The Lord Is Near Advent Devotional

THE LORD IS NEAR

2012

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

Written by the members of Macedonia Evangelical Lutheran Church Burlington, North Carolina

2012 ADVENT THEME:

“The Lord Is Near ”

Special thanks also to the Macedonia Writers who contributed to this year’s Advent Devotional.

Special thanks to our editors, Joy Rust and Cindi McCarthy.

“Advent - The Lord is Near”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Day Month Date Verse Author Page #

Sunday December 2 Mark 13:35-37 Emily Adkins 4 Monday December 3 Isaiah 40:9 Dan Voelkert 5 Tuesday December 4 Isaiah 11:1 Sarah Menz 6 Wednesday December 5 Isaiah 25:7-8 Inez Honeycutt 7 Thursday December 6 James 5:7-8 Joy Rust 8 Friday December 7 Matthew 9:27 Julie Russell 9 Saturday December 8 Isaiah 30:19 Chrissy Adkins 10 Sunday December 9 2 Peter 3:13-14 Frank Rhue 11 Monday December 10 Isaiah 35:10 Cherub Choir 12 Tuesday December 11 Isaiah 2:2-3 Sheila Gibson 13 Wednesday December 12 Matthew 11:28-29 Wade Spencer 14 Thursday December 13 Matthew 11:11 Melinda Menz 15 Friday December 14 Isaiah 48:17-18 Bruce Moore 16 Saturday December 15 John 16:16 Tom Macklin 17 Sunday December 16 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Ally Lockard 18 Monday December 17 Psalm 72:11-12 Shannon Lynch 19 Tuesday December 18 Zephaniah 3:12-13 Robin Huffman 20 Wednesday December 19 Isaiah 45:6-7 Stephanie Braxton 21 Thursday December 20 Luke 7:24-26 Greg Myers 22 Friday December 21 Matthew 1:1-2 Ellen Greeson 23 Saturday December 22 Matthew 1:20-21 Yvonne White 24 Sunday December 23 Luke 1:38 Kristin Spencer 25 Monday December 24 John 1:3-5 Abigail & Amanda Cary 26 Tuesday December 25 Isaiah 9:2 Connie Poovey 27

Christmas Note from Pastor Rust , page 28 3

Sunday, December 2 Written by Emily Adkins Mark 13:35-37

35Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

I was given these verses with the disclaimer that they were “perfect for a college student.” It didn’t take long to figure out why, and it is not simply because any college student worth their salt can stay awake long past the hour any rational human being would go to bed. These verses are perfect for a college student because they contain a message that becomes clearer as we venture out into life on our own: A huge part of faith in God is knowing that God can come to us seemingly out of the blue, bringing us something we’d never dream we’d need, let alone want. This is why we are told to stay awake.

God’s timetable is different from ours. God works in mysterious ways. These are not new ideas—many of us have heard these philosophies dozens of times before. However, these are crucial to understanding God’s plan for us and for the world. Jesus reit- erates both of these concepts in these verses. We pray, and we believe that God will send an answer. Our part of the bargain is to simply stay awake and wait for God’s presence. Not only must we accept that God’s answer to prayer may or may not come at a time that we expect, but we also must always be alert, because the answer may be sent to us in a way that we would never have imagined ourselves. Very simply, we must stay awake because otherwise we may miss what God sends us.

There is no better time to remember to stay awake than at Christmas time. When restoration of the Davidic line was hu- manly impossible due to Roman rule, the promised King was born just the same. As we have been told time and time again, salvation for all the world came from the most unlikely place imaginable — a tiny baby, whose parents were not even important enough to warrant a room in an inn. The fullness of God’s power is seen in the birth of Jesus because it is so far above humanity that it goes beyond even human imagination.

God chooses not to let us know exactly what is coming for a reason. He never asks us to be totally unsurprised by His actions, to completely anticipate everything He does. All that is asked of us is to be receptive to His presence in our lives, and to be constantly alert to His answers to our prayers- whether this is recognizing the baby in Bethlehem, or trusting that He will give you the right resources to succeed when you cannot see how success is possible. We must stay awake if we wish to live in the wonder of all that God has blessed us with.

Monday, December 3 Written by Dan Voelkert Isaiah 40:9

9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear;say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!"

For those of you who may have been on another planet since July, I recently became a grandfather. (Don’t know how I missed you but I do have pictures.) I mention my darling Bethany partly because that is what grandparents do at every opportunity but also because my reaction to her birth gives me insight into what Isaiah is talking about in the verse above.

