamb of God he knew what was ahead for Jesus. Yet he also rejoiced for the Light of the World gave way to eternal life! God with us!
I LOVE the Christmas season. The decorations, the parties, the search for that perfect gift. I DREADthe work of putting up decorations, cleaning the house before hosting a party and receiving another set of color-coordinated running clothes. I think you get my point. I enjoy the end result but not the effort required to get there.
If you are like me, I challenge you to embrace the work of Advent so that you can truly enjoy the Christmas season.
Who are you…………?
Prayer: Heavenly father we thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Life, family, friends and church. We thank you for this time of preparation as we point toward Christmas. Thank you for your son, thank you for his sacrifice and thank you for the promise of eternal life! Be with us as we search for the answers as to who we are.
Amen
Marv Jones
Friday, December 09, 2011
Devotional 12-9-11
FEAR or FAITH?
At the Christmas season we hear how the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds as they watched over their sheep........
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel of the Lord said unto them, FEAR NOT, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". (Luke 2:8-14)
Imagine how frightening it must have been for the shepherds, an actual angel suddenly appearing surrounded by the glory of the Lord. No wonder they were FEARFUL.
If you are like me it takes much less than the shepherds' experience to strike fear into our hearts. Something as mundane as driving on the interstate in a torrential downpour causes me to become a nervous wreck. What are your fears? They come in all shapes and sizes, little fears, big fears, fear of losing your job, fear of losing your house in these economically stressed times, fear of ill health, fear of the death of a loved one, so many fears. What to do about them?
In Mark 4:35-40 we read of a great storm and how Jesus calmed the wind and the waves and said to his disciples, "Why are ye so fearful? Have ye no FAITH?"
There's the answer to all our fears, big or small. Take those fears to Jesus and have FAITH that he will calm them and give us peace. His love surrounds us wherever we are, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, all we have to do is believe and have FAITH.
Jean Dean
To leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
At the Christmas season we hear how the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds as they watched over their sheep........
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel of the Lord said unto them, FEAR NOT, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". (Luke 2:8-14)
Imagine how frightening it must have been for the shepherds, an actual angel suddenly appearing surrounded by the glory of the Lord. No wonder they were FEARFUL.
If you are like me it takes much less than the shepherds' experience to strike fear into our hearts. Something as mundane as driving on the interstate in a torrential downpour causes me to become a nervous wreck. What are your fears? They come in all shapes and sizes, little fears, big fears, fear of losing your job, fear of losing your house in these economically stressed times, fear of ill health, fear of the death of a loved one, so many fears. What to do about them?
In Mark 4:35-40 we read of a great storm and how Jesus calmed the wind and the waves and said to his disciples, "Why are ye so fearful? Have ye no FAITH?"
There's the answer to all our fears, big or small. Take those fears to Jesus and have FAITH that he will calm them and give us peace. His love surrounds us wherever we are, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, all we have to do is believe and have FAITH.
Jean Dean
To leave a comment for the author, go to www.JMAdvent.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Devotional 12-8-11
“Be Joyful”
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm
126; Luke 1:46-55; 1Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
I am sitting in one of my favorite chairs holding a rock with the word JOY etched on it. I received it at the funeral/resurrection celebration of Marilyn Holleran. Marilyn had made the request that the service be as joy-filled as possible. She believed that sharing JOY in all of life’s circumstances increased our blessings and made burdens easier to carry. She was emphasizing SHARING as a means of increasing our own JOY. She challenged us to find JOY in allof our daily activities and in eachperson we meet during our faith journey. But in an examination of my walk, I find that I have a JOY deficiency. I love the Christmas Season, but have I become too immune to the awe and wonder that it was meant to hold?
