First Pres Magazine - Advent Devotional

Dear Friends at First Pres,Here is your First Pres Magazine for November and December! We wanted to do something different with this issue. For a time, we put devotional material for Advent in our Advent Worship Booklet. When we started our Fellowship Hall services of worship, then added North and then changed our 5:00 p.m. service of worship to a Contemplative format, the book became so large that we could no longer include the devotional material. Last year we were not able to come up with a solution. This year, with plenty of time to plan, the First Pres Magazine is your devotional guide to Advent. In order to really do it right, we decided to combine the two months into one.

In this devotional guide, you will find the Bible passages we will cover beginning November 27th, as well as at-home family activities including crafts and suggested family discussion—something for every member of the family. Specifically, we are preaching on Matthew, Chapters 1 and 2, the less-known approach to the Christmas story. Keep this issue around all the way through December 31st!

Stuart McAllister of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (www.rzim.org) joins us on Friday, November 18 and Satur-day, November 19 as the lead speaker in our upcoming Chris-tian Life Conference Go Tell it on The Mountain. As we head into the Advent and Christmas season, we all need to know how to speak into the lives of those around us. I encourage you to find a way to attend this conference —you will be blessed.

At this point, I know you are asking, “How do I know when Something Significant For Christmas, Christmas Joy, Breakfast In Bethlehem, the Church Christmas Party, Men’s Christmas Brunch and all my favorite Christmas things are happening if they are not here in this magazine?” At church this month look for a Christmas Supplement listing the events, times, and ticket sales of all your favorite First Pres events. You can view online or pick up the supplement at any First Pres reception/welcome desk or call Congrega-tional Support 884-6144 for further information.

I’m looking forward to this Advent season and spending it with each of you.

Yours in Christ,

Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs

NOV/DEC 2011

Contributing Writers: Katie Dayton, Adam Holz, Jennifer Oraker Holz, Amber Oduody, Nathan Hunt, Pat Robertson

Contributing Editors: Pam Bland, Alison Murray, Julia Randall

Graphic Design: Beryl Glass, Mark Rantal

Proofreading Team: Mary Bauman, Betty Haney, Daisy Jackson, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Gretchen Murphy-Bowman, Linda Pung, Julia Randall

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

First Pres Magazine November/December 2011, Volume Three, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization.

To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6231 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1392 or [email protected]. Printed in the U.S.A.

F I R S T P R E SM A G A Z I N E

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contentsCan Colorado Springs Still Hear the Gospel? . . 4 Jennifer Oraker Holz

The Season of Advent . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Jennifer Oraker Holz

Family Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pat Robertson

What’s In a Name?. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pat Robertson

Bible Passage Pull-Out . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Outsiders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Nathan Hunt

Going Home By Another Way . . . . . . 16 Adam Holz

The Name That Changes Everything . . . 18 Katie Dayton

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an Colorado Springs still hear the Gospel? That is the question in front of us at the upcoming Christian Life

Conference, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Friday and Saturday, November 18 & 19.

When we first contacted Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (www.rzim.org) and asked them to speak on how we present the Gospel in our post-modern world, we expected statistics and material that would explain how we speak into a culture that is no longer accepting of Christianity.

What we didn’t know at the time was that RZIM is doing research particularly in Colo-rado Springs—What it’s like to live here? How do people think about Christianity? How do they feel about Christians? Is it even possible to speak to people in our city about the role of the church in their lives?

At this conference, we will hear specific information relating to our city, stories related to our local businesses, institutions and churches. We will learn about how our city views religion and how we might be able to speak into those views. We will discover together how to engage our co-workers, our children’s teachers, and friends. We will reflect on our city as missionaries sent by God to speak into the lives of neighbors, our busi-ness relationships, even those on the street for whom the Gospel has been a disappointment.

Led by RZIM speaker Stuart McAllister, Friday’s presentation will set the stage for us to comprehend more fully the message we have to share in the context of the people we have been called to reach.

