"But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19 (NRSV)
Each year, we as a church take a journey through Advent, a journey of expectantly waiting for the birth of Jesus. And each year, we wonder and worry about how we are going to get there, letting other priorities and demands take over.
Our Family Ministry Team has developed this gift for you and your loved ones to help you take time in the journey - wondering, expecting, and waiting. Each day, from December 1st to December 25th, you and your loved ones are encouraged to take some time to stop and focus on a different name of Jesus. A devotional has been written each day for you to read and open up the name and person of Jesus in a new way. There are also additional tools each day for you to use - to wonder, ponder, and assist you in your understanding. These tools are for adults, teenagers, preteens and children. Use them and allow the Holy Spirit to grow your love of Jesus through discussion, secret gifts, laughter, coloring, and experiencing this season in a whole new way.
Our Family Team prays that this year your journey to Bethlehem to meet Jesus is more awe inspiring than it has ever been, and that you, like Mary, will take these things into your heart as treasures to grow in your love of Jesus Christ.
- Family Pastor, Rev. Sarah Marsalis-Luginbill - 1 Jesus
Rev. Kay Eck
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
My daughter is now one and a half years old, and before she was born, before I even had confirmation that she was a girl, my husband and I knew that her name was Ellie. I can’t tell you why, but something in my spirit just knew. And the name has been perfect for her and her personality. Mary and Joseph knew the name of their son too, before they ever even met him. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him that Mary, his fiancé, would give birth to a baby through the Holy Spirit and that the baby was to be named Jesus. This wasn’t just any little baby boy; it was the Creator of the Universe, God in and of Godself, who came to earth in the form of a baby. God became like us, with flesh and blood and feelings and emotions, and went on to die, like we all do as humans. He was born to die. However, this baby was not simply a human, he was also fully God and fully the Savior of the world. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and because of Jesus; we are able to experience resurrection too.
What is really cool, is that the name given to this baby – Jesus – tells us who he is and what he does for us. See, the name Jesus is actually derived from the Hebrew name, Yeshua, which means “to deliver or to save.” Yeshua is connected to the name Joshua and is also often connected to God’s original name – YHWH or Yahweh. God came to earth in the form of God’s son, Jesus, who was sent to deliver us and save us. The name Jesus was no accident and Jesus continues to deliver and save us today. Decorate a stocking just for you! Be sure to put your name on it!
What does your name mean? Why was this name chosen for you? Go on a walk or to a plant nursery to look at gardens in your neighborhood.
What do you think they do to take care of these plants? How can you tell they care about them? 2 The Vine
Denise Startz
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NRSV)
My grandparents were corn farmers. My husband, Leroy, grew up on a sorghum farm. On a grain farm, time is measured by the growing of crops. Each spring is marked with the turning of the soil, followed by the planting of seeds. The earth is tended carefully - removing weeds, applying nutrients - all to help the plants grow strong. Once mature, the grain is harvested and what remains of the plant (the stalk and leaves) will be cut down and tilled or turned over into the earth to enrich the soil for the next year’s crop.
And the cycle begins again - a new start from brand new seeds each season.
But there are other kinds of crops that need a different type of care to thrive. Plants that grow on vines, like grapes or blackberries, are planted once and regrow from the same, original stalk each year. These stalks live for many years, producing fruit each season.
Because the central stalk of the vine plant must be preserved each year, the farmer takes extra care of the plants. Watering it. Nourishing it. Protecting it from hot and cold. Trimming the branches that have grown too long. The branches draw strength from the vine to grow and produce an abundance of fruit. But if a branch is damaged or broken from the central stock, it will not be able to survive or bear fruit.
Christ tells us in John 15:1-5 that we are like the branches of the vine, and he is the stalk. We are not enough on our own to thrive, we must stay connected to the stalk in order to thrive. The farmer who tends to us is the Father. God treats us like the grape farmer, not the grain farmer -- he believes in us, year after year. He does not tear us down at the end of a season to start over. It is the connection that exists with God, the gardener, Christ, the vine, and us, the branches, that leads us to a life of joy and bounty when tended and cared for in the presence of God’s guiding hands. 3 Redeemer Dr. Sheryl Sebo
"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth." Isaiah 44:24 (NRSV)
As we approach the coming of our Savior this Advent, we acknowledge loss and uncertainty: loss of job or income security, loss of health or of the lives of loved ones, loss of ability to live our lives in relative safety. We feel for those suffering and in need. In the midst of a world of shifting sand, how do we recover, or discover for the first time, the Solid Rock who brings the kind of hope, faith, peace and love, symbolized by our Advent candles?
