Presence

presence - the fact or condition of being present

The Miracle of Presence

The young woman trembled as she told her life’s story.  Her family was affluent and was by all accounts, “normal”.  Her mother took care of things at home, her father worked hard at his career.  In his time away from the office, however, he played golf.  Saturdays meant golf for dad.  Sundays meant more golf for dad, and fewer and fewer church days for the rest of the family.  Birthdays and holidays meant more golf for dad.  When it was mentioned to dad he was missed and wanted on the family days, he just bought another expensive and increasingly meaningless gift.  By the end of the story, the young woman was in tears.  “We just wanted him to spend time with us, that’s all.  I don’t know if he ever realized how much we wanted him there.”

To be wanted by someone is a gift to you.  To be present for that someone is your gift to them.  I’m not sure why, but sometimes we humans have a difficult time learning the best gift is just being present.  I see parents avoiding their children all the time, doing anything to keep from spending time with them.  It makes me sad.  It’s a pattern that has been around a long time.  Children don’t want a present from their mom or dad nearly as much as they want their mom or dad’s attention and love.  In the case of the absentee father above, gifts were never the same as presence.

The one who understands this better than anyone is God.  It was God who recognized how much the world needed Presence.  In Jesus Christ, God became Presence.  Big-time.  The world needed a savior, a saving, guiding Presence.  God became human, incarnate in the baby, Jesus.  Rather than send something or someone else, God sent the gift of Himself. 

If you have ever wished for a parent to be present for you, and you know how much you appreciated it when they were present for you, then you begin to understand how we humans should feel about Christmas.  God’s love for us was so great that he gave us the gift of Presence.  God didn’t send a material blessing or lottery ticket.  God didn’t give us three wishes.  God gave us what we really needed, and I’m pretty sure what we all want.  Presence.  The gift that keeps on giving.  It began on the first Christmas, and continues today.  Still.  Presence. 

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.” 

Go ahead.  Look in the manger.  See?  Presence.

Blessings,

Rev. Tom Stephenson

Christmas Eve

Jesus – the Jewish religious teacher whose life, death, and resurrection as reported by the Evangelists are the basis of the Christian message of salvation — called also Jesus Christ

Light all four candle on the Advent Wreath.

Light the middle candle or Christ candle.

Read Matthew 2:1-23

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 in the east 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 Christ 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 be the shepherd of 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 Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search 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 in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

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.”

¹⁶ When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. ¹⁷ Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

¹⁸    “A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

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 withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³ and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

The thought of so many babies being killed by a crazed king is a disturbing thought to consider on Christmas Eve. But we cannot forget that Jesus entered a broken world, full of broken people. That’s why He came: to seek the lost and save sinners.

Imagine the God of the universe — All-powerful, Glorious, Infinite —choosing to empty Himself to enter His own creation as an infant.

What dangers do you see posing a threat to His mission?

What is revealed about God’s character by this choice?

Praise God for who He is.

Thank Him for what He has done for you.

Persevere

persevere – to continue doing something or
 trying to do something even though it is difficult

I press on toward the goal to win the prize 

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:14

Growing up (though I am definitely not finished growing up yet) as a Foster means: No matter what, never give up and continue to persevere through the pain and the hardships that are no doubt trying to bring you down. Whether it was finishing a soccer season or if it was achieving the rank of Eagle Scout I was taught to see it through.

In the nativity story we see Mary and Joseph taking the trek to Bethlehem with Joseph on foot and Mary on a donkey. It took perseverance and dedication to take this very long trek. Today, could we put a pregnant woman on a donkey with her betrothed and walk for 33 hours (if we walked it straight without stops for food, water, bathroom breaks, and rest)? Would we be considered sane?

But we all have our journey to Bethlehem mine recently being my road to achieving my Eagle Scout. It took me 12 years from the time I was a Tiger Scout in 2001 at the age of 6 to 2013 and the age of 18. There were several times that I wanted to hang up my Scout shirt and call it done. But as a Foster and after hearing about Mary and Joseph’s trek to Bethlehem I knew I couldn’t quit till I crossed the finished line.

If you come upon hard times during this Advent season, or at any point in your life, remember the story of Mary and Joseph’s trek to Bethlehem. And persevere!

Patrick Foster

Fourth Sunday in Advent: Peace

peace – a state of tranquility or quiet: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

Light four candles on the Advent Wreath.

Read Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴          “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Where have you found peace during this Advent season?

What did Mary do with all the happenings of Christmas?

What treasure do you find in Jesus?

God, thank you for the peace you have given in a baby.

 Show us how to bring peace to our world.