Paul describes Joy as one of the fruits of the spirit. Joy in this spiritual sense, given by God, far exceeds the joy that we experience because of some worldly gift or circumstance. So the answer to experiencing joy must be a great deal more than just sharing a laugh, smiling cheerfully or wishing others a “Merry Christmas”. Joy comes to us as part of the response we have to God’s LOVE for us. But how do we re-model our daily walk so that we can experience the true Joy of the season? In Thessalonians, Paul tells us to “Be joyful always”. There has to be a consistent connection to the source of the JOY-namely to God. We have to be open to the creative ways that God speaks to us and can fill us with JOY. We have to get in the habit of listening, paying attention and heeding the messages he sends.
In the “busyness” of the holiday season, it is especially difficult to pay attention. There are deadlines, lists and multiple responsibilities. There are work, church and family traditions to carry out. There are too many things to do and not enough hours or days to do them. “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” but I have to admit, I can say the words but my heart and my actions don’t always convey that Christ is at the center of things.
I am going to challenge myself this holiday season to “change my ways”. I hope you can join me in this challenge. I am going to find at least one thing each day that brings a joyful light to my life. Perhaps as others have done during the days of November in finding something to be thankful for each day, we can celebrate a daily “Joy” with such enthusiasm that the Joys we discern far outweigh the stress and burdens of the season. I will try to write these joys in a journal so that I will be more consistent in discovering the abundant life I am meant to live. Maybe by attempting this change in my habits I can grow closer to Paul’s advice to “Be joyful always”. Since Advent is a time of preparation, I want to prepare my heart to truly receive the gift of God’s love this Christmas. I want to be ready to sing “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come” with that JOY in my heart as well as on my lips.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
I am sitting in one of my favorite chairs holding a rock with the word JOY etched on it. I received it at the funeral/resurrection celebration of Marilyn Holleran. Marilyn had made the request that the service be as joy-filled as possible. She believed that sharing JOY in all of life’s circumstances increased our blessings and made burdens easier to carry. She was emphasizing SHARING as a means of increasing our own JOY. She challenged us to find JOY in allof our daily activities and in eachperson we meet during our faith journey. But in an examination of my walk, I find that I have a JOY deficiency. I love the Christmas Season, but have I become too immune to the awe and wonder that it was meant to hold?
Paul describes Joy as one of the fruits of the spirit. Joy in this spiritual sense, given by God, far exceeds the joy that we experience because of some worldly gift or circumstance. So the answer to experiencing joy must be a great deal more than just sharing a laugh, smiling cheerfully or wishing others a “Merry Christmas”. Joy comes to us as part of the response we have to God’s LOVE for us. But how do we re-model our daily walk so that we can experience the true Joy of the season? In Thessalonians, Paul tells us to “Be joyful always”. There has to be a consistent connection to the source of the JOY-namely to God. We have to be open to the creative ways that God speaks to us and can fill us with JOY. We have to get in the habit of listening, paying attention and heeding the messages he sends.
In the “busyness” of the holiday season, it is especially difficult to pay attention. There are deadlines, lists and multiple responsibilities. There are work, church and family traditions to carry out. There are too many things to do and not enough hours or days to do them. “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” but I have to admit, I can say the words but my heart and my actions don’t always convey that Christ is at the center of things.
I am going to challenge myself this holiday season to “change my ways”. I hope you can join me in this challenge. I am going to find at least one thing each day that brings a joyful light to my life. Perhaps as others have done during the days of November in finding something to be thankful for each day, we can celebrate a daily “Joy” with such enthusiasm that the Joys we discern far outweigh the stress and burdens of the season. I will try to write these joys in a journal so that I will be more consistent in discovering the abundant life I am meant to live. Maybe by attempting this change in my habits I can grow closer to Paul’s advice to “Be joyful always”. Since Advent is a time of preparation, I want to prepare my heart to truly receive the gift of God’s love this Christmas. I want to be ready to sing “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come” with that JOY in my heart as well as on my lips.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Isaac Watts
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Isaac Watts
Dear Loving, Creative and Generous God: We thank
you for the blessings of all your gifts. We especially thank you for the gift
of your Son to us this Christmas. We are awed by your majesty and overwhelmed
that you love us so much when we are not worthy of so precious a gift. We
desire to be your faithful servants, but often fall so short of those goals. We
ask you to forgive us and to continue to assist us to change our ways. We thank
you for saints in our lives like Marilyn who have shared their walk with us and
help to point the way to a closer walk with you. Renew us during this season of
Advent
Chyrl Budd
Chyrl Budd
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Devotional 12-7-11
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
I have to admit that whenever I see or hear the date December 7, I always instinctively say, “Pearl Harbor Day”. In fact, that date is so etched in my memory that if my son had been born one day earlier he might have been named Pearl instead of Sam.