To face challenges and embrace the future in hope, we need to listen and follow God’s guidance. In the midst of conflicting voices in our lives, we need the steady, loving presence of a compassionate Heavenly Parent who cares deeply for each and every living being, in all of our wide diversity. We need a Redeemer who brings order out of chaos, who rescues us from the pit of fear, anger, illness, or failure - One who restores our soul. Jesus was sent by God to be that Redeemer, the one who forgives our sins and returns us to wholeness within God’s eternal love. This Redeemer promises us salvation, offering us a way to shed our old self and be re- formed into God’s image. When we accept Jesus as our Redeemer, we are forgiven and made new in God’s love, our hearts are filled with the fullness of joy, gratitude, and love!
Prayer: Dear God, help me look more deeply for ways I have not listened to or followed Your guidance. Help me to become like new, embracing Jesus as my Redeemer, and to be a conduit of your love in the world. Help us to better understand Your gift of salvation this Advent, as we await the coming of your Anointed One, Emmanuel! Amen. 4 Mighty God
Rev. Ngoni Mukarakate
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV)
“So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere” - Luke 9:6 (NIV)
Mighty God depicts bravery, courage and action, meaning that as children of the Mighty God we are enabled to fly like eagles because of the identity from our father.
When the power of our Mighty God is imparted to us, we are able to do great things like: Doing missions, through visiting people in various walks of life in different places Preaching the good news of Jesus Christ Healing the sick
When we recognize Jesus as our Mighty God, it means that He has power to transform lives, and God will do those acts through you and me, who are called by His name. The Mighty acts of God are made possible when we deliberately participate through our: Presence Gifts Resources Prayers Readiness to lead in various capacities in His church.
As children of God, it is our obligation to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God, and to communicate to all people the unconditional love of Christ Jesus. By so doing, we are partakers of the will of God, and we are showing bravery, courage and action to the world. Many times, we are full of fear due to the circumstances in this world, many times, we are discouraged by the situations in our life, and many times, we are caught up with the sin of omission, when we don’t take the right action to save a situation. This name, Mighty God, teaches us to stand for what is right and just in all situations, and that is what the gospel requires of us, and the Mighty God will always be with us, Amen.
Reflection: What can you do, knowing God is Mighty and with you? 5 Morning Star
Rev. Jo Biggerstaff
“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 (NRSV)
One of my favorite places in the world is in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Imagine that you are sitting beside me on a mountainside in the Rockies, very early in the morning, enveloped in deep darkness. Gradually notice a star in the sky just before dawn. That is the Morning Star, probably Venus. It gives off enough light to offer direction, bringing comfort in the midst of darkness.
During the dark days of COVID-19, political upheaval and racial unrest, the light and warmth of that bright morning star offers hope for our souls. In this Season of Advent, we read that Jesus is the “Bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).
Of all the names for Jesus that are found in scripture, we can relate to “Bright Morning Star” because we all have experienced some kind of darkness. It might be grief at the death of a loved one, a deep depression, or the overpowering loneliness from extended isolation during the pandemic. Your darkness might be due to job loss. You may have a sense of hopelessness because of civil dissent and racial unrest. Whatever the reason for your darkness, remember the light that comes into our world in Jesus, the Christ. This Advent Season, go outside very early in the morning, before dawn, and look for that “Bright Morning Star.” Reflect on the ways the Light of that Star may enter into the very depths of your being, and give thanks!
Prayer: Loving, Light-giving God, thank you for your gift of Jesus, the Christ! In the midst of our darkness, lift us out of our sense of helplessness. Guide us into the Light provided by your Son. Bring wholeness to our souls. Enable us to share that gift with those around us. In the name of Jesus, the Morning Star. Amen. Prepare a fun and festive Christmas themed breakfast to enjoy with the family!
Some Menu Ideas: Green pancakes, powdered donut snowmen, hot chocolate with whipped cream, strawberry and banana santa hats! Here are a few ideas:
Help serve with the Food Ministry.
