New Year's Eve

 

God Has a Plan for You

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

Which of the gifts listed in Romans did you receive from God?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

At Christmas time we are always thinking about gifts. Romans tells of various gifts given to us from our God as he created us. We can use our gifts from God every day. Marie Chapian wrote in a devotion in the Women’s Devotional Bible the following:

“As a sacrificial act of worship, God expects us to be holy and pleasing to him. When I was sharing Romans 12 with a group of young people, one fifteen-year-old girl asked, ‘Does that mean that everything I do every day—at school, at home, in sports, in art and with friends—all these should be an act of worship to God?’

Another student replied, ‘How can I stay on my knees that long?’

We chuckled, knowing that we worship not only on our knees but also as we live our lives. Our everyday lives are important to God, important enough that he sent his Son to die on the cross so that Jesus could live in us through each day—including the ordinary ones.

We can now say: ‘I’m going to school to worship God.’”

Prayer: Dear Lord, be with me today and tomorrow and all days so that I may use my life to teach and encourage others. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

This Year Which Lies Ahead

Your rod and your staff-they comfort me. Psalm 27:4

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear. Psalm 27:11

I received this poem from a 91-year-old friend in her Christmas card. It spoke to me because of the year 2020 and our new year 2021. I have read the poem many times and every part makes me think and gives me strength and peace in God and His Son, Jesus. We need to face the new year and walk with the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us walk in the new year with You and your son, Jesus. Amen

Susan Taylor (reprinted from January 2021)

(click on photo above to view larger)

On Being a Fan

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69

We have a longtime friend of the family who is a “fair weather fan”. In his defense, he didn’t discover that he liked to watch sports until he was in his 60s, so there are still a number of things he is catching on to. When his team is losing, he can’t watch. If he has convinced himself that they will lose ahead of the match he won’t even tune in, and is then upset that he missed it if they “somehow” pull out a win. 

Even though I have observed this the past 10 years, I recently thought about the comparison to this verse in John. In this scripture, Jesus has lost his followers (his own fair weather fans) and he looks to the disciples and clearly asks – will you be leaving too?

How often are we fair weather fans to our faith? Our community? Our family members and friends?  Our co-workers?  It can be easy when things don’t go our way to give up. To stop believing. To follow the crowd. We justify our actions secondary to the performance and behavior of others. If directly asked if we are committed we may not even have a specific or concrete answer.

As I prepare for the new year I want to be a better “fan”. This means so many things. Being a better Christian.  Being more active in my community. Being more engaged with family. Having more tolerance.  These can all be hard in our current overstressed, and overloaded world. But with faith, worship, and desire, action seems like the best approach.

Prayer: God who knows our struggles and missteps, thank you for checking in on us, thank you for not giving up when your “fan” base turns away or stops watching. Help us to remember the lessons of your son Jesus. Amen. 

Christi Moock

Psalm 72

 

Endow the king with your justice, O God,

    the royal son with your righteousness.

  May he judge your people in righteousness,

    your afflicted ones with justice.

 

  May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

    the hills the fruit of righteousness.

  May he defend the afflicted among the people

    and save the children of the needy;

    may he crush the oppressor.

  May he endure as long as the sun,

    as long as the moon, through all generations.

  May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

    like showers watering the earth.

  In his days may the righteous flourish

    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

 

  May he rule from sea to sea

    and from the river to the ends of the earth.

 May the desert tribes bow before him

    and his enemies lick the dust.

  May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

    bring tribute to him.

May the kings of Sheba and Seba

    present him gifts.

  May all kings bow down to him

    and all nations serve him.

 

  For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

    the afflicted who have no one to help.

  He will take pity on the weak and the needy

    and save the needy from death.

  He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

    for precious is their blood in his sight.

 

  Long may he live!

    May gold from Sheba be given him.

May people ever pray for him

    and bless him all day long.

  May grain abound throughout the land;

    on the tops of the hills may it sway.

May the crops flourish like Lebanon

    and thrive like the grass of the field.

  May his name endure forever;

    may it continue as long as the sun.

 

Then all nations will be blessed through him,

    and they will call him blessed.

 

  Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,

    who alone does marvelous deeds.