Bethany Darcell Weant was born July 19 at 2:25 a.m. I took her very first picture. It was a dark and pitiful attempt. I should have used a flash but didn’t want Have I Got News for You!!! to startle her. Nevertheless, by 3:13 a.m. it was posted to my Facebook page as the first of many proud announcements in various media of this wonderful event. The next day, it was all I could do not to stop people on the streets of Boone and tell them about her. (That urge has somewhat subsided but if you see me reach for my phone and it is not ringing, excuse yourself politely, and run for your life.)

In the verse above, Isaiah is speaking to the Israelites who are returning to Jerusalem after the long Babylonian Captivity. The people of Israel had been exiled after losing a war with Babylon. When they wondered how such a defeat could happen to God’s chosen people, it was seen as God’s punishment for Israel’s continuing disobedience.

The end of this 70 year exile was cause for great joy. This was a day that had been greatly anticipated—the day when the Lord’s favor had returned to them. They were to shout the glad tidings from the mountaintop, “Here is your Lord!”

This Advent season we, too, are anticipating a great day when we can say to the whole world, “Here is your Lord.” Advent reminds us of the great message we have. Unlike Israel, God does not exile us in our disobedience. When the fullness of time was accomplished, God dwelt among us. He does not meet us halfway or even three quarters of the way. He covers the entire gap that separates us from Him. This great event comes in the form of a small baby in a cattle feeding trough.

Just as Papa Dan takes great joy in talking about the new delight of his life, so we, as Christians, are called to proclaim the good news of the Babe of Bethlehem. Let us go to the mountain tops to shout the news. Let us tell our friends. Let us use Facebook and all media and methods to tell the world the greatest news it will ever hear: “Here is your Lord!”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, in this advent season, stir up your Spirit among us that we may with great joy proclaim your saving message to all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 5

Tuesday, December 4 Written by Sarah Menz Isaiah 11:1

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

As the Son of God, it seems like Jesus should be born into an important family. This passage describes them as “the stump of Jesse”. The family line of Jesse included powerful people, like King David, so the Jesse tree was important to the Jewish people. Jesus, however, wasn’t born when the family had lots of power. He was sent into the world as a baby into a humble family. Jesus is the “shoot” and the “branch” - new life from a lowly stump. This humble entrance reflects the way he lived and how he helped people who society had neglected.

LET US PRAY: Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus into the world. During this season of Advent, help us to learn about You, and bring new life to our church and our faith. Amen.

Wednesday, December 5 Written by Inez Honeycutt Isaiah 25:7-8

7And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; 8he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

In today’s passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks about the shroud or covering that is spread over the nations. Though written before the birth of Christ, these words stir up a visual image of the world of today and even within our immediate community. One can turn on the television or pick up a newspaper and learn about natural disasters, murders, corruption, wars, acts of immorality, persecutions...and the list goes on...and on. We may feel anxious, desperate, fearful, and even hopeless as we perceive the whole world as turning away from God. Isaiah then prophesied hope when he says God will swallow up death forever. The shroud of darkness and death that covers all peoples and all nations is lifted through the light of the Gospel, for Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Christ, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the World, who was without sin, carried the sins of the world to the cross on Mount Calvary, and in his resurrection, He triumphed over death forever. In Christ Jesus, we have hope. Like Isaiah, we will say, “Surely, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” (Isaiah 12:2) God will wipe away our tears; he will make everything perfect in His time for God IS in control. In Revelation, we read “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (v.4) This is God’s promise. What hope and encouragement for believers!

LET US PRAY: Thank you, dear God, for loving us so much to send your Son, the Prom- ised One, whose light dispels darkness and sorrow, both in our personal lives and in the world at large. Your promises are always true! Amen. 7

Thursday, December 6 Written by Joy Rust James 5:7-8

7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Some of you know that I grew up on a farm in northwest Ohio. My grandfather was a farmer. My dad always worked on the farm. My brother started driving a tractor when he was in 2nd grade – farming was in his blood. Now that my dad is gone, my brother and his son (yes, farming is in my nephew’s blood, too) farm over 4,000 acres. And, yes, my nephew’s two sons also have farming in the blood. Even though they are only 4 and 7 years old, it is obvious that they want to be farmers when they grow up. If the two young boys also work on the family farm, that will be 5 generations of farming …. and worrying about the weather …. and trying to have patience as the crop matures and grows to be what is hoped a plentiful harvest.

