Words from Psalm 8

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4 

Words from Psalm 96

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12 

Words from Matthew 11

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

Merry Christmas

 

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6–7

Christmas Eve

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 

The Significance of Bread in the Bible

How many times does the word bread appear in the Bible? One source says 360 times, one source says 381 times and one source says 492 times. Perhaps it just depends on which version of the Bible you are reading. One writer claims "bread" is the most popular word in the Bible.

From Genesis through Revelation the significance of bread in the Bible is so important that it is still celebrated in both the Jewish and Christian faiths, today.

The Hebrew word for house or place is beit and the Hebrew word for bread is lechem. So beit lechem in Hebrew or Bethlehem in English means house of bread. Could Jesus (the Bread of Life) be born anywhere else?

So, what difference does it make if the bread is wheat or Barley?

When I was in my late 20's Rev. Tom Huxtable asked me to be a Sunday school teacher. I really didn't want to be a Sunday school teacher so I told Tom I didn't know enough about the Bible to teach it to anyone else. Then I said that all I knew about the Bible I learned in children's Sunday school. That was definitely the wrong thing to have said to Tom. He jumped right on that and he said, "Well that is really all you need to know to teach the children." Then he said something that really changed the Christian aspect of my life. He said, "Find something in the Bible that you love and read about it and the rest will take care of itself."

So, I just started reading about the plants and flowers of the Bible as I had always loved flowers. One thing kept leading to another. While reading about nonflowering plants, I started reading about wheat. Reading about wheat versus barley, it made me angry with God. Wheat had the reputation for making the best bread. Wheat was mainly grown in Egypt. It was way too expensive for the Hebrew people to buy. So, they bought barley instead which was half the price of wheat. They not only ate the barley themselves; they fed it to their animals as well.

Why, I kept wondering, if bread was so important to His chosen people, couldn't God make it possible for them to eat the best bread? I was still upset with God. It bothered me so much that I went searching for barley flour and baked a loaf of barley bread to taste it for myself. It was absolutely delicious with a kind of nut-like flavor. It was then I felt sure God was up there in heaven smiling and laughing at such a one as I am. I definitely needed to tell God I was very sorry for thinking what I had been thinking.

I kept on reading about bread in the bible and I soon learned that if bread was specifically named as barley bread in the story, there was going to be a miracle. What do I mean by that?

For example, in the Book of Judges 7:13 (New Oxford Bible) Gideon is spying on the Midianites and he hears a man telling a dream about a barley roll that tumbled into their camp. After Gideon heard the whole dream, he changed his battle plans winning the battle without the use of one weapon.

Another example of a barley story miracle is in the Book of Ruth. Ruth meets Boaz during the Barley harvest and they eventually get married and have a son named, Obed. Through this meeting, Ruth becomes the great grandmother of David, the King, and thus an ancestor of Jesus.

I'll cite one more example of the miracle of a barley story It's in the NT in the Book of John (6:9). "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish." What happened in this story? Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000. How do you multiply bread? Jesus just told us. You ask the Father to bless it!

Tom Huxtable taught me so much about how to read the Bible. When you just start reading about one simple thing you love in the Bible, you discover so many beautiful and interesting stories that teach you about your faith. From this experience, I learned to search for answers to whatever questions I had (no matter how stupid they were). Like 1) Who was Barabbas and why did we only hear of him during Jesus' trial and never again? Or 2) If swaddling bands were the way babies were dressed in Jesus' day, why was so much made of wrapping Jesus in them and then placing Jesus in a manger? Was that important?

Over the years, I've had so many of these kinds of questions and when I finally find the answers it is so uplifting and only serves to deepen my faith. I'm 86 now (60+ years later) and I'm still looking for answers to my questions!

Recently, I've been trying to learn if Ruth, the Moabite Princess, (from the Book of Ruth) was half black as some scholars claim she was while other scholars disagree saying it can't be proven. Though I will continue to seek the answer to Ruth's ancestry, my faith tells me it is not really important because in God's eyes, there is only one race - the human race!

 

Judy Welch

Advent is a Preparation Time

I hear the voice of someone shouting, “Make a highway for the Lord through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots.  Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” Isaiah 40:3-5 

In this Old Testament scripture, Isaiah is telling of the coming of Jesus. He says to prepare a straight, smooth road and remove obstacles and prepare for the coming of Jesus. Advent is the time for us to prepare for the coming of Jesus. We (I am as guilty as many of you are) seem to be caught up in preparing for Christmas- busyness, deadlines, being stressed, and overburdened with things to do and buy.  