On Saturday morning, we will get practical as we examine more particularly the hearts and minds of the people we walk alongside every day. After presentations by Stuart, we will divide into discussion groups based on some questions you will answer when you register:

What is your occupation, or what occupies your time during the day? Where do you most often connect with people during your week? Who do you spend most of your day talking to (i.e. co-workers, my kids, teenagers, clients, etc.)?Whether you are a school teacher, stay-at-

home mom, engineer, nurse, construction worker, entrepreneur, or retired, you will have an opportunity to meet others in our commu-nity who serve in the same occupations as you and share similar passions. Together you will have a chance to reflect on Stuart’s material as it relates to your everyday work and life.

We’re privileged to have Stuart McAllister lead us next weekend. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

By Jennifer Oraker Holz

It’s not too late to register for this conference. Call 884-6144 to register or online at www.first-pres.org click on Christian Life Conference slide. You can come both days, or just Friday or Saturday. Nursery is available infant–kindergarten by reservation.

CAN COLORADO SPRINGS STILL HEAR THE GOSPEL?

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By Jennifer Oraker Holz

One of the most celebrated seasons of the Christian calendar is upon us—the season of Advent. The word advent comes from

the Latin adventus, which means coming. Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends with the celebration of Christ’s birth. It is a time for God’s people to prepare for the coming of Jesus into the world. In our fast-paced world, Christmas has the potential to sneak up on us so fast that we can miss it if we blink. Advent offers us the space and time to breathe in the beauty of God’s greatest gift to us as we wait and anticipate the arrival of the Baby Jesus.

How This Devotional WorksThe following pages offer an invitation to enter into the sacred rhythm of the Advent season, an opportunity to let this remark-able story of Jesus’ coming invade our busy lives. As we hear the Christmas story through the voice of Matthew during these four weeks, this Advent devotional guides us deeper in our reflections and our relationships, to begin to align our actions with the coming of God’s kingdom in our midst.

Here’s how the devotional guide works.

PART 1 expands on the text preached each Sunday. Ponder these reflections throughout the week.

PART 2 is an opportunity to put what you have read into your own words. Either by journaling or finding a quiet spot in your home, we encourage you to write or think over questions such as what is your key insight from this passage? How is this insight significant in my life right now? How does it connect with my life? How could I share this insight with a friend/co-worker/neighbor this week?

PART 3 Local Community Engagement gives ideas for how we take what we are learning and apply it with our local community. Experiencing the Word of God is an important part of being re-shaped by the Spirit. Pray about which experience God might invite you to participate in this Christmas.

PART 4 Family/Group Activities suggests fun ways to connect with family, small groups or friends around what we are learning. Choose one and enjoy!

On December 10th, there is a special Soul Care Retreat designed to help us slow down and hear the loving voice of Christ in our midst. Consider attending this retreat (limit of 20 participants, see page 13) or create your own retreat with the material available online at www.first-pres.org.

We pray for a blessed and Spirit-filled Advent for each of us this year.

CAN COLORADO SPRINGS STILL HEAR THE GOSPEL?

TheSeasonofAdvent


PART 1Many of us tend to skip over a list like this (review Week 1 Scripture)—it can be boring! But a closer look at Matthew’s record of Jesus’ family tree reveals something important about who God uses to carry out his plan of redemption.

This genealogy list shows us that, in God’s eyes, our worth is not dependent on who we are or what difficulties we’ve gone through, because Matthew chose four women to belong to Jesus’ family tree. In a Jewish gene-ology, it was highly unusual for women to be named in a biblical genealogy.

God could not have chosen four more unlikely women to be Jesus’ ancestors. The only four women included in his genealogy are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—women who had questionable lifestyles or

heritage. Tamar was a Gentile who had chil-dren by her father-in-law (Genesis 38). Rahab, “the harlot,” had a problematic profes-sion (Joshua 2). Ruth was the least morally questionable, but was a Moabite, a descendant of the incestuous Lot (Genesis 19). And Bath-sheba is listed in the genealogy as “the wife of Uriah,” perhaps anonymously identified because of her involvement in the Old Testa-ment’s most scandalous seduction (2 Samuel 11). Mary, Jesus’ mother, is the only “good Jewish girl” listed, that was until she became pregnant. Surely she felt the glare of society’s judgmental eyes as an unwed, pregnant woman.