For those of you who are too young to remember the significance of that date, it was the day the Japanese attacked our naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii without warning or a declaration of war. As President Roosevelt so eloquently stated, “It was a day that will live in infamy”.
Actions like the attack on Pearl Harbor are hard to forgive. Yet, if we are to follow the scriptures we should do exactly that. I do not think that it means as a nation we should do nothing, or let every enemy take advantage of our country and turn the other cheek. The Bible is full of instances where the people of Israel answered violence with corresponding violence. Interestingly, it appears that although we may not have forgotten the attack on Pearl Harbor (people like me who think of December 7), we certainly have forgiven the Japanese. After the end of World War II, the United States provided assistance to our former enemy to help them rebuild their country. Japan is now one of our closest allies. Americans drive Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans without thinking twice. What U.S. city wouldn’t be thrilled at the announcement of a new Toyota plant being built? Had we not provided help to the Japanese, and had we treated them poorly, our relationship could be much different.
I guess the lesson to be learned here is that when we follow scriptures whether individually or as a nation, things work out for the best.
Lee Oxley
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
I have to admit that whenever I see or hear the date December 7, I always instinctively say, “Pearl Harbor Day”. In fact, that date is so etched in my memory that if my son had been born one day earlier he might have been named Pearl instead of Sam.
For those of you who are too young to remember the significance of that date, it was the day the Japanese attacked our naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii without warning or a declaration of war. As President Roosevelt so eloquently stated, “It was a day that will live in infamy”.
Actions like the attack on Pearl Harbor are hard to forgive. Yet, if we are to follow the scriptures we should do exactly that. I do not think that it means as a nation we should do nothing, or let every enemy take advantage of our country and turn the other cheek. The Bible is full of instances where the people of Israel answered violence with corresponding violence. Interestingly, it appears that although we may not have forgotten the attack on Pearl Harbor (people like me who think of December 7), we certainly have forgiven the Japanese. After the end of World War II, the United States provided assistance to our former enemy to help them rebuild their country. Japan is now one of our closest allies. Americans drive Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans without thinking twice. What U.S. city wouldn’t be thrilled at the announcement of a new Toyota plant being built? Had we not provided help to the Japanese, and had we treated them poorly, our relationship could be much different.
I guess the lesson to be learned here is that when we follow scriptures whether individually or as a nation, things work out for the best.
Lee Oxley
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Devotional 12-6-11
"But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel." (Micah
5:2)
Hearing about Bethlehem is not the same as being a part of it. Reading about the birth of Jesus is not the same as worshiping in the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve. These thoughts may well have been what went through Phillips Brooks's mind after his visit to the Holy Land in 1865. When he returned to Philadelphia and his pastorate at Holy Trinity Church, the heartwarming memories never ceased.
Several years later when he wanted a new song of Christmas for the children to sing at church, he reached back for inspiration to his Holy Land visit. The poem he wrote in 1868 painted the sights and sounds of the little town he had visited. What came from his heart was a Christmas carol that has lived to become a world wide favorite, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Brooks asked the church organist, Lewis Redner, to compose a simple melody for it. But nothing seemed to fit the mood of the melancholy words. One night, during a fretful sleep, Redner thought he heard music. Immediately he wrote the melody just as we sing it today. "I think it was a gift from heaven," Mr. Redner joyfully admitted.
Phillips Brooks was a beloved and respected evangelist. Born in Boston in 1825, and educated at Harvard, he became the bishop of the Boston area Episcopal churches. This giant of a man, who stood six feet, six inches tall, also had a big heart that endeared him to young and old alike. When he died unexpectedly at age fifty-eight, his extended family was overwhelmed with grief.