I can’t tell you how many times I heard my mom and dad talk about the weather. It almost always centered around rain: either too much rain, or the need for rain. Farming is very interest- ing, as you are totally dependent upon the weather. You can do everything right, but if nature doesn’t cooperate, the crop doesn’t produce. When I read these 2 verses, I immediately thought of my dad and all the talk about the weather. Patience was hard as a farmer. Especially when you had done everything right: purchased the right seed, planted, fertilized and weeded the fields. You wait for just the right amount of rain and sun, hoping to have a bountiful crop. I am sure that there were times my dad thought the crop was ruined, but then the late rains arrived to rescue the crop.

Patience is hard. Not only patience for a “precious crop from the earth”, but patience for many things in our life. Children have a hard time with patience during the month of December. Adults also often have difficulty being patient. May we have patience as we wait for the coming of the baby Jesus. May we show patience to those around us. May we be patient with God as we wait for the second coming. Patience! The coming of the Lord is near!

Friday, December 7 Written by Julie Russell Matthew 9:27

27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Today’s scripture comes from a part of Mathew’s gospel in which Jesus has been traveling throughout Galilee healing the sick, the lame, and the demon possessed. Word was spreading about this man who could work miracles, and be the time Jesus had arrived in their town, two blind men were desperate to ask for his help. Imagine having such a dire need and knowing—absolutely knowing—that someone was coming who could meet that need!

Thankfully, most of us will never know the darkness of physical blindness; but without Jesus, each of us walks in a state of spiritual blindness. If we aren’t aware of our need for Jesus, will we ever cry out, “Have mercy on us!”? How blessed we are that God understood our need! He knew that we were spiritually blind and couldn’t see Him. We were ”people walking in darkness,” and we needed a “great light.” (Isaiah 9:2).

On that quiet night in Bethlehem, Jesus came to give us light, to open our eyes, to show us our true selves, to reveal our need for him, and most of all to show us who God really is. He is the God who turns the house upside down to find his lost coin (you). He is the God who drops everything to search for his lost ship (me), finds her, and brings her home. He is the God who sees his lost son (each of us) while he is “still a long way off” and races to meet him, to embrace him, and to joyfully throw a party in honor of his return home. He is the God who hears us cry, “Have mercy on us!”, who tenderly touches our unseeing eyes, and gives us sight. And, like the two blind men, what is the first thing we see when we open our newly healed eyes? The loving face of Jesus!

LET US PRAY: Dear Lord, Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the light he brings into my darkness. In this Christmas season, help me reflect that light in everything I do so that others might see you in me. Amen.

Saturday, December 8 Written by Chrissy Adkins Isaiah 30:19

19Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you.

How many of us have thrown a sympathetic eye toward the parent scrambling to pacify a young crying infant? It is easy to envision a mother desperately digging into a diaper bag for anything that would soothe the troubled child as he cries for something needed. We can also picture a father with a troubled child on his shoulder, whispering words of comfort, and rocking her gently and softly rubbing her head. The Lord is near the family, as they strive to teach a child to trust that she will be cared for and believe in the words from a loving parent. God gives patience and love to the parents to teach life lessons from the child’s first cries. The family is trying to take away the tears, just as the Lord promises He will do for us all.

The Lord is near when the child grows into a young adult. More often than not, tears are cried out of frustration and exasperation for both the child and the parent. Much like the infant emotions are sometimes hard to explain, and the only way to get the aggregation to surface is through tears. The Lord is near to help the child be able to communicate, and the parent to be understanding of the frustration. The Lord helps the family through rough patches to take away the tears.

As we become adults our tears are much more outward. Most of our tears are those of sadness at either our loss or a loss of someone close. Our tears are shed for more humankind, other than just for ourselves. My family is constantly reminded of our friends, the French family, who were lost earlier this year. Their family struggles everyday to deal with their tragic deaths. We pray for the Lord to be near their family and hold them tight to help them get through the day. Even though we might cry, the Lord takes our pain away with the knowledge that the people we cry for, will be taken care of, or have gone to be with Jesus, where there is no pain or sorrow.

Sunday, December 9 Written by Frank Rhue 2 Peter 3:13-14

13But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish.

So, what does it mean that “The Lord is Near?” Does it mean that the coming of Christ along with the “new heaven and new earth” is close by? Or, does it mean that God is always near us and we can acknowledge and embrace the closeness by the way we “strive” to live “at peace, without spot or blemish?”