  Praise be to his glorious name forever;

    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and Amen. Psalm 72

The Shepherds' Praise

 

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

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

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.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20

Joy

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.  Matthew 2:10                        

When Advent- the waiting days before Christmas- is approaching, I think of the little word, joy.  It is the joy of Jesus’ birth in the stable and the joy of what Jesus brought to each of us. 

God sent Jesus to be born in the manger to save each of us. We can have joy every day when we remember that God gave us a loving Savior who takes our sins away.  We have to make room for that joy in our hearts.  Advent is a time to remember and renew in us, the joy of Jesus. 

Joy came to the barn when Jesus was born

Joy came when they saw the star

Joy came to Bethlehem

Joy came to the world

Joy is here for each of us

Prayer: Dear God, during this Advent time, help us find the joy that Jesus brought to each of us. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus so we can have joy. Amen

Susan Taylor, reprinted from our Advent Devotional of 2011

Traditions

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8  

In my home, Christmas traditions can be specific ornaments or decorations and where they’re displayed. This occurred to me the other day when we hauled out the Christmas boxes and totes and considered getting it all out, or judiciously leaving some items boxed up, simply because they’re a lot of work to pack again after Christmas. However, when something is left behind in the boxes and settled back in the attic, a family member may notice its absence and comment on it.

I have many items that were handed down from my grandmother and family friends. I guess an appreciation for vintage is the reason behind my collection. One such vintage decoration is a set of letters, “NOEL”, probably from the fifties or sixties. I think of my grandmother and where she displayed these letters each year when I get them out of their box. And if I forget to set those "NOEL" letters on the bookshelf, my adult children may notice and comment on their absence.

I think of traditions as safe places. Safe in that they’re predictable, and we can count on them. Traditions are also great memory keepers; they launch us into reminiscing.

God is our safe place. He is predictable in that He offers salvation, forgiveness, grace, and love. Knowing we can count on these things is comforting.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the safety of your love. Knowing we can trust that you are the same today, tomorrow, and forever brings comfort and peace. Be with those who need the safety of your comforting arms this season of Advent. Amen.

Donna Gustafson (reprinted from 2019)

Trust and Faith in God

And Gabriel came to Mary and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Luke 1:28, 30-35

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. Matthew 1:20b-21, 24

How frightening these incidents must have been for both Mary and Joseph! Mary was a teenager and the angel did not only tell her that she was going to have a baby, even though she was a virgin, but the baby was the Messiah that her people had been awaiting for generations. Joseph on the other hand was older but was asked to take on a great responsibility. Not only was he to take Mary as his wife but he was also to become the earthly father and protector of the Messiah. I am sure both of them wondered how they could take on the tasks that were asked of them. But notice, neither of them said no. Trust. The reason Mary and Joseph could say yes was because they trusted God. They knew absolutely if God was asking these things of them that He would not let them down. I’m sure that both of them were in awe that they were chosen. However, they were chosen for their faith and their trust in God. One other thing, God did not have them face these tasks alone, He gave them each other to lean on. Hasn’t God done the same for us? God has called each of us to a purpose. Sometimes, what He wants us to do is scary but He does not ask that we do these things alone. He has given us the church, other believers, to lean on. He allows us to be built up by our faith and our trust in Him. God does not let us down. 

Prayer: Wonderful God, in this season of advent help us to remember that as long as we trust and have faith in You, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. We know this is the season for us to remember others less fortunate than ourselves but also help us to remember people who are alone, people who are depressed and people who are in need of Christian love, Your love. Time is a gift that we can give. Help us give generously. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Chelli Olsen (reprinted from the 2012 devotional booklet)

Magnificat

I will sing of the Lord's great Love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations, I will declare that your love stands firm forever...Psalm 89:1-2

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4

Advent is a time of anticipation and reflection. It is said that one of the best things about a trip is the anticipation while planning it; it is a tangible benefit of the experience. The memories of that trip or vacation also have great value in refreshing us. 

I love to think of Christmases past and anticipate the things that will make this season feel festive and magical. I remember being pregnant for two of my long-ago Christmases and sharing with Mary's expression in the Magnificat. The awareness of miracles is always a wonderful awakening.

When I was a teenager, I found such treasure in the late night or midnight Christmas Eve services. To go to church at such a late hour seemed a rare privilege and added to the special nature of the celebration. We would see people we rarely saw and have the joy of spending that special time with them. The service felt more intimate than the pageantry I associated with Christmas, and that appealed to me.

