2019

Huguenot Road Baptist Church

10525 W. Huguenot Road N. Chesterfield, VA 23235 www.hrbcrichmond.org

Advent at Huguenot Road Baptist Church

Sunday, December 1- First Sunday of Advent - Hope 8:30 am the Awakening Worship 9:45 am Bible Study for all ages 11:00 am Traditional Worship

Sunday, December 8 - Second Sunday of Advent - Love 8:30 am the Awakening Worship 9:45 am Bible Study for all ages 11:00 am Traditional Worship

Sunday, December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent - Joy 8:30 am the Awakening Worship 9:45 am Bible Study for all ages 11:00 am Traditional Worship 6:00 pm A Celtic Nativity 7:15 pm Church-wide Christmas Reception

Sunday, December 22- Fourth Sunday of Advent - Peace 8:30 am the Awakening Worship 9:45 am Bible Study for all ages 11:00 am Traditional Worship

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 3:00 pm Family Nativity Worship 5:30 pm the Awakening Contemporary Worship 11:00 pm Candlelight Communion Worship

Sunday, December 29 10:00 am Christmastide Worship

Advent, 2019

Advent, meaning “the coming,” is a time when we wait expectantly. Christians be- gan to celebrate it as a season during the fourth and fifth centuries. While Christmas is a celebration of the coming of the Christ child, what God has already done, Advent is a season of waiting, even longing, in expectation of the full coming of God’s reign on earth and for the return of Christ. Advent is as much about looking ahead, to what God will yet do, as it is about remembering.

But this waiting is not a passive waiting. It is an active waiting. As any expectant mother knows, this waiting also involves preparation, exercise, nutrition, care, pray- er, work; and birth involves pain, blood, tears, joy, release, community. It is called labor for a reason. Likewise, we are in a world pregnant with hope, and we live in the expectation of the coming of God’s kingdom on earth. As we wait, we also work, cry, pray, ache; we are the midwives of another world.

Advent is often marked with purple, signifying royalty; in earlier times, purple often marked the coming of a king or Caesar. (Often, members of the royal family were the only people allowed to wear it.) Many Christians celebrate Advent by lighting a purple candle for three of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. A pink candle, signifying joy, is lit on the third week of advent. A white candle, the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve.

Today, the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas that many of us recognize as Advent is the biggest frenzy of retail spending. More than half of it, hundreds of billions of dollars a year, is spent as we celebrate the birth of the homeless Son of God in that stinky manger. (And he got only three presents. One of them was myrrh. What baby wants myrrh?) Hundreds of Christian congregations are now re- thinking the Advent season as a time for compassion rather than consumption.

This Advent devotion guide, written by our own congregants, is designed to help you reflect on God’s work through the gift of a messiah, a savior – Jesus. These devo- tions will encourage us to remember that together, we are God’s body, called to be a light in the darkness for our community in RVA. May we prepare to celebrate what God has done in the manger long ago and what God continues to do each day in homes, offices, schools, and public places all over the world. God is with us – Emanuel!

A Family Christmas Activity – Create an Advent Wreath

The advent wreath most likely has its origins in Germany and northern Europe as one of many symbols of light used by Christians in the Middle Ages to celebrate the Christmas season. It may go back to even earlier times. The candles symbolically were placed in a circular evergreen wreath, which represented not only victory and glory, but also the eternity of God and everlasting life. Tradition evolved so that on each Sunday of Advent the candles are lit to proclaim the coming of the Christ Child, the Light of the World. It is customary to say a prayer and sing a hymn with the light- ing of the candles. Additionally, some families will extinguish all other lights in the home to allow only the glow of the candles to permeate the room as they reflect on the upcoming joyous celebration.

Materials Needed:  3 purple candles, 1 pink candle (you can also use battery operated lights and wrap them purple and pink construction paper)  One white candle  A Styrofoam holder or ring  A base for the wreath (perhaps a plate or tray) Greenery to decorate (artificial or fresh). You can use holly, fern, cedar, pine nee- dles and pinecones, or any other evergreens that are available.

Place the three purple candles and pink candle in a circle in the Styrofoam holder or another type of candleholder on the base being used. Place the white candle in the center. Arrange the greenery around the bottom of the candles in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

On the first Sunday of Advent, light the first purple candle, the Candle of Hope, in celebration of the coming of our King. Some scripture to read with the candle of hope include: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25: 1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; and Luke 21:25-26. Sing the first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Pray a prayer of hope. Thanking God for sending his son, Jesus, who brought the world out of darkness into light. When you have finished, carefully blow out the candle. The remainder of the candles will be lit on consecutive Sundays.

On the second Sunday of Advent, light the first candle and a second purple candle, the Candle of Love, as we think about the love God shows us through his son. Some scripture to read with the candle of love include: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; and Luke 3:1-6. Sing the first and second verses of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Pray a pray of preparation, asking that God may pre- pare our hearts to receive God’s love and to share it with others.

On the third Sunday of Advent, light the previous two purple candles and then light a third candle, the pink Candle of Joy. Some scripture to read with the candle of joy include: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; and Luke 3:7-18. Sing the first, second, and third verses of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” As you celebrate with joy, pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God, for a love so great to per- sonally draw us to him, to become God’s children, and to offer eternal life in heaven.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, light all the previous candles and the last pur- ple candle, the Candle of Peace. Some scriptures to read with the candle of peace include: Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; and Luke 1:39 -45. Sing all four verses of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Pray that God’s peace would envelop and guide you during this season and all year long.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning begin your celebration by lighting all four candles and finally the white candle in the center, the Christ Candle. Some scripture to read with the Christ Candle include: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; and Luke 2:1-14. Sing your favorite Christmas Carols, especially those that recount Jesus’ birth. Take time to begin the day by thanking God for his unending love, and for “becoming flesh and living among us” (John 1:14).

Adapted from The Christmas Countdown; Creating 25 Days of New Advent Tradi- tions for Families by Margie J. Harding. Paraclette Press, Brewster, Massachusetts, 2010.