A child put his death in perspective. When told by her mother that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven, the little girl simply replied, "Oh Mama, how happy the angels will be!"
Our Lord Emmanuel, thank you for coming to us and abiding with us. Amen.
'O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.'
Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868
52 Hymn Story Devotions by Lucy Neely Adams
Abingdon Press Nashville 2000
Kay Lewis
Hearing about Bethlehem is not the same as being a part of it. Reading about the birth of Jesus is not the same as worshiping in the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve. These thoughts may well have been what went through Phillips Brooks's mind after his visit to the Holy Land in 1865. When he returned to Philadelphia and his pastorate at Holy Trinity Church, the heartwarming memories never ceased.
Several years later when he wanted a new song of Christmas for the children to sing at church, he reached back for inspiration to his Holy Land visit. The poem he wrote in 1868 painted the sights and sounds of the little town he had visited. What came from his heart was a Christmas carol that has lived to become a world wide favorite, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Brooks asked the church organist, Lewis Redner, to compose a simple melody for it. But nothing seemed to fit the mood of the melancholy words. One night, during a fretful sleep, Redner thought he heard music. Immediately he wrote the melody just as we sing it today. "I think it was a gift from heaven," Mr. Redner joyfully admitted.
Phillips Brooks was a beloved and respected evangelist. Born in Boston in 1825, and educated at Harvard, he became the bishop of the Boston area Episcopal churches. This giant of a man, who stood six feet, six inches tall, also had a big heart that endeared him to young and old alike. When he died unexpectedly at age fifty-eight, his extended family was overwhelmed with grief.
A child put his death in perspective. When told by her mother that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven, the little girl simply replied, "Oh Mama, how happy the angels will be!"
Our Lord Emmanuel, thank you for coming to us and abiding with us. Amen.
'O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.'
Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868
52 Hymn Story Devotions by Lucy Neely Adams
Abingdon Press Nashville 2000
Kay Lewis
Monday, December 05, 2011
Devotional 12-5-11
Oaks of Righteousness
Please read Isaiah 61:1-4
In this passage, the author relates that the spirit of the Lord is upon him, and he has been anointed to be good news and a positive presence for others, specifically the downtrodden, sorrowful, and mourning. He says they will be called “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.” Isn’t that a wonderful image? I have observed that oak trees are tall and regal-looking with distinctive leaves. Their fruit, the acorn, is also easily recognizable. Oak wood is very strong and hard, fairly impervious to insects and fungus because of its high tannin content, and very attractive on the inside, making it prized for use in buildings, furniture, floors, boats and a host of other items.
It seems to me that these are qualities that would be good for us to strive for as Christians. Imagine if we stood out because we lead lives indicative of being “planted by the Lord“; if our “clothes” of righteousness were distinctive because they reflected our priorities and actions as being God-influenced; if the fruits of our actions were easily recognizable as evidence of a strong relationship with our creator and an openness to follow his leading; if we “display[ed] his glory.”
How beautiful to reflect strength in our living such that we stand up for what is just without concern for the consequences; that we boldly follow God, even past the boundaries of our comfort; that we model strength of character in the difficult, trying situations of life without wavering in our faith.
What a delight it would be to live as though we are impervious to the insects and diseases with which we come into contact daily--those things and people, including ourselves sometimes, which lure us into self-centeredness, apathy, laziness, idolatry, unforgiveness, and other conditions which stand in the way of living a life centered on God. What a blessing it would be if our age and experiences made us, like the oak, more and more attractive on the inside and if that were the way we all measured another’s worth rather than by physical beauty, title, possessions owned or money accumulated.
I know; I’ve just listed a lot of lofty aspirations and seemingly unattainable goals. If we take small steps, however, beginning with ordering our priorities and making efforts to put and keep Christ at the center of our lives through worship, prayer and meditation, and the study of God’s word, we just might experience a taller stature reflecting our growth toward God. We might also realize that our branches are growing outward as we reach to touch others. Pretty soon we too might be called oaks of righteousness, and when our time on this earth is finished, maybe those who observed or were affected by our growth would be inspired to do the same.
