Devotional - Christmas Evening

Christmas Blessing

The following is “A Christmas Blessing” Betty Long prayed in my home about six years ago on Christmas Day.  Last year I invited friends from church for a meal near Christmas and used this prayer.

“Almighty Father,  How beautiful upon the mountains was the news of your coming and last night the heavens again reflected your glory and might,  crisp and moon lite as it must have been when you were born.

Each year we are blessed anew with the story of your birth.  For all of our lives we have shared this miracle with those we love and loved - then, now and may it continue forever. The gifts of your love and care know no ending.  We each share the memory of those gifts in our own way.

May we meet the challenges of tomorrow unafraid.

We thank you for the food prepared for us this night and ask that you bless the world with your message of peace.   Dear God, bless the family and friends gathered here tonight.    Amen.”

Sue D. Woods

Devotional - Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning

Love for All

It is Christmas Day, the day that Love came down for you and all.  We have been preparing for this day during the past four weeks of Advent and now Christmas has arrived.  Today we Celebrate the Joy of the Birth of a little baby, a baby full of LOVE for ALL.  A Love that we are called to show to each other.

But, It seems that Love for each other has been lost in love for ourselves or in a misguided hateful belief or direction.

I began thinking about this devotional some weeks ago.  As it takes awhile for me to hear for the Holy Spirit to guide me.  During the past few days I have been hearing a lyric “Love Came Down”.   So this morning I searched for the hymn and found “Love Came Down at Christmas” by Christina G. Rossetti ca.1885.  (Public Domain)

“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.”

This hymn is based on; John 4:7-11, 13:35.  (CEB):

“Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God.  The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him.  This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.   Dear friends, if God loved us this way, we also ought to love each other.

John 13:35 (CEB):  This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

On the day I was writing this message, the people of Johnson Memorial UMC and others came together in the evening to show our Love and support of the Jewish Community.  We joined B’ani Sholom Synagogue for their evening service to honor the lives of those so tragically lost, at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, PA, the week before.

On this Christmas Day let us go fourth into the world to show LOVE for ALL.  For Christ was sent into the world not to judge but to save the world though his LOVE for ALL and not just for some.  May we be the Disciples Christ has called us to be to the world through LOVE.

Have a very blessed Christmas Day.

Love to ALL,
Fred Herr

Devotional 12-24-18

A child is born

Please read Isaiah 9:2-7

It was more than 2000 years ago, but every Christmas Eve, we are reminded of the birth of Jesus.

“For unto us a child is born…”
Our Savior had a humble beginning, and few were initially aware of the event. He was surrounded by God’s creatures who also found shelter in the stable. They, like Mary and Joseph, were the first to see this tiny baby “wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  Then shepherds came, and wise men travelled from afar, following a glowing star, to bring gifts for this newborn baby.

“…Unto us a son is given …”;
Many assumed this child was just an ordinary child, the son of Joseph and Mary. But Joseph and Mary—especially Mary, understood that this infant was special, for she had been told by God that this baby was His son, and she had been chosen to be his mother. Now she held him close.

“…And the government shall be upon his shoulder…”:
Little did Mary and Joseph know that as the baby boy grew, and became a young man, he would endure much criticism. He would be laughed at, scorned, ridiculed, and eventually judged to be a liar, an imposter, and a fake. But Jesus also had followers who loved him, respected him. They looked upon him as a kind and gentle man and teacher. His disciples dropped everything to follow him. Strangers who witnessed his miracles became believers. In the end, when he was crucified, his mother Mary wept. Others began thinking, maybe this is the Son of God! And yes! The word got out! Jesus was far more than anyone knew!

“Wonderful, Counselor…”
This became a powerful proclamation! The sorrow and fear after the crucifixion was gone!  Jesus was the victor! He had risen from the dead, and he briefly appeared to prove his presence and encourage the disciples to continue their work. With faith renewed and fear gone, the disciples prepared to do what Christ had asked of them. They began reaching out, traveling from one small town to the next, converting others to Christianity and helping groups of Christians who had gathered together in groups to establish their own church.

“…The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Price of Peace.”
Christians rejoiced as knowledge expanded the identity of that baby born in Bethlehem. Prophets, ancestors, story participants and tellers whose experiences were preserved in the writings of the Holy Bible; Christ’s faithful followers during and following his life on earth; his disciples, the apostles, the members of the newly established Christian faith; and the generations over time who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, all learned, and still are learning:  Baby Jesus was and still is the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Tonight, as we celebrate with joy and wonder, may we recognize the significance of Christ’s birth. May we acknowledge our blessings, but also recognize and remember those whose circumstances prevent them from feeling joy on this holy night.  May we deliver hope to them in some way, every day.

Diane Feaganes

Devotional 12-23-18

Observations more than a Devotion

I recently read through the Nativity stories in both Matthew and Luke, the only Gospels which reported it, and was surprised at the gaps. Over the years, we Christians have added to the story, maybe for the sake of Christmas cards and pageants.

Matthew seems to focus on Joseph, who was visited by an angel four times in this narrative: 1. In a dream, an angel tells Joseph not to divorce Mary, that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit and the baby will be a boy he is to name Jesus. 2. Another dream angel tells Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt and stay till Herod’s death. 3. In another dream, an angel tells him that Herod is dead and go back to Israel. 4. One more dream angel tells him to go to Nazareth in Galilee, a good place to hide from Herod’s son Achelaus.
Matthew tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but does not mention why they were there,  where they came from, or a stable. He launches into the story of the Wise Men, but never mentions the number of them. Perhaps we decided on three because of the three gifts.