First Week of Advent

Candle of Hope

Sunday, December 1, 2019 Candle of Hope

Hope

If you are a dog owner you have probably seen the physical expression of hopeful anticipation. Whether they are at the door and you see them in the window as you’re coming home or you’re holding their favorite toy overhead, they sit there panting, maybe whining a bit, but their tail is wagging violently and their entire body seems to be trembling. Have you ever wanted something so bad you were shaking with anticipation over it? Maybe it was a dream job or acceptance into a special school program. Maybe it was just the excitement of friends or family coming over after you have been apart for a long time. This desire or longing to have or be with is hope. The first week of advent brings us into a season of hoping for the long awaited birth of the Christ child.

Not only do we reflect on the hope of the coming Christ into the world as an infant, but we live today with the hope of Christ’s second coming to restore all of creation. We have this hope be- cause God has a hope, too.

God’s expressed hope is that all of creation, you and me, would turn towards our Creator and know. Know that we are loved and set aside as heirs of creation. God’s hope for humanity to be in relationship with God is so strong, that God acted. God intervened in the story of humanity by in- serting God’s own self into the narrative through the life of Jesus Christ. The hope of the created and the Creator having full relationship again drove God into action on our own behalf so that we might regain the best gift we never really knew we had lost- a life illuminated by the a relationship with our Creator.

Hope, just like love, joy, and peace, is not a passive idea. A lived out hope should drive us to ac- tion. What is it that we expect this season? And how will we live now with a hope so strong that it will come to be?

Aaron Everic

Monday, December 2, 2019 Candle of Hope

What is Hope?

“I don’t know – it’s a feeling.” That is the answer I gave my mom when she asked me this question. At the same time, I’m thinking, “I don’t want to do this devo and I don’t have time for this”. But, my mom is kind of making me, so here is what I came up with.

When I think about hope, it reminds me of good memories. Usually when I talk about “hope”, I’m usually talking about things like “I hope it snows a lot this winter” or “I hope I get to play paintball this weekend” or “I hope we get to go back to Disney World soon”. It’s about things that I love to do and want to do again soon. It’s me wanting something good to happen and looking forward to getting to do it. I guess this is the type of hope where I “hope for” something without really thinking about what that means. I know people say “I hope you feel better soon” when someone is sick, so may- be that’s another part of this one.

But, the other kind of “hope” I think about is what we talk about when I’m at church or with my family. This kind of “hope” is more of an idea or a feeling that people believe in, that something good is coming. Christmas is probably the time of year I hear the word “hope” the most, and it is my favorite season, personally. The birth of Jesus is one of the biggest ideas I can think of that is supposed to bring people hope. When Jesus was born, it looked different than most people expected, but it is still a story that we hold on to and believe in today. There was a hope then about what kind of future he would bring us, and there is still that hope now. Hope comes in many different forms and looks very different to different people every day, but it’s still something we all need and something I hope everyone can have.

Caleb Shust

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Candle of Hope

Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Hope. It’s a word associated with unbearable anticipation and desire. It’s a word that you think you’re familiar with until you realize how much deeper it goes. Hope is much more than that feeling you get when you’re tearing the wrapping off that one gift you’ve been waiting for all year. However, we only seem to notice it then because of how over- whelming it becomes and it’s impossible not to acknowledge it.

What we often fail to realize as Christians is that hope is ever-present. It doesn’t pick and choose what moments to emerge because it never truly disappears. Through Jesus Christ we can find this everlasting hope, this constant feeling of happiness and marvel- ous expectation that fills us with this inexplicable warmth. This might be hard to accept, especially after countless disappointments in our personal lives that have taught us time and time again that hope can be misleading, inevitably resulting in more pain and hard- ship. But the second we choose to accept that Jesus is the source of our hope, a seed is planted in our hearts, a seed belonging to a plant that will never wilt or die. Instead it gives us an endless source of hope rooted in God. With Him, hope reveals itself in unex- pected ways and seemingly impossible hopes can be fulfilled. Rather than wait for our hopes to come true, or worry about the outcome being as we intended and not as God wanted, we need to place our hope in the one who is hope: God. Our trust is miracu- lously renewed and faith can be restored when our hopes are surrendered to Him, He who can fill us with peace even when our minds are uneasy.

Even at our most hopeless, when nothing seems to be going well even after we’ve put all of our trust in Him, His promise of life and restoration is enough to rejoice in and give us an abundance of hope to last a lifetime. –

Sophie Jones

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Candle of Hope

Remember to Remember

Psalm 77:11 ESV I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.

As modern day Christians, we are privileged to have the New Testament at our dispos- al. We can reflect upon and celebrate the Advent season with assurance that God's promise to send a Savior came to be. One has to wonder, though, how God's people held onto hope during a time that describes God as silent - that time between the Old and New Testaments.

Throughout the Old Testament, God calls His people to "remember." It's not a sugges- tion. It's a command, one that He reiterates almost relentlessly. And knowing the sto- ries of God's people, our own included, we aren't surprised that our Heavenly Father has to repeat Himself. One of the biggest flaws of human nature is our ability to (in) conveniently forget. All of humanity shares this condition but God mercifully repeats, "Remember." He knows what we stand to lose should we forget His teachings, deeds and wonders. In this regard, hope is most certainly at risk. How do we trust God's in- struction if we neglect to remember the outcome when we don't submit to His will? How do we trust God's love for us if we become blind to His provision in our lives? How can we hold onto the hope of what is to come if we readily forget what God has already accomplished? Yet, hope is easily found when we remember the goodness of the Lord. Hope is found in the magnificence of Creation. Hope is found when we remember that our God is an awesome God, not to be boxed in. Hope is found in remembering that God's love never fails. Hope is found in remembering that God always keeps His prom- ises, and Jesus is proof.

Let us always place our hope in the Lord because He is perfectly faithful. The Advent season is a wondrous reminder of that. Let's remember to remember and we will find ourselves with a heart full of thanksgiving, a heart that can't help but share the reason for our hope.

Beth Jones

Thursday, December 5, 2019 Candle of Hope

If You Will Only Let God Guide You Georg Neumark

If you will only let God guide you, And hope in Him thro' all your ways, Whatever comes, He'll stand beside you, To bear you thro' the evil days; Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the Rock that cannot move.

Only be still, and wait His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whate'er the Father's pleasure And all discerning love have sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways, But do your part in conscience true; Trust His rich promises of grace, So shall they be fulfilled in you; God hears the callof those in need, The souls that trust in Him indeed.

