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ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2012

Welcome to Advent!

Did you know that Advent was a relatively late development in the Christian calendar? Advent was originally designed as a kind of counterpart to Lent – a 4 week “season” to prepare those who would be baptized on Christmas and a period of repentance for those already baptized (that’s why we use purple in both Advent and Lent –it’s the color of repentance).

More recently, as Advent has experienced a kind of rebirth over the past 30 years in Protestant churches, it has become a time to intentionally separate ourselves from the hustle and bustle that the commerciality of Christmas brings upon us.

So Advent is a time of preparation. While the rest of the world rushes to shop and some rush a little too quickly to the manger, we take time to prepare ourselves. We engage in intentional reflection and discipline so that we might be ready to receive the Christ child.

Inside this devotional booklet, you will find 4 different kinds of devotional material. The book is arranged by days of the week. On Monday through Thursday you will find reflections on traditional Advent Bible passages. These devotions are written by our Elder team and each provides a short prayer at the end which can go with you throughout the day.

For Fridays you will find a verse from the hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” This kind of devotion may be a little atypical for what you have done in the past. This hymn, almost more than any other, expresses the longing for the arrival of the Christ child and sums up the hopes of who he is and what he means. I invite you to write a one sentence reflection or prayer on the verse that appears each Friday and carry the verse in your heart through the day. If you’re artistically inclined, perhaps you’d like to draw a response; or if you’re lyrically inclined, create your own verse!

For Saturdays, you will find a piece of Advent-themed art. Also a bit atypical, I hope you can take at least 10 minutes each Saturday to meditate on the piece of art and think about how it speaks to you. Talk about the image with other people in your household. What does it say to you about the coming of Christ? Record your thoughts/prayers reflections.

On Sundays, I have provided space for you to do any number of things: (1) Bring it to church and take some notes or draw some artistic reflections on Sunday’s sermon. (2) Use it for writing down your own personal reflections or journal your prayers through Advent. (3) Leave it blank. Open it up and spend some time in silence, inviting God to be present with you, to reveal God’s self to you this season in a new way.

Above all, I hope you make new ways to receive the wonder and mystery of the Christ child in this season. May you find the comfort, love, blessings, and challenge of the One who comes into our midst to bring love, justice, and healing to the world.

Blessings,

Rich and your Elder Team

Monday, December 3rd

Then I said, “Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel. Should you not embrace justice, you who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones; who eat my people’s flesh, strip off their skin and break their bones in pieces; who chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot?” Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.

- Micah 3:1-4 (NIV)

Cannibalism. Really? In my head I can hear you saying, “I, for one, do not think I can get aboard that Advent Train.” Hang in there with me. To quote the Bard, in madness there be method. Micah uses the imagery of cannibalistic savagery to describe the depraved character of leaders who do violence against the oppressed instead of justice. Micah tells us that brutal oppressors in Israel perpetrate horrors on the people because they love evil and hate good. Sounds like foreshadowing to me.

Think of the nativity story and how Herod sent his evil power against the innocent in his efforts to slay the one who was destined to bring unparalleled good to and for the people of God's heart. Think of the crucifixion story and how the Pharisees manipulated Pontius Pilate into condemning the Son of God, in whom, by his own admission, he could find no fault. Why? To punish the One who dared to confront their greed, vanity and lust for power.

But wait, there’s more…Micah tells us that as a result of what these corrupt leaders have done, when they cry out to God in need, He will turn a deaf ear. The rulers and heads of the house of Israel have betrayed their trust in such a vile way that He will ignore their day of anguish. I can think of no more fitting a punishment for such egomaniacs than to never know the love and consideration of their Lord, God and Savior.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the real foundation of nations, raising up the leaders of these nations to serve and care for the people dwelling in their boundaries. Grow our leaders to be like Your son, Jesus. To You be all the honor and glory. Amen.

- Charlie Kittinger

Tuesday, December 4th

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant usthat we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 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 into the way of peace.”