Luke’s focus is more on Mary, who lives in Nazareth. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her she will have a baby via the Holy Spirit and she should name the boy Jesus. She goes to visit her aged, pregnant cousin Elizabeth whose baby leaps in her womb when Mary arrives. This scene contains the famous song of Mary or Magnificat. Mary returned to Nazareth and the Roman Emperor decreed a census so Joseph had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, his ancestral home, to be counted. Luke tells us he took Mary with him. (No mention of a donkey or the trip).

“While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.” (Luke 2: 6-7). I guess we assume it was a stable because of the manger.

Then Luke launches into the story of the shepherds.

Eight days after the birth, the baby was circumcised and named Jesus.

At the purification offering and dedication of the baby at the temple in Jerusalem (if a first baby was a boy, he was to be dedicated to the Lord)  they met the two prophets Simeon and Anna.

“When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. (Luke 2:39).  (No mention of fleeing to Egypt).

Do the gaps and discrepancies make me not believe the story? NO! Different writers at different times. Matthew was written for the Jewish people while Luke, with a Greek background, was aimed at a gentile audience. Combining the two, we have a wonderful story of the birth of our Lord.

Anita Gardner Farrell

Devotional 12-22-18

Luke 1: 8-20

The reason this is late is because I was practicing my favorite pastime, procrastination.

I am guilty of that sin more than any other. I don’t know if it is laziness or the thrill of slipping something passed a deadline. I do not think it is noble in any way, shape, or fashion.

In looking at the story of the shepherds form the Christmas story, we have set before us just the opposite of procrastination.

The night lit up, the angels sang, the angel-in-chief announces the birth of Jesus and they are down the road.

Perhaps it is not possible for angels to appear to correct my character flaw but maybe they are here and I am just not paying attention. Exogenous stuff clutters our minds at this time of year. What to buy, travel plans, buying turkeys on sale and many more litter our thoughts and for me it is a lot easier to retreat to the basement and do nothing until the very last minute.

These things are not boulders. They are pebbles. They should not be the fuel for the fire of putting things off. When things stack up it can ruin our attention to the angels that are right here, right now.

Let us be more like the shepherds and just get up and go be a part of joyful part of Christmas.

Mike Bowen

Devotional 12-21-18

Luke 1 46-55
Mary’s Song of Praise

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
And holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down he powerful from their thrones,
And lifted up the lowly;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy,
According to the promise he made to our ancestors,
To Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Scholars and modern writers liken Mary’s Song of Praise to our modern day efforts to live mindfully and with gratitude. May our thoughts and prayers today help us appreciate all that might transform our lives. May our thoughts and prayers today open our hearts to feel our blessings.

Sue Sisson

Devotional 12-20-18

It is the Season

For every man there is a season.  I have had many seasons in my life. Some of them have been good and some of them have been very bad.  Last Sunday I picked up a copy of the Upper Room and turned to today’s date, December 20.

The author said that God gets us through all the seasons of our lives. Seasons can have many options to each of us.  It is now the Advent Season.  I talked with my sister about seasons in life.  She lost her husband a year ago and has been dealing with grief.  She saw life as the seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

I thought that her winter would be less desired, dark; but it was the opposite .She saw it as her goal: tranquility and peace. We are definitely defined by our feelings in choosing the season here.

However, I do not feel that the author meant the seasons of the year. I think that we have many seasons during our lifetimes. In Ecclesiastes Chapter three, we learn that to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. All of us can remember challenging seasons of our lives when but by the grace of God, we made it through the challenge. Yes, the GRACE OF GOD helped us through it.  I think that is what the author meant.  I am in the winter of my life and as I ponder it, I feel so blessed that that His Grace helped me through all the seasons of my life. I can remember when I lost my dear mother over 30 years ago, I was determined to hate the Advent Season because I lost her at Christmas Time. I planned on being miserable!  It took time, but God stayed with me through that long season to a sweet understanding of the real meaning and anticipation of the Advent Season. God also is with us during the sweet seasons of our lives such as the birth of a child or grandchild.

The Advent Season is the anticipation of the birth of a child that will be our Savior.

It should be a joyful season for us all.  We will have many seasons in our lives but if we need Him to help us get through any of them, He will be there.

Hear our Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Be patient with us as we go through our many seasons in life, we are not perfect, but with your help, we will be blessed and succeed.  Amen

Carol Brown

Devotional 12-19-18

Getting close. Less than a week. You and I probably have more yet to do, but hopefully this year we have been deliberate in our reflections surrounding Christmas. Whenever I ponder Christmas, good memories always flood my mind. Most are based on activities with family or at Church where I was involved doing something, frequently in concert or with the help of others, for siblings, parents, grandparents, people in the community who needed assistance, older members of Church who no longer had the mobility to attend. Although many of these go back 50 or more years, it seems like yesterday. This surely echoes what Luke attributes to Jesus in Acts 20:35 with the words ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’. In Christmas settings like these, the joy of giving is indelibly inscribed in our hearts and memories. This is precisely what God demonstrated to the entire world 2,000 years when he sent Jesus Christ. The world has never been the same since we learned and came to understand this, the greatest gift ever conceived. Paraphrasing the lectionary scriptures from Zephaniah and Isaiah, they declare, the Holy One, the King of Israel, the Lord is in our midst. That is what God has done, then and now, this very year- come to be with us, right in our midst.