It can be encouraging to study the lives of the women in Jesus’ genealogy. God used many lowly, outcast, non-Jewish people to accomplish his purposes. This list of names serves as a testimony to the fact that God chose to use broken sinners to bring forth the Messiah and carry out his plan.

What could be greater than to be an ances-tor of the Savior? Maybe being adopted into God’s family through an act of grace—Jesus Christ giving himself for us. Because of what God has done in Jesus Christ, we know we are listed in the book of life (Revelation 21:27). This makes each of us a permanent child of God. You are a child of God! The genealogy recorded in Matthew is not the end of Christ’s family, but the beginning. God chose people just like you and me—people who are imper-fect and unlikely, to be included in Jesus’ family tree.

Family Tree By Pat Robertson

Matthew 1:1-17

November 27 – December 3


PART 2Either by journaling or finding a quiet spot in your home, we encourage you to write or think over questions like these: What is your key insight from this passage? How is this insight significant in my life right now? How does it connect with my life? How could I share this insight with a friend/co-worker/neighbor this week?

PART 3 local community engagementGet Set PreschoolYou can share the love that God has for his children by adopting a preschool child and his/her family this Christmas through Get Set. Possible ways to support a family: Provide gas, food, or clothing gift cards. Sponsor a child in First Pres Spring Soccer program. You can volunteer with Get Set to help cook or serve lunches or volunteer in the classroom. Drop off non-perishable food anytime to the Get Set food pantry (canned fruit is always needed). Call Delma Cliett at 884-6130 for further information.

Love for the OutcastThe people God included in Jesus’ ancestry shows that he loves everyone and can use anyone for his purposes. With whom do you not want to associate? Look outside of your-self and with a new pair of eyes, make a concerted effort to do something kind for someone else and share God’s love with them.

Advent Gifts Adopt someone who gets overlooked for the Advent Season and take that person baked goods, small gifts or plan an activity includ-ing him or her.

PART 4 family/group activitiesMovie NightWatch the movie Annie together. Discuss these questions: What does it feel like to be an orphan who is then adopted into a family? What does it mean for us to be adopted as chil-dren of God?

Story TimeIf grandparents or older people are with you during the season, ask them to tell you about your family and the stories of their lives and how they celebrated the Advent and Christmas season. If you are one of those older people, intentionally share your story with your grand-kids or other younger people in your life.

Create a “Jesse Tree” (a family tree for Jesus)The name “Jesse Tree” is taken from Isaiah 11:1, in which Jesus is referred to as a shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse. For instructions and details on how to make a Jesse Tree go to this website:

www.cresourcei.org/jesse.html

After viewing the website, create orna-ments that trace Jesus’ lineage. First, look up the verses that correspond to each day (as listed on the website). Choose one or two verses that summarize the main idea. Create your ornament out of cardboard or construc-tion paper or magazines or old greeting cards, and then write the verse(s) on the back of the ornament. Each day leading up to Christmas, put an ornament on the tree and thank God for the people in Jesus’ family. Also pray for people in your extended family and thank God for relatives who were an important part of your heritage.


December 4–10

Before this point in history God was known by many names, including Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, El Shaddai and Elyon. J. I. Packer wrote in Knowing God that, “The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarna-tion.” Without the incarnation, there could be no redeeming crucifixion and no resurrection to reveal God’s true nature and intent.

Belonging to the human race can give us immense joy because we are members of the race in which God became incarnate. God came not just to identify with humankind, but also to bring about reconciliation.