Dear God, in this Advent season may we take time to assess and reorder our priorities and to consider the legacy we will leave on this earth. May we, like the mighty oak, work to become strong, inwardly beautiful people who live to do your will. Amen.
Mary Taylor
In this passage, the author relates that the spirit of the Lord is upon him, and he has been anointed to be good news and a positive presence for others, specifically the downtrodden, sorrowful, and mourning. He says they will be called “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.” Isn’t that a wonderful image? I have observed that oak trees are tall and regal-looking with distinctive leaves. Their fruit, the acorn, is also easily recognizable. Oak wood is very strong and hard, fairly impervious to insects and fungus because of its high tannin content, and very attractive on the inside, making it prized for use in buildings, furniture, floors, boats and a host of other items.
It seems to me that these are qualities that would be good for us to strive for as Christians. Imagine if we stood out because we lead lives indicative of being “planted by the Lord“; if our “clothes” of righteousness were distinctive because they reflected our priorities and actions as being God-influenced; if the fruits of our actions were easily recognizable as evidence of a strong relationship with our creator and an openness to follow his leading; if we “display[ed] his glory.”
How beautiful to reflect strength in our living such that we stand up for what is just without concern for the consequences; that we boldly follow God, even past the boundaries of our comfort; that we model strength of character in the difficult, trying situations of life without wavering in our faith.
What a delight it would be to live as though we are impervious to the insects and diseases with which we come into contact daily--those things and people, including ourselves sometimes, which lure us into self-centeredness, apathy, laziness, idolatry, unforgiveness, and other conditions which stand in the way of living a life centered on God. What a blessing it would be if our age and experiences made us, like the oak, more and more attractive on the inside and if that were the way we all measured another’s worth rather than by physical beauty, title, possessions owned or money accumulated.
I know; I’ve just listed a lot of lofty aspirations and seemingly unattainable goals. If we take small steps, however, beginning with ordering our priorities and making efforts to put and keep Christ at the center of our lives through worship, prayer and meditation, and the study of God’s word, we just might experience a taller stature reflecting our growth toward God. We might also realize that our branches are growing outward as we reach to touch others. Pretty soon we too might be called oaks of righteousness, and when our time on this earth is finished, maybe those who observed or were affected by our growth would be inspired to do the same.
Dear God, in this Advent season may we take time to assess and reorder our priorities and to consider the legacy we will leave on this earth. May we, like the mighty oak, work to become strong, inwardly beautiful people who live to do your will. Amen.
Mary Taylor
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Devotioal 12-4-11
Please read Mark 1:1-8
I find John the Baptist intriguing. His parents longed for a baby all of their married life, but it was not until they were quite aged that a pregnancy occurred. The angel Gabriel was sent to announce the baby’s coming. His father, Zechariah, was struck dumb because of his inability to believe that his wife Elizabeth conceived. A few months later, Gabriel visited Mary, the mother of Jesus, to tell her that she, too, would have a special baby, even though she wasn’t married. Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth perhaps for guidance and support. Mary learned that in spite of her long inability to conceive, Elizabeth was now pregnant. Elizabeth told Mary that the baby inside of her leapt when he heard Mary’s voice.
These are miraculous events that took place in the life of a very important baby who became an important man. We don’t hear anything else about John until he appears years later in the wilderness around the Jordan River baptizing people in that river. Where has he been all of this time? No one knows for sure, but many scholars think he was with the Essenes, a monastic community which lived around the Dead Sea. His parents probably did not live much longer after his birth, since they were quite aged when he was born, according to Scripture. He appears in Mark’s gospel as a fully adult man. At other places in the Bible he is described as someone who dressed in animal skins and ate things that most of would not. When Jesus wanted to receive baptism from John, John told him that he was not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.