Zephaniah 3: 14-20 and Isaiah 12: 2-6

Mark McCallister

Devotional 12-18-18

Finding Hope

Psalm 80:17-19

“You can fine hope in the Savior. If you haven’t noticed, this whole Psalm revolves around one phrase. That one phrase is stated three times, saying the same thing. “Turn us again O lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved.” Remember that the book of Psalms is a collection of songs. Basically, it’s Israel’s hymnbook. So, when you see this Psalm as a song, you see those three verses as the chorus. Have you ever noticed that when a song pops in your head, it’s usually the chorus? We usually remember the chorus of a song, because that’s the part we repeat. It’s the part the song’s author wants us to remember the most.

The earnest plea of this song is to remember the hope of salvation. The hope of salvation that is only possible because of a Savior. It was a Savior that was only hoped for in the Old Testament. It was the hope of a Savior that was only pointed to in the temple. It was the hope of a Savior that was only pointed to with the sacrificial blood of bulls and lambs and goats. It was the hope of a Savior that a remnant longed to see. A Savior that came as God in the flesh. A Savior that was conceived of the Holy Spirit. A Savior that was born of a virgin. A Savior that grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. A Savior who experienced every feeling and temptation that you and I experience and more. A Savior who passed those tests and lived a perfect sinless life. A Savior who willingly went to the cross. Who suffered shame. Who bore our sins. And who paid our price. A Savior who rose again on the third day, victorious over sin, death, hell and grace. And a Savior that today sits at the right hand of the Father continually making intercession for His children. That is the hope that was fulfilled  when Jesus came. That is the hope you have because He came. That is the hope that comes from being quickened in Him. That is the hope that comes for calling on His name. Have you called on His name? Has your hope been fulfilled in Him? Have you placed your hope in Jesus your Shepherd? Have you placed your hope in Jesus your Savior? There is hope in no other.

Find Your Hope In HIM.”

Taken from  The Hope of Christmas In The Psalms,  by Jim Drake Nov 28, 2008

Pray: Dear Lord, Thank you for your Son, you sent to us to save us all and to give us the Hope we need always. When we need Hope we must trust in Jesus because he is the Hope you sent to lead us on our journey with you. May everyone find Hope as Christmas by remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season.
We praise your Holy Name, Amen.

Melanie Herr

Devotional 12-17-18

Hebrews 10:5-10

That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You do not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, “Look, I have come to do your will, 0 God-as is written about me in the scriptures.” First Christ said,” You did do not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses).Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for Us to be made Holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

After reading this scripture, I wondered, what does this have to do with the Advent story? It is a story about the end of the journey and not the beginning. Then I began thinking about other birthdays and events we celebrate or acknowledge during the year. We celebrate events or birthdays of people who have made a significant difference in the lives of many people. Had Christ not given his life for our sins, he would have just been a a prophet or Rabbi, or other people who might have played a significant role in someone’s life, but hardly worth celebrating. That, I believe, is the reason for its inclusion this Advent season.

Let’s look at the scripture. It was written to the Hebrews who had accepted Jesus. They accepted him as their savior but thought they had to continue with the traditions of Mosaic Law. Paul tells them that the first covenant required burnt offerings and sin offerings to please God and to atone for their sins. This required frequent burnt flesh and sprinkling of fresh blood. Pretty messy.

Jesus came with a second covenant which cancelled the first. Jesus said the Lord does not want and is not pleased by these offerings. Jesus offered up his life as a sacrifice, once for all time, for our sins.

Thanks be to God!

Scott Ramsey

Devotional 12-16-18

Lectionary texts  Zephaniah 3 14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3: 7-18

 “...I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly,” Jesus says in John’s gospel, chapter ten, verse ten.  This has long been one of my favorite scriptures. Jesus’ words are like a personal mission statement for the Messiah:  this is why I came, and here are the results that will flow from my actions. During this holy season of Advent, when we are called to study the promises surrounding the coming of the Christ, and their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, his own understanding of his mission as a life-giving gift can be a powerful source of comfort and hope. So much in our world and its history focus on power and punishment, on judging and dividing people, on condemnation and conflict.  The lectionary texts for the third week of Advent draw us into a deeper focus on joy at the coming of the Christ, the bringer of abundant life.

Seven centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah spoke about the people’s future:  “You will draw water with joy from the springs of salvation....and you will say on that day ‘Thank the Lord...’ “ (Isaiah 12, verses 3,4).  Seventy years or so later, the prophet Zephaniah proclaimed “On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem:...The Lord your God is in your midst....he will rejoice over you with singing....” (Zeph 3: excerpts from verses 16.17)  These prophets wrote during times of civil unrest and international conflicts, and some of their words are a call to repentance, but it is interesting that they come back, ultimately, to a sense of joy and hope.  The first generations of Christians, steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures, saw the fulfillment of this hope in the life of Jesus.  The gospel text from Luke shows a divided people, hearing good news that calls them to new and abundant life.  Within the crowds coming to John for baptism, some claim special treatment because of their ancestry as children of Abraham.  Others are not sure about sharing their resources with those in need.  Some are tax collectors, representatives in that time and place of the Roman Empire, and famously unjust.  Others are soldiers, and John’s words to them show that they were also prone to abuses of power.  It’s a vast and diverse crowd of people, each with needs and expectations, and John’s preaching causes some to wonder whether he is the Christ.  John deflates that idea quickly, affirming that “one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals.” (Luke 3:16) John talks about the sifting process, the burning away of husks and the bringing of life, “proclaiming the good news to the people,” according to Luke.