Doesn’t seem likely God would be telling us that the coming of the new heaven and earth is near, does it? After all, these words were written several centuries ago.

Wait a minute! Didn’t Christ come to establish the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven? Wasn’t the Holy Spirit sent to us to help us understand how we can be part of that Kingdom, on earth as well as heaven?

Christ did establish a new heaven and new earth. The righteousness of Christ made that possible. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, God has given us the ability to know that God is near. With “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” to guide us, we have been told what we need to do to strive for peace. Better yet, we have the Grace of God to hold and support us if we have any hope of being at peace; hope to believe what seems to be impossible and the ability to live as if it were the reality. This Hope stems from the knowledge that God is always with us in all of our trials and tribulations as well as our joys and peace.

Even with the promise of a “new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home” seeming so far away, we can be at peace knowing that God sent Christ to show us how much we are loved and how near to us He is. God then sent the Holy Spirit so we would know that He is always near to us and to provide the assurance that we are not called to be successful.

By the Grace of God we are only called to be faithful and to only strive for peace. Christ will bring the peace through His Grace.

A PRAYER: Dear God, while we wait for a coming we know not when, thank you for the comfort of knowing that you love and provide for us. Thank you for being so near. Amen.

Monday, December 10 Written by Cherub Choir Isaiah 35:10

10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Tuesday, December 11 Written by Sheila Gibson Isaiah 2:2-3

2In days to come the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. “For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

These verses foretold of an advent, a coming, of peoples from all nations to the house of the Lord to be received into his fold and given instructions in his ways. Some of those called would surely be non-Jews, Gentiles, and yet this prophecy from the prophet Isaiah clearly states that all were welcome and all would come to receive instruction in order to walk in the paths of the Lord.

These verses can also be seen as a foretelling of another advent, another coming, that one being the one of our Lord Jesus Christ, entering into the world as the savior and redeemer of mankind. We, as believers and followers of Christ, look to this advent, this coming, with longing and hope as we yearn for Jesus to return and build a world where there is no war, oppression, dissension and lack of unity. In this season of advent, of coming, let us learn the ways of the God of Jacob and walk in his path so that we are prepared for the Lord to come - He is near!

Wednesday, December 12 Written by Wade Spencer Matthew 11:28-29

During the Christmas season, we remember Jesus and His birth. We do separate the events of the Messiah's joyful birth and the Messiah's sorrowful death. Some people are able to separate the baby Jesus from the adult Jesus. However, we should not do this. Jesus is Jesus—one person, one life punctuated by different events. For example, Jesus, as a man, was tempted in the desert by the devil. He knew that temptation and as a man understood it, and as Messiah was able to overcome it. It is because of this, He tells us:

28Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

It's good to know that after carrying the devil on my back, having him whispering into my ear, that I can rely on Christ to give me rest. The devil whispers that I am unworthy of forgiveness; that these sins cannot be forgiven. He constantly accuses, knowing guilt will weigh on my shoulders, sometimes causing me to think, "If I cannot forgive myself, then why would Jesus?" Then, I read in the scripture that Jesus, in loving kindness, forgives me and does indeed give me rest for my soul. By following Jesus' example and teaching, and by having faith in Him--we are all able to cast off the enemy and get the forgiveness that only He can give. Yes, we yoke ourselves to Jesus. But, when we try to learn His word, even when we sometimes deviate from the set path, we can get forgiveness, and do find soulful rest in Him.

Dear God, Thank you for your Son and His example. Thank you for the rest that He gives to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 13 Written by Melinda Menz Matthew 11:11

11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

The first part of this verse is straight forward. Jesus proclaims that the greatest man born of a woman is John the Baptist. His life was about preparing everyone for Jesus. He did not change his message to what people wanted to hear. He directed people to Jesus; “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Next we are told that even though John the Baptist is the greatest on earth there are those in heaven who are greater than him. My initial reaction was to ignore the second half because it did not offer much promise for me and my life. After studying this verse for a while I realized that I couldn’t be more wrong. Unlike John the Baptist, I am able to benefit from the teaching of Jesus and his apostles. But more importantly, my sins have all been forgiven because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Those who have lived on earth after Jesus benefit from the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, I don’t live in the desert by myself. I am part of a church family and therefore I am a part of the body of Christ. The second half of this sentence is a reminder of how Jesus’ presence on earth has changed the world. I have received many blessings through Christ. All of this is very humbling because John the Baptist was able to do so much with less. “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48)

Friday, December 14 Written by Bruce Moore Isaiah 48:17-18

17Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. 18O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, and your success like the waves of the sea;

When we were children, our parents and teachers knew that we needed direction in our lives and hoped we would learn from our mistakes. They sincerely wanted us to succeed. Many times we would just ignore the good advice and guidance we received from them and time and again would fail and be punished. I remember on many occasions being told “if you would have paid attention , you wouldn’t have gotten into trouble.”