The Sanctifying Way

way: a person’s usual habits, actions, or qualities;

the course traveled from one place to another

My friend and I have this saying when something seems hard or God is teaching us some new spiritual lesson.  When we are not sure what is around the next bend and it would be easier to back up or go a different direction.

“There is just no other way,” we say with a smile.

It reminds us that if we had the choice…to go another way…we probably wouldn’t. 

I can remember in seventh grade when I really became serious about my faith.  I never knew a time when Jesus wasn’t a part of our lives but at that moment in my life, I decided to make this faith thing my own.  This experience of justifying grace began a journey that has brought me to this place in this time.

That is what sanctifying grace or sanctification is all about.  As we travel closer to God even the way we live changes as well.  Sometimes we don’t even notice that God is gently helping us become more like Jesus.

The Kings in the Nativity story had a way about them.  They studied prophecies and stars at night…watching the light of a new star.  And when they saw it…their travels began.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem 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.”

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. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2: 1-2, 7-12

This is our story…the journey of the kings.  They followed the way of the star.  We follow the way of the cross.  They took a detour to see King Herod.  We do the same.  And like them God draws us back to our paths and leads us to Jesus.

There in the midst of the very presence of God we worship…bowing our heads and offering our gifts.  This is the way of sanctification…journeys that lead us to holiness.

Just a few more days until we celebrate.  Just a few more steps and the journey to Christmas becomes real again in our lives.  For us, “there is no other way”.

Jesus, thank you.  For leading us to the Father, saving us from our detours, makings us more like you.  May we find joy in your birth that will last a life time. Amen

Stacy

Light

light – the form of electromagnetic radiation that acts upon the retina of the eye, optic nerve, etc., making sight possible

Again Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

John 8:12

God made order out of chaos with the words ‘Let there be light’.   The complexity and beauty of the created universe pointed to something greater, a higher power.  Creation was the visible sign of a powerful and loving God.  Because of light, we see and know that God is.    

When God came to dwell among us in human form, as the Word made flesh, light was again used to show us a visible God.  A star led the way to the manger for those that knew where to look.  His light came to show us the way out of darkness and that leaves us with two choices - to follow the light or stay in darkness. 

Following the light of Jesus is a difficult choice.  He asks us to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, take care of the sick, search for the lost, proclaim the kingdom, become salt and light and peacemakers, deny ourselves, and store up our treasures in heaven. 

It’s a choice we have to make every day; to be light in a dark world.  But when we make that choice to be light, Jesus promises to always be with us, even until the end of the world.

Ann Culotta

Pure

adjective \pyu̇r\

(1) :  unmixed with any other matter <pure gold>

(2) :  free from dust, dirt, or taint <pure springwater>

(3) :  spotless, stainless

I didn’t want a word. I was prepared to cheer on my friends during their “word” themed year-long travels, but never really wanted to participate myself. I was even ready to be inspired by and learn from their lessons of faith during their journeys, but God had a different plan.

Within two weeks into this year, I reluctantly gave in to the fact that I had been divinely given “a word”. (Whether I wanted one or not.) How did I know? When I heard the word, a not-so-common word, five times in a twenty-four hour period I knew He was trying to tell me something. The third and fourth time were a coincidence, but the fifth…Well, there was no denying that it was meant for me. I was meant to have “a word”.

Pure. That was my word.

I prayed about it. I defined it in the dictionary. I read scripture on it. I have even forgotten about it a week or two here or there. Throughout the year, the same idea kept coming back to me every time.

Live pure.

Well great. How do I do that? Pure means clean, spotless, untainted, just as it was made, mixed with nothing else. That’s not me. So what does it mean to live pure? Think pure? Speak pure? Eat pure? Love pure? Give pure?

When I think of Living Pure in this broken, imperfect world it seems impossible. It would be like being dropped from a helicopter in the middle of the ocean and trying to stay dry.

But then I think of the one human who did it. We have a great example of what it looks like to be pure. Christ was pure. Completely pure. Clean, untainted by this world, sinless. There it is. To live pure is to be without sin. I know I cannot and will never be able to measure up to the example Christ has shown, but I can wake up everyday trying to be more like Him. Try and live a more pure life.

1 John 1:7 Tells us this, “But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, PURIFIES us from all sin.”(emphasis added)

It seems to be a perfect way to wrap up this year. To celebrate the birth of the one who came to purify me.  Another word for pure in the Greek language is innocent. That baby, so innocent, so pure. I hope this Christmas season you will take time to appreciate the pure joy, pure peace and pure love God sent us in the form of an innocent little baby named Jesus.