What has happened to our preparing ourselves for the birth of Jesus? We need to pray to open our hearts to Jesus - to straighten the paths of our lives, to take away obstacles and distractions and temptations, and to reflect on God’s word and to bring the light of Jesus into our life. With God’s help, I am changing my ways and will prepare myself for the birth of Jesus during this Advent Season and I hope that you will too. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us prepare for the coming of Jesus and bring the light of Jesus into our life during this Advent Season. Amen

Susan Taylor (reprinted from the 2013 Advent Book)    

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)

Half a Loaf Is

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:  he that cometh to me shall never hunger. John 6:33, 35 (KJV)

Being in my kitchen is sheer pleasure! Over the years, cooking and baking have provided many enjoyable hours. My favorite thing to bake is bread. I love the fragrance of a loaf of wheat bread baking in the oven.

Without preservatives, the shelf life of homemade bread is limited, and living alone I find it is imperative to share half a loaf.

Sharing bread often takes me to a friend’s home where I can enjoy a cup of afternoon tea and a good visit. My older friends, those who have lived longer than eight decades, are always the most appreciative. Often, along with their warmest thanks, they will add, “You are a lifesaver because I just haven’t felt like going shopping.”

Each time someone calls me a lifesaver, I think of the Latin-derived word for friend:  companion. A companion is one who comes “with bread” (cum panis) or one who eats bread with another. In Bible times (before the refining of flour), a companion was one who came with bread, which contained all the nutrients needed to sustain life. Since my friends and I have often discussed the meaning of the word, “companion,” they know that my reply to being called a “lifesaver” will always be the same: “Isn’t that what friends are for?”

Being a Christian friend and having a Christian friend just makes our lives seem so much richer, but it is when we know Jesus Christ well enough to call Him our friend that we understand the true meaning of the word, “companion.” Christ came bringing bread – the Bread of Life—that we might never hunger.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son, Jesus, to share The Living Bread, that we might partake and find eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Judith Welch (reprinted from 2022)

Readjusting to the Dark

 

Read Luke 2:15-20

If you live in the northern hemisphere, Christmas means winter, cooler temperatures, shorter days, and longer nights. The shortest day and longest night of the year—the winter solstice— falls just a few days before we celebrate Jesus’ birth. We are eager and ready to connect Jesus’ birth to the return of light and warmth!

But in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls during summer, just a few days after the longest day and shortest night of the year. In Australia, some people have pool parties on Christmas day! Though Christmas is full of light, it also starts a season of shorter days and longer nights. Jesus’ coming is still good news, no matter where you are! The Gospel is about inclusive, unconditional love.

After the shepherds encountered the angels in bright light, they were suddenly left in darkness again. To find the newborn baby, Jesus, they readjusted from the sudden bright light to begin their journey in the dark. Of course, they’re not the same shepherds as they were before the angels came to them. Now they know about Jesus, and they are on a journey toward him. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s dark, but it does change what they do in that darkness and how they travel through it: with hope and wonder.

Our world doesn’t always feel hopeful or love-filled. On Christmas, we celebrate the hope and love Jesus continues to bring to our hurt and pain. Still, even as we adjust to the world again after the celebrations of Christmas, following Jesus changes how we live and the way we move through the world. Because of Jesus, we try to show love and have hope in a world needing both. 

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

•             How would you celebrate Christmas if it was during the summer instead?

•             What happens when you first go from a well lit place into darkness?  What happens to your eyes so you can see even without a light?

•             What are some hard things about the world today? How does Jesus teach us to respond to those hard things?

Activity:

All over the world, people are participating in the season of Advent, looking forward to Christmas Day. As we learned in the reflection today, some places celebrate Christmas with sunshine and hot weather. Some places celebrate Christmas with snow and cooler temperatures.

For example, Costa Rica is in a tropical region where Christmas occurs during the rainy season. It is warm and wet! Costa Ricans love to eat apples at Christmas time—they are a special treat!

In cold subarctic Finland, people often light up cemeteries with Christmas lights and decorations. The Finnish spend Christmas remembering their loved ones who have died.

Now, take a moment and pray for the people of all regions that they might be safe, well- nourished, and joyful this Christmas season.