I like to think that Advent calendars tell a story. The story is slowly revealed in the time of waiting, like the nightly continuing tales of Scheherazade. Christmas books enchant me. I have a friend who displays all her Christmas storybooks on her living room shelves and tables during Advent, when she celebrates her December birthday with a cookie-decorating party. It is like being in a Christmas library.

Advent carols tell the roots of our faith, the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. It is powerful imagery to anyone of any age. The stories have so much symbolism, and we take that symbolism into our own stories so that the original story deepens in personal meaning.

To think of the candles and lights which decorate so many homes and neighborhoods, is always such a joy. "Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness" is one of my favorite expressions from Anne Frank. Light, like faith, wrests power from darkness and fear. We see the truth of darkness for what it is, when we use the light that is given to us, The light is a reminder of what we are preparing for, and what we want to become.

I loved learning that the last Sunday before Advent (also the final Sunday of the church year) is known in the UK as "Stir Up Sunday", because it is the time to stir up the Christmas puddings. The Collect for that Sunday from the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 begins "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded". The Christmas puddings need to mature throughout Advent before being set afire with brandied sugar cubes on Christmas. The preparation of that Christmas pudding involves stirring up ingredients, just as we are to stir our own hearts and minds to do great things. The waiting time of Advent is important to puddings and Christians alike.

Whatever Advent means to each one of us, it should have a little of the secular connected to the sacred. In order to understand Emmanuel, God with us, we have to be able to elevate the things we love in our daily life to the level of the inexplicable and eternal things that God infuses us with.

A translation of the Magnificat by Joy Cowley:

My soul sings in gratitude,

I'm dancing in the mystery of God.

The light of the Holy One is within me

and I am blessed, so truly blessed.

This goes deeper than human thinking.

I am filled with awe

at Love whose only condition

is to be received.

The gift is not for the proud,

for they have no room for it.

The strong and self-sufficient ones

don't have this awareness.

But those who know their emptiness

can rejoice in Love's fullness.

It's the Love that we are made for,

the reason for our being.

It fills our inmost heart space

and brings to birth in us, the Holy One.

Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

God Has a Plan

“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. Jeremiah 29:11

In the Bible Study Book by Kay Arthur, Pete De Lacy and Bob Vereen is this paragraph:

“In all probability, you’ve heard that wonderful promise God gave to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 29:11 and you’ve longed to embrace it as your own. Think about these questions asked by these authors:

Is it applicable to you?

Does God have a plan for your life?

Does God want the best for you?

Does God want you to have a future and a hope?

If so, what’s your role in this promise,

and how does it affect His ultimate desire for you?

Our study participants answered all the questions yes; our role in the plan is to trust God and believe he has a plan for us.

I went to the “King Richard” movie with a couple of friends. Richard Williams is the father of two world famous and #1 tennis players, Venus and Serena Williams. From the day they were born he had a plan for their lives. He told them as he taught them tennis that they were going to be the best players in the world and would no longer live in poverty where they had to sweep the courts to play. The movie does present the good-dad tributes of Richard, also.

Afterwards, I asked my two friends, “Should we want to start all over again with having a plan for each of our children?” We laughed and didn’t think it was a good idea.

However, God is not human like us. He had the plan to send his son at Christmas. The Bible is full of God’s plans for a Savior, and He gave Jesus to us that first Christmas.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for planning the world for us to live in and for sending us Jesus that first Christmas to be our Savior. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

Bearing Gifts

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2: 10-11

When I was 6 years old, we lived in a neighborhood with a number of older buildings that were not in very good shape. The tiny apartments next to our house were run down and sad looking. Mrs. Stow lived there. She was old, walked with a cane, and shuffled slowly. I believe she was originally from England. I knew her as she invited me in occasionally to share tea with her along with toast and jelly. The tea was very weak with lots of milk and sugar. One day as I was struggling to learn how to roller skate, Mrs. Stow called me over and presented me with a broom stick (minus the broom) to use so I wouldn’t fall so much. It worked and I soon returned the stick to her—skating freely up and done the sidewalk.