Friday, December 6, 2019 Candle of Hope

Hope

Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite friar in the 1640’s. Much of his ministry was per- formed amidst menial everyday tasks. He is remembered for his ability to experience and encounter God in the mundane and common things of life. He describes in his work The Practice of the Presence of God the benefits of being in God’s presence. Take time this day to reflect on his words below and how God is the giver and sustainer of our hope.

“The practice of the presence of God strengthens us in our hope; our hope grows in pro- portion to our knowledge; to the extent that our faith by this holy practice penetrates the mysteries of the divinity, to that extent does it discover in God a beauty that sur- passes infinitely not only that of the bodies we see on earth but that of the most perfect souls and that of the angels; and so our hope grows and is strengthened, encouraged and sustained by the grandeur of this good which it desires to enjoy and that in some ways it savors.”

Saturday, December 7, 2019 Candle of Hope

Hope

Isaiah 9 is one of the most well-known prophesies of the coming of Christ. The point in which it was written, the people of Israel were living in a spiritual “darkness”. Being shipped off to exile left the Israelites feeling hopeless and wondering where God really was. Hope was not in very high supply, to say the least. It was in this dark place that Isaiah shared a prophesy of a savior that would come and bring light to the dark, peace to the restless, hope for the hopeless. Isaiah tells a story of victory for Israel by the hand of a child who would grow to be a wonderful, mighty, peaceful king for the Jews. The idea of Immanuel, God with us, is one filled with hope.

In what ways are you feeling hopeless this Advent season? We see all of the sin, vio- lence, death, and destruction in our world and think, “how can we ever be redeemed for that?” That’s on top of the daily struggles that seem small in perspective but still weigh us down and make us lose hope. As Christians, our hope is not in our ability to get to work on time, or getting an “A” on a test, or in any of the everyday shenanigans, be- cause we know that we’ll never get it right. Our hope is in Jesus who died for us. I feel like that kind of becomes a cliché for Christians- we don’t realize the gravity of that situ- ation. Jesus was dead and rose again. If God could overcome death, how much more could he do in our broken world? And that is where we find our hope. Our job as Chris- tians is to be the example of Christ in the world. Therefore, we must be the light in the darkness just like Isaiah was for the people of the exile. If we are able to have hope where we are struggling in our own lives, and then act on our faith and spread hope, then others will see the hope we find in God in spite of all the bad things.

Jack Hensley

Second Week of Advent Candle of Love

Sunday, December 8, 2019 Candle of Love Love

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love pa- tiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Advent. The anticipation is palpable. The excitement is electric. We’re gearing up for the main event of all things holy: manger, shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, baby boy – each in their appointed places. Each Sunday of Advent, we light a candle, we pray a prayer, wor- ship for a while, leave the sanctuary, go home, and wait for next week’s installment in the Wreath of Lights. But can we allow the candles to be more than trappings of the season? Can we let them light the way during the in-between days, shaping us and our journey as we go? The scripture that heads this page is frequently referenced at weddings, but not so much around Christmas. The culture that surrounds us encourages us, especially at Christmas, to yell, “Gimme, gimme!” Love in this culture is spoken in the extravagance and expense of the gift. The love of which this scripture speaks is, yes, expensive and extravagant. It’s the sacrificial kind of love that says, “I love you so much that I will . . .” This kind of love was placed in a manger and grew up to offer itself in your place. God invites you this week – this season – to be guided to live this kind of love. Prepare for Christ’s coming by being patient and kind. Become more like the humble baby by setting aside your own pride. Practice being selfless in all things. Tear up the sheet of tally marks where someone has wronged you. Create space in your week to rejoice in truth and be faithful to the God who loves you with the never ending love of the manger and the cross.

Amanda Lott

Monday, December 9, 2019 Candle of Love

Love

There are massive LOVE signs across Virginia that are popular photo spots. They even have their own hashtag - #loveva. The dictionary describes love as “feeling tender affec- tion for somebody or something.” Our family experienced this love this year with the birth of a 3rd grandson. And, recently, our daughter became engaged to a wonderful Christian guy. Their love is very evident by just watching them interact with each oth- er. My heart is overflowing.

As we approach Christmas, we focus on the ultimate definition of love – the LOVE that God showed us by sending a sweet baby named Jesus to earth to save us from our many sins. 1 John 4:7-12 tells of this. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved US and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” I imagine that God’s heart was also overflowing. It had to be, to send such a wonderful sacrifice for us. Verse 11 tells us that “since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” I am going to be very intentional this Christmas about looking for those that need to be loved. Like Pastor Bob preached about recently – how will you spend your valuable, precious daily 86,400 seconds?

Cindy Burton

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Candle of Love

Love

God is the one and only person that takes care of us. My love for God is really big, as big as 100,001 cars are long. It is even bigger than that! We all celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas. I was born on Christmas day, too, and that’s why me and Jesus are brother and sister. At Christmas time, I think about the importance of caring and respecting oth- ers, and I think about my family. It feels like Christmas when my family gets together to show our love for God and for each other. Happy Christmas!

Berkley Roach, age 7

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Candle of Love

Mistaken Identity

During the period that our son Eddie was about 3 years old (a long time ago), when Pam and myself took he and his sister along with us while running errands, Eddie seemed to always want to stay right next to Pam and myself. While we were standing in line in a store, or just standing and chatting with someone, Eddie frequently kept his arms wrapped around Pam’s leg or mine as he waited patiently with us. Once, after wrapping his arms around a leg, he looked up to discover that the leg he was hugging belonged to a man standing next to me instead of my leg. We’ll forever remember Eddie’s reaction when he realized his mistake. In his shock, and embarrassment, he looked up angrily at the man and yelled “You Are Not My Daddy!

Much more often than I want to admit, when God calls me to or nudges me toward His Plan for me, I’m easily distracted by the “how?”, the “why?”, the “when?” (and especial- ly) the “who, me?”. God comforts and restores His Peace as I return my focus on the Who. Firstly, Who He Is. His identity as The One Who first loved us. 1 John 4:19. Sec- ondly, my identity as His child. Romans 8:14,16 and Galatians 4:6 God, Thank You for the Love Gift of Your Son and for sending us gifts of your Comfort and Peace when we remember Who You are and that You love us.