God, too, wants us to succeed by following His direction and His commandments. Being imperfect, we ignore His teaching, break his commandments, and would surely be doomed. Except for one thing – God sent His Son into this imperfect world to take our failings and our sins to the cross.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us direction for our lives, when we don’t want to listen; for teaching us, when we don’t want to learn from our mistakes; and for loving us enough to send your own Son to save us even when we cannot keep your commandments. Amen.

Saturday, December 15 Written by Tom Macklin John 16:16

16A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen. The Disciples saw Jesus directly. Jesus was talking about his going away in this Scripture lesson. Jesus was trying to prepare the Disciples for the fact that he would soon be gone physically. The Disciples would suffer what they think is a loss. Jesus was trying to reassure his Disciples and others that they would see him again, that he would be with them again. We still find such thoughts comforting when we lose someone close to us on earth — that we will see them again.

In an odd sense, we have the benefit of not having seen Jesus directly. We do not suffer a loss of Jesus as his disciples and followers did. We only have the blessing of looking forward to a better life, a spiritual life in Heaven, with God.

When a child was asked recently what he liked about Christmas, he replied that he liked believing in things he could not see. The child was likely talking about Santa Claus, although from the news segment we are not really sure. Would not having the childlike faith in things unseen, in things hoped for, be a lesson for us all?

Some day we will be with Jesus – again!

Sunday, December 16 Written by Ally Lockard I Thessalonians 5:16-18

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. How often do we go about our lives asking the traffic to move just a bit faster so we are not late to work, or pray that our meeting can end soon because we haven’t eaten anything in a good eight hours and we are starting to feel hunger pains? How many times do we wake up in the middle of the night wishing our bed or pillows will get in just the right position so we can fall asleep or hate ourselves for finally purchasing that “new” gadget everyone has, just find out the newer version will be on the market next month?

All of us have been guilty of this at one point. More often than not we find ourselves wrapped up in our own little world and we forget to take a step back, slow down, and really think about all we have been given by GOD. We are very blessed, and should thank GOD every day, that we live in a country where we have access to clean, running water in our homes, electricity, supermarkets, clothing stores, sturdy housing that protects us from the elements, doctors and medicines; anything and everything we could ever need to survive is right in our backyard. During the ins and outs of our everyday lives, we forget about those who live in third world countries (and even in our own cities), where children die from malnutrition, people walk around barefoot because they cannot afford a simple pair of shoes, and villagers that have to carry jugs of water long distances because their country is too poor to supply a water system.

Only GOD knows the reason to why some are wealthier or more fortunate than others and why things always turn out well for one person and yet the other always seems to be suffering. All of us go through hard times in one form or another, but we must remember GOD will always be there, carrying us through. HE has a plan for each of his children, and HE will not let us fall, for this we must be grateful.

LET US PRAY: Father in Heaven, we give thanks for all you have given us in our lives; our family and friends, our homes, shelter, food, clothing, access to doctors and much more. While you have provided us with many gifts, there are still those that are without; we pray that you will watch over them, feed them, clothe them, protect them. During our daily routines, help us to remember those who need our assistance and we ask that you fill us with the courage and strength to care for them as your Son did. Amen.

Monday, December 17 Written by Shannon Lynch Psalm 72:11-12

11May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. 12For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.

In the book of Joshua, God reminds us that he will never leave us or forsake us. Whether we believe it or not, God knows exactly what we need and gives us exactly that, even when it doesn’t make any sense to us at the time. He will always help, comfort, guide and lead us if we ask him...but first we've got to ask.

But how can we have hope that God will hear and answer us unless we are sincere when we ask him? We must learn to trust him and patiently accept whatever answer we get from God, knowing that we will someday understand why He responded the way He did.

Music has always been a source of comfort and strength for me. There's a new song I've been hearing on KLOVE Christian radio by Group 1 Crew and it's ironically titled "He Said"... these lyrics have settled in my heart:

You may be knocked down now but just believe what He said

Don't fear when you go through the fire Hang on when it's down to the wire Stand tall and remember what He said

"I won't give you more, more then you can take and I might let you bend, but I won't let you break and No, no - I'll never ever let you go"

Don't you forget what He said.