Lacy Matejka

Today

today - adverb: 1 on or for this day 2  at the present time 

noun: the present day, time, or age

My word is: Today.  When God put this word in my heart and head I immediately began singing, “This is the day that the Lord has made….” I know three different versions of that song and all three started popping up in my head!  “This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).  Will I let God use me today or will I look back with regret at missed opportunities that will probably never present themselves again?

In preparation of writing this devotional, I read Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth to see how my word: Today, might have relevance.  I was struck by the story of the shepherds.  Boy, did they seize the day!  In spite of their fear and uncertainty their response was – “Let’s go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2: 15, 17).  The most important part of this story is the shepherds’ response.  They acted  immediately and they shared with others.

How will God use you during this season of Advent?  The Affirmation Station is stocked full of Christmas cards waiting to bless someone’s heart.  Many lonely people are waiting to be cheered by the gift of your smile. Be open and responsive to the nudges of your heart and let God use you TODAY.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Jerri Lykins

Listen

1: to pay attention to sound

2: to hear something with thoughtful attention: give consideration

3: to be alert to catch an expected sound

 Read: Matthew 1:18-25,2:13-15, 2:19-23

Webster’s defines listen as hearing and giving consideration to what you have heard, be thoughtful about it, but no action is required in their definition of listen.

In contrast, the Greek word often translated as listen in Scripture means to pay attention to and obey (Louw-Nida).

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Matthew 17:15 ESV

To listen to the beloved Son, is to obey. Not just give thoughtful attention to as an option. Not give it consideration before you decide. But to do what He says.

Parents complain about children who do not listen, not because the children don’t physically hear them, but because they do not do what they say. The same thing applies in our relationship with God the Father.

We are not listening, if we do not obey.

The first step of learning to listen is to get to know His Word. When I started walking with Him almost 20 years ago, I began reading my Bible daily and listening to what it said. With whatever understanding I had, I did it. However literal. However uncomfortable. Jesus had captured my heart, and I was going to listen, trust, and obey.

As I listened, He brought about deeper understanding. After a while, I began to hear Him in a new way, not just through His Word, His written commands, but with my spiritual ear. He spoke to my heart, specific things. Words for the moment. Ministry to begin. I listened. Stepped out — way out — of my comfort zone. By faith, when I believe He has spoken… I listen… not always perfectly… but this is the posture I try to maintain in my relationship with Him.

The Scripture describes Joseph as a righteous man, one who knew God’s law and obeyed. He had spent his life listening. Because he listened to the basics, God knew He could trust Joseph with a personal call.

When God told Joseph to lay down his understanding of righteousness and take Mary home as his wife even though she was pregnant and it was not his child — he listened.

When God told Joseph to leave Bethlehem because King Herod was searching for the baby with murderous intent — he listened.

When God told Joseph to return to Israel after King Herod died — he listened.

Joseph listened attentively and played an important role in making the way for Jesus to bring salvation to the world.

What about you? Do you listen to His Word? Or do you just hear it?

In our relationship with God, it’s important to practice listening to His Word and for His voice: to be alert to catch an expected sound.

If you aren’t listening with expectation and a willingness to obey, you are deceiving yourself about who you are in Him…

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

James 1:22 NRSV

Continuing to listen… to the best of my understanding…

Carol Weaver

Wait

wait - to look forward to eagerly

Can you imagine how hard it was for Mary and Joseph to wait for the birth of the Messiah? Despite how hard it was, they put all their trust and hope in God, even though they never expected to be the caregivers of our Savior. The definition of wait is "to look forward to eagerly”. They waited eagerly for the birth of Jesus Christ.

That’s the way we should look at waiting for an answer from God. We ask God for help or to give us answers and, yet, we wait anxiously and impatiently, not eagerly. When I began making plans for college next year, I was conflicted and asked God to lead me where He wanted me to go. So I set aside my own plans and waited to hear God’s plan. But, like most people, I was impatient and frustrated when I didn’t hear from God the next day. I didn’t hear from God until months later on a college tour.

I put my trust in God and let him take control. We like to make our own plans and answer our own questions because we are too impatient and rushed to know exactly what we’re going to do, where we are going to do it, and when we will do it.  When really, we should be waiting eagerly to hear from God all the wonderful things He has planned for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That is something we should be eagerly looking forward to! So the next time you are waiting for God to give you answers, think back to how eagerly Mary and Joseph waited for Jesus and remember that waiting eagerly could give you an even better answer than you ever could’ve expected.

Kelly Cook

Third Sunday in Advent: Joy

joy – the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires

Light three candles on the Advent Wreath.