Ed Lohr

Thursday, December 12, 2019 Candle of Love

Friday, December 13, 2019 Candle of Love

Love

The following wisdom comes from the Lively Ladybug and the Caring Caterpillar classes of our CDC.

What is love? Sammie: Hugs Lenny: Kissing Faye: Love! Allison: When you give hugs and kisses Vickie: Hug Kylie: Giving Mommy a kiss Presley: Shoes!

Who do you love? Sadie: Mommy Hannah: Mama Caroline: My family and my dog Kylie: Mommy and my dog Camden: Mom and Dad and my twin brothers Keiran: Dolly (his grandma) Gabriel: Theo

Who loves you? Liam: Mommy and Daddy Eva: Mommy Sadie: Grandma Charlie: My daddy

How do you know someone loves you? Adam: When my brothers play with me Hannah: When my mama kisses me Charlie: Grandpa told me!

This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his one and only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. 1 John 4:9

Saturday, December 14, 2019 Candle of Love

Love

If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a re- sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

When I was asked to write a devotion on the topic: “LOVE,” I thought, this is going to be easy. Well, it’s really not so easy. After much pondering (and re-reading scripture), the best definition of “Love,” in my opinion, is found in: 1 Corinthians 13:1.

It’s one thing to read about “Love” and to know a reasonable definition of “Love.” At the end of the day, just reading about it and having a definition does me no good. How can I act on what I have learned?

While I was thinking about how I can show and Share God’s Love it dawned on me; HRBC gives me (and anyone who wants to help) plenty of opportunities to show Love. These opportunities include: The Clinic, First Sunday Offering, Vacation Bible School, Youth Teacher/Leader, Mission Trips, UpWard, CARATAS, and so many more.

Any time we do something to help others, to put our own needs aside so that someone else can benefit... that is “LOVE.” The best part, it’s not even difficult. Sometimes, it can be as simple as smiling at someone who is going through a tough time. Or just simply talking with a person who needs to be heard. Because our church offers so many ways to show God’s Love, I challenge each of us to take advantage of these opportunities and create an overflow of God’s Love this Christmas season.

Tim Raugh

Third Week of Advent Candle of Joy Sunday, December 15, 2019 Candle of Joy Joy Comes from Within

Joy and happiness are wonderful feelings to experience, but they are very different from one another. Joy comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are as a human being saved by grace and created in the image of God. Happi- ness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events. In the Declaration of Independence we find the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Happiness is something to be sought after, to be worked for; however, Joy wells up from deep inside of us and is an over-arching sense of well- being. Happiness and sadness are fleeting, but Joy remains. When I look out over our congregation each Sunday morning, I am filled with Joy. I see how our lives have intertwined over the years and it makes my heart want to sing. You see, I was never called to a position at our church. I was called to “this people”. If I had been called to a position, I likely would have bounced around from church to church fill- ing a position for a period of time. But no, I was called to minister to the specific people of HRBC and that to me lays the foundation for a long tenured ministry. But what about Christmas? Christmas to me is more than a moment of Joy on December 25. It starts many months earlier. Joy is in the journey. It fills each step along the way. Each new phrase of an anthem or an orchestration learned is a Joyful triumph on our journey toward Advent and Christmas. It is because we are proceeding, and growing to- gether. Many times the choir or orchestra has heard me exclaim when we have learned a new phrase and I was inspired and filled with Joy that I would have to “go home and put up a Christmas Tree!” No matter if it was still September. Some years we have had a Christmas tree in every room of our house! I am glad that God chose to make Joy a part of our physical and spiritual DNA. We don’t have to seek it, we just have to recognize it. And that makes all the difference. Psalm 28:6-8 6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Merry Christmas!

Philip Brown Pastor for Worship, Music and College Ministries

Monday, December 16, 2019 Candle of Joy

Joy through Praise

If I’m going to be honest, this is a fairly difficult prompt to answer. There are very few specific moments in life, that I can remember, in which I felt real joy. There have been many times, however, when I have been happy, but joy and happiness are not the same thing. The thing that I would like to talk about isn’t actually a specific event. It’s Music. Many people who know me know that music has become a very important thing in my life, because it’s such a joyful thing to do. It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain why. Ever since I was young (well, younger than I am now, haha), I have really connect- ed to God through music. Music has this deep emotional and spiritual meaning for me, whereas I’ve heard that it doesn’t necessarily evoke the same in the minds and hearts of others. That saddens me greatly, because could you imagine a world without music? The joy that music brings to me is such a perfect, innocent thing, that it makes me so happy to participate in all of the worship choirs and bands that I do. Sure it takes up time, but, in the end, it’s very worth it.

Psalm 71:23(NIV) “My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you. You have saved me.”

Olivia Cottrell

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Candle of Joy

Seek the Joy found in Jesus

The world that we live in is a world where any type of information that we seek is readily availa- ble right at our finger tips…A world where you can find whatever you want to find. Think about that for a second…You can find whatever you want to find in today’s world. My wife Jamie is reading a book entitled, Present Over Perfect, by Shauna Niequist. Shauna sums this up perfectly by saying: “Whatever you’re looking for (in today’s world), you’ll find. If you’re looking for stories to affirm your deep belief in the goodness of humanity, you’ll find them. If you’re only seeking sto- ries that say the world is nothing but evil, you’ll find them. And if every story you hear, every song you sing, every tale you tell is really a story about shame about not being good enough, you’ll find it.” Jesus, our God with us, the God that is with you at your side right now (pause a second and let THAT sink in) would have us seek the GOOD in life…those things that are love, peace, hope and JOY filled…Those things that are the most beautiful! Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us to focus on seeking those things that will bring about the most beauty and joy in our lives. “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most ex- cellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4:8-9 MSG) My daily prayer is that I see others the way that Jesus sees them…I admit that I should also pray that I seek and pursue those things that are the most heavenly. During this advent season, at this moment, pray that you would also seek these things, regardless of the circumstances that you find yourself in…maybe challenge or completely change your perspective. There is so much joy to be found at the feet of our King and Savior of the world! This baby Jesus has come to set the world straight, offering salvation and hope for this generation and generations to come! Whatever you seek, you will find…Seek Jesus and find all that you’ll ever need! Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room and Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven and nature sing! And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing! Matt Richardson

Worship Leader, the Awakening Wednesday, December 18, 2019 Candle of Joy

I Choose Joy

Life isn't always sunshine, puppies, rainbows, and unicorns. Sometimes, it's filled with struggles and sadness. Marriages end, children struggle in school and with mental ill- ness, jobs are lost, friends and family go to heaven, and we struggle with aches, pains, and disease. Sometimes life just stinks! But then, somewhere in that darkness and pain, there is Joy! A Joy that is manifested by God's love for us in the form of a baby in a manger: Our Savior! Jesus!