What God is bringing to my spiritual consciousness this Advent is the fact that John was a powerful man with a large following and disciples of his own. Yet he chose to be a fore runner. He made a well thought out, and prayed out, decision to put someone ahead of himself. At first, he seems quite sure that Jesus is the Messiah, but other places in the Gospels it seems as though he is questioning that. Yet, he never tried to take power away from Jesus, but was always putting Jesus ahead of himself. Are we willing to be in second place this Advent season? Do we want the recognition and applause that we feel we deserve because of our accomplishments? If we don’t want public recognition, then do we conduct ourselves in the hope that God will notice how good we’re being or what sacrifices we are making? The world tells us that being number one is the only place to be, the only thing that counts. The words and actions of John the Baptist fly in the face of that. This year, will we point the way to Jesus by our words and actions? Are we willing to consciously accept being number two, or three, or . . .? Advent is a wonderful, but truly stressful time of year. Are we getting the right presents for our families and friends? Will we receive the things we really want? Will the meals be wonderful, the cookies cleverly decorated, our homes immaculate and our halls decked beautifully? Why are we doing all of that anyway? John the Baptist put someone else before himself. Can we?
Rev. Dorcas Conrad
Highland Ave. UMC
Fairmont, WV
I find John the Baptist intriguing. His parents longed for a baby all of their married life, but it was not until they were quite aged that a pregnancy occurred. The angel Gabriel was sent to announce the baby’s coming. His father, Zechariah, was struck dumb because of his inability to believe that his wife Elizabeth conceived. A few months later, Gabriel visited Mary, the mother of Jesus, to tell her that she, too, would have a special baby, even though she wasn’t married. Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth perhaps for guidance and support. Mary learned that in spite of her long inability to conceive, Elizabeth was now pregnant. Elizabeth told Mary that the baby inside of her leapt when he heard Mary’s voice.
These are miraculous events that took place in the life of a very important baby who became an important man. We don’t hear anything else about John until he appears years later in the wilderness around the Jordan River baptizing people in that river. Where has he been all of this time? No one knows for sure, but many scholars think he was with the Essenes, a monastic community which lived around the Dead Sea. His parents probably did not live much longer after his birth, since they were quite aged when he was born, according to Scripture. He appears in Mark’s gospel as a fully adult man. At other places in the Bible he is described as someone who dressed in animal skins and ate things that most of would not. When Jesus wanted to receive baptism from John, John told him that he was not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.
What God is bringing to my spiritual consciousness this Advent is the fact that John was a powerful man with a large following and disciples of his own. Yet he chose to be a fore runner. He made a well thought out, and prayed out, decision to put someone ahead of himself. At first, he seems quite sure that Jesus is the Messiah, but other places in the Gospels it seems as though he is questioning that. Yet, he never tried to take power away from Jesus, but was always putting Jesus ahead of himself. Are we willing to be in second place this Advent season? Do we want the recognition and applause that we feel we deserve because of our accomplishments? If we don’t want public recognition, then do we conduct ourselves in the hope that God will notice how good we’re being or what sacrifices we are making? The world tells us that being number one is the only place to be, the only thing that counts. The words and actions of John the Baptist fly in the face of that. This year, will we point the way to Jesus by our words and actions? Are we willing to consciously accept being number two, or three, or . . .? Advent is a wonderful, but truly stressful time of year. Are we getting the right presents for our families and friends? Will we receive the things we really want? Will the meals be wonderful, the cookies cleverly decorated, our homes immaculate and our halls decked beautifully? Why are we doing all of that anyway? John the Baptist put someone else before himself. Can we?
Rev. Dorcas Conrad
Highland Ave. UMC
Fairmont, WV
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Devotional 12-3-11
"The Perfect Christmas”
I love everything about Christmas. I love the carols and the Christmas services. I love my house when it’s decorated for Christmas. I love finding that special gift. I love the baking and the cookies (especially the cookies!). I even love fruit cake! None of this makes Christmas happen, but you would never know it by observing the world as Christmas approaches.