God comes to us in Jesus. God and people belong together and Jesus makes it possible. Now we know him in the person of his son, God with us—the name above all names.


continued on page 13

What's inaName? By Pat Robertson

Matthew 1:18-25 PART 1Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth is unusual and amazing. If we made up a story of the birth of a savior, we couldn’t have created one more unlikely or harder to believe—a virgin birth, dreams and angels appearing. Humans would never have conceived such a strange plot! But God constantly surprises us and one of the most amazing parts of Christ’s birth is when Joseph was told to call his infant son Jesus. The name, Jesus, tells us everything we need to know about him.

People in the Bible took the naming of their children very seriously. A name was not just a label for distinguishing one person from another, but a reflection of an essential part of a person and a characteristic that defined that person’s identity. Names were conceived as influencing the bearer and revealing some-thing to the person being named. For example, Isaac’s name meant “laughter,” an expression of Sarah’s joyful laugh when told she would bear a son at her mature age.

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ arrival on earth begins with the statement, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” “Jesus” meant “the Lord saves” or “He saves his people from their sins.” Prior to Jesus Christ, the name expressed hope that a Savior was prom-ised and coming. The addition of “Christ” conveyed the message that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, Redeemer, and fulfillment of prophesy. The angel repeated to Joseph that this child was to be named Jesus, confirming again who he was to be—the Lord who saves.

The angel also says this child is to be called “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us”—God clothed in human body, walking among us.


November 27–December 3Matthew 1:1–17 The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his

brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and

Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of

Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose

mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose

mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah

and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, 15 Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,

Bible Passage Pull-Out(Remove these four pages from this booklet for your reference)


16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 Thus there were fourteen genera-tions in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Q

December 4—10Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her

is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Q

December 11—17Matthew 2:1-19

The Magi Visit the Messiah

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”


3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi

secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Beth-lehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then

they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

QDecember 18—24Matthew 2:13-15The Escape to Egypt

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2:19-23The Return to Nazareth

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to


Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he with-drew to the district of Galilee,

23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the proph-ets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

QDecember 25 – 31Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


PART 3 local community engagementSoul Care Retreat. Saturday, December 10, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. In the Christmas season, as we frantically search for the perfect gift for our loved ones, the holy, spiritual significance of the celebra-tion slips from view. Advent Soul Care offers the opportunity and encouragement to spend a half day in quiet retreat, seeking the Prince of Peace as the perfect gift to yourself. The retreat will consist of introductions to your fellow soul care seekers, a short prayer walk, an extended time of silence, prayer, reflective meditation and journaling while listening for how God is whispering specifically to you. In closing, we will share with others the quiet reflections of the morning and end our time with inspiration for soul care at home. Break-fast provided. [Cost: $10.00 per person. Contact: Gail Chamley at 238-8859 to regis-ter or for more information.]

Young Lives. As we celebrate and remember how God has tangibly shown love to us, consider showing love to others in our city. One option—young, single moms need lots of encouragement! Write a note of support and scripture along with a donation of much needed items such as diapers, gift cards to grocery stores or baby supplies. Drop off your gift and note at the First Pres Missions office in the Weber Street Center. Contact Pat Dick-inson, 884-6108 for further information.

PART 4 family/group activitiesNameplate. Look up the meaning of your name: www.meaning-of-names.com. Share it with your group, and then write it on a piece of wood or paper and hang it on your bedroom door. Or have each person design a placemat with their name on it and use it at the dining room table. What do you think God is trying to say to you through your name? Every time you walk past the sign or sit at your placemat, thank God for your name.

Names for Jesus. Make a list of other names for Jesus and God (including symbolic names like Lamb of God, etc.) found in scripture and look up the meaning of those names online.

December 4–10


PART 1 A hated Samaritan cared for the injured man on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho (Luke 10:29-37). An Ethiopian was searching God’s word for answers when Phillip came upon him (Acts 8:26-40). The Gentiles adhered themselves most fervently to the gospel preached by Paul. Eastern astrologers “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” when our Savior arrived, and Egyptians cared for him and his family in their time of need. God had set aside the Israelites as his chosen people, a group with whom he wished to bless the world. And bless the world he did!