A few years later, the apostle Paul exhorts the Christian community in Philippi to rejoice “always” and to be kind to others.   “The Lord is near,” he says, “Don’t be anxious about anything....” (Philippians 4:5b-6a).  Paul is writing from a prison cell, twenty-five or thirty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The Roman Empire is still persecuting the fledgling faith, and Paul himself has also been beaten and run out of towns by both political and religious leaders.  This isn’t his first imprisonment.  He will eventually die for the faith. And yet, he sings the same song that the prophets knew, a song of joy and hope.  God is with us!  Don’t be anxious, but bring your concerns to God, who will “keep your hearts and minds safe in Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 4:7b)

We still live in an imperfect world, and there are surely things we could focus on that might lead to worry or even despair.  But God’s word has been steady over the centuries, in this call to hope and joy.  I leave you with a modern poet/songwriter’s call to faithful life:   “Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”  (lyrics from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen)

A Prayer for the Day:
God of abundant life and hope, thank you for your faithfulness down through the centuries.  Help us to live with joy and faith, in the midst of all the ups and downs of life.  Let our song rise up to you in thanks and praise, in this life and the one to come.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Rev. Teresa Deane

Devotional 12-15-18

Even the Back That Doesn’t Show

Philippians 4:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

During World War II, my father, a navy Ensign, was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. As I understand it, he and his men patrolled the eastern seacoast searching for enemy ships. I believe he lived on base, but my mother and brother Bert lived in town with a woman named Josie Matthews. When the war was over, my father, mother, and brother moved back to Huntington, WV, the city where my parents had met. They bought a house at 314 Wilson Court, Jimmy was born in ‘48, and I came along in ‘52.

My parents and Mrs. Matthews stayed in touch. I know this because she sent Christmas presents many times over the years. I thought she was pretty special because she sent them to me even though we had never met. One present in particular, sent in1958, made me so happy that I still have it. It was a spiral bound, pop-up book called The Shiniest Star. It was written by Beth Vardon and illustrated by Charlot Byj.

Three little angels, Crewcut, Pigtails, and Touslehead, were in charge of shining stars. Crewcut and Pigtails were pretty confidant about their abilities and had the stories to prove it. Crewcut’s star had saved some sailors who could not find the shoreline. Pigtails’ star had guided two lost children out of a forest. As far as Touslehead could see, her star hadn’t done anyone any good, but she just kept shining it – “Even the BACK, that doesn’t show!”

Well, you can imagine what happened! There was a great commotion on earth because a special baby was about to be born. Touslehead thought she was in the way, so she took her star to a less populated area. There she saw men on camels.

“It’s the Star that God has promised, Star of Guidance, Star of Love!”

Touslehead thought, “Am I dreaming? It’s MY star they’re speaking of!”

The star led the Magi to the Christ Child, and they all lived happily ever after – in Becky Wright’s five-year-old mind.

Sadly, sixty-five-year-old Becky Wright Warren knows that things are never that simple. We could look at this as a sweet children’s story, but the reading teacher in me is always looking for symbolism to find the author’s deeper meaning. Of course, this author is God. It doesn’t get much deeper than that!

I think the Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Like Touslehead and her star, I carry Jesus around with me everywhere. When I’m shining Him, I study, pray, witness, and sing to His glory. When I think I haven’t done enough, when I think I’m “in the desert” by myself, He is still my Star of Guidance, Star of Love.

Philippians 4:4-7 reminds me to rejoice in the Lord, show gentleness to all, and be calm in the knowledge that He is watching out for me. That’s easier said than done. Just in case, my star will be ready when some lost soul (probably me) is looking for the Christ Child. I’ll keep shining it – even the back that doesn’t show!

Please use the following hymn as a prayer of praise. (UMH p.206)

I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.
In him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
Amen

Becky Warren

Devotional 12-14-18

Help Along the Way

How long was the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? Scholars differ in their opinions as to distance and route. It might have been a more familiar route such as that heading to Passover or a longer route to not get caught up in the conflict between the Samaritans and the Jews. Since we have no Garmin data or Strava segment to review, we’ll have to go with what we know (or think we know) about the time period. One account says 157 km (hang tight – I’ll get all this into miles in a minute) another says 175 km. That’s 97.5 and 108.75 miles. I’m a geek, and I like the numbers, but I’m also reasonable…let’s split the difference > 166 km. 103 miles. I am not a runner or avid hiker, so I can’t claim to have gone a whole lot of miles in a single day on foot -- perhaps 15. I have ridden a bicycle 100 miles in a single day, but that is WAY different than the donkey in our story. My walking pace, when I am moving with purpose, is about 3.5 miles per hour. A leisurely pace would be maybe 2 mph. If  Mary and Joseph were just out to get heart-healthy and made the trek, it would have taken almost four days…traveling eight hours a day. If they moved at the aforementioned ‘leisurely’ pace – closer to seven days. I have to believe that there was NOTHING leisurely about THIS journey.

I love the introduction of new words and adjustments to the rules in our language. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air gave us “jiggy.” “Muggles” came from Harry Potter, and the hair on fire pace of technology turned the noun Google into a verb. Perhaps my very favorite is the morphing of friends and family: the notion of FRAMILY.

Did Mary and Joseph encounter Framily along the way? What we read tells us that Joseph was a carpenter; not a farmer or a hunter, or a nomad or a traveler; a man with no skills to help with this road trip. We know for a fact that Mary was VERY pregnant. We have two sons, and at no time could I imagine saying to Kim, especially in the 8th or 9th month – “Hey! Let’s go walk to Ripley. It will only take a week or so.” If we fast-forward to Bethlehem, we know that it was the friends part of framily that found them the stable. Family surely would have taken them in.They must have encountered kind souls as the moved closer to their destination. Someone to offer shelter, food, fresh cloths, water and hay for the donkey.  All of the necessary things could not have been carried.

Luke 3: 10 says: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

All that we need for our journey cannot be carried.

Who in your world is in need of framily? Perhaps you have a coat that will keep someone warm, a sandwich that will stop a hurting stomach, a few dollars that will buy a bus ticket, or a ride in your car to a destination you don’t understand but will make a life-changing difference to another.

A candle loses nothing by lighting another. Be someone’s light this Christmas.

Steve Matthews

Devotional 12-13-18

The following excerpts from Barbara Brown Taylor’s Bread of Angels *(pp. 31, 33-35) eloquently state everything in my heart this Advent Season. May her words speak to your heart as well.

“... but somewhere in the middle of that time before time, God decided to make a world...Whatever the reason, God made a world - this world - and filled it with the most astonishing things: with humpback whales that sing and white-striped skunks that stink and birds with more colors on them than a box of Crayola crayons.
______________________________

He had one single thing in mind at first, but as he worked, God realized that one thing all by itself was not the kind of statement he wanted to make. He knew what it was like to be alone, and now that he had made a world, he knew what it was like to have company; and company was definitely better. So God decided to make two things instead of one, which were alike but different, and both would be reflections of him - a man and a woman who could keep him and each other company.
_______________________________

It was not long before most human beings forgot all about him.  They called themeselves ‘self-made’ men and women, as if that were a plus and not a minus. They honestly believed they had created themselves, and they liked the result so much they divided themselves into groups of people who looked, thought, and talked alike. Those who still believed in God drew pictures of him that looked just like them, and that made it easier for them to turn away from the people who were different. You would not believe the trouble this got them into: everything from armed warfare to cities split right down the middle, with one kind of people living on that side of the line and another kind on the other.

God would have put a stop to it all right there, except for one thing. When he had made human beings, he had made them free. That was built into them just like their hearts and brains were, and even God could not take it back without killing them. So God left them free, and it almost killed him to see what they were doing to each other.

God shouted to them from the sidelines, using every means he could think of, including floods, famines, messengers, and manna. He got inside people’s dreams, and if that did not work he woke them up in the middle of the night with his whispering. No matter what he tried, however, he came up against the barriers of flesh and blood. They were made of it and he was not, which made translation difficult. God would say, ‘Please stop before you destroy yourselves!’ but all they could hear was thunder. God would say,
‘I love you as much now as I did the day I made you,’ but all they could hear was a loon calling across the water.

Babies were the exception to this sad state of affairs. While their parents were all but deaf to God’s messages, babies did not have any trouble hearing him at all. They were all the time laughing at God’s jokes or crying with him when he cried, which went right over their parents’ heads. ‘Colic,’ the grownups would say, or ‘Isn’t she cute? She’s laughing at the dust mites in the sunlight.’ Only she wasn’t, of course. She waslaughing because God had just told her it was cleaning day in heaven, and that what she saw were fallen stars the angels were shaking from their feather dusters.

Babies did not go to war. They never made hate speeches or littered or refused to play with each other because they belonged to different political parties. They depended on other people for everything necessary to their lives and a phrase like ‘self-made-babies’ would have made them laugh until their bellies hurt. While no one asked their opinions about anything that mattered (which would have been a smart thing to do), almost everyone seemed to love them, and that gave God an idea.
Why not create himself as one of these delightful creatures?
___________________________________

... he thought he would just be a regular baby. How else could he gain the trust of his creatures? How else could he persuade them that he knew their lives inside out, unless he lived one like theirs? There was a risk. He knew that. Okay, there was a high risk, but that was part of what he wanted his creatures to know: that he was willing to risk everything to get close to them, in hopes that they might love him again.

It was a daring plan, but once the angels saw that God was dead set on it, they broke into applause - not the uproarious kind but the steady kind that goes on and on when you have witnessed something you know you will never see again.

While they were still clapping, God turned around and left the cabinet chamber, shedding his robes as he went. The angels watched as his midnight blue mantle fell to the floor, so that all the stars on it collapsed in a heap. Then a strange thing happened. Where the robes had fallen, the floor melted and opened up to reveal a scrubby brown pasture speckled with sheep and - right in the middle of them - a bunch of shepherds sitting around a camp-fire drinking wine out of a skin. It was hard to say who was more startled, the shepherds or the angels, but as the shepherds looked up at them, the angels pushed their senior member to the edge of the hole. Looking down at the human beings who were all trying to hide behind each other (poor things, no wings), the angel said in as gentle a voice as he could muster, ‘Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’
And away up the hill, from the directions of town, came the sound of a newborn baby’s cry.’’

Loving God, as we journey to the manger this Advent Season, make us mindful of the many ways in which you reach out to connect with us. Help us to recognize your face in the faces of all we meet. Help us to recognize your love for the hearts of all we encounter. Help us to reach out in the hope, healing, and love you have so generously given each of us through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

*(I quoted much of this chapter several years ago in an Advent Devotion. These words still ring true.)

Linda Summers

Devotional 12-12-18

Rejoice!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 4-7 NIV

It is very difficult to not be anxious about anything. Life seems to take us from one crisis to another, some minor, some major. Sometimes they seem to pile one on top of the other until you feel like you are drowning. Paul tells us to talk to God about everything that is troubling us. We are to present our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving. That’s a little harder to do when your body has gone into panic mode! And yet, I have found that if I slow myself down and take time to think about the situation, I can always find things for which I am grateful. That’s where the peace of God, which transcends all understanding comes in. I am convinced that a spirit of thankfulness is the key to true happiness.

How do you make your spirit of gentleness evident to all? I believe it naturally shines through you when you truly believe that God is near and spend time talking to him, listening, thanking, and praising him. We are blessed! Rejoice!!!

Margaret Williams

Devotional 12-11-18

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.   Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.   7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
  
Today’s scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi.  It is a warm and loving letter that among other things pleads with the Philippians to be marked by the mind of Christ, and thus to be brought to a new and happy oneness of interest and character with each other.  Paul is apparently writing from his imprisonment in Rome to the Church, and recognizing their divisive tendency exhorts them to be moderate, mild and patient with each other while rejoicing in the Lord.

Paul’s letter could just as easily be written to Americans today.  By the time you read this devotional we will have just completed a contentious, hard fought election.  We are divided as a nation between Democrat and Republican, Conservative and Liberal.  Paul counsels that the way to achieve peace is to rejoice in the Lord, to show gentleness to others and to bring every request to God in prayer.

Not bad advice for us, even if it is two thousand years old.

Lee Oxley

Devotional 12-10-18

Cats and Dogs

My mother loved cats, and when I was a child, we always had a pet cat at home.  I remember Frisky and Sooty and several more.

The man who became my husband liked dogs, and the first time he came to take me out to dinner, he was greeted at the door by my haughty little Siamese cat named Sapphire, so named because of her beautiful blue eyes.  Being a “dog man,” he bent down and ruffled her fur, treating her like a puppy.  Oh, dear! Not a good start for romance.

In spite of that, we were married for many happy years, although sometimes it was an armed truce between husband and cat. Sapphire passed over the Rainbow Bridge at the grand old cat age of 13.

Have you met that wonderful cartoon cat named Grumpy Cat? He always looks on the sad side of life, and his reaction to the holiday season is, “Holiday cheer hurts.” Does the season of joy and gladness bring sadness into your life, remembering lost loved one or childhood memories? Don’t let that happen this year.  As the old hymn says, “TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE, AND THE THINGS OF EARTH WILL GROW STRANGELY DIM IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE.”

Jean  Dean

Devotional 12-9-18

Philippians 1:3-11

In this reading, Paul and Timothy are writing to all of the deacons and all of the Christians in the city of Philippi.

In verse 9, Paul says “ my prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns.”
As I am writing this there are two things that I am very aware of.

First, the election is next Tuesday and no matter who you are voting for, it’s a little difficult to feel inwardly or outwardly clean with all the hype we are being deluged with. One commercial after another and almost every mailing tells us what a terrible person this one is, how crooked that one is and what a horrific mistake you will make no matter which way you vote. By the time you read this it will all be decided and I hope that we all prayed before we voted and made the most informed decisions we could.

The second thing is that last week was the terrible shooting at the synagogue. What a terrible thing to happen and no way it can be understood. It was a blessing that so many of our
church and community members were together last evening to show our synagogue here that we love and respect them.

After more than 2,000 years we still need to pray for each other, to overflow with love and understanding for each other.

The good news, we’re still working at getting it right. We’re still trying. And in this season of expectation, we know there is a God who hears all of our prayers and smiles when his children still heed his words and try to get it right.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are so very blessed that you listen to our prayers, send us love when we are hurting and give us joy in so many different ways to brighten our lives on dark days.
Thank you Father for your precious Son. Thank you for your unending love and thank you for the lives of those in our church and community who make it their mission to share your love everywhere they go.

In your name we pray,
Amen.

Debbie McGinnis

Devotional 12-8-18

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!

Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius – when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler over Galilee…God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet…

Daddy was not a harsh disciplinarian.  He believed that talking and reasoning with children was a more effective way to instill discipline than spanking.  His favorite admonition was “straighten up and fly right, straighten up and stay right”. [This was a refrain from one of Nat King Cole’s songs, “Straighten Up and Fly Right”.]    Whenever he said this, I knew he meant that my behavior was not acceptable, and I had been taught how to be better!

As I have matured, whenever I think of John the Baptist and his mission, the words “straighten up and fly right” come into my head.

John the Baptist was something of an iconoclast, coming from a distinguished line of devout people.  He received God’s word while living in the wilderness.   John went down to the populated region beside the Jordan River to deliver the message that God’s kingdom was coming. He brought a message everyone wanted to hear, but few wanted to embrace.

“John came to prepare a way for Jesus…calling for people to be baptized to show they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins.”
Here we are in 2018, and not much has changed.   We say we want Jesus to come, but do we want to stop doing the things that continue to separate us from God?  We confess these things are wrong, but we always want to negotiate the terms of our change with God. (Do we have to change our hearts and lives?  What difference will it make as long as I intend to do no harm, we ask?)

As I turn those pitiful knee-jerk excuses around in my head, the refrain, “straighten up and stay right” comes to my mind.

There were many times those words propelled me to turn my “thinking about it” into tangible action; reminding me that God has already made a clear way for the forgiveness of sins. I need to show my   commitment to a fruitful life; to produce tangible evidence in words and action that shows my heart and my life have changed.  Good actions must always follow good intentions.  It’s not enough to “Straighten up” for the moment, but we have to “stay right.”  

I am grateful for an earthly father who was patient and kind.  How much more gratitude can we express to God today for making a way to salvation.

Prayer:    We give you our thanks and praise for being our God.  Thank you for the patience you show us as we struggle to live the life you have ordained for us.  Help each of us to be more like John, to share the good news, to serve you and our neighbor today and tomorrow.

Lyrics to the song: “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, by Nat King Cole

A buzzard took monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
But the monkey grabbed his neck and said- Now listen Jack
  
Straighten up and fly right,
Straighten up and stay right,
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top

The buzzard told the monkey “You’re chokin’ me
Release your hold and I’ll set you free
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
Your story’s so touching but it sounds just like a lie!

Straighten up and fly right …

Dorothy Turner-Lacy

Devotional 12-7-18

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!

Lectionary Readings:  Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1: 68-79; Philippians 1: 3-11; Luke 3: 1-6

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,”  says the Lord Almighty.  Malachi 3: 1

The lectionary readings for this week all speak to the preparation for the coming of the Messiah.  It was prophesied that his cousin, John would be the one who would point the way.  “He would be a voice calling in the desert. Prepare the way for the Lord, Make straight paths for him.” Luke 3: 4. John responded as a faithful servant and preached and baptized many in preparation of Jesus’ ministry.  Are we also acting as his faithful servants during this advent season?

I am very sure that you are deep into preparations for Christmas Day.  By this time, we have prepared the church sanctuary with Chrismon tree, wreaths and garland, candles and banners.  We have probably even decorated our homes, although I’m fairly certain, all is not complete—at least at my house.  We have practiced anthems and hymns and even prepared for a concert or two.  Many of us have shopped for gifts and begun the baking-candy making phase of the season. We are all very busy, but are these busy activities really preparing our hearts for the Messiah? Are we doing the work of Advent or are we just going through the checklist in the countdown to the big reveal??

I hear God calling me to be more intentional in praying and preparing my heart and life for the Christ Child.  One way to do that would be to set aside a time for reflection and prayer.  An exercise is listed that may help you to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.   I’m sure you could come up with other methods, questions and formats.  The point is to look inward – is there room for the Messiah in our hearts??  In our daily lives??  What will we do to share love, to spread the Good News to others, to put Christ at the center of the holidays?? What preparations should we make now to prepare for the coming year?  Will you join me in purposefully taking time away from the busyness of the season to
prepare our hearts more effectively???

1. Turn off the TV and put your phone on silence
2. Light a candle and or turn off the room lights and turn on your Christmas tree lights.
3. Sit in a comfortable chair or couch where you can see your nativity set
4. Ponder the figures in your set.  Who is present?  Why were they there?  Who is on the fringes of the scene?  Who is at the center? Is anyone missing who should be there?  What do you think were their concerns? 
5. Think about Jesus:  the baby, the child, the man and the Savior.
6. What message would he want you to share with others this season?
7. Ponder any concerns you may have.
8. Surrender your concerns, doubts and fears to the Child in the manger. 
9. Pray with thanksgiving for the blessing of this child who made love come alive for each of us.
10. Always extinguish the candle before moving on to other activities.

Repeat daily or as needed!!!

Oh, Almighty God, Thank you for the gift of your son.  How masterful you were to send a baby for us to focus our attentions.  What a marvelous, matchless, extravagant gift!  Help us to open our hearts and lives to receive your precious gift. Guide us to share your love with others without reservation and with persistence.  May we continue to affirm that the best gift of the season is your abundant and faithful love.  AMEN.

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 12-6-18

The Serenade of Frogs
 

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  Luke 18: 15-17; Matt. 18: 1-6.

I was reminded of these passages of scripture a couple of months ago when Gisela and I had the opportunity to spend some time with our three year old granddaughter Caroline in the early evening hours before her bedtime. We were playing in the backyard at our son and daughter-in-law’s house. As the sun began to set, I heard the faint sound of frogs croaking in and around a small grassy stream that runs below their property. To hear the sounds more clearly, I sat down on a grassy patch nearby and then called Caroline and Gisela over to join me.

Caroline sat right next to me on the grass and Gisela stood beside us. I told them to be very quiet so we could hear the sound of the frogs singing nearby. We started a game by counting on each hand the number of times we could hear the sound of a frog croak. For each of these distinctive sounds, we would hold up a finger in the air. As the minutes passed by, the croaking became louder and more frequent to the point that the sound of the frogs seemed to blend into one steady song or serenade of small creatures. The louder, the closer, and the more harmonious the sounds became, the brighter Caroline’s blue eyes would become and the bigger the smile would show on her little face. It wasn’t long before the three of us were all holding up five fingers on each hand to show the number of sounds we heard from the frogs around us.  Before we got up to leave, the frogs began to sing in unison, as if they were all croaking a message to each other, happy that they were all alive and well. When I suggested to Caroline that the frogs may be singing to each other and to us, she began to sing back to them, the one song she knew best—Happy Birthday.  Then, as if singing with the frogs, the three of us joined together in a birthday song which became part of the frogs’ serenade to everything around us. To add to the beauty of these moments, Caroline pointed to a gleam of sunlight showing in the woods ahead of us and remarked in her excited little way, “that’s where the deer sleep.”

This experience made us appreciate the importance of spending more quality time with Caroline and her two month old brother Connor in the months and years ahead, no matter how short that time may seem to be.  On these occasions, we will always recall Jesus’ words that “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” and enjoy those moments when a child shows the natural ability to love, care for, and respect all of God’s creations, whether it be other family members or friends, serenading frogs, or deer that have found a place to sleep at night. Love, innocence, and caring for even the simplest of God’s creatures is what a child teaches us and makes us seek and strive for the heavenly kingdom where we can all live in such harmony. Thank you God for the serenading frogs, for the deer that have a place to sleep at night, and for our little granddaughter who made spending this time together so special.
 
Dan Kemper

Devotional 12-5-18

Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.

Paul is writing this letter to the church in Phillippi from prison (probably Rome).  He has just received a gift sent to him from this church. It is a letter of thanks and also a reminder to keep the faith!  Paul mentions that we are in “partnership” with the gospel but what does that mean?  This scripture serves as a reminder that we have a obligation as Christians to show Christ’s love through actions.  Paul states that whether in chains or defending the faith in public we all share in God’s grace.  In your spiritual walk, what chains are keeping you from doing the Lord’s work?

How are you moving to gain knowledge and depth of faith?  Advent serves as a time of preparation.  It offers each of us the opportunity to get ready!  We can begin anew in our relationship with Jesus to be the living body of grace to those who are lost, forgotten or ignored by this world as we await that house not made with hands but eternal to the heavens.  May it always be so!

Prayer: Father be with us and give us the confidence to share your word with others.  Free us from the chains that may hold us back from doing your work and help us to share the fruit of righteousness that comes from knowing Jesus. Amen

Marv Jones

Devotional 12-4-18

Inspired by Luke 3:1-6

When the time was right,
when God’s time was perfect,
the Word of God came to John,
Son of Zechariah.
The word of God came to John
in the wilderness.

John traveled everywhere,
all around Jordon,
speaking of change.
Repentance.
New birth.
New life.
Re-creation.
God’s forgiveness.

His words echoed the preaching
of the prophet Isaiah.

From the wilderness,
from a place that seemed to be empty.
Lost.
Comes a voice.
Get ready.
Prepare your lives for change.
Open your hearts to hear the word of God.

What stands in your way?
What is between you and your God?
Low places will be filled.
Impossible obstacles will be brought down.
Blind curves will disappear
And the desperate, terrible times
Will be made passable by the presence of God.
Everyone, everywhere, will know God.
All shall be reborn.
We shall know it together.

Kim Matthews

Devotional 12-3-18

Read Philippians 1: 3-11

Friends, as we struggle with hustle and bustle of this time of year, we are reminded by Paul in Philippians that God has been and continues to work in and through us.   We have work to do in this time of preparation, and God is expecting us to be ready.  During this time of preparation, we need to share the love of Christ with intent and purpose.

Advent is our time to prepare for the coming of Christ.  As we prepare our hearts and minds for this great event, it is important that we remember others that need to feel God’s love. We sing hymns of joy and praise, and it is easy for us to see within our families and church the love of God growing.  But what about those outside of our immediate family? Those outside of our church?   God calls us to share his love with others so that everyone will know the love of salvation and forgiveness.

Take your time this advent season.  Make time for not only family and friends, but those that you find in need of God’s love.  Small random acts of kindness are blessings and expressions of God’s love that may seem trivial to us, but others can and will see the presence of God.  Some, maybe for the very first time.  Share God’s love each day in a way that everyone you meet will want to share in the experience and preparation of the advent season.

Most Gracious God,
Help us to prepare for the coming of your son during this advent season.  May your love shine through each of us that others will be able to see you in our actions during this exciting and busy time of year.  Through sharing your love, help us to prepare others for the coming of Christ that they may know his love and salvation. Amen

Hulse Budd

Devotional 12-2-18

Do you see it?

The tiny light?  In the East?  Just a small star.  Just beginning to shine.

It is the first Sunday of Advent.  Can you tell it is the beginning of this season when we prepare our hearts and our minds, our homes, our churches, our lives – for the coming of the baby – the Christ child?

Can you feel it - the excitement, the anticipation, the joy.  It is just beginning, but we have much to do and prepare for, so we can be ready to receive and share this unique gift from God.

The tiny star in the night sky over Bethlehem shone brightly so long ago, so the wise men could find their way to worship this love gift from God.  This star led the way first, so eventually we could all be led to Jesus – the true light of the world - to experience the love and grace of God.

God loved us so much that God gave us God’s only son – the one of a kind gift – fully God and fully human – to save us from our sins. God’s love was presented to us in the form of a tiny baby that grew into the perfect example – a bright, shining light to guide us and show us the way.

Now as we prepare for the remembrance of the coming of this unique gift of love and light, let us also remember that we must continue to find ways to share God’s light and love with others, now and always.

Star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.      
 (We Three Kings – Hymn #254)

FOLLOW THE LIGHT!  BE THE LIGHT!  SHARE THE LIGHT!  AMEN

Rev. Suzanne Ellis