That Christmas, my mother and I were shopping at a supermarket. In the store my mother chose a cardboard box and placed it at the front of the shopping cart. As we wandered through the store, my mom picked out our groceries and put assorted cans and produce in the box. On a cloudy, grey, cold Christmas Eve, before we left for our family gathering, my mom retrieved the cardboard box, added a few more things to it, and carrying the heavy box, she took me along to Mrs. Stow’s place. In the box was a Christmas card with a bow and a large number of items of canned food and produce along with a container of warm oyster stew. Mrs. Stow was totally surprised and so grateful—she was all teary-eyed.

My mother was always aware of people who were alone at Christmas, frequently inviting them into our home or giving them a gift surrounded with love. Think about those in your neighborhood who will be alone during the holidays, or who may be struggling with unexpected financial problems due to the pandemic, unemployment, illness, etc. Like the wisemen, can you help these individuals know that you care and can you give of yourself to help them?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have blessed us so much with your love and peace. Remind us to show others your love by sharing of our time and resources.  Amen. 

Nancy Hall

Christmas Memories

 

And there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.”  Luke 2:8-9

I saw this picture in a posting recently and it brought back so many memories.  As a child growing up, decorating for Christmas was especially exciting for many reasons. The family time, the learning process from the preparation of putting up a real tree, learning about each ornament on the tree, learning about the nativity scene as it was put up for display and the Christmas music playing in the background. It was a reminder of all the things we needed to be grateful for.  After all the decorations were up we would lay under the edge of the tree and look up at the sparkling of the lights. There was always one light that had pretty much lost its coating on the outside but shone so bright like the star leading the three wise men to Bethlehem. It was a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and being thankful for all we had. Yes, there was the excitement of Santa arriving, and the opening of the packages on Christmas morning. The true meaning of Christmas was feeling the excitement of the birth of Jesus Christ and all it holds for us. My parents always liked to surprise people with gifts...summertime we delivered a load of watermelon in a friends' driveway so they would have the surprise of waking up to the gift of fresh watermelon. At Christmas time I remember one trip where we traveled late into Christmas Eve dropping off surprise gifts on doors and leaving without them seeing us. It was a fun and exciting time as a kid. Later they had to have some packages shipped to surprise those we couldn't drop off personally. 

Now as an adult I enjoy decorating for Christmas: it's the excitement, the remembering of family time and also the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I still enjoy the colorful displays with lights and decorations that bring joy to the heart. It's not the decorations themselves; it's the reminder of what we celebrate this time of year. It's so important for us not only at Christmas time but throughout the year to keep that spirit in our hearts and the gift of giving to those we know and those we are only encountering for a few seconds of our day.   

Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank you for your love and the blessings of each day.  Help us to hold that spirit every day of the year and to extend your love to others. Forgive us for those times we forget all that you have given us and taken for granted. Remind us to give of ourselves in all the ways you have taught us to brighten the world not only at Christmas but throughout the year. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Lori Hood

 

Finding Hope

"...She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')." Isaiah 7:14

In The Comfort Book by Matt Haig, he highlights some of his favorite things (with a concentration on hope and inspiration). I like his essay “Somewhere”: he focuses on hope by considering the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow, sung by Judy Garland in the movie The Wizard of Oz (link below to the song). He describes how the song goes up an octave, an “actual musical rainbow”. He continues: “Hope always involves a soaring and a reaching. Hope flies. The thing with feathers, as Emily Dickinson said.” Matt thinks that it’s almost easier to feel hopeful when times are difficult, because hope is one of the things we can cling to. As a Christian, I would add that hope comes when we trust in God's promises. To be hopeful, he finds, you just “need to understand that things will change. Hope is available for us all.” Again, as Christians, we have hope that God is with us through life's challenges until "things change".

Coincidentally, a few weeks after finishing Matt’s book I started reading the novel Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts. Letts takes on the true story of the author of The Wizard of Oz, Frank Baum, and his wife, Maud. The book moves between 1938 in Hollywood, when the film was made, and the years that Frank and Maud were together (when he wrote his masterpiece). I loved the book and its message of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity (I won’t add any spoilers here: you’ll just need to read the book or research the lives of Frank and Maud Baum!) Incidentally, one of the defining features of the novel is Maud’s determination that the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow was sung just right…with a sense of hopefulness and earnestness. In the book, Maud believes that Judy Garland did it perfectly. If you listen below (and recall the song from the movie), you'll probably agree. 

Advent is a season of hope. Hope in a savior come in the form of a baby, born into humble beginnings. In addition to the verse above, I’ve included more on hope below.