Through a trodden-over lineage came God’s one and only son, through whose perfect life, sacrificial death, and miraculous resurrection we have all been given the opportunity for wholeness of life. However, in crucial moment after crucial moment, it was the outsider whom God used when the Israelites were found lacking.

God’s love is not limited to any particular group. His greatest desire is to see every man, woman and child—regardless of background or baggage—allow themselves to be used within his masterful plan. Time and again, the Bible shows us a picture of the last people we would ever imagine making the greatest contributions to the Kingdom of God.

We must fight the temptation to set ourselves up as God’s “chosen people” and believe the lie that only we look and act like people that God would use. The Israelites learned the true meaning of loving one’s neighbor from a despised Samaritan. Phillip

discovered a wise Ethiopian, a foreigner who looked so different, who yearned for God’s truth—and changed his life according to it. Strangers from a strange land first recognized the Messiah. And those who had once held God’s chosen people in captivity ministered to the one who would set them all free.

Perhaps, in the same way, we can learn from and follow the example of those who are not like us. Maybe it is from the homeless that we could discover the true meaning of thank-fulness: from the immigrant, how to relin-quish our sense of self-sufficiency; from the refugee, the strength to endure hardships; from the elderly, how to wait in patience; and from the young, how to engage our world in new ways.

If only we were to have the eyes to see what others can teach us and the courage to learn from their examples. Lord, we ask for just such humility.

December 11–17

TheOutsiders By Nathan Hunt

Matthew 2:1-19


PART 3 local community engagementRefugee ESL ClassesDecember 12 or 13, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Room 432. Interact with refugees who are taking ESL classes. We will hear an introduc-tion about how these refugees come to Colo-rado Springs and the unique challenges that they face in making a new life here. As a gift to the refugees, you are encouraged to bring fresh fruit.

Attend the Islamic Society of Colorado Springs MosqueDecember 16, 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. We can take a step toward understanding by attending a Mosque. December 16, meet in Weber Street Center at 11:45 a.m. We will return by 1:45 p.m. The service is 12:40-1:20 p.m. at 2125 N. Chestnut. Limit 20 people. Ladies please bring a head scarf to wear inside the Mosque. [For further information and to sign up, contact Don Wallace, 685-9436.]

Cairo PrayerDecember 11, 12:30 p.m., First Pres Down-town Sanctuary Board Room. If you can’t make the prayer meeting on December 11, pray individually for Egypt by researching the current political, economic, and spiritual climate of the country. Pray that God will move mightily in a country that has gone through great turmoil in 2011.

PART 4 family/group activitiesChristmas Tree StarMake a star for the top of your Christmas tree. The Magi knew the star would lead them to Jesus in Bethlehem. Pray for the courage to seek God, just as the Magi sought out Jesus.

Magi’s GiftsRecreate the Magi’s gifts for Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Look up online the meaning of each of the three gifts. Use household materials to create the gifts, and lay them at the foot of your Christmas tree.

StargazingSpend an evening looking at the stars as a group. Discuss what the wise men might have been thinking as they followed a star to meet Jesus.

PART 2 Either by journaling or finding a quiet spot in your home, we encourage you to write or think over questions like these: What is your key insight from this passage? How is this insight significant in my life right now? How does it connect with my life? How could I share this insight with a friend/co-worker/neighbor this week?


PART 1 I imagine by the time Jesus was born, poor Joseph could have thought something like, “Phew! Now we can finally settle in to living a normal life.” But just like Joseph was in for a surprise when he learned of Mary’s miracu-lous pregnancy, so he was once again on the threshold of another miraculous—and ardu-ous—redirection from God.

The dust had hardly settled after the Magi’s departure when an angel appeared and told Joseph to flee to Egypt due to Herod’s murderous plans (Matthew 2:13). When Joseph was later told (again via angelic communication) that the coast was clear, he and Mary were prophetically directed toward Nazareth, a backwater burgh so wretched that the word “Nazarene” was synonymous for someone who was despised.