Choose a way you Donate a coat or serve for or your Everybody's Christmas. family will serve others this Sign up to ring the bell for the Salvation Army season. Red Kettles as a family.
Sponsor a Child on an Angel Tree. 6 Servant
Randall Lucas
"Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:7 (NIV)
I live in an area of Dallas called Oaklawn. It is a transitional neighborhood, which means there are newer buildings and older ones. My condo sits right on Cedar Springs Road, and directly behind my place is a government housing project. So, this neighborhood is diverse in many ways. Sitting right outside my patio window is a bus stop. As you can imagine, I see different types of people waiting at the bus stop throughout the day. Whether they are affluent, poor, straight, gay, mentally ill, or any color of the rainbow, they all are waiting on the bus to take them to a different place. I wonder if, in the same way, the Jewish people were waiting for a Savior that would take them away from their current situation, a “bus” that would deliver them to a new life, a new kingdom.
Though Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He did not come like a “bus” to usher His people away into a new Kingdom. Instead, He shows them a better way of life. He reordered their hierarchical world view. Through His life, he exemplified that to be great in this world, and in the world to come, is to be the servant of all. To be great is not to seek a place of prominence or rule over others, but to be great in the Reign of God is to be a servant.
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NRSV)
Reflection: What can we learn from Jesus Christ as a servant? In what ways we can be the body of Christ serving in the world? Where or how is God calling you to serve others? 7 The Lord Susanne Fuqua
"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
Please read the above at least twice as your mind hears these words.
More importantly, listen with your heart.
Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have now received the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In John 14, Jesus said that he would not leave you alone and that the Father will send you a “Helper to be with you forever”. That Helper is the Holy Spirit. Jesus, as our Lord, is the name above all names. He told us that “all authority” had been given to him ‘in heaven and on earth”. And he even told us that “whoever believes in him will do the works he has done, and we will do even greater things than those.
Also, in Galatians 2:20, it says it is no longer you that lives, but Christ that lives in you. Again, is Jesus Lord of your life? Is it no longer you living, but Christ that lives in you? Do you begin your day thanking Him for reconciling you to Our Father, through His death, taking every sin and washing you clean? Do you understand the victory Jesus, Our Lord, had over death when He was raised, and the victory He has given to each of us when we believe? When Jesus is Lord of your life, your heart almost explodes with love and gratefulness. Make Jesus Lord of your life and tell others of why you are justified, saved, and have eternal life. In the Majestic name of Jesus, Our Lord, Amen.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, sometimes it’s hard to believe. Sometimes it’s hard to speak up and share the story I know. Help me to believe. Help me to receive the gift of your great love for me in such a complete way, that your love can’t help but overflow through my hands as I serve, through my lips as I greet my neighbor, and through my eyes as they peek over my mask. Let this receiving and giving of your great love be my mountain top proclamation and my shadowy valley witness that Jesus Christ is Born, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen. 8 King of Kings
Jimmy Emery
"Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” Revelation 17:14 (NLT)
This disarray of this recent election cycle has brought to light that, even in our representative form of government, we the people are, in so many ways, greatly distanced from our national elected and appointed officials. I have no real assurance that my congressional leaders read my passionate correspondence. I have no direct access to the president or key advisors. My voice is not audibly heard in the supreme halls of justice.
We can easily extrapolate that the One who is referred to in Scripture as the "King of kings" and "Lord of lords" is even further removed from any sense of personal connection. At first blush, our voice may seem inaudible, and our stature minuscule, when we kneel before the One who created the universe and who holds the keys to life and death in such magnificent hands.
We ask ourselves: Is the King of kings too grand to hear my prayers? Is the Lord of lords too important to respond? Is the Lamb of God upon the throne too mighty for compassion?
But when we look closer, we see that those magnificent hands bear the wounds of our transgressions, wounds carried in his own body so that we might be healed (I Peter 2:24). Those percipient eyes truly see us and understand us more intimately than we know ourselves (Psalm 139:1-7). That resonant voice calls us by our own unique name in a voice that can be recognized above any another (John 10:3-5). And, with just the right perspective, the face of this High Priest looks remarkably like a child, a human child, who came as Emmanuel ("God with us") in the same way as we do, dependent and helpless, experiencing the weaknesses of our humanity, so that we might ultimately approach him in his triumph to receive mercy and find grace. (Hebrews 4:5-16).