August of 2009 was the darkest of my days. I was in a situation that no woman should have to be in. My soul was lost in darkness and shame. God had whacked me with a "spiritual CLUE-by-four" in the desperate attempt to get me to come back to Him. On November 15, 2009, I answered that call and I was baptized here at HRBC and that is where I remember my Joy! I was so excited as I walked into the water, Pastor Bert and my grandfather, Rev. Rolen Bailey, at my sides. I was ready to "Hit the Restart Button". After a prayer, my body sank into the water, the coolness surrounded me from head to toe. I was completely washed of the darkness that had once taken over my life. As I came out of the water, I struggled to walk up the stairs. I felt weak like a newborn gi- raffe trying to take its first steps. I had been born again to a new life with Jesus. After- wards, all I could do was cry with joy! It was such an invigorating feeling to get to start over and live a life despite the darkness of my past.

Life as a follower of Christ isn't always easy, either. We all sometimes struggle to "keep it together" and to not be afraid. When life is crazy and I feel defeated, I know that I can always choose to remember the Joy to help me get out of the funk that this world can bring. Merry Christmas, my HRBC family! Remember the Joy of Christmas!

Psalm 30:10-12 10 Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; 11 LORD, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Katie Zolnai

Thursday, December 19, 2019 Candle of Joy

Joy Comes in the Morning

Joy is defined as a great feeling of pleasure and happiness. It is a feeling that all of us have experienced, and most of the time this joy comes directly from God. 1 Peter 1:8-9 states,

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inex- pressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

A verse such as this describes exactly my feelings once my family and I realized that Hu- guenot Road Baptist Church was the place for us.

Following the passing of my grandfather in June 2009, it was difficult for our family to attend the church where he pastored, without the question of “why” coming into our thoughts. It was an extremely difficult time and eventually led to us moving churches. The first church we visited following our departure from our previous church was Huguenot Road Baptist Church. While skeptical at first, the welcoming nature of HRBC’s members made us feel at home. We were so surprised and filled with joy. So many things have come from our time at HRBC and it makes me realize the joy that can come from such a tragedy as my grandfather passing away. My life verse is Psalm 30:5,

“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The verse above is what I live my life by. No matter the struggle, no matter the pain, no matter the tragedy we can all find joy “in the morning” soon. God always has a plan and had planned for us to be joyful even in the darkest of times.

Take time to find joy in the little things, and if you are struggling with any situa- tion, just keep in mind that joy will come for you some day. Happy Advent Season and Merry Christmas!!

Samuel Thornton Junior, Liberty University Friday, December 20, 2019 Candle of Joy

“Joy” in suffering, that can only be attributed to God

In the immediate days after Thanksgiving of 2016, what was supposed to be a quick stop at an urgent care for a cough turned into the last days for my brother-in-law, Joey. My husband, the kids and I were in California coming back to our hotel after celebrating our son's 3rd birthday at Disneyland. I received a call from my sister-in-law that her hus- band was air lifted to VCU medical and that the circumstances were not good. We imme- diately flew back to Virginia and went straight to the hospital waiting area where we were greeted with almost every chair filled with family and friends all gathered in sup- port. My brother-in-law was the kindest, nature loving, surfer/DJ and incredibly intelli- gent who adored his wife. He passed away just shy of 10 days before Christmas. My sweet sister-in-law was heartbroken, and our family was lost at the sudden and unrea- sonable death of a young and healthy man with so much life ahead to live. Christmas of 2016 was very solemn and only cheered by the laughter and excitement of young children.

As each year passes, I watch my sister-in-law with amazement at how her faith in God and study of the bible has brought her peace and joy again. Last winter was the first Christmas morning she spent with our family in a long time. Much like Martha preparing of Jesus’s arrival, I was busy making sure everything was prepared and the house smelled of cinnamon so my sister-in-law would feel welcomed. After filling our bellies and making our way to passing and opening presents, I sat at the corner of the fireplace looking through thin sheets of tissue paper flying through the air and sounds of wrap- ping paper being ripped to see my sister-in-law with the warmest smile and glisten in her eyes as she looked on at her family. I knew right then and there that the joy she was feeling had nothing to do with how well the house was decorated or how welcomed I made her feel. The joy she felt came from love. A perfect and complete love that only God could have blessed both of us with a joyous moment during this time of year.

Philippians 1: 9 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight". It's a prayer that we will be unified in love and that our hearts and minds grow together. That this love isn't based on feelings but on what Christ has done for us.”

Anna Hsu Robinson

Saturday, December 21, 2019 Candle of Joy

Joy Indeed!

JOY, as used in the Bible, is defined as a delight of the mind arising from the expectation of good. Joy is an attribute of God and one of the fruits of the Spirit. Reflecting back over this past year, I have been privileged to experience such joy many times in 2019.

I know this will sound strange but I experienced this joy upon my mother’s death this past June. She was a devout Christian woman who loved Jesus and was faithful in her daily devotions and prayers. In the last years of her life she suffered from Parkinson’s and a mild stroke and mild dementia. My sister and I were present when she passed away but at the moment of her passing, I experienced joy knowing she had stepped into the presence of her Lord and Savior. I thought to myself “You ran the good race, Mom, you passed the finish line a winner. Thank you, Jesus!” Joy, indeed!

In August I visited a small country church in rural Georgia, located in the farmlands southeast of Atlanta. This church was established in 1809 and moved to its current loca- tion in 1845. At least four generations of Jordans worshipped in this church and are bur- ied in the adjoining graveyard. They were fervent Christians and leading churchmen at Antioch Baptist Church. As I walked among the graves of my ancestors, I experienced this joy knowing that their love of God and their faithfulness to the cause of Christ ech- oes through the centuries into my own life encouraging me to stay the course.