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. Jeremiah 29:11  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3  

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:24-25

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:26-38

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son, Jesus. Thank you for the hope of advent, and the promise of your son, Immanuel, God with us. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

click here to see Judy Garland sing

Waiting

“Blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18

When I was a little girl, I could hardly wait for Christmas to come. There would be presents, a family gathering at my grandparents, special food, pretty candles that spun around golden angels that rang tinkling bells, and of course there was always a guest appearance of Santa Claus. It was not until I grew older that Christmas Eve church, the Sunday School program, and the true meaning of Christmas took priority.  It seems today that Christmas comes way too fast. We are reminded regularly of only so many shopping days until Christmas, the special sales, and the beautiful gifts that can’t wait another day. We don’t want to wait for anything—not the lines at the check-out counters or the post office, the waitress who is slow taking or delivering our orders,  the back-up of traffic trying to turn on a busy street, even a computer program at work that is slow coming up.  

Waiting is something we do not enjoy, yet the above scripture tells the Jewish people that they who wait are blessed. Imagine waiting over many, many years and generations for the Messiah to come, waiting in bondage in Egypt for a deliverer, waiting under Roman rule for the promised one, waiting for the prophecies of old to come true, setting a place at the table and leaving the front door open so that the Messiah could come in. In their shoes, would we get discouraged, turn our backs on tradition, or think that the Messiah would never come, or that it was all just a myth from olden times?  We are so blessed that the Messiah has come  in the form of a baby, a human being that we can relate to , and a promise of salvation to all those who believe. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach us to wait patiently for your son’s birth on Christmas. Help us to slow down and listen closely to the Christmas story and marvel at the wondrous things that occurred. Help us recognize the prophecies of old . Help us enjoy the music, the crèche, our holiday traditions and the chance to show others our love. Amen. 

Nancy Hall (reprinted from 2016)

Care a Lot and Pray a Lot

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:22 – 25

A friend of mine told me, “My worst sin is that I’m a procrastinator. It gets in my way and it keeps me from doing all that God created me to do.” I would have to say that I’m the opposite. My worst sin may be that I’m an “urgent-inator. I want everything to happen right away, as in “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today” – even if it means losing sleep and missing other good things in order to get it done. I like to write things on my to-do list and check them off at the same time. If an email is in my in-box, I feel I need to respond to it. 

In my advancing age, though, I have learned that some things are better off if they’re left to sit for a while – chili soup, angry words, home decorating, and God’s work. Scripture tells us that it is through challenges that we grow in our faith and our dependence on God. Paul writes this in nearly every letter – Hebrews, Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Timothy. It was true for them then and it’s true for us now. 

Right now, there are a lot of things that make us afraid. And fixers, like me, would like to fix things up right away. A nice easy solution would be very nice! But God sees things with eternal eyes. The Apostle Paul talks to all the early churches about the need for struggles and perseverance in order to grow faith. As the writer Anne Lamont says, “It’s good to be afraid, when it mobilizes us to fight tooth and nail for what is right, when it pricks the balloon of our complacency, when it gets us back on our feet. A lot of us are both afraid and devoutly faithful at the same time… courage is fear that has said its prayers.” 

We can respond to the things that make us afraid with fear. Or we can care a lot and pray a lot. We can stick together and share and listen and draw nearer to God knowing that we are loved and chosen and safe. We know the ending of the story, and it is this. In the end, God wins. Jesus came to tell us that.

Today I will pray to the God that loves us and be at peace.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, it seems like there are so many things to be afraid of, but I know that you tell us over and over again in Scripture to, “Be not afraid”, and to trust You. Protect me from my urgent-inator ways. I pray for peace in my soul as You slow me down and help me to remember to pray and to trust You while You work out Your way in the world. Amen

Lori Snyder-Sloan (reprinted from 2016)

A Day of Peace

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Families are hard. Even when we love and respect each other. Often harder when we DON’T respect each other. Definitely harder during times of emotional strain. Some of us look forward to times with our extended families during the holidays while others dread it. 