- Luke 1.67-79 (NRSV) I imagine the world of 2000 years ago to be a pretty bleak and desolate place to live. I’m guessing that Zechariah and Elizabeth led pretty ordinary lives. People worked from sun up to sun down, struggled every day just to stay alive, just so they could turn around and do it all again the next day. The future was just as depressing and barren as the present. Not much to look forward to here. But now Zechariah is shouting that God has fulfilled the promise he made to King David; that one of David’s descendants would have eternal rein over the world. And his new son, John, is destined to prepare the way for the new king. What did the people around Zechariah think about all this? Did the thought of a new (and future) king excite them? Or would they have been happier just to know they had a good harvest ahead so there would be food for the coming year? What was important to people 2000 years ago? Today, we have a tendency to think about what we need (or want) right now: a new BMW or an IPhone5. Living and surviving is not a daily struggle for us because we have so much of everything. Also, it’s obvious these days that we are not very good at planning for the next generations to come. And yet, 2000+ years ago, Zechariah and the people of his village had nothing, but rejoiced at the perfect world their descendants would have. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings we have received, but also help us to understand the Gift of your Son that brings light to our darkness and never-ending love to all of us. Amen. - Mark Jones

Wednesday, December 5th

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to 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 1.3-11 (NRSV) There is no doubt Paul loves the Philippians and wishes he could break bread with them again. As always, Paul begins his letter with a large dose of sugar. Yet Paul’s lot throughout his life in Christ, as well as the fate of those Christian Greeks who received his letters, was far from sweet. Two thousand years later, those who accept Christ and follow in His path know full-well their choice comes with a price. There is small Earthly profit in claiming Christ as one’s Lord. So, Paul prays for us, as he prayed for the Philippians. He hopes that we find the wisdom to discern what is “best” and that we may be “pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” In twenty days time, Christmas will come. O’ Holy Night! And Magical Morn! We‘ll celebrate the birth of Jesus and we’ll joyfully retell the wonderful stories of Bethlehem. And, we’ll surely sing about shepherds, and we’ll heartily hark the angels, and we’ll anxiously anticipate the magi, and we’ll reflectively recount their gifts. And many of us will gather with family. And we’ll laugh, and we’ll be merry, and we’ll deck our halls with gay symbols of our elation. And then… in a few weeks more time, we’ll put aside our joviality, and we’ll return to the solemn business of trying to live our lives like Christ taught us to live. And… It will be oh so difficult to tread in His path. Because Christ did not come to Bethlehem to make our lives easy. He came to make our lives pure. He came to show us what to do with our free will. He came… to die for our sins. And, someday, He will come again. To fulfill God’s ultimate plan. So in recognition of that future day, once again, we must turn to Paul’s prayer. Prayer Heavenly Father, help us to discern what is ‘best’ in Your sight, and give us the strength to do always what is ‘pure and blameless.’ So, that we will be fully prepared for the glorious day when Your blessed son returns to this Earth. - Bruce Kittinger

Thursday, December 6th

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

- Luke 3.-16 (NRSV)

“Where are the baptismal towels?” That was the question on my mind just prior to the arrival of candidates for baptism this past month. This one simple item had slipped my mind as their towel-holding-volunteer. The frantic search continued high and low, finding very interesting items, but only one towel. Oversized kitchen towels served to dab the water off Bill as he made his way past those that stood around the courtyard. As I looked down at the water along the sanctuary carpet, it was then I was reminded that it was never about the towels. The wet footprints of baptismal waters reflected a path that was made clear, very wet, but clear. There are those that have made Lauren and Bill’s valley of faith full and their mountains of doubt low as they discovered Jesus in this place. In that moment, our new sister and brother, welcomed the flood of The Spirit, just as John the baptizer promised in that wilderness so long ago. Prayer God of Grace, we give thanks for the fullness of your love we find in the waters of our baptism. Grant us peace as we await the arrival of your son. Let us linger in the warmth of the Spirit as we anticipate the greatest gift of this and every season. In Christ’s most holy name, Amen. - Kimberly Jerkins

Friday, December 7th

1st Verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel (#119 in Chalice Hymnal)

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here,

until the Son of God appear

Rejoice, rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Saturday, December 8th

Robert Hutchison, taken from http://www.southpoint.ca/?p=187

Sunday, December 9th

Sermon Notes, Personal Reflections, and/or Sabbath

Monday, December 10th

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

- Zephaniah 3.14-20 (NIV)

Wow! When I started reading the scripture above, I found myself smiling. The very words…Sing Daughter Zion! Shout aloud, Israel! …set an uplifting tone of elation. The scripture writer is obviously talking about Israel’s restoration and who among his contemporaries wouldn’t be filled with joy in anticipation of what is to come? As I continued to read this passage and I pondered its glorious message, it hit me like a ton of bricks. The scripture writer is conveying a more far-reaching promise of salvation than just a restoration of the Jewish people. No, he is predicting a different covenant-one that will change our very existence. Fast forward to the twenty-first century—was Zephaniah’s prophecy on target? Absolutely! Our Lord has changed us by the very knowledge that his love is unconditional and all encompassing. He loves me; he loves you…sinners though we are. He has given us a life where the weak, the unloved, the oppressed, the humiliated, and the downtrodden can find absolute love and acceptance. In this new covenant, Our Lord promises that through Him we will have everlasting life. Wonder of wonders! God has poured out His grace upon others too. We are not alone. All of us were formerly encaged victims locked in the tawdry prison of the devil, but now we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. And the cherry on top of this glorious message, is that the writer assures us that God has far reaching plans to redeem His people from all the earth. Prayer God of hope, you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression to the freedom of justice, the balm of healing, and the joy of sharing. Make us strong to join you in your holy work. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -Charlie Kittinger

Tuesday, December 11th

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

- Isaiah 12.2-6 (NIV) With great joy we anticipate the coming of the Christ child! Advent is a time to reflect on the goodness of God and his blessings in our life. As we sing Christmas carols and hear the beautiful music of the season, let us hear it with the ears of those who have been redeemed by God. They’re not just pretty songs, but the story of our Lord and Savior. When we give praise to the Lord and sing for joy, we are proclaiming our faith, not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ but to all the world. This year, as you select the Christmas greetings to send to family and friends, why not choose a card that tells the true Christmas story? I think Santa, candy canes, and snow scenes are all adorable. But it is the story of the baby Jesus who was born in a manger, grew into manhood, proclaimed the good news of salvation, suffered, died, was buried and then rose again to redeem us from our sins that makes me want to “shout aloud and sing for joy”. The Holy One of Israel is among us! Prayer Dear Lord, Thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ who is our strength, our defender and our salvation. - Sue Knight

Wednesday, December 12th

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4.4-7 (NRSV) In this letter, Paul is pleading with the Philippian believers to stand firm in their faith and to press on toward the goal of living as blameless and pure children of God and finding peace and unity through Christ Jesus. Think about what Paul is telling us - If we can focus ourselves on rejoicing in the Lord and all of the blessed bounty that he gives - if we can be gentle in our ways - if we will take our concerns and show our thankfulness to the Lord in prayer - if we will concentrate on what Christ taught us, then we will no longer have to be anxious. We can leave all the worldly stresses and pressures behind and find the "peace of God" which transcends all understanding. I must admit that I often have a hard time focusing on these things when I am stressed, or “under the gun.” But when I take time to remember the lessons of His word, when I stop and pray before reacting, when I remember the many blessings and the incredible grace God has shown me; it becomes difficult to be anything other than grateful and confidently calm. Christ gave us the formula for peaceful living and a path toward salvation. Paul taught this formula to the Philippians and it is still relevant and useful today. If we will take and use these directions, our lives can be an example to others of the true value of living the Christian life.

Prayer Father God, please give us strength to stand firm and rejoice in our faith. Amen. - Ron Downing

Thursday, December 13th

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

- Luke 3.7-18 (NRSV)

The Christmas Season is a time for joy and happiness. So why is John the Baptist so down on us? Who invited him to our party anyway? In today’s world, we would be hearing John scream, “Christmas is too commercialized.” “Christmas is not about getting presents.” “We’re forgetting the true meaning of the Christ Child.” John is convinced that people are coming to be baptized just to feel good about themselves and then just continue on with their wicked ways. This is what the preaching of repentance is all about: dealing with sin. Repent literally means “turn around!” It’s a message for all of us, because we all need to turn around, turn away from our sins. John knows that the true joy of Christmas cannot come without first knowing the dire situation we are in without Christ. Unless the underlying problem of sin in our lives is dealt with first, all our Christmas joy ends up being a fake smile that glosses over our real problems. In his own way, John makes sure that the crowds (and you and me) understand that the birth of Christ (Christmas) is in our future, but we have to prepare for Christ now, in the present. The world has to understand that we can only receive God’s Blessing by turning away from our sins and honestly accepting Christ in our hearts. Prayer Lord, too many times we think we have everything figured out, only to find that we don’t even understand the question. Help us to keep things in perspective. Help us to understand that this day, and every day, begins and ends with You. Amen. - Mark Jones

Friday, December 14th

2nd Verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel (#119 in Chalice Hymnal)

O come, thou Dayspring,

come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death’s dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice, rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Saturday, December 15th

Preparatory Activity

By Kathy Grimm, taken from

http://pickandprintgallery.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/waitforhiscomingkathygrimmc2a92012.

jpg

Sunday, December 16th

Sermon Notes, Personal Reflections, or Sabbath

Monday, December 17th

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

- Micah 5.2-5a (NRSV) “Does God talk to you?” Usually, that question is meant as an insult; coming not from wonder or amazement, but rather, as a not so subtle form of mockery. “Right! Whatever you say. I’m absolutely sure that God talks to you.” So, how many of us, when challenged about God’s voice, instantly feel ashamed? And just as quickly, don’t some of us deny that we ever heard the many lovely things God whispered in our ear? Consider this! Hundreds of years before Christ’s birth, the prophet Micah knew… KNEW beyond any doubt… precisely where Jesus would be born. And, he KNEW precisely who Christ would be. Because when God spoke, Micah listened. And then he told everyone he could exactly what he’d heard. I dare say, if you’re reading this, I’ll wager you’ve heard God’s magnificent voice before. Because beyond any doubt, God speaks to each of us. And, part of the reason some of us believe so fervently in God is because of how vociferous He actually is. He’ll talk forever… if we just ask Him the right question. Or give Him the right reason. Yet, those of us who rely upon God’s voice know how utterly silent He can be whenever our prayers sound mostly like, “Oh Dear God please, give me, give me, give me.” God already gave us more than we can ever use or repay. There’s really very little reason for Him to consider giving us anything else. But, when we follow in His footsteps, He’ll chatter on at great length about what He wants us to do for Him… or to do for those around us. And, occasionally, He’ll let us in on one of His upcoming surprises. Just listen. Prayer Heavenly Father, my ears are open. Tell me. What do You need me to do for You today? - Bruce Kittinger

Tuesday, December 18th

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,

shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

- Psalm 80.1-7 (NRSV)

Music is a gift. Some folks stay motivated enough to push through a stepped-up workout. Many a bride spends hours selecting the right song for the first dance she will share with the love of her life. And who has not had those spectacular moments of singing your favorite song at the top of your lungs while driving down the road on a bright summer day? Music is also a way to work out the darkest times in our lives. The psalmist is clearly pouring out a desperate plea and anticipation for a new hope through song. Through their tears they reach for the One that will be at God’s right hand. We feel the longing for God’s face to be made visible. Our hope comes through the Christ child that will erase the tears and guide us to turn to our God once again.

Prayer

God of grace, we know in our darkest hour you are there, preparing the sweet music of the Christ child’s birth. May your face shine upon us and make our hearts light in this most holy season. Comfort the hurting and allow their song to be heard through the gift of your son. Amen.

- Kimberly Jerkins

Wednesday, December 19th

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

- Hebrews 10.5-10 (NRSV) Drawing near to God in worship is more than a matter of making sacrifices as they did in ancient times. Back then they made a sacrifice of the blood of goats and bulls. The priests made sacrifices each day. Certain sacrifices were required by law. However, then as now, we cannot be made perfect in worship of God simply by following the rules and making sacrifices day after day. Yes it’s true that we should sacrifice, but it should be the sacrifice of service, of giving and sharing, of considering the needs of others at least equal to, if not greater than, the needs of ourselves. We can be made Holy by developing a willing heart to accomplish the desires of God in our lives. This kind of service is greatness in His kingdom. As surely as self-interest drives us away from the Lord and others, self-sacrifice draws us in. Our gifts and our talents become useful tools for the work of God and the benefit of others. Prayer Dear Lord, please put it on our hearts to willingly sacrifice, in working toward achieving your will. Amen. - Ron Downing

Thursday, December 20th

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

- Luke 1.39-45 (NIV) When I think of Mary as a young unwed teenage girl expecting a child who will become the Savior of the world, it’s a bit overwhelming.

How did she feel? Was she frightened, ashamed, nervous?

Was she afraid of rejection by her family, society and her fiancée Joseph? I’m sure she felt all of those things, yet she was a faithful servant of God and put her trust in Him that He would fulfill His promises. The angel of the Lord had told Mary that her relative Elizabeth was expecting a child in her old age. He assured Mary that no word from God will ever fail. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” What a testament to Mary’s faith and obedience to God that she meekly accepted her role without question or doubt. Elizabeth was also a woman of strong faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit at the sound of Mary’s greeting. The angel of the Lord had told her husband Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear a child who would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. As John the Baptist, he would prepare the way for the Lord. As we reflect on the faith of these two strong women of God, let us also prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Prayer Lord, help us to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child. - Sue Knight

Friday, December 21st

3rd Verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel (#119 in Chalice Hymnal)

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,

and order all things far and nigh;

to us the path of knowledge show,

and cause us in her ways to go.

Rejoice, rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Saturday, December 22nd

Preparatory Activity

The Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer (ELCA), Minneapolis, displays this iconic art piece during

the Advent Season. The artist, Joe Larson, is a member there. Photo: Todd Asher, Asher Photography

Studios

Note: The Greek lettering in the center reads “In the beginning was the Word,” the opening words of

John 1

Taken from http://metrolutheran.org/2010/11/it%E2%80%99s-advent-do-you-know-where-your-

priorities-are/

Sunday, December 23rd

Sermon Notes, Personal Reflections, or Sabbath

Monday, December 24th

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

- Luke 2.1-20 This, to me, is the most wonderful part of the Bible: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.” One had been born to come and save us from ourselves and our sinful nature. Can't you just imagine the anticipation of the shepherds when the angel said those words to them? Then as they went to Bethlehem, they found everything just as the angel had told them it would be. There in a lowly manger was born the Lord, the Savior for all mankind. Here was "the hope of the world" all bundled up in cloths and lying in a manger. In their excitement, the shepherds rushed out to tell people what the angel had told them about the child. How must that have felt to Mary? She had just given birth to a child whom the angels said was a king and Savior. What was she supposed to do differently? Why her? How could she know if it was real and true? Mary "treasured up all these things in her heart and pondered them". Don't be sidetracked by skeptics who scoff and say - "this can't be true. A virgin cannot have a child." They don't believe the story of how our Lord came into this world. I say that they are not only wrong, but they are missing the point. This was our God coming into the world in the form of human flesh. Can the same God who created the world not do anything He wishes? Of course He can and He did. This blessed event marks the beginning of our Christian story. This is the longest lasting, most powerful, most important story ever told. This story has given hope, direction, comfort and support to countless millions of believers. May it always continue to be so. Prayer Dear God, keep us mindful of this most wonderful miracle of Your coming, in human flesh to guide us toward Salvation. Amen. - Ron Downing

Tuesday, December 25th

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

- John 1.1-14

It is Christmas now and we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again. Throughout the season of Advent, we have re-lived the stories of John the Baptist, Joseph & Mary, the shepherds and the angels. Now we have arrived at the manger to celebrate the birth of one who is to be called Emmanuel, God with us. Today’s text tells us how John, fulfilling his destiny, prepared the world for the coming Savior. Then how Jesus, (the light that shines in the darkness) came into the world as a human to show us how to live in love and faithfulness and to bask in the Glory of God. But the text also describes how the world failed to recognize him and his own people rejected him. Perhaps if Jesus had entered the world in a valiant and powerful way; ready to defeat the enemies of Israel, things would have been different. That’s how we expect a powerful King to show up. Instead, the Christmas story begins in an out of the way town in a tiny country, deep in poverty and turmoil. God comes into the world, disguised as a baby, innocent and vulnerable. A strange way to begin a story about peace and love, but in a way each of us can relate, because we’ve experienced the miracle of birth. The story tells us peace is possible, but not through the accumulation of wealth or power or might. Hope can be born again in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances. In darkness, light will shine for us. Prayer Heavenly Father, today we celebrate a new life, born within us, and leading us toward your love. Help us to spend each day in humble wonder at your authority over the world and learn to accept the unconditional love you offer. - Mark Jones