How did God's gift of love to the world turn into the ‘season of greed’? How did the celebration of our Savior’s birth in a humble manger turn into the world trying (and always failing) to create the ‘perfect’ Christmas? The stores are full of books and magazines to help us create the ‘perfect’ Christmas--the perfect gifts to buy and how to wrap them; decorating ideas for your home; the perfect Christmas dinner and all kinds of cookies, cakes, and pies to make. The impression is given that if we do all of these things (and spend lots of money), then we and our family will have a wonderful, joyful Christmas. No wonder so many people get depressed at Christmas! We set ourselves up for failure (not to mention exhaustion!). No one can create the perfect Christmas. Only God can!
God has already created the perfect Christmas; given us the perfect gift. All we have to do is slow down and open our hearts to it. When we do that we not only ‘prepare the way for Him’ in our own lives, but in the lives of all we meet.
Margaret Williams
Friday, December 02, 2011
Devotional 12-2-11
Peter 3:9-15a
There is one word regardless of whatever our age may be that we would rather not hear spoken to us. That one word is the word Wait. We often consider it to be acceptable for us to request others to wait on us either to go somewhere or to do something to fulfill an earlier promise that we have made. But we grow impatient, when we are asked or expected to do the same.
The writer of Second Peter tells his hearers that they need to wait. They are reminded that God does not necessarily measure time in the same way that we do. Indeed we are told that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” I would imagine there had been many days that seemed to last a thousand years with all the persecution they had faced of one kind or another. Persecutions that ranged from being cast out by their families due to their acceptance of Jesus as the Christ and Lord to torture and stonings by either the religious or secular authorities for their new faith. And I can also imagine that as they looked back there were moments when it seemed like just yesterday they had experienced the difference their new faith had made in their life.
Wait, none of us like to wait. Waiting runs contrary to who we are. We are an impatient lot, and somehow I doubt that has changed all that much throughout the years. “We want, what we want, when we want it” goes a line in a movie whose title and the actors I have long since forgotten. Still the reality remains there are situations where we have to wait. Change often comes slowly. Acceptance comes slowly, and so we have to wait.
This waiting I am describing, though, is not that we are to sit idly by. Far from it! The biblical view of waiting is one in which we are actively involved. In verse 13 the writer states we: “wait for and hasten the coming of the day of the Lord.” We do that by modeling the example of Christ in our daily life through our relationships and dealings with others both within and beyond the household of faith. We wait living and treating others knowing that the fullness of Christ’s reign has already begun.
Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Thom Malcolm, D. Min
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Devotional 12-1-11
Advent: the period of time leading up to Christmas from the Sunday nearest
November 30th until Christmas Eve (Latin - adventus"coming"). Advent was first
celebrated in the late fourth century. Originally, Advent was observed by
strict fasting, prayer and meditation; but now it must compete with Christmas
parties, shopping, lights and tinsel.
Of course, we have special services, prayers and music. Modern Christians look forward with great anticipation to the celebration of the anniversary of Christ's birth. But one wonders, what must the first Advent have been like? How long had God's people yearned for a hero to drive out the Romans or for the "anointed one" as foretold by the prophets of old? What was the world like in the period just before Jesus' birth? What were the circumstances into which he was born?
Oh, yes! The ancient prophecies were promising and were expounded in some of the most eloquent passages of the Old Testament. In particular consider these words from Isaiah:
"Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people,"
saith your God.
"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem
and cry unto her
that her warfare is accomplished
and her iniquity is pardoned."
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
"prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
every valley shall be exalted,
every mountain and hill laid low,
the crooked straight and the rough places plane.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
Drop down dewy heavens from above,
and let the clouds rain down the Just One
Let the earth open and the Savior blossom forth.
or this:
Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son
and shall call his name Immanuel (God-with-Us).
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined....
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the might God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse
(progenitor of the Davidic dynasty),
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Or Isaiah's version of the Peaceable Kingdom
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling togehter;
and a little child shall lead them ...
And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy
in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
and the waters cover the sea.