Our house is commonly known among family members as Switzerland (don’t laugh Thomas). When we were first married, Brian’s grandparents were attending Thanksgiving and Christmas at multiple locations because no one was willing to take on hosting duties. There had been strife among some of the family members and they just didn’t seem ready to let things go. We came up with an alternative.  Grandma and Grandpa would enjoy ONE Thanksgiving meal at our house at noon on Thanksgiving Day. We would invite the entire family and provide all the food.  People just needed to show up, relax, and enjoy. Twelve years later, with both grandma and grandpa gone – we are going strong.

Don’t get me wrong, it has not been easy. Someone is always late. Someone always wants to be first through the line. There is always a picky eater. Turkeys sometimes have a mind of their own and are ready early, or late. Sometimes the aunts have argued the week before and they are still hurt or angry. Sometimes I don’t like my brother in law’s life choices. But we can all pull it together for a day. Originally, a day for grandma and grandpa. Now a day for each other. For children and grandchildren. For our family.

Prayer: Loving creator, thank you for helping us to live in peace and love one another, when it’s hard, when it’s easy and when we know it’s the right thing to do. Amen    

Christi Moock 

Advent Song reflection Day 2 of 2

My fourth reflection. “Once in Royal David’s City” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHLy6bu955M This song speaks to me of Jesus and how this miracle came to be. God sending his only son to redeem us. The good he did throughout the world and his guidance.

Let us pray and reflect. “He came down to Earth from Heaven/ Who is God and Lord of all/ And His shelter was a stable/ And His cradle was a stall/ With the poor, and mean, and lowly/ Lived on earth our Savior holy”. Thank you, God,for this miracle. Thank you for bringing us Jesus on Christmas. Our redeemer whose glory knows no bounds.

My fifth reflection. “I Saw Three Ships” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l5bUgETaic I remember this song on the days after Christmas. It is a joyous song that announces the arrive of our lord Jesus. It is a happy song reflecting on the joy of Christmas day. Christ was born this day.

Let us pray and reflect. “Then let us all rejoice again,/ On Christmas day, on Christmas day;/ Then let us all rejoice again,/ On Christmas day in the morning.” Dear God, let us rejoice in your presence. Your only Son brought to earth on Christmas day. A miracle and our redeemer Jesus Christ. In your name we pray Amen.

Charles Kendeigh

Advent Song reflection Day 1 of 2

Some bemoan Christmas music as they are often heavy commercialized, but I grew up with unique Christmas music whose virtue were presented to me from my dad. Long drives full of music reminds me of Christmas in the church. Music is important to me and define what Christmas means to me. I hope to share these songs in several reflections. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVoANsKnlLs

“Good King Wenceslas” is a Christmas song that does not deal directly with Christ’s birth yet expresses the meaning of Christmas. Christmas is about giving and sharing with those less fortunate. 

I would like us to reflect on the last lines and to guide us in prayer. “Therefore, Christian men, be sure,/ wealth or rank possessing,/ Ye who now will bless the poor,/shall yourselves find blessing.” God guide us through winter with the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for your blessings and help us to spread this wealth to the less fortunate this Christmas season.  

My second reflection of Christmas music is about “We Three Kings”. Musically it is unique than most due to the fact it is in 6/8 and can change into a 2/4 feel during the chorus. I remember trying to transcribe this piece of music and struggling with the meter which I thought was in 3/4 and 1/4. It still works in those meters, but I find this hymn to be one I remember during Christmas eve service as the chorus is glittered with the organ chimes of a star that rotated giving me an elevated spirit. 

It naturally swings and you can hear this in Ella Fitzgerald’s version. I find this song leading me forward into the Christmas spirit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L690w1cZSZE . 

Reflect with me in prayer of the chorus “O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,/ Star with Royal Beauty bright,/ Westward leading,/ Still proceeding,/ Guide us to Thy perfect Light.” God thank you for guiding us to this glorious moment in history. We follow with surety and go further to meet the King of Kings. We thank you oh lord for this moment of reflection. 

My Third reflection of Christmas music is of a combination of Let it Snow, Count your Blessings, and We wish you a Merry Christmas by Ray Conniff. This album was my dad’s go to on the road to celebrate the Christmas seasons. I am focused more on the second song of Count your Blessings. It is a simple song coming from the film White Christmas and written by Irving Berlin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmCEvKicyk 

It is the finale of the album. It resonates with me as a way for me to reflect after all the excitement of the season and feast is ending. This glorious day now having finished and the guest or family are gone. The magic, however, last longer than one day. It is the beginning of something bigger. 