Read Luke 1:57-66

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ⁶⁰ but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

⁶¹ They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

⁶² Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Read Matthew 1:18-25

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and 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 be with child and will 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 had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Two babies born… fulfilling all that God designed.  Babies bring lots of joy.

Name a few things that bring joy to you this season.

What is one way you could share joy with others this week?

Father, thank You for Your miracles.  Babies that bring great joy! 

Help us to share your joy with others this day.

The Justifying Way

way: an opening for passage

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. 

They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 10:9 NIV

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, 

he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:9 ESV

Gates and doors…they draw me in.  Do you remember the Price is Right game show where there were several doors and the player could choose one…or take the next?  The mystery was what was behind the door.  I walk by doors or drive by a gate where you can’t see the house and I wonder:  What’s behind there?  Who lives in that place?  And rarely do I open one when I don’t know what lies behind…rarely do I go where I have not been invited.

The shepherds received an invitation on the night of Jesus’ birth. 

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12

It didn’t take long for the shepherds to say yes to that invitation.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 

which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2:15

Prevenient grace is the open invitation to enter into relationship with God from our birth.  That grace leads us to a point when we can say yes to the invitation.  This is justifying grace.  Saying yes…is like walking through the door or gate of Jesus.  Like the shepherds we act out our faith and we go to see the one who saves us all.  There really is no mystery about what lies behind this door…everyone is invited no matter their circumstance or past.  We must simply turn the knob of belief and go in.

Do you remember how the players would cheer if the door they opened on the game show was a winner?  What joy and excitement filled them.  The shepherds felt that way too.  It is as if they opened the door on the biggest prize of their life and they could not hold the good news back.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17

May this Advent season be the same for us.  May we be so filled with joy and excitement of our coming King that we cannot wait to tell someone.

God, thank you for saving me.  For giving me hope and a future.  Show me where I can share you today with others.  Ignite in me a joy and excitement I cannot contain.

Stacy

Relationship

relationship - the relation connecting or building; kinship; a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:5

It was 1994.  I was 14 years old and had fallen head over heels for Bradley Westbrook.  This guy and I were inseparable.  I knew I was going to marry him after one phone conversation.  Fast forward almost 20 years and you can see that what began as a relationship between two kids blossomed into a loving family.

That relationship was set in motion through God our Father.  I have no doubt about this divine union.

This brings to mind the relationship between Joseph and Mary.  The Bible tells us that Joseph was a just and upright man.  Joseph chose to believe when the angel of the Lord came to him and told him that Mary had conceived a child through the Holy Spirit.  He was committed to Mary and his relationship with her.  Instead of turning his cheek, Joseph trusted in God’s word. 

Our relationships are mottled with hardship.  In uncertain times, we are to remember our commitments to one another and uphold them.

Mary gave birth to Jesus, who over the course of his life, taught us how to love and have relationships with one another and with God.

I asked my 6 year old what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus.  He gave me a quizzical look and said, “Huh?  What does that mean?”  To me it means acting like a 14 year old who doesn’t want to get off the phone with Jesus.  To ask questions and gain wisdom.  To read the Word, to learn his ways.  To pray, seek, and desire Him with your heart.  1Corinthians 14:1 states, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”

This Advent season, remember your special relationships and honor those commitments.  Use the example of Jesus to direct your steps in interacting with others.  Be mindful of the trust that Joseph showed when faced with uncertain circumstances.  And hold steady of the charge to love God and love your neighbor.      

Destiny Westbrook

Love

Webster’s dictionary gives several definitions of love but one of my favorites was this one:  

unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as the fatherly concern of God for humankind; brotherly concern for others; a person's adoration of God 

Read 1 Corinthians 13 The Gift of Love

 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 13

Love comes in many different forms.  The scripture above, 1 Corinthians 13, was read at mine and Glenn’s wedding 37 years ago.  I still remember the love I felt surrounding me during that special time as friends and family gathered to celebrate our commitment to each other in the sanctuary of the old church.  We were very young and there were probably many who did not think our marriage would last long.  But through hard times and wonderful times, God’s love has seen us through, along with our love for each other.

When our children were born and later our grandchildren along with many nieces and a few nephews, love came again in another form.  They bring joy to our life and are a constant reminder of how great our love is for one another in a relationship called family.  As our family grows, so does the love.

God’s gift in my life as a teacher and counselor has been to extend the love that I have known through my faith and my family to many others throughout the years.  I have been fortunate to be able to share my love with many children and their children and now even their grandchildren.  What a wonderful gift!

Yet in all of my life as I write this advent devotional, I can say that the greatest love of all is the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ, and the love he brought to those on earth.  One of my favorite hymns, #242, says it best:

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

Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine, worship we our Jesus, but where-with for sacred sign?