Scripture tells us next to nothing about how Joseph felt about all this, other than to say he was afraid (v. 21). In that, I can sympa-thize. A few times in my life, God has used his Holy Spirit to point me in a direction that didn’t make sense—moving me away from what was comfortable, familiar and, well, normal—into something that had no shortage

of question marks. And questions often equal fear for me.

Joseph’s fear didn’t cripple his willingness to obey the angels’ directions. I, on the other hand, often contemplate “Plan B” when I’m afraid. “Plan B” depends not on the Spirit’s guidance, but on the best alternative I can cook up. Plan B always makes airtight sense from a human point of view. But that’s exactly the problem: my airtight plans don’t leave God space to act.

By God’s grace, there have been other moments when I’ve relaxed my death grip on Plan B. Sometimes, obedience in those cross-road moments has plopped me in places (physi-cally and metaphorically) I didn’t see coming. Sometimes, they were messy places, not places I would have chosen on my own. Places like Egypt and Nazareth. Other times, I should add, I ended up in places that were beyond my wild-est imagination—places that put my faithless, fearful Plan B scheming to shame.

I don’t know where you are today. Maybe things are comfortable and predictable. Maybe your life is full of uncertainty and upheaval, and the path ahead seems murky. Maybe God is asking you to let go of normal and embrace the miraculous … and you’re scared to death.

I like what Joseph’s story has to say to all of us. The simple story—Joseph was afraid, but he trusted God anyway—gently reminds us to refocus on God’s providential guidance … even if His path seems to be taking us a long way from home before leading us back to it.

GoingHomebyAnotherWayDecember 18–24

by Adam Holz

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23


PART 2 Either by journaling or finding a quiet spot in your home, we encourage you to write or think over questions like these: What is your key insight from this passage? How is this insight significant in my life right now? How does it connect with my life? How could I share this insight with a friend/co-worker/neighbor this week?

PART 3 local community engagementLongest NightDecember 21, 5:00 p.m. On the longest night of the year, December 21st, the Longest Night is a memorial service remembering those who have died this past year while living in homeless situations. Just as Joseph led his family along a new route after they were told it was not safe to return, take a different way home after work and go to this remembrance at 5:00 p.m. For more information and details check out www.first-pres.org/local.

Hope and HomeWe all long for a sense of home. Hope & Home ministry serves foster families and children. They recognize that your name and who you are is important! Pray that children who are in foster care will know Jesus’ love through their foster family. Give extra support to these special children by buying them a game or toy through the Something Significant for Christmas Gift Catalog—gift #8.

PART 4 family/group activitiesIndeed, Jesus was a refugee himself. He and his family fled in the night to Egypt to escape political persecution. It is no surprise that he later identified himself with ‘the stranger’ and said that hospitality to the stranger would mark his followers. (www.iafr.org). How is God calling you to respond to the injustices that refugees face every day?

Refugee Highway MapVisit this website, www.refugeehighway.net/resources/map. Download for free the map of the refugee highway, and explore the well-worn path that millions of refu-gees have traveled in search of safety and a home. Spend some time praying for both the coun-tries that are producing refugees and those that are receiv-ing refugees.

Psalm 142Look up this Psalm, and as a group, discuss how you would feel if no one was concerned for you, if you had no refuge. Imagine you are forced to leave your home country for a new land—you would have to locate family members, build or find shelter, collect basic necessities (including food), and seek medical attention. Possible next steps: go to the website www.e-w-s.org and click on “What We Do” on the left-hand side.

GoingHomebyAnotherWay


TheNameThatChangesEverything By Katie Dayton

Matthew 1:18-25

PART 1

When I was a child and woke up frightened from a nightmare, all I wanted was my mom to be with me. Hearing my cries, she would come quickly. As she opened my bedroom door, the light from the hallway would flood into my dark room. Her presence changed everything. Truthfully, it still does. When I find myself consumed with worry or self-doubt, her presence still has the ability to set me at ease.

Recently, I heard someone teaching on a familiar Bible passage. Before he began to teach, he prayed, “God rescue truth from familiarity.” Familiarity certainly has the abil-ity to breed not just contempt but indiffer-ence. I worry that we might read our passage today and rush right past the name that changes everything.

Emmanuel. That is what they shall call him. Jesus’ name is God-with-us. In the midst of a dark and lonely world God says, “I am here.” To the broken and hurting, God says, “I am with you.” God’s presence changes everything.

This is why the weary world rejoices. Our rebellion against our Maker has caused night-marish results, but now our God is here with

redemption on his mind. The light is flooding into the darkness.

As Shirley Guthrie said, “It is true that we live in a ‘twilight zone’ in which the light of God’s compassion and justice is still at war with the powers of darkness, but because we remember what God has done in Christ and can therefore have hope for what God will do, we may be certain that it is not the twilight that comes before darkness overcomes the light, but the twilight that is the dawn of a new day when light will overcome darkness.”

This truth gives us hope. It gives us cour-age. It sets us free to follow our Savior, the light of the world, into places of darkness.

Jesus, God-with-us, changes everything.


December 25–31

Jesus Emmanuel MessengerSavior MessiahRedeemer

WonderfulSaviorCounselorSon of God

Almighty God Lamb of GodPrince of Peace

Jesus


TheNameThatChangesEverything By Katie Dayton

Matthew 1:18-25

PART 3 local community engagementLocal Partnerships. Go to the First Pres website www.first-pres.org/servelocal and click on “Local Partners” on the left side. Look at the various agencies with whom we partner and ask yourself the question, “What is Christ inviting me into?” Challenge your-self to serve with one of these organizations in 2012. Or seek another avenue in which you can live out the call to bless others.

Blessings. In the Bible, to name is to bless —and to hear our names spoken with love, fills us with a sense of being known, seen, and cared for. We can see with Jesus’ name that names really matter. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, say the names of the people you meet. Wish weary cashiers “Merry Christmas” and call them by name. Tell friends and family you love them and say their names. Thank people by name as you exchange gifts. Know that you are participat-ing in Kingdom blessing when you do.

PART 4 family/group activitiesName-callingJust for a day, call each other by your name’s meaning rather than your first name. For example, if your cousin’s name is Caroline, call her “beautiful woman” instead. If your grandfather’s name is Charles, call him “free man” all day. See what you notice about others and yourself when you consider names this way.

Prayer of ExamenReflect on this past year of 2011. Do a Prayer of Examen, a prayer practice of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Start by remembering that God is present with you.

Next spend a moment reflecting on the year with gratitude: If you could relive a few moments, what would they be? When were you most able to give and receive love this past year? What were the highs and lows of the year?

Spend most of your time asking God to send you His Holy Spirit to help you look at your actions and attitudes and motives with honesty and patience. Recall the events of the past year; explore the context of your actions. Search for the internal movements of your heart and your interaction with what was before you. Ask what you were involved in and who you were with, and review your hopes and hesitations. Many situations will show that your heart was divided—wavering between helping and disregarding, scoffing and encouraging, listening and ignoring, rebuking and forgiving, speaking and silence, neglecting and thanking. Allow God to speak, challenge, encourage and teach you. Where is God inviting you to make changes?

Conclude the Examen by talking with God about the past year. Perhaps you may feel led to seek forgiveness, ask for direction, share a concern, express gratitude. Express sorrow for sin, the obscuring darkness that surrounds us all and especially ask forgive-ness for the times you resisted God’s light this past year. Give thanks for grace, the enlight-ening presence of God, and especially praise God for the times you responded in ways that allowed you to better see God’s purposes for your life. Pray for a deeper sense of hope for this coming year. Ask God to prepare you for all that this next year holds.

WonderfulSaviorCounselorLamb of God Jesus


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First Pres Magazine - Advent Devotional