As we worship together during this Advent season, I pray you experience genuine JOY as we celebrate together the birth of Christ. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

David Jordan

Fourth Week of Advent

Peace Candle

Sunday, December 22, 2019 Candle of Peace Peace

The Advent wreath, as we now know it today, originated with a German Lutheran pastor (Rev.Johann Hinrich Wichern) in the 19th century. Rev. Wichern originally created the wreath as a way to help children in his mission school wait more patiently for Christmas. Today it also helps persons of all ages to focus their hearts and minds in preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Today marks the beginning of the fourth and final week of Advent. The candle we light this Sunday is the candle of PEACE. It is also called the Angel’s Candle in reference to the words spoken by the angelic choir in Luke 2:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to those on whom his favor rests.”

The daily devotionals this week all focus on the meaning of PEACE. Our prayer is that you will take the time to read these devotionals and consider the meaning of PEACE in your life and give thanks to God for sending his Son who is “our PEACE.” In addition to the daily writings and scripture references, you may also want to further explore what the bible says about PEACE. According to Quora.com the word PEACE appears 263 times in the NIV trans- lation. Happy exploring!

As I reflect on PEACE in my own life, I am grateful for my Christian mother whose peaceful spirituality shaped my own. One of the subtle ways in which this happened was through a wall plaque that hung in our bathroom. On the plaque were the words of a simple poem en- titled, “Overheard In An Orchard,” by Elizabeth Cheney. It goes like this:

Said the Robin to the Sparrow: “I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so?”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin: “Friend, I think that it must be That they have no Heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me.”

My mother understood that the source of her own PEACE came in her relationship with God through Jesus Christ. My prayer is that all of you will know this PEACE as well.

Pastor Jim Townsend Monday, December 23, 2019 Candle of Peace

Peace

FROM PAINTING TO SONG

As I go out my apartment door each morning, I pass a painting on my wall that means a lot to me. It portrays a couple walking along a peaceful country road with the resurrected Christ. The gospel writers Mark and Luke relate this incident to us. This painting inspired me to write a song of peace, and I sing it (to myself) as I walk down the hallways. Here are the words:

I’m walking and talking with the Lord, I’m walking and talking with the Lord, He guides me on my way He tells me what to say I’m walking and talking with the Lord.

My walk is very slow But I keep on the go

Sometimes my path is hard With Him I’m on my guard

I read His word each day Which leads me lest I stray

My ears are very weak So look at me and speak

His blessings overflow To Him my thanks I show

His peace to me He gives Because I know He lives

I’m walking and talking with the Lord. What better way to have the peace of Jesus Christ in your life but to start the day walking and talking with the Lord!

“I have told you those things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Frances Bailey

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Candle of Peace

Christmas Eve

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV)

On Christmas Eve 1967 at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliv- ered a sermon entitled, “A Christmas Sermon on Peace.” His words are still as compelling 52 years later:

It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality.

Did you ever stop to think that you can't leave for your job in the morning without being dependent on most of the world? You get up in the morning and go to the bathroom and reach over for the sponge, and that's handed to you by a Pacific islander. You reach for a bar of soap, and that's given to you at the hands of a Frenchman. And then you go into the kitchen to drink your coffee for the morning, and that's poured into your cup by a South American. And maybe you want tea: that's poured into your cup by a Chinese. Or maybe you're desirous of having cocoa for breakfast, and that's poured into your cup by a West African. And then you reach over for your toast, and that's given to you at the hands of an English-speaking farmer, not to mention the baker. And before you finish eat- ing breakfast in the morning, you've depended on more than half of the world.

This is the way our universe is structured, this is its interrelated quality. We aren't going to have peace on earth until we recognize this basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality.

Shalom/peace, Pastor Bob

Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Candle of Peace

Christmas Day

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5, KJV)

An anonymous writer penned the hymn “The First Noel” in 1833. We sing it every year at Christmastime, but have you ever wondered what the word “noel” means? Noel is a French word that comes from the Latin word natalis, which means “birth.” So The First Noel is a song about the birth of Jesus. It is an English carol that was sung by the people as they brought in the Yule log on Christmas Eve each year. They would burn the Yule log to sym- bolize the triumph of light over darkness -- a really happy thought in a place like England where the winter days are so short and the winter nights so long. May the light of Christ shine brightly to you and yours this Christmas Day.

1. The first Nowell the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

2. For all to see there was a star shining in the east, beyond them far, and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

3. And by the light of that same star The wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

4. Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord Who hath made heav'n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel. Merry Christmas! Pastor Bob Thursday, December 26, 2019 Candle of Peace

Peace

What is peace? The Webster dictionary says that peace is defined as calm and qui- et. Isaiah 9:6 tells us that the Messiah who is to come will be the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the prince of peace. In the New Testament John 14:27 Jesus promises His peace, not as the world gives peace but through our belief and trusting in Him.

Do we just receive this peace or do we have to seek it? I believe that we have to seek it with all of our heart and mind. I personally have to work at this because I want everyone to be at peace, to feel loved and to have Christ in their hearts. But I have learned that I am not in control….only Christ can create peace in people’s hearts and minds. Years ago a good friend told me that she had some disturbing news that she hated to share with me. She stated that I always wanted to fix everything in everyone’s life and there are some things that I just can’t fix. So what could I do to bring peace for my friend and for myself? I decided that I could pray daily for my own personal peace and for those around me to be at peace. God has promised to be our Prince of Peace and I trust him to do that. My prayer for each of us is to have the peace that passes all understanding at this Christmas season and throughout the new year.

Carolyn D. Gregory

Friday, December 27, 2019 Candle of Peace

''For Christ Himself has brought peace to us." Eph. 2:14 (NLT)

My thoughts early in the morning on a peaceful, beautiful spring-like day-Veterans Day Monday, November 11, 2019—remembering/thanking the many veterans—my family/friends-your family/ friends and some unknown, but All known by God. Each one served to bring peace to this country we love and call the United States of America-our country.

How do you write-think about peace in times like today? Do I have it? Can it be passed along? How much does it cost? PEACE—What is it?

Is it the quiet times when babies/toddlers are down to sleep for the night? Teenagers safely home before their curfew time? Adult children calling just to say, “Hi Mom/Dad everything’s OK.”? Enough income to meet our monthly expenses with enough to give God HIS portion? The doctor report is good? A warm house, food to eat, clothes to wear? Aging gracefully? Time to settle down to a peaceful and quiet night with time to relax?