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

Love to all of you during this Advent season and throughout the rest of the year

Di

Gratitude

gratitude - the state of being grateful; thankfulness

Author John Kralick wrote a book, 365 Thank Yous.  He tells of having a miserable life – broken home, lost job, failed marriage, etc.  One day he had an epiphany in which he decided to write a letter each day to someone who had shown him kindness, given him a gift, or helped him in some way.  Every day for a year he wrote to a family member, client, fellow worker, teacher, someone who had influenced his life.  He was able to focus on the blessings in his life and the things that people had done for him.   AND HIS LIFE TURNED AROUND.  He reconnected with those with whom he was estranged and he found peace and a good life.

My friend Mona kept a gratitude journal.  Each day she listed things, big and small for which she was grateful.  It gave her great joy to remember so many good things to be thankful for.

At this busy time of the year, many people are under a great deal of stress.  Before you make yourself sick, there are three things (which I read in a recent article) that might be helpful:

            Slow Down         Breathe deeply          Practice GRATITUDE.

It will improve your mood and give you better physical health.

We are the fortunate people in our church and community, in our country and in our world.  We have a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude, show gratitude, to live a life of service and gratitude.  It can make a difference in our lives, especially during this holy season, to express gratitude for our many blessings.

Barbara Hugghins

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Obedience

obedience – 1 a: an act or instance of obeying
b: the quality or state of being obedient

I was one who received a word for the year. Not really desiring one, but willing to receive if He had one for me.

When it came, it felt hard: Obedience.

A quality I strive for in my relationship with Him.

A quality I fail to reflect in so many ways.

I assumed a reprimand loomed on the horizon, when the word came. A call to be more.  More of what I really want to be... try to be.

Surrendered, I looked for the verse — the Word — that would complement my word for the year. I found it via a concordance. 

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

2 John 6

Walking in obedience translates to love for Him.

And… O… how I long to love Him more.

As soon as I read the verse, the thought of a necklace in my closet came to mind. A necklace with a charm I had bought as a Christmas gift two or three years earlier and never gave. A forgotten necklace I had found just days before as I cleaned out my closet, and didn’t know what I was going to do with.

When the necklace came to mind, He spoke to my spirit: Go put it on. I’m giving it to you.

Tears welled… because the word I thought hard… came as an affirmation.

You see, the round charm, a flattened pewter circle, is engraved with Proverbs 17:17…

 …a friend loves at all times…

The message my spirit received from His Spirit: You are my friend.

This word has humbled me this year. Only in Jesus can we obey in such a way that we become God’s friend.

The Nativity is filled with those whose obedience helped make the way for Jesus to become the Word made flesh. But for me, Mary wins the place of honor as poster-child for obedience, one who loves God and is His friend.

Read Luke 1:26-38

Highly favored by God, Mary must have had a history of obedience, and so received an opportunity singular in nature and eternal in its impact:

You will be with child and give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus.

This privilege could result in the loss of family, friends, and future. Everything she’d possibly dreamed of hung in the balance with her Yes. And it is her words that I long to embrace for myself, in my relationship with Him. Words of obedience. Words of love. Words of God’s friend.

“I am the Lord’s servant… May it be to me as you have said.”

Luke 1:38 NIV84

Humbled by His Word,
Carol Weaver 

Trust

trust - belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, and effective

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in

whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 18:2

Joseph had to trust Mary and the angel that Jesus is the child of the Lord.

The angel’s message to Joseph was difficult.  After all he was planning to divorce Mary quietly.  How could what she believed about this baby be true?  Joseph must have been hurt… feeling betrayed… wondering if he could trust anyone in his world.

But now the angel had appeared and given the message.  What Mary said about her baby was true.  Joseph’s trust in her renewed.  Still, this was a hard thing.  No one would believe this story… angel’s appearing giving messages… a virgin pregnant with the Messiah.  It must have been wonderful and terrifying all at the same time.  Mary and Joseph would have to muster up all their courage to trust God in this.

Joseph and Mary were a lot like us.  And I wonder as the years passed did the message of the angels become cloudy at times.  Did they have to remind themselves exactly what happened at Jesus’ birth when he was four or fourteen, even twenty?  I am sure there were times when trusting seemed more difficult.

The message of Advent is clear.  It is the season we prepare for the coming of Christ.  And yet we can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle… the parties and presents that the message of Jesus gets crowded out.

May we use this time to remember the child born in a manger.   A baby who would save the world.  Someone we can put our trust in and never be disappointed.

Merry Christmas,

Terunda Montgomery
with Stacy Boyer