It was helpful to have this song guide me as a kid to understand how blessed we all are. The day may be over, but we shouldn’t be sad it is done. It is a time to reflect and count your blessings. Our blessings from the memories and the ability to spend time with those who we love. As a person who deals with anxiety, this song brought me peace and allowed me to wind down after such a joyful day. 

Let’s pray and reflect on this song. “When I'm worried and I can't sleep/ I count my blessings instead of sheep/ And I fall asleep counting my blessings/ When my bankroll is getting small/ I think of when I had none at all/ And I fall asleep counting my blessings” God thank you for your many blessings. We are grateful for joy given to us through our family and friends. Teach us to count our blessings instead of sheep. Help us to overcome our anxieties and trust in you. 

Charles Kendeigh

Advent Hope and Joy

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” Mark 1:1-3

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. 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.  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. 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.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:18-23

Thanksgiving was spent in Texas with family and extended family. Of course, to prepare, errands were given to Duane and me. There was need for light bulbs and candles. In order to get the needed supplies, we were off to the family-oriented hardware store. This store is a labyrinth of goodies. Santas, cardinals for the tree, rugs, ho-ho-ho everywhere. But right in the middle of everything was a lovely nativity set. It caught my eye and brought peace to my heart.

Later in the week, my daughter, my niece, and I made our semi-yearly tour of a huge antique mall. There in one crowded aisle amid many Christmas ornaments sat a lovely nativity.

Each set was unique in its own way, each was complete and each was a beacon of faith in the midst of Christmas overwhelming decorations and things of the past and modern. It was as though God was reminding me of the real reason for the season. I gazed upon the reminders and thanked God for the hope and joy it brought to me. I hope you, too, can find hope and joy in your hearts this season.

Carolyn Olsen

Watching and Waiting

This scripture is a good reminder of what Advent is all about – watching and waiting with anticipation!

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:5-8)

I also recall “watching and waiting,” in the gospel hymn, “Blessed Assurance.”

“…perfect submission, all is at rest!

I in my Savior am happy and blessed

Watching and waiting, looking above

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love…”

These words bring a memory of mine back in my college days at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. It was at the end of the Fall Semester, 1970, when most of my fellow classmates were going home for Christmas. Had it not been for a gracious invitation of some friends in Fort Yukon, Alaska, I would have been stuck in the dorms!

On early morning of Christmas Day, I got on a flight to Ft. Yukon and met my friends at the airfield. The next day was Sunday when we attended the local Episcopal Church. That was when my adventure would really begin!

I met a mission team who were going to Arctic Village, Alaska the next morning. They invited me to come along. So, I got up very early on that Monday, and went to the airfield to meet the mission team. We flew 120 miles further north!  Now, Fort Yukon is on the Arctic Circle. I was going 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle!

We landed at the airfield in Arctic Village and were met with dog sleds and snow mobiles which took us into town. That night was a “Potlatch” – a great feast followed by a vespers service at the local Episcopal Chapel – literally a log cabin!  We had a service of thanksgiving and prayer. Following that service, everyone gathered back at the community center for native dancing and music! 

The daily routine would be visiting the people’s homes mid-morning until 2 PM when it was already dark. We would go to the chapel for vespers and then the Community Center for dancing and singing, then bedtime! 

I was anticipating that I would stay about 3 or 4 days, but it extended to more than a week. The plane that would come was grounded because the temperature had fallen to -70*! I was bundled up and able to move around, but the evening was most challenging. We had an oil drum as a furnace that would heat the building in which we were sleeping. We would stoke the furnace and it would be toasty most of the night until morning which was barely freezing!

But, morning came, we would have breakfast, and continue our daily routine of calling, attending vespers and then dancing at the community center. All that while it was -70*!

Still, I was advised to pack my bag and be ready should the temperature break.  Well, finally the temperature did break to a balmy 5*, but warm enough for the plane to come the next morning. That night at the vespers service and at the community center was really joyful anticipation that the plane was coming. I even learned a few dance steps and could pretend to dance! Oh, how embarrassing it was, but the people didn’t mind!  I was having fun with great anticipation of the plane coming the next morning.

And the plane did come! I was picked up by a snow mobile pulling a sled and rode to the air strip. Two other people and myself got on board and flew back to Fort Yukon and from there I returned to Fairbanks, just in time for the Spring Semester to begin.