This Advent season, reach out your hand to the hand of God. Call on God's name and be reminded that you are known, fully known, by the King and kings and Lord of lords.
Reflection: What makes a good leader? If you were king or queen, what would your first decree be? 9 Lamb of God
Uwezo Mwanjala
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (NIV)
Jesus is the Lamb of God; He is the right sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Before the coming of Jesus Christ to redeem humanity of its sin, people used goats, doves, and other animal sacrifices to atone for their sins in the temple. John is revealing Jesus Christ by telling the world that here we have the Lamb of God who is the sacrifice for our sins. We must only believe in him (Jesus Christ).
In the book of Revelation 12:11a, the Lamb of God is not only the perfect sacrifice for our sins, but we also have the advantage of overcoming every challenge and evil by the blood of the Lamb.
So friends, as long as we do believe in God, we don't have to live under condemnation because Jesus paid it all. And we don't have to live under any kind of chain of evil, and things like addictions, because we can overcome everything that is against the will of God by the blood of the Lamb.
May God grant us the grace of understanding and believing Jesus as the Lamb of God. Amen.
Reflection: What are some things you need to remember God will take care of? What are things that seem too heavy for the Lamb of God? String popped popcorn and add it to your indoor tree to remind you of a wooly lamb.
or
Hang your string of popcorn on a tree outside for the birds. Pick a mission opportunity as a family, then decorate this water drop and hang it on your tree as a reminder.
Wrap the faucet with wrapping paper and a bow. Thank God for the blessing of clean water.
Choose a ministry that supports building wells in other countries. Living Water International will let you print a gift card to give your children to allow them to choose which part of the world they'd like to donate to.
Place bottles of water with notes of Thanks on the porch for your delivery persons. 10 Living Water
Mackenzie Johnson
"Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NRSV)
I love giving gifts. I love finding or creating the perfect gift that is useful but also a bit of a treat. And, gifting is a whole event for me. The look that someone gives when you have found something that brings them joy and makes them feel known and celebrated is a very special moment. I know this sounds dramatic and probably like an ideal situation every time, but giving someone a gift means a lot to me. (But don’t worry, I don’t make the person read their card in front of me. I’m not that intense.)
Personally, my favorite gifts to give are the small things that I pick up at the store that remind me of a specific person in my life. A bag of pretzels for a snack drawer, an office decoration that serves as a great reminder of love when you look at it, a surprise coffee on a tough day - the gifts that show up before they are needed.
In this passage, I picture Jesus in this same situation. He knows he has something that is needed - the gift of “living water.” He knows that following him will be a much needed change in this woman’s life - a space to rest, a friend when needed, a reprieve from the isolation that this woman is feeling, but she doesn't know what to ask for.
In this season, how can we begin to recognize that sometimes the best gifts are ones that we did not know to ask for, but have the biggest impact in our lives?
I believe we recognize the gift and the giver.
When there are times that we feel like our well has run dry, we remember we worship a God that is always thinking about us. A God whose gift is practical, a splurge, and never something we would have asked for. 11 I Am Rev. Macie Liptoi
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58 (NIV)
The Gospel of John is a fascinating inclusion for our biblical canon. This gospel places a high degree of emphasis on the divinity of Christ, making it clear that this human man is no ordinary prophet, but rather the savior, the Messiah of the whole world. One of the ways the gospel writer chooses to clue the reader into this incredible identity of Jesus is through the use of “I AM” statements.
Now, there are two different types of “I am” statements in the Gospel of John, and they serve very different purposes. The first is that of the lowercase “I am.” These occur when Jesus says things like “I am the good shepherd,” or “I am the bread of life,” and typically, he is in the midst of performing a sign, which always points to something greater.
The “I am” statement in today’s scripture however, is a capital, “I AM.” The capitalization is meant to draw your attention because this statement is different. This “I AM” is what fancy theologians call a theophany. A theophany is a revelation of the true nature of Christ. Jesus makes these statements when he is revealing his true nature as the Messiah.