But that time had not arrived, nor had the great leader materialized. The Jews were oppressed, despondent and were without any visible signs of optimism. In order to "fit in" or do business, they had adopted many of the customs of the Greeks and Romans. The Jews had even forsaken their mother tongue, Hebrew, and now spoke Aramaic.
True, deep within themselves, the Jews still harbored a glimmer of hope that God would send his representative to rule over them -- but it was a forlorn hope. They could see no signs of daybreak in their dark world.
So, that first Advent period -- that time of expectation of "the coming" had lasted hundreds of years! No wonder the Jews were despondent.
But their savior did, indeed, arrive! However, he came among them in a very unexpected form. So different was he that the Jews did not recognize Him for who he was.
They expected that their hero might even come down from heaven.
They received a baby born in a stable.
They expected a warrior in glistening armor.
Here was a carpenter's son wearing common robes.
They expected marching orders for a bloody revolution.
This man preached love for their fellow man.
Is it any wonder He was not immediately accepted as their savior!?
Well, we Christians of the twenty-first century can look back on history. We know of Jesus' birth, death, and rising again! We know of the spread of Christianity and the wonderful changes in the world that have come about because of the birth of this single baby so many years ago. It is only fitting that we celebrate his birth and that we devote a few weeks each year to the Advent, "the coming" of the Prince of Peace -- our Savior, the Son of God!
Luke 2:6-7:
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the village inn.
Charlie Lewis
Of course, we have special services, prayers and music. Modern Christians look forward with great anticipation to the celebration of the anniversary of Christ's birth. But one wonders, what must the first Advent have been like? How long had God's people yearned for a hero to drive out the Romans or for the "anointed one" as foretold by the prophets of old? What was the world like in the period just before Jesus' birth? What were the circumstances into which he was born?
Oh, yes! The ancient prophecies were promising and were expounded in some of the most eloquent passages of the Old Testament. In particular consider these words from Isaiah:
"Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people,"
saith your God.
"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem
and cry unto her
that her warfare is accomplished
and her iniquity is pardoned."
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
"prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
every valley shall be exalted,
every mountain and hill laid low,
the crooked straight and the rough places plane.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
and all flesh shall see it together
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
Drop down dewy heavens from above,
and let the clouds rain down the Just One
Let the earth open and the Savior blossom forth.
or this:
Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son
and shall call his name Immanuel (God-with-Us).
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined....
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the might God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse
(progenitor of the Davidic dynasty),
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Or Isaiah's version of the Peaceable Kingdom
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling togehter;
and a little child shall lead them ...
And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy
in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
and the waters cover the sea.
But that time had not arrived, nor had the great leader materialized. The Jews were oppressed, despondent and were without any visible signs of optimism. In order to "fit in" or do business, they had adopted many of the customs of the Greeks and Romans. The Jews had even forsaken their mother tongue, Hebrew, and now spoke Aramaic.
True, deep within themselves, the Jews still harbored a glimmer of hope that God would send his representative to rule over them -- but it was a forlorn hope. They could see no signs of daybreak in their dark world.
So, that first Advent period -- that time of expectation of "the coming" had lasted hundreds of years! No wonder the Jews were despondent.
But their savior did, indeed, arrive! However, he came among them in a very unexpected form. So different was he that the Jews did not recognize Him for who he was.
They expected that their hero might even come down from heaven.
They received a baby born in a stable.
They expected a warrior in glistening armor.
Here was a carpenter's son wearing common robes.
They expected marching orders for a bloody revolution.
This man preached love for their fellow man.
Is it any wonder He was not immediately accepted as their savior!?
Well, we Christians of the twenty-first century can look back on history. We know of Jesus' birth, death, and rising again! We know of the spread of Christianity and the wonderful changes in the world that have come about because of the birth of this single baby so many years ago. It is only fitting that we celebrate his birth and that we devote a few weeks each year to the Advent, "the coming" of the Prince of Peace -- our Savior, the Son of God!
Luke 2:6-7:
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the village inn.
Charlie Lewis
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