Prayer: God, thank you for the people of ___________. You love them very much, and you care about their needs. Today we pray they might be safe, have the food and supplies they need, and find joy during this Advent season. And if there is a way for us to bless the people of ___________ , please help us find it and we will get to work. Thank you for our siblings in all the countries of the world. Amen.

reprinted with permission from Illustrated Ministry, originally shared on this page in 2020.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  

On November 19 Voices of Omaha performed Handel’s Messiah at the Holland Center.  This was the 49^th annual performance on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Six of us high school classmates traveled to Omaha to watch another classmate and his daughter sing in the choir.  The Halleluiah chorus was magnificent but so were the other songs as well.  My favorite thing to do at musical performances is to close my eyes so I can really listen to the words and sounds. You can just feel the music.  It is such a joy and moves me so that I take a sharp breath in! 

 

I particularly liked the song “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and its descriptions of Jesus from Isaiah.  Those descriptions of Jesus reminded me of the memorable and uplifting video during an Eastridge sermon many years ago where we watched the video of Dr. S. M. Lockridge “That’s My King”.  Dr. Lockridge was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego.  This portion is the last six minutes of a sermon in 1976.  It is well worth the six minutes to watch it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

 

During this Advent season may the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace be known to you in a personal way. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, come now and reign in me, Be Lord of my life this hour.

Come be my Counselor and my God, My source of wisdom and power.

Watch o'er me with your Father care, My heart and my mind, fill with peace.

I worship you, my Lord and King, My praise will never cease. AMEN.  (Lyrics from Handel’s Messiah “For Unto Us A Child is Born”)

 

Cathy Schapmann (reprinted from 2017)

Words for Advent

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 2:10-20 

This year, I have a nativity set in my church office that I received as a gift, which fits perfectly in the window near my phone. As I’m answering calls for the Food Pantry, or any phone call, I can see each character in the scene and consider his/her role. This seems to fit well with our word theme this Advent. The Advent study that my group did this season (Pauses for Advent by Trevor Hudson) explores a word a day as well.

Here’s what I mean:

Word for the day: Mary. In our Wednesday morning Advent study, the day that focuses on Mary looks at her willingness to bear God’s son. “Let it be with me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38). The study encourages us to find a quiet moment in our day and present ourselves to God and willingly offer our will as Mary did.

Word for the day: Angel. The study suggests we look for angels in our daily lives, remembering that as we offer hospitality, we may be “entertaining angels unaware” (Hebrews 13:2).

Word for the day: Joseph. The study points out that even though we hear no spoken words from Joseph’s mouth in gospel passage, his actions speak loudly. He follows God’s guidance and steps out in faith.

Word for the day: The Magi. The Magi “encourage us to be serious about our seeking”. “When we strive to seek and to surrender, the miracle of Christmas can happen every day.”

Word for the day: The Shepherds. We’re encouraged to take a closer look at those who are considered “outsiders”. Maybe YOU feel like an outsider. We all have those who may be considered outsiders in our midst. Ask God to help you notice them and reach out to them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be more aware this Advent season, and always. Help me remember that I am representing You to the world and help me be obedient to act accordingly. Thank you for sending Your son, Jesus. Amen.

Donna Gustafson (reprinted from 2017)

 

Dove - Peace

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." Luke 2:13-14 

The scripture is from Luke and from the story of the birth of Jesus. I found a children's book in the library titled, "Only a Star" by Margery Facklam. The book is about the first Christmas morning. The light of the star welcomed Jesus and the creatures in the stable. One of those creatures were doves. Doves watched above Jesus as well as other creatures. Long before the birth of Christ, people domesticated wild rock doves and raised then for food and to carry messages. Doves have been symbols of peace and love in the Bible. Doves symbolized peace in Genesis in the story of Noah, and the dove symbolized peace in the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus brought us peace like a dove that first Christmas morning.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us "peace" the first Christmas and we can celebrate that "Peace" each Christmas. Amen.

Susan Taylor (reprinted from the Eastridge Advent Devotional, 2016)

A scene from the book is shown below, which can be found in the EPC library.

The Greatest Gift

Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted. Proverbs 17:8 (The Message)

Christmas has become a huge gift-giving holiday. In some ways, shopping and buying gifts for Christmas has taken center stage ahead of the true reason for the season. We pore over the advertisements in the newspaper and plot out our route for the sales on Black Friday. Or we spend hours online checking for the best prices on Amazon and "googling" for the latest and greatest new toy. 

Exchanging Christmas presents is a wonderful tradition that gives us an opportunity to show others we care for them. Some say the tradition helps remind us of the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And others suggest the tradition arises from winter celebrations of the Pagans.