In the chapter from which today’s verse originates, Jesus is revealing his true nature to the Jewish people who are questioning his identity. Verse 58 shows us that essentially, Jesus is telling the crowd that before their ancestor Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, was even born, Jesus was already at work as God. This is huge! This tells us that Jesus has been at work in the world since the beginning of time, loving humanity and showing us how we are called to love one another.
This is the great gift of this verse! We know the true nature of Jesus as the Incarnation, God in flesh, that “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” - Philippians 2:6-11 (NRSV)
The God of all creation became like us in order to redeem and restore us, because of God’s great love for us. Thanks be to God. Reflection: Keeping in mind that you are created and loved by God, what are some "I Am" statements you can make about you? 12 Messiah
Rev. Andy Nelms
"He first found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated Anointed)." John 1:41 (NRSV)
I am a huge fan of podcasts. One of my favorite things is meeting other people who also listen to podcasts. When you first learn that someone else listens to them there’s this glimmer that appears in your eye. “You do?” you ask with a smile, “What podcasts do you listen to?” The next few moments are a fun exchange where each person shares their favorites. There is a sudden joy when both people land on a podcast they’ve listened to, “Where were you when you finished the first season of Dr. Death?” “What ever happened to Serial?!” All of this happens in a matter of moments. Each person has a new list of podcasts to listen to and each is better for the encounter. All of this happens because when we find something good, we can’t help but to share it.
In the Gospel of John, we learn that Andrew (who I believe has the best name in the Bible) is a disciple of John the Baptist. That is, until John points out Jesus and cries, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” From that moment on Andrew is a disciple of Jesus. Not long after Andrew realizes John was right, and he goes to get his brother, Simon (later to be called Peter), and says, “We have found the Messiah.” Why? Because when he found something good, he couldn’t help but to share it. Is the same true for us?
For most of us, sharing our faith feels foreign. Even extending an invitation to church feels awkward. “Will they think I’m crazy?” “I’m not one of those people.” Yet, today, invitation has never been easier! It’s as simple as texting a link. And sharing our faith is as simple as answering the question, “What is something good in your life?”
Reflection: What is a topic you love talking about? Who do you enjoy talking to? Who could you share the Gospel with? Pray for them and you. 13
Good Shepherd
Rev. Dr. Dick Selby
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 (NRSV)
The image of "shepherd" is an important one in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God is referred to as a shepherd. In Ezekiel 34, God says, “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep [the people of Israel], and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak. . . . I will feed them with justice” (NRSV).
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that he is the good shepherd. Certainly our Gospel has Jesus make this claim against the rich background of the use of "shepherd" as an image of God. As we have seen, God's tender care is imaged as a "shepherd." Jesus is not only called "shepherd," he is called "the good shepherd.” “Good” in the sense of being the “model” shepherd. "Good" is contrasted with indifferent hired hands who do not truly care for the sheep. If it ever came to laying down their lives in order to save the sheep from death, hired hands would quit on the spot, for their own life would come before the sheep that belonged to someone else. But Jesus is called the good shepherd because he was willing to lay down his life for his sheep, his human sheep.
Jesus gave his life for his human sheep, including you and me. He died for us, in fulfillment of God's loving purpose. And what was that purpose? To give eternal life to the world.
Reflection: What is something you are good at caring for? Hang tree a candy cane on the o ! r enjoy one as a treat Match the presents that have the same name of Jesus.
The Vine Redeemer
Son of God
Redeemer
Mighty God
Bread of Life
Son of God
I Am I Am
The Vine Mighty God Bread of Life 14 Son of God
Rev. Barbara Marcum
"The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35 (NIV)
Most of us learn about why we were given our particular name as we grow up. Maybe we were named after a favorite relative who was especially loved, or perhaps we were given a name that was popular about the time we were born. And some parents pick a name for a child after studying the meaning of particular names. A few brave souls wait to see the face of the baby after it arrives and then decide what name seems to suit the child in front of them. In the Catholic and Jewish traditions, many children are also given ‘extra’ religious names.
Mary, in her humble estate, is told by the angel Gabriel that her male child would be the “Son of the Most High” and would be called the Son of God. She would not be giving this baby, born to her, a family name or a popular name. Rather, she would be receiving the name, Jesus, and the title, Son of God, by the angel. The child would be created by the direct power of God. This supernatural birth would bring forth a holy one. While the child would look like other babies born of mothers, this child, alone, is to be God’s only Son. The child is to be one with God. Luke 1:29 says, “Mary was greatly troubled at the (angel’s) words. The angel Gabriel comforts Mary with assurance: “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God”.