For all the struggles, challenges and blessings I have experienced in my life, it is most definitely reassuring to know that God is always with me, never leaving my side. He's always with you too, just believe and "Don't you forget what He said."

Tuesday, December 18 Written by Robin Huffman Zephaniah 3:12-13

12For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD — 13the remnant of Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.

LIE DOWN PASTUREAND THEN THEY WILL

Am I the only one embarrassed to discover that I did not recognize the book of Zephaniah, did not know where to find it, and did not have a clue what its four pages in the Old Testament meant? My chagrin turned into motivation to read the entire book to gain some familiarity and to give a context for this pastoral selection.

What a peaceful passage this is. What an idyllic description. It’s almost a Psalm 23 setting of lying down in green pastures. But start at the beginning of the book and the stage is set in an entirely different way. The book starts with the author launching into a condemnation along the lines of Sodom and Gomorrah! This book is filled with the anger of the Lord, with a God who is ready to wash away these people a la the great flood. And these people aren’t just evil people, these are the people of Israel who have turned away from God, ridiculed his love, spurned his guidance, and violated his ways. It is a godless world, a profane world, a world of the unprincipled. Different from the world we currently live in? Perhaps not.

But there is hope.

Just as the author warns that the Lord is near and the day of wrath, distress, anguish, trouble and ruin is looming, he says he will purify the lips of those who call on the Lord. Within the arrogant boasters, he will place the meek and humble. These people will do no wrong. And that small band of God’s followers shall be fearless. They trust in the Lord. There is restoration back to God.

As missiles explode in the Middle East, as our politicians peer over the edge of a fiscal cliff, as we struggle to avoid succumbing to the commercialism of the holiday season, let us cling to the promise that the Lord is near, that there is refuge where we can live in the midst of this chaos.

Wednesday, December 19 Submitted by Stephanie Braxton Isaiah 45:6-7

6so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the LORD do all these things.

In my house, there are no warnings. When I do something against the rules, that’s it! I’m in trouble. Privileges are taken away and sometimes I’m grounded. Worse than that, I’ve disappointed my parents. But when it’s all over, I am forgiven and my parents remind me that tomorrow is another day.

Even though we may feel bruised or saddened by events in our lives, by our own hand, or someone else’s, we have faith that God can and will take over. When we discussed this verse during Sunday school class, we focused on the words “weal” and “woe”, not words often used in our everyday vocabulary. Thankfully, our kids have faith and understanding, that without darkness, there can be no light. And if we are never hurt, we will never have the joy of being soothed. The LORD creates this for us. Thanks be to God!

Written by the 3rd – 7th graders from Miss Ally’s and Mrs. Braxton’s SS classes.

Thursday, December 20 Written by Greg Myers Luke 7:24-26

24When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

By this point in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has already been baptized by John. He has raised the widow’s dead son (7:11-16). He is curing the blind, the lame and the sick as predicted in Isaiah. John, who is imprisoned by Herod, sends messengers to ask Jesus if he is indeed the Messiah. Perhaps John is puzzled why the Messiah isn’t exercising His power to free John from prison. If this is truly the Son of God, then why is earth’s status quo seemingly unchanged? This isn’t the way John or anyone else is expecting God’s son to make his earthly appearance.

Jesus addresses the crowd by questioning their expectations of John. What did they expect to find when they came into the desert? Surely the harbinger of the Messiah should be a magnificent and fearsome spectacle. Jesus assures them that in John they found much more than a mere prophet. He paraphrases Malachi 3:1 to tell them that John is the messenger and that he, Jesus, is the one foretold. But John? Really? Some guy who wears animal skins and eats insects in the wilderness? And Jesus isn’t exactly what the Jewish people have been waiting for all this time.

Maybe that’s the point. God didn’t make an appearance in our world as an untouchable but visible deity. He became part of our human existence. Jesus experienced all of our life’s monotonous routines, joys, sorrows, dramas, even the feeling of having been abandoned by God. Everything.

And that is where we find God in our lives today. He is present in the most basic, mundane times and places of our lives. He is there where we wouldn’t expect the God of all creation to be found. Everywhere.

Hallelujah!

Friday, December 21 Written by Ellen Greeson Matthew 1:1-2

An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

I remember so clearly being in the room at the end of the hall in the Educational Building. The youth choir was being readied to sing in church. Being readied meant that a flurry of women made sure you were wearing the correct choir robe and your red bow was tied properly. There was only one lady in charge – Ruth Coyner. She fixed her gaze on me and made her way through the crowd. “I don’t believe I know you,” she said. “Who are your people?” My family had recently moved to Burlington and joined the church. I identified my parents, Mrs. Coyner smiled and acknowledged that she knew who they were. Just like that I was cleared for duty, included in the family and accepted as a member.

In this passage, Matthew begins his gospel by laying out the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew was writing his gospel account to prove to his intended audience – the Jews — that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. He does this initially by showing the ancestral trail from Abraham to Jesus. Matthew is essentially answering their question of “Who are your people?”. In understanding where someone comes from, we feel a connection to that person. As Matthew continues on through the next several verses, he demonstrates that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies. Matthew was explaining to the Jews that in Jesus, the Lord is here.

At the Advent season, as we connect and reconnect with friends and family, we will no doubt find ourselves with the question “Who are your people?”. Let us be reminded that as Christians, “our people” is ultimately Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.

Saturday, December 22 Written by Yvonne White Matthew 1:20-21

20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

When I read this scripture, my mind immediately went to the concept of angels. It might be because of my involvement with the Chrismon ministry. It is believed that the early Chrismon patterns included no angels because Mrs. Spencer, founder of the original Chrismons, said that angels were not “Christ Monograms”. Thankfully, Mrs. Rufty, from Rufty’s Chrismon Shop, thought better and added angels to the later patterns. But the more I thought about it, I’m sure that my mind went to angels because of my belief in them and their impact in our lives. I remember my grandmother, quoting from Hebrews, telling us to not be forgetful when entertaining strangers, for some may be entertaining angels unaware.

I truly believe that angels are among us in forms that we may not know and in ways that we may not recognize. They keep us from harm, they whisper in our ear, they make us think twice about a decision, they make us see things in a different way, and they are, most certainly, with our loved ones in their final hours. When my niece, Allison, was a child, she commented about a beautiful sunset. My mother told her that God and his angels picked out some beautiful colors to paint the sky. The day after my mother died there was the most beautiful sunset ever. Christopher, the son of our best friends, having heard Mama’s explanation of the beautiful sunset, said to me, “Mama Theo sure did pick out some pretty paint brushes tonight.” While it broke my heart, I believe he was right. I know that angels from above, like my mother, sister and recently, my brother, watch over us, show us things of beauty, and send messages to guide us. Just think of the impact of the angel’s voice in the life of Joseph! Mary and Joseph became a family and went to Jerusalem to bring a baby to us in a manger to be our Savior. We have all heard voices that help us do the right thing. Are they angels’ voices? The Lord is near!

Joseph was having second thoughts about taking Mary as his wife. Let us be thankful that the Lord sent an angel to give Joseph a message in his dream that it was OK to marry Mary. He told Joseph that the child was from the Holy Spirit sent to save us from sin.

YES, God sent us Jesus, his only Son, to save us from our sins that we might have everlasting and abundant life.

Thanks be to God!

Sunday, December 23 Written by Kristin Spencer Luke 1:38

38Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

God worked through His servant, Mary, to bring to life the greatest gift of all; Jesus.

Mary is approached by an angel with the news that she will give birth to Jesus. Initially, she is afraid of the angel's presence and questions how she, an unmarried virgin, could become pregnant. Soon, Mary accepts the responsibility of giving birth to the Son of God with great and humble faith; as she says, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." (Luke1:38) Despite the fact that becoming an unmarried pregnant woman makes her an outcast to many, Mary choses to focus on the favor and blessing she's been given by serving the Lord. With complete trust in God, she carries Jesus in and under her heart and praises God in joyful song for her opportunity to serve Him!

Mary's servant example is a huge inspiration. If a young woman like Mary can find joy in serving God, even through the severe social challenges she faced as an unwed mother; then, surely we can trust God and serve Him through all of our struggles. God wants and needs us to carry Jesus in our hearts and to share Him with others.

Our many ministries at Macedonia, and others around the world, are crying out for more servants to share their time, gifts, and talents. As a body of Christ, we are ALL called to be His servants in this world. So, give up your excuses, pray for God's guidance and strength, and seek ways to serve Him. Then, like Mary, we can experience the great joy and peace that comes from being close to God in His service.

The Lord is near. He's in our hearts. Let's serve Him and share Him with others.

Merry Christmas, and God bless you in the New Year!

Monday, December 24 Written by Amanda & Abigail Cary John 1:3-5

3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

I normally do not write devotionals, it is not something I have ever felt comfortable doing. However, I have a smart, well rounded daughter who just completed her first Communion and figured that she could help me out, at least to draw what she thinks the verse means to her. After a lot of thought and prayer, Abigail and I picked out a verse to write/draw about for this year’s Advent Devotional.

As we were looking over the few choices left the verse of John brought back a flood of memories from the years past Christmas Pageants. I had spoken these words several times while on stage as a youth, and had heard them even more times as an adult. The verse, at least the last line, is even more poignant to me as for I feel my two beautiful daughters are my light that shines so brightly that I feel I am never in the dark.

We have all heard the saying, “If God didn’t think you could handle it, he would not put us through it.” I hold these words deep in my thoughts every day. God knows what I can and cannot handle. He created us and all that is around us and for this we are all truly blessed and should never feel like we are in the dark. When the girls and I moved back to Burlington over 4 years ago, I had many people, jokingly, ask if I were on any kind of antidepressant, especially my doctor, to help me cope with the current events in my life. My response to everyone was that my girls were my medication; all I had to do was look at them and see their smiling faces and I was good to go for another day. God has blessed me by making them healthy, beautiful, strong and intelligent so that they can guide me through my dark days.

Just like Jesus, my daughters were sent down from Heaven by God to bring grace and love, not only to me, but to the lives of our family and friends. Just like the light of Jesus, their love will not let darkness overcome me, they shine through the bad so I can carry on through one more day just as hope that God and Jesus’ love and grace can shine through and spread lots of love and peace through everyone’s holiday season and throughout the year. Devil

Tuesday, December 25 Written by Connie Poovey Isaiah 9:2

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.

So the day has finally come after all the joyous anticipation: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! And I don’t know about you, but with the stores beginning their decorating well before Halloween, it seems like we’ve been waiting for this day for a VERY long time! But I truly love the anticipation – the excitement – the joyous music (even the most secular radio stations are blasting “Joy to the World!”, and I LOVE it!).

In ‘The Message’ version of the Bible, today’s scripture says “For those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light! Sunbursts of light!” Deep shadows or deep darkness – both speak to me of being unsure of what is around us or in front of us – of feeling alone and afraid, with all our senses on alert for the danger that may lurk around the corner.

In October Bill and I joined about 60 other Christians at Camp Royall near Pittsboro for our annual HESED retreat. Wonderful folks (with and without developmental delays) gathered for 3 days to experience the life of Christ in drama, worship, music, and fellowship. On Friday night after supper, we had a bonfire, sang campfire songs, and told stories. The walk back was a little dark and scary, although folks were encouraged to bring flashlights. But when we got back up the hill, we were greeted by a glorious cross on the hill across the lake, made with luminaries lovingly set by our ‘outside angels’. We, who walked in darkness, truly ‘SAW A GREAT LIGHT’ - the light of Jesus’ love, as depicted by the cross on which He gave His life for US.

This Christmas I wish for you the light of Christ’s love. A light SO glorious that it shines through you to reach all those around you. Because when you have that light in your heart, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden!”

Have a truly glorious, light-filled Christmas!! God loves you and so do I!

A DIVINE GIFT

THE JOY THAT JESUS OFFERS His disciples is His own joy, which flows from His intimate communion with the One who sent Him. It is a joy that does not separate happy days from sad days, successful moments from moments of failure, experiences of honor from experiences of dishonor, passion from resurrection. This is a Divine gift that does not leave us during times of illness, poverty, oppression, or persecution. It is present even when the world laughs or tortures, robs or maims, fights or kills. It is truly ecstatic, always moving us away from the house of fear into the house of love, and always proclaiming that death no longer has the final say, though its noise remains loud and its devastation visible. The joy of Jesus lifts up life to be celebrated!

Celebration is indeed the word we need here. The Divine ecstatic joy of the house of love becomes manifest in celebration. Celebration marks the life of the disciple of Jesus as well as the life of His new community. The disciple leaves behind the old life in search of a new life. For every disciple as well as for the entire fellowship, following the Lord involves celebration, the ongoing, unceasing lifting up of God’s love that has proved itself Victorious! Celebration is the concrete way in which God’s ecstatic joy becomes visible among us.

Christmas is an eternal fact of God. It means that we are now His children and that Jesus came to live with us forever. May the joy of Christmas live in your hearts each day of the coming new year. Amen! Have a Blessed & Peace-filled Christmas!!

In the fullness of His love,