Turn on the TV, start up a computer, look at headlines in the newspaper (I still read it) and then we read or hear words like Andy Griffith said many years ago: “BAD NEWS—all we have is BAD NEWS” — Wars, Floods, Fires, Mass Murders, Sickness, Anger . . .the list goes on. Is that peace? Where is that peaceful feeling now?

The #1 Best Seller - The Bible - has many verses telling us about peace. A wonderful one is how to have personal peace by accepting God’s Gift - His Son - Jesus Christ - His Christmas Gift to ALL. We are not promised a perfect life, but how to live the life He has given to us with peace in our hearts. Read all about it for yourself in God’s love letter to us –our Bible.

At HRBC during advent when we light the candle of peace and see the banner of peace flying high, think on Ephesians 2:14-18 “He (Jesus) came, preached peace to me—to you and to those far away.” A song to remember and sing is “Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with ME.”

My Christmas Wish for you—Peace—God’s Peace—Coming Down from the Father Above! Amen/Salaam

Betty M. Foster

Saturday, December 28, 2019 Candle of Peace

Peace

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

As I read the scripture above, 3 words jumped out at me—anxious, prayer, and peace.

During this time for celebrating our Savior’s birth, these words take on a special meaning. Christmas isn’t like it used to be. Christians have become so saturated during this holy season that we’ve lost some of the real meaning of Christmas. What do I give? What do I bake? My Christmas list; parties; decorations—the list goes on and on. Our answer is found in the scripture reading. Pray about it; tell God all about your anxieties and thoughts (He already knows). That’s when the peace of God extends beyond anything we can image.

When I was a little girl, I had 1 doll; that doll disappeared. I couldn’t find her anywhere. My mother said, “Your doll is somewhere. She’ll show up at the right time.” Still anxious, I asked God to tell me where my doll was. I was an anxious little girl. On Christmas morn- ing, there was my doll! All dressed up in a new outfit, including a little red coat, just like the one I received for Christmas. At last, peace had come into my little mind. That’s like Christmas—at the right time, Jesus was born. People had been anxiously waiting for the arrival of their Messiah. Billy Graham wrote that we find peace at Christmas through the 3 C’s—the cradle, the cross, the crown. Not a smelly cradle, but the Messiah lying there. Not the cruel cross, but our Savior hanging there; not the crown of thorns but the crown He wears as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That’s when we find peace, not anxiety, at Christmas.

God, we become so anxious about things we have to do, we’ve almost forgotten Christmas is all about You. Turn our hearts back to peace on earth so we can rejoice in the gift of Jesus’ birth.

Jean Gibson

Sunday, December 29, 2019 Christmastide

Christmastide

“The Word was in the world, but no one knew him….. The Word became a human and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him the complete gifts of undeserved grace and truth have come down to us.” - John 1:10,14 Much like the song in the 1990’s asks, “what if God was one of us?” I wonder what Jesus would say to our Christmas celebrations; all the focus we make on buying the right gifts, being a part of all the best parties and creating the best decoration displays. What is it about the current expression of the holiday that leads us to put the celebration ahead of the birth? Why all the parties before Christmas day arrives? It doesn’t take a lot of work to understand why “Christmas” happens before Christ- mas. Secular society has decided that spending time fighting the lines at the shopping malls and filling the restaurants each evening during the lead-up to December 25 is what makes Christmas special. Spending money to give and receive things (and thus turn a prof- it) is the goal of secular Christmas. While giving and receiving gifts around Christmas has its place, what makes a Christian’s celebration different? Is it clear which gift we long to receive? John says of Jesus’ day that “the Word was in the world but the world did not recognize him.” Has our desire to buy the right things damaged our vision of what gift we should really long for at Christmas? To help us bring this gift into perspective, perhaps Christians should adopt the often forgotten ob- servation of advent, followed by the feast of Christmastide - the twelve days of celebrating Emmanuel - God with us. How has your preparation fared this December? Were you able to prepare for the celebra- tion by recalling our need for a savior? Were you able to hold off your most joyous celebra- tions for Christmas day and following? Are your trees still lit and the Christmas music still proclaiming the Messiah’s birth? If you are able to say yes, then congratulations! You are moving against the grain of popular society. If the world we live in recognizes Christmas as a celebration of consumption, then Chris- tians need a counter-cultural celebration of Christmas as the enjoyment of a gift we didn’t earn but can’t return. We need time to celebrate and appreciate a gift that brings joy and purpose, not just on one day, but for the rest of time. May this week of Christmastide bring you joy for the undeserved gift of an abiding relationship with our creator. Merry Christmas!

Matthew Hensley Monday, December 30, 2019 Christmastide

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Annoying Christmas Carol or So Much More?

When I quickly googled the twelve days of Christmas, I came to a website titled, “The Twelve Days of Christmas: the story behind the holiday’s most annoying carol”. Well…I have a 6 year old son that would strongly disagree! It is Tru’s favorite Christmas carol. The earliest version of the song/ story first appeared in a 1780’s children’s book, Mirth Without Mischief. A first edition of the book sold at Sotheby’s for $23,750 in 2014. So it appears that Tru isn’t the only person NOT annoyed by this song! I also read that the song was written as a catechism song for Catholics with the par- tridge representing Jesus Christ, the two turtle doves representing the old and new testaments, etc…

Over the years, there have been many versions of this song with varying verses; specifically days 9 – 12 get a little murky. However, if you were a child growing up in the late 70’s/early 80’s like me, there is only one version by which all other versions are measured and that is the version sung by John Denver and The Muppets! (and yes, I still own my original album). Miss Piggy is very pas- sionate about those 5 gold rings and poor Fozzie can’t seem to remember his line of 7 swans a swimming but they very accurately sing of 9 ladies dancing, 10 lords a leaping, 11 pipers piping and 12 drummers drumming. Whew! Aren’t you glad we straightened that out?

Ok, so now we know which version to sing this Christmas, but what exactly are the twelve days of Christmas? The commercialism of the season may lead you to believe that the twelve days of Christmas start the day after Halloween or the day after Thanksgiving. Actually, the twelve days of Christmas or Christmastide is the follow-up to Advent. They begin on December 25th (Christmas Day) and end on January 6th (Epiphany). As Christians, this is represented by the birth of Jesus Christ and the coming of the three wise men. Ok, so? I’ve decorated my house for Christmas, sung carols (maybe not The 12 Days of Christmas), bought presents, worn my tacky Christmas sweater, eaten all the turkey and pumpkin pie my belly can handle and now I’m tired. The time after Christ- mas is the time for the big let-down, when it’s all over and I just want to crash, right?

As growing Christians we are called to look at this time differently. If Advent is a time of prepara- tion then Christmastide is a time of journey, truth and hope.

Did it actually take the wise men only 12 days to find Jesus after leaving King Herod? Probably not. Did your individual journey to accept Christ into your heart take only 12 days? My guess is probably not…and chances are, your journey to fully and completely knowing and understanding Jesus is still on-going; I know mine is. The birth of Jesus is not the end of the story; it’s a begin- ning. The wise men followed the star which led them to Jesus. Now it is our turn to follow Je- sus. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “It’s not the destination; It’s the journey”. Friends, we know our destination so let’s follow Jesus and fully embrace this journey together! Follow me where I go what I do and who I know Make it part of you to be a part of me Follow me up and down all the way and all around Take my hand and say you'll follow me -John Denver Noelle Holland Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Christmastide

"Home By Another Way"

Those magic men the Magi, some people call them wise or Oriental, even kings. Well anyway, those guys, they visited with Jesus, they sure enjoyed their stay. Then warned in a dream of King Herod's scheme, they went home by another way. Yes, they went home by another way, home by another way. Maybe me and you can be wise guys too and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Steer clear of royal welcomes, avoid a big to-do. A king who would slaughter the innocents will not cut a deal for you. He really, really wants those presents, he'll comb your camel's fur until his boys announce they've found trace amounts of your frankincense, gold and myrrh. Time to go home by another way, home by another way. You have to figure the gods, saying play the odds, and go home by another way. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Home is where they want you now, you can more or less assume that you'll be welcome in the end. Mustn't let King Herod haunt you so or fantasize his features when you're looking at a friend. Well it pleasures me to be here and to sing this song tonight, they tell me that life is a miracle and I figured that they're right. But Herod's always out there, he's got our cards on file. It's a lead pipe cinch, if we give an inch, old Herod likes to take a mile. It's best to go home by another way, home by another way. We got this far to a lucky star, but tomorrow is another day. We can make it another way, safe home as they used to say. Keep a weather eye to the chart on high and go home another way.

Never Die Young 1988 James Taylor

The Biblical witness tell us of God’s desire to bring us home to abide in his protection and peace. While the destination is sure, the way home may not be the way we would plan it. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth this week, remember, Jesus’ road wasn’t easy. It was filled with unexpected trips to out of the way places. The journey even led to a cross. It seemed like a disappointing end to a promising life - an odd choice for someone who claimed to be God’s son. But it really was the beginning of a new way for those who would follow the path to God - a path of transformation defined by love of God and neigh- bor.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Christmastide

Christmastide

Our first child was born on Christmas eve. She was (and still is) an awesome gift. After the anticipation and all the preparations and excitement, she finally arrived! We were overjoyed! We loved her so much. It was a magical and special time. After all the gifts were opened and the congratulations and food received, we had to learn to live in our new reality. A tiny human was our responsibility to care for and love. She loved us uncondi- tionally, but without us she could not thrive and grow. The excitement and celebrations were over and now we had to learn to live with this new human every day. We had to care for her and love her every day. Our needs and wants were no longer a priority; she came first. The decisions we made big and small now included her. She was, and is, a part of our lives now and forever.

Christmas is such a fun and special time. The anticipation and preparations bring us joy and remind us of the gift God gave us. The day arrives and we open presents and share meals with family and friends. It is a magical and special time. After all the dishes are cleaned up and the wrapping paper picked up and the guests leave, we are left with decid- ing what we do with the gift God has given us. Christ loves us unconditionally, but it is up to us whether to make Him a part of our lives every day and try to love others in the same way. Will we make Him a priority over our own needs and wants? Will the decisions we make include God?

May Christ be in our lives, now and forever.

Kimi and David Butler

Thursday, January 2, 2020 Christmastide

The Journey of the Magi TS Eliot

A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.' And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There were times we regretted The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bringing sherbet. Then the camel men cursing and grumbling and running away, and wanting their liquor and women, And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters, And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly And the villages dirty and charging high prices: A hard time we had of it. At the end we preferred to travel all night, Sleeping in snatches, With the voices singing in our ears, saying That this was all folly.

Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley, Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation; With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness, And three trees on the low sky, And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow. Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel, Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver, And feet kicking the empty wine-skins. But there was no information, and so we continued And arriving at evening, not a moment too soon Finding the place; it was (you might say) satisfactory.

All this was a long time ago, I remember, And I would do it again, but set down This set down This: were we led all that way for Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death, But had thought they were different; this Birth was Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death. Friday, January 3, 2020 Christmastide

Christmastide

Christmas was all about the trees, decorations, gifts, food, time with family--just a huge celebration when we were children. I remember the disappointment when I was very young and found out there was no ”You Know Who”! I still hold that against my brother for telling me. (just kidding) The next Christmas did not have nearly as much excitement and anticipation for me. I am sure we all have had gifts through the years that we asked for and received that we may still treasure even though they may have become ignored over the years. I Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I became a man I put away childish things”. Things do not last!

I first began to understand what Christmas was really about during my teenage years. I began to look forward to it as an opportunity to celebrate and worship the gift of God. Christ came to give us life through his Birth, Death and Resurrection. The Babe in the Manger became the Christ of the cross and the empty tomb. Dr. Earl Palmer once said “that the challenge in life is to find the Truth in the morning that lasts until the afternoon.” The Gift that came on Christmas morning became the gift that the Wise Men -- Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar -- sought on the day of Epiphany, celebrated January 6th. (Actually 12 days after those 3 Wise Men traditionally appeared in our Christmas programs with the shepherds.) I realize now that the gift of that one day is the gift of every day. It is given fresh every morning and He walks with me all day, every day. It is the gift that lasts until the end of time and beyond. Romans 1:16 says: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” It is the truth that lasts until the afternoon. Believe it!!!

Jeff Bemesderfer