Unlike all other mothers, Mary is to receive the name and title and identity of her child from above. This child’s identity was to be divine. During this season when we prepare for the birth of the Christ child on Christmas morning, it’s good to consider how this birth is different from all other births. For Mary and for us, the birth of this child is about receiving. We are receiving the Son of God who is to be Savior for the world. We do not name him or frame him in our image. All we are asked to do in these special days of preparation is to humbly submit … and receive Him as a gift from God. 15 The Word
Stephen Lashley
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 (NRSV)
Typically when we think of Jesus, we think about God’s willingness to be close to us - as in Emmanuel or God with us. But what we can tend to forget is just how monumental of an occasion it is for God to take the form of a human being. All of God’s universe is about 93 billion light years in diameter. Yes, that’s 93 billion with a B. And yet God’s Word, which spoke all of that into existence from the beginning of time, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1).
When we describe Jesus as “the Word made flesh” we are describing a person who was there when the vast universe was created. Jesus, “the Word,” was there when God spoke through the prophets to the people of Israel. But then, Jesus, “the Word,'' who is beyond all of creation, also took the form of a small helpless baby in a manger. It’s hard to fathom at times. But, I am reminded of two simple truths based on God’s promises - that God is the source of everything (Genesis 1:1), and God loves us (John 3:16). God loves us so much that he was willing to show us just how much he loves us when “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
So when I look out at the stars this advent season, I am reminded of God’s magnitude. I am reminded that Jesus is the Word, the Son of God, and “love's pure light” (silent night). But I am also reminded of just how much God loves us, that God was willing to physically step into God’s own creation to take the form of a small baby. God’s extraordinarily large word, which created the stars and more, became human for you and me.
Prayer: You spoke and through your Word all things were created. You spoke and through your Word made flesh, all creation is redeemed. Speak, oh Lord, and create in me renewed hope, joy, and peace this Advent season. Amen.
Reflection: Do you have a little one, or do you love a toddler? How can you avoid making this Christmas a "don't touch" season, and instead inspire a season that makes room for the wonder of Creator God in Flesh? 16 Prince of Peace Patti Knott
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV)
In Mark Chapter 4, the Bible tells us that Jesus was in a boat, taking a nap, while traveling across the sea. A terrible storm arose, and when the waves began filling the boat, the disciples feared that it might sink. They awoke Jesus saying, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus stood up and said, "Peace, be still," and immediately, the sea became perfectly calm. The disciples became afraid saying, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
John 3:16 (NRSV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NRSV) "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
And now, as you continue in these devotionals, have faith in the Lord who is able to calm the sea. The same Lord who loved you so much that he gave his life for you. Open your heart to The Lord, and he will give you peace. Amen.
Reflection: What is something that brings you peace? 17 The Cornerstone
Rusty George
"Therefore thus says the Lord God, See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: 'One who trusts will not panic.” Isaiah 28:16 (NRSV)
I have been in construction for most of my life. I recognize the importance of a cornerstone, which will ensure a stable and true foundation. The cornerstone, or foundation stone, determines the position of the entire structure. All other bricks or stones are set level, plumb and square to the cornerstone.
I have been around rickety, shoddy, unsure structures where I have felt unsafe, such as clapboard and frame houses, barns and shacks. I have seen structures built without the stability of cornerstones crumble and deteriorate before their time.
Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.
We feel no need to scramble in order to find salvation anywhere else but in Jesus Christ.
We have no need to panic.
The entire weight of our faith, with the bricks of scripture, bonded with the mortar of faith gives us the assurance that the structure of our faith will not collapse because it rests upon the Cornerstone, which is Jesus Christ.
Reflection: What is a cornerstone of your family? Who is a cornerstone in your life? Build a gingerbread house! (Poptarts make a good building material.) Go see Christmas lights.
Decorate an unexpected space in the house with a string of Christmas lights.
Light candles and eat by candlelight. 18 Light of the World
Rocio Bamihe
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NRSV)
Growing up believing God is everywhere and can see everything is one of the first things we learn. As adults we often forget about this, and get all wrapped up in daily life, forgetting that every day opening our eyes is already a miracle.
Some time ago my faith was tested in so many ways. Before I received some of God’s greatest blessings, I first had to learn an important lesson the hard way. I was in so much pain; physical, mental, emotional, and my soul cried. I was feeling betrayed by God. WHY GOD? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME? It hurts God, so much! I was by myself, with my children, working hard to survive, and everything seemed against my purpose. Nothing seemed to get any better, so I stopped talking to God, I stopped asking why, I stopped praying.
In my desperation, I felt like I had no time to pray or to have a relationship with God. I had to work extra hours and extra days to feed my children. I was lost in my faith, or at least felt off the path.
I told myself I was not going to work with children again and definitely working at church was not an option at the time. So I started working, but work just seemed purposeless and obsolete. Somehow I ended up working in the nursery on Sundays! I felt closer to God, but I was still mad at him.
After so much struggle and pain, I started talking to God again. I still didn’t understand what he had ahead… So, I asked him… God, what do you want, where do you want me to go? God, what do you need me to do, who do I seek for? God, why do you want me to be by myself , with no partner? God, I don’t understand, what is my purpose in your plans? Help me. But I prayed: "God, you are my light, I follow you in my darkest days, you are my light God, and I will follow you."
Here I am seven years later, working at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. Nursery Director & Missions Coordinator. God also had in his plans hope for my heart again; this man came into my life to take the sorrow and hurt away.
Your answer to my prayers God, I see them every day. I understand now you were just lighting the way to the plans you had for me. You were preparing me to work for you, in your church. You took other people out of my life because you knew you were sending the right one for me. God you were lighting the way home. God you were healing my heart before I knew it, so I could trust again. Amen. 19 Bread of Life Rev. Scott Luginbill
"I am the bread of life." John 6:48 (NRSV)
In the Gospel of John, chapter six, Jesus declares that he is the bread of life, that whoever comes to him will never go hungry again. Have you ever been truly hungry? I have certainly gone through times of hunger, but there was never a point of starvation and worry - not knowing where my next meal would come from. But Jesus, in these verses, is declaring to us that when we look to him, when we consume him, we don’t need to worry.
Jesus is comparing himself to something that is found on tables throughout the world in one shape or another. Bread is simple and basic but necessary. Bread is the end result of planting, harvesting, and heating. Jesus endured an identical process. He was born into this world. Then, He was cut down, bruised, and beaten. He passed through the fire of God’s wrath, for us. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit."
There are all kinds of things fighting for our allegiance and attention. The desire for more possessions, the love and acceptance of others, the peace and protection of our families and those we love, are a few of those things. We try to consume and eat and partake in all these things but never get our fill. In the end, if we are relying on others or things to satisfy us we will always remain hungry for more.
If we instead focus on Jesus being our bread so that we may have life, then the worry, the rat race of life, the feeling of not having or being enough will not consume us. We will be consumed by the love and complete acceptance that is only found in Jesus Christ. It is when we do, that we will be filled.
This Christmas season, let’s focus together on the one who can truly fill us. Let’s give our allegiance and attention to the one who comes as a child, the savior of the world. Let’s eat of the fullness of Jesus as the “bread of life,” and let’s share this with the world so that ALL may be filled and not go hungry again.
Prayer: Jesus help me to know that you are all that I need. Fill me and sustain me, and help me to share you with my family, friends, and neighbors. Amen 20 Mediator
Rev. Donna Whitehead
“For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all—this was offered at the right time.” 1 Timothy 2:5 (RSV)
Different religions have different ways of naming the human condition. As Christians we understand that our basic human problem is that we are sinners, we are flawed, we miss the mark. We are not ideally what God created us to be.
We are separated from God and try to live our own life through our own choices. This is our human condition. When Jesus, who is both fully God and fully human, chose to become a human like us - subjecting himself to all limitations, including being crucified, dead, and buried, and then rising in victory - he did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Jesus closed the gap by becoming the connector, the go-between, the peacemaker, the intercessor, the Mediator, the bridge to God that was needed so that we could have access to, or a way to approach, God in every way and at every time. Jesus “saved” us from our sin, and through a relationship with Him, we are freed to be empowered and guided by God to live our lives as God intended. We are able to listen to a deeