Devotion -- December 19, 2023

God's Covenant with David
Now when the king was settled in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind for the LORD is with you.”

But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan “Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, when I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all you enemies from before you, and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place and be disturbed no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel, and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever....

“Your house and your throne shall be established forever.” In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O LORD GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O LORD GOD; you have spoken also of your servant’s house into the distant future. May this be instruction for the people, O LORD GOD!” !! Samuel 7:1-13, 16-19 (NRSV)

Not only does this passage of scripture show us God’s covenant with King David, that his kingdom and throne will be established through David’s successor forever, but it also reminds the king, through Nathan, that throughout Israel’s long history, God has been with them, ever moving, ever defending and saving, ever loving His people, Israel.

During the Advent Season, we are reminded that God chose to enter our world as a vulnerable baby, one who will be called “Emanuel,” God with us, clothed not in the finery of a king, but clothed in human flesh, to experience all the human feelings, temptations, and choices we often are faced with every day of our lives. May we experience the Wonder of the birth of this Christ Child, King of Kings, LORD of lords, Prince of Peace, with the eyes of a child, of a shepherd, of Mary and Joseph, and remember the great and glorious Gift God gave us so many years ago, yet forever the sign of God’s unfailing love for His children.

Loving, Creator God, fill our hearts with Your light and love, that we may shine that light through our lives as we do our best to serve You and bring Your light and love to everyone we meet. It is in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen

Linda Summers

Devotional 12-7-19

The Mystery of Advent:  Chaos or Connection?

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

Has anyone else struggled with the conflicting emotions of eagerly anticipating the arrival of children and grandchildren coming in for Christmas vs woefully realizing the exhaustion of cleaning and decorating and cooking and baking for said children and grandchildren coming in for Christmas? How easily I fall prey to false expectations; the wolf and the lamb who live within me.  Too much worry clouds my heart and dampens the joy I know I used to have as past Advent Seasons approached.  How can I share the excitement of the shepherds at the manger in Bethlehem with my precious grandchildren?  How do I let them know the mystery and miracle of the Christ child?

I’ll soon be entering the last year of my 60’s; therefore, it’s really disingenuous for me to think I can recapture the joy of a child looking forward to Christmas. But, is it really beyond my grasp?  The Isaiah passage tells me not to give up; something new and better will be happening.  A new leader of a new kingdom in which peace and harmony abound.  I can look forward with hope for what many describe as “The Peaceable Kingdom,” one in which there are no adversaries, enemies, dangers or risks for my children and grandchildren. There will be no “them” and “us;” rather we will be able to care for one another, build relationships with one another, and let memories of risks and danger fade away.  No longer will fear of “what might happen” determine how we embrace and share with one another.

Reading further in the Isaiah passage and moving on to Psalm 72, we learn of a new ruler who brings a fresh new way of being, of ruling. King Solomon’s prayer (Psalm 72) asks for God’s guidance and wisdom to rule in righteousness, with justice and compassion for all his people. The prayer is for life-giving, nurturing leadership for everyone. Indeed, these Old Testament passages offer all of us a reason to journey to the manger again!

In Seasons of Celebration, Thomas Merton wrote, “The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.”

Gracious, merciful God:
May we welcome others, even as you have welcomed me, knowing that your mercy is for all people.  Until we become like Christ, may harmony mark our holidays, and may the peace of Christ calm and correct our divided world. This, we pray in the name of the Advent Child, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

Linda Summers

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.
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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.
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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?
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... 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 12-14-17

Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M., has always been one of my favorite authors.  His wisdom offered about who we are in Christ; stretching ourselves beyond the normal boundaries we believe will suffice in our Christian faith; and daring to become one in the purest sense of the word.  Becoming one with God, one with the Holy Spirit, one with Jesus Christ, is the only way we may truly become whole.

In his book, “Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent,” Fr. Rohr has given a stunningly timely and thought-provoking meditation on Isaiah 61:1.  The following I quote directly from his daily meditation entitled “Related in the Spirit.”

“The Spirit always connects, reconciles, forgives, heals and makes two into one.  It moves beyond human-made boundaries to utterly realign and renew that which is separated and alienated.  The ‘diabolical’ (from two Greek words, kia balein, that mean ‘to throw apart’), by contrast, always divides and separates that which could be united and at peace.  Just as the Spirit always makes one out of two, so the evil one invariably makes two out of one!  The evil one tears the fabric of life apart, while the Spirit comes to men, soften and heal.

In today’s reading from Isaiah, the prophet describes the coming Servant of Yahweh.  It is precisely this quote that Jesus first uses to announce the exact nature of his own ministry (Luke 4:18-19).  In each case Jesus describes his work as moving outside of polite and proper limits and boundaries to reunite things that have been marginalized or excluded by society: the poor, the imprisoned, the blind, the downtrodden.  His ministry is not to gather the so-called good into a private country club but to reach out to those on the edge and on the bottom, those who are ‘last’ to tell them they are, in fact, first!  That is almost the very job description of the Holy Spirit, and therefore of Jesus.

The more that we can put together, the more that we can ‘forgive’ and allow, the more we can include and enjoy, the more we tend to be living in the Spirit.  The more we need to reject, oppose, deny, exclude and eliminate, the more open we are to negative and destructive voices and to our own worst instincts.  As always, Jesus is our model of healing, outreach and reconciliation, the ultimate man of the Spirit.”

Fr. Rohr ends his meditation with these questions for reflection:   “What divisions exist in your life?  How can you let the Spirit mend those divisions?”

Gracious, loving Father, especially during this time of Advent, open our hearts to anticipate and embrace the beautiful longing we feel for an end to our brokenness, knowing our beloved Savior, Jesus, came in human form to demonstrate the healing wholeness offered to us all.  Give us the wisdom and courage to step out in faith to risk being one willing to reunite, to honor, and to love all Your children, all Your creation.  Amen

Linda Summers

Devotional 12-6-12

The lectionary readings for this week certainly aren’t abounding in the “warm fuzzies” I normally envision when Advent and the Christmas Season come to mind. Rather, the common thread is the announcement/prophecy of the second appearance of the LORD on earth; the day Malachi warns, “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4)

Zechariah’s prophecy in Luke and Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi provide a gentler tone when they speak of this Second Advent of the LORD. Zechariah tells his son, John, “And, you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet onto the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79) Paul’s words to the Philippian church are even more comforting, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ…And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:6, 9-11)

Recently I came upon this post, and it speaks of the great need we have of God’s intervention, to bring about the completion of the good work begun among us, to give us light, to guide us onto the way of peace, overflowing love and righteousness, made possible by the First Advent of the LORD:

The Edge of Catastrophe

There has hardly ever been a time when it was as evident as it is today that God and His righteousness and love do not yet rule. We see it in our own lives and in current events. We see it in the fate of the hopeless, the millions upon millions of unemployed. We see it in the unjust distribution of goods though the earth offer unstintingly its fertility and all its potentials. There is urgent work that must be done to help humankind, but it is obstructed and destroyed by the injustice of the present world systems.

We are in the midst of a collapse of civilization. Civilization is nothing but humankind’s orderly work in nature. And this work has turned into a disorder whose injustice cries out to heaven. There are hundreds of signs that something is about to happen. Nothing in history takes place, however, unless it comes from God. So our plea to Him now is that He makes history, His history, the history of His righteousness.

And when God makes His history, we all have every reason to tremble. For as matters stand today, He can do nothing unless His wrath first sweeps over all the injustice and lovelessness, all the discord and brutality, that rule the world. His wrath will be the beginning of His history. First must come the day of judgment: then the day of joy, of love, grace, and justice can dawn.

Yes, this post is harsh, not something one would typically choose for Advent; however, the words ring true. We are experiencing first-hand many of the issues the author, Eberhard Arnold, experienced in Germany in 1933, when he penned this “post”; yet he remains hopeful in spite of the circumstances he perceives surrounding him because he has chosen to look to God to fulfill the promise that began with the First Advent over 2,000 years ago. We, too, must be thankful, focusing on the promise, our Savior, of humble birth, the source of our salvation, our hope, and our faith. The Gift of Love and Light.

Loving Father, renew in us the warmth of Christmas joy through the love of Jesus Christ. Send us out 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 Summers

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

Devotional 12-12-08

“There once was a man, his man John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.” (John 1:6-8) THE MESSAGE

The lectionary readings for this week in Advent come from Psalm 126; Jeremiah 61:1-4, 8-11; John 1:6-8, 19-28; and I Thessalonians 5:16-24. Each passage expresses a grateful response to God - as He restored Israel from exile; as He empowered John the Baptist to be a witness to the Light of Christ; and as He enabled Paul to proclaim the Gospel to a darkened world.

Several months ago I attended a Directed Spiritual Retreat – my first experience of intentional solitude. It was a 24-hour period devoted to centering prayer, spiritual direction, silence, rest. We were encouraged to walk through the center’s labyrinth and rooms – each offering its own focus for prayer or meditation. One such space was devoted to the women identified in scripture, beginning with Eve, spiraling outward to include “women looking through windows” (what women do when men go off to war – Ecclesiastes 12:3); “daughters compared to pillars” (supporting the family dwelling – Psalm 144:12); “God as mother” (Hosea 11:3-4); “the Canaanite Woman” (argues that both Gentiles [dogs] and Jews [children] are fed from the same source and so saves her child – Matthew 15:21-28).

Also included was “the widow who offered her last pennies” (gratefully offering everything to the source of her hope –Mark 12:38-44 and Luke21:1-4). Why did this reference stand out more than any other? I had heard this passage many times, yet I had never “heard” this passage speak in such contemporary language.

I was suddenly, and painfully, aware of my failure to witness to the Light of Christ – simply because I had been too preoccupied with my misguided perceptions of the depth or sincerity of someone else’s offering. More personally, for years I had been focusing on what I perceived to be a one-sided relationship with someone I love very much. Where was the warmth, love or confirmation I believed I desperately needed from the one who seemed to be unwilling to offer such reassurances? What a jolt this passage of scripture gave me! I realized that in this particular situation, I was being offered the very best, the epitome, the everything humanly possible, this person I loved could give me. How can anyone ask for or expect more than another’s all? How tragic that I had been ignorant of the love so freely expressed; blind to blessing upon blessing so sacrificially given.

This Advent Season I pray for the gift of insight and appreciation. I pray that my heart will no longer “measure” the depth or sincerity of anyone’s witness to the Light of Christ – other than my own. I pray for forgiveness for my judgmental attitudes, and ask for a humbled spirit, so that I too may be a loving witness to the Light of Christ. Amen

Linda Summers

Devotional 12-3-07

The Lectionary Reading found in The Upper Room Disciplines is from the book of Psalms:

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

(Psalm 71:1-2,4,7)

This passage reminds us that Jesus, the Christ, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, came first to the poor, the powerless, the invisible people – those deemed to be of little or no value by society's standards.

Imagine a monarch or head of state who cannot be trapped by his own self-importance and absolute authority; who refuses to be influenced by popular rhetoric. Imagine a leader who loves God and people; who brings hope and healing, justice and mercy to those his predecessors chose to ignore.

Imagine how unpopular he would be to those living quite comfortable lives, those wishing not to be reminded of the uglier side of life existing on the other side of town, or the other side of the tracks, and especially on the other side of the street.

Imagine how cherished he would be by those he moved to lift up, to feed, to comfort, to heal – by those he called by name – using his power and authority to bring justice, to restore peace, to lead by example, and to love beyond measure.

Read the words of John Bell in his "Carol of the Epiphany:"

I sought him dressed in finest clothes, where money talks and status grows;
but power and wealth he never chose:

It seemed he lived in poverty.

I sought him in the safest place, remote from crime or cheap disgrace;

but safety never knew his face:

It seemed he lived in jeopardy.

I sought him in the spotlight's glare, where crowds collect and critics stare;

but no one knew his presence there:

It seemed he lived in obscurity.

Then, in the streets, we heard the word that seemed, for all the world, absurd:

That those who could no gifts afford

Were entertaining Christ the Lord.

And so, distinct from all we'd planned, among the poorest of the land;

we did what few might understand:

We touched God in a baby's hand.

Advent is a time of waiting and preparation, an eager anticipation of something new.

Where will our hearts tell us to look for Him this Christmas Season?

Linda Summers

Devotional 12-4-04

A little girl frets and fidgets on a Sunday afternoon, excited about the anticipated return of her parents from an out of town trip but anxious because she can’t quite grasp the concept of patiently waiting for time to pass. In her mind, today means “now.” In her heart, loneliness means fear – an emotion she’s experiencing for the first time.

Her grandfather, whom she adores, recognizes her distress and suggests they take a walk together. He has no intention of belittling her fears with adult explanations. Nor will he dismiss her worries as unimportant or immature. He will, instead, walk with her, be with her, just as she is – and in the walking, strengthen that very special relationship that is uniquely theirs.

Knowing she can trust him, she reaches for her grandfather’s hand.

My grandfather and I shared that walk almost 50 years ago. The very special relationship – uniquely ours – grew steadily stronger and more loving as we spent time together. It didn’t matter what we did. The importance was in the “being,” not the “doing.” Walking with him that Sunday, holding his hand, did nothing to make time pass more quickly, or bring my parents home sooner, or totally take away the loneliness. Walking with him that Sunday, holding his hand, did everything to make me feel loved, protected and valued.

From Scripture we are told, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) NIV. “Do not be afraid for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name, you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.” (Isaiah 43: 1a – 2b) NLT. “‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel!’ – which means ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:24) NIV

This Advent Season we have a wonderful opportunity to share the blessing of “God with us.” As we journey to the manger to celebrate our Lord’s birth, we can invite a child to walk with us, hand in hand, to experience God’s love, joy and delight in being with us.

And in the walking…………Amen

Linda Summers