No matter the origin of the gift-giving tradition, it's important that we do not let it take over. What if we spent just as much time reflecting on the greatest gift we ever received: the baby Jesus. Christmas gives us the opportunity to consider the beginning of Jesus' ministry on earth. And to thank God for sending Jesus as an infant to show us the way. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, We thank you for sending your son Jesus as a baby and for the chance to reflect on that gift during the Christmas season. The gift of that rare gemstone is the greatest gift we have ever received. Help us to appreciate the true meaning of that gift. Amen. 

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from the Eastridge Advent Devotional, 2016)

Mary Had a Baby

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 

One of the songs I will play for the worship service at the end of December is "Mary had a Baby"--an African American Spiritual. Looking up the words for the song, I envisioned a group of Jewish women gathered around sharing the news and the gossip of their small village. One would say "Mary had her baby while they were down in Bethlehem". A neighbor would comment on what a nice person Mary was and what a good mother she would make. Another would probably want to know how long she had been in labor and the sex of the child. They would ask how big the baby was and were both Mary and the baby doing well. One asked how her nursing was going and was Mary able to get any sleep. Of course, they all wondered who the baby looked like. Someone else wondered where they had stayed in Bethlehem and would learn the babe was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. They would shake their heads in disgust in learning that the baby was laid in a manger padded with straw that the animals ate. They were anxious to learn the baby's name and to see him for themselves. As the discussion went on, they would state their disgust of Joseph hauling Mary away to the City of David when she was due to deliver at any time. Men were so stupid at times. They all agreed to take over a few meals both to welcome the baby and take some of the load off Mary. Several had some clothing to give to Mary for the baby which had been used by their children or grandchildren. The first child always needed a lot of things.  

Envisioning the above made me realize that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were part of a community that was very close and caring. It reminded me that, "It takes a village to raise a child". These people would help watch over the child and his parents. Likewise, when a baby is born into our congregation, we are part of the village that will care for him or her and watch over them.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us remember that Jesus was born to real people in a real community. He is God's gift to us. He understands what it means to be human and what it means to be part of a community. Help us remember his love and caring for us. Amen 

Nancy Hall

 

Food for the Soul

A third time he said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time. Do you love me? "Lord," he said, "you know everything; you know I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17 (NEB)  

Tend the flock of God whose shepherds you are and do it not under compulsion; but of your own free will as God would have it; not for gain, but out of sheer devotion . . .  1 Peter 5:2 (NEB)  

In 2003, I decided that a whole loaf of homemade bread was too much for one person to eat, so I started sharing half my loaf with friends whose health or age no longer allowed them to stand in their kitchens to bake or who lived in retirement centers where they missed that "homemade" taste. Back then, I had the feeling that my visit was more important to them than the food.

As time went on, I added baking cookies and other treats to the things I delivered to these friends.   Over the past ten years, many of the names on my list have changed. As they aged, some of my friends have moved away to be nearer to family and some have gone home to be with Our Lord.

Last month, I again delivered plates of cookies. Much to my sorrow, two of the friends I have been visiting for a number of years no longer recognized me. It was so sad to see people I care for lose the everyday ordinary skill of thought processing. However, it was encouraging to see the lights in their eyes as they looked at the cookies. Their lifelong habit of good manners came forward and they thanked me.

Perhaps now the food is more important to them than the visit. At this point, I'm unsure if sharing time and treats with my friends has been food for their souls; but it has definitely been food for mine. "Tending the flock of God" as Peter admonished us to do will keep me baking and visiting even if though it makes me sad and I am no longer recognized.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your Son, Jesus, who taught us about loving and serving others. Make us ever grateful for Your blessings of a strong body and a sound mind that enable us to conduct our lives using every day ordinary skills. In Jesus' holy name we pray. Amen.

Judy Welch (reprinted from February 2013)

When Does the Journey Begin?

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:1-2 

When and where does the journey to Christ begin?  It could be creation of heaven and earth or creation of humankind or Noah and the flood.  It seems to me that this journey begins with Abram and Sarai.  The Lord says go and they went.  They took everything they had and left their home and went to Canaan as God had told them.  They had no map. They had no GPS or On-Star.  They had their trust in God, their faith and each other. 

What an incredible undertaking.  How often has the Lord told us to do something and we have ignored it or made excuses.  Like, “Use me Lord, but not right now”. 

Prayer: Dear Lord God, help us to listen for your call and to respond so that we may be a blessing to others as we have been so richly blessed.  In Jesus Name we pray.  Amen 

Kathy Kuehn, from the 2013 Advent Devotional

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, photo shared by Donna)

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)

Words from the book of Luke

To give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God. Luke 1:77-78 

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)