This story is a bit lengthy. But it gets to the experience of anticipation in packing every day to be ready should the plane come!  Meanwhile, live the moment of anticipation – visiting the homes and sharing in worship and dancing at the community center. It was another way of watching and waiting for what was to come – in this case the plane!

May Advent be a time to be ready, anticipate, but continue to be in fellowship, in worship, and in fun with God’s people. For the plane is coming – or more exactly, the Son of God is coming and we are eagerly awaiting His arrival! 

Prayer: O God of anticipation and hope, be with us in our daily routine of Advent that we can be ready, watch, and be constant in the joy of worship and fellowship with the kindred of faith in Jesus Christ, whose coming we eagerly await. Amen

Rev. Dr. John J. Duling

Connections

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Thanksgiving week we watched the documentary “The Last Blockbuster” on Netflix. If you remember the excitement of going to pick out a movie, or are old enough to remember renting a VCR this might make you feel warm and fuzzy. The premise of the documentary is the demise of the chain, some bad business decisions and the reasons people think Blockbuster went under. There is certainly coverage about the business side, but the secondary story is one of community and emotion.

The documentary creator/director reminds people of the experience of going to the video store, negotiating and compromising with a date, families getting something for everyone, children taking turns. The underlying message is about getting to know employees at the video store, knowing what people like to watch, asking for advice. This seems funny to a new generation with Netflix, that uses artificial intelligence and data metrics to recommend things for us that are consistent with what we regularly watch on the electronic platform.    

As we watched the documentary, I couldn’t help but think of the similarities with church since COVID. We don’t have to get dressed up, we can do other things during the service, we get a message from the minister, we might be lucky enough to get some music. The entire service is sometimes crafted together and recorded ahead of the actual day of worship. This is the Netflix version.

But I like the Blockbuster version. Getting to church early to see a friend or drop something off for VBS, or towels from the last funeral, or to pick up the next book for Bible study. The tactile things about church are not only communion, and music, and smiles, but they are also the feeling of community. In a time when we have succeeded in leaning on technology as a means to remain connected, I miss the in-person church meeting, the act of stopping during church office hours to drop off or pick up and the “high touch” of bumping into someone after a service who shares with me a bit of their journey…

Prayer: God who taught us to love, help us to remember the joys of worship, the bond of community and the assurance that there are others with our values, desires, and fears. Thank you for giving us ways to stay connected in times of a great pandemic, and for helping us to return to a more familiar time. Amen.

Christi Moock      

In the Pause comes Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and your minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Trying to keep my focus on the One who's the “reason for the season” is difficult -He often gets shoved aside by the demands of a daunting to-do list.  How can I possibly pause to reflect on the birth of Jesus, when there's SO much to do...and so little time to do it?! Besides, I can just wait until the Advent services, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to do all my reflecting...right? Wrong. This is the very reason the Christmas season has always been so stressful for me. To find the peace I so badly need, reflecting on - and conversing with - Jesus needs to happen daily!

In her devotion, “The Treasure of Thrown-Away Food”, Lysa TerKeurst says we can find “a powerful peace centered in the awareness of God's presence.” She suggests we start by “noticing something for which to be thankful - no matter the circumstance.” If we remember to keep our eyes open, we can always find something. Also, she says we must “pause to acknowledge this something as a reminder of God's presence”. (Yes, pause! The to-do list can wait.) In this pause, we then “choose to focus on God's presence until his powerful peace is unleashed.” Notice that the outcome of proclaiming thanksgiving is peace - just as the scripture from Philippians (above) reminds us.

I believe when we “choose to focus on God's presence”, we willingly give Him our complete attention, patiently keep our eyes and ears open, and trust him with all our hearts. If we are “those whose minds are steadfast” (Isaiah 26:3), it's then that, in the midst of all the chaos and to-do lists, we can find His “perfect peace”.  A powerful peace that “exceeds anything we can understand”. A peace that will “guard our hearts and minds” this Christmas season.

Prayer: Prince of Peace, forgive us for being too busy and distracted to keep our focus on you. Help us to remember each and every day to pause and approach you with thankful hearts and steadfast minds. And thank you so much for the “powerful peace you unleash” in our hearts when we do. Amen.

Sharon Irvin (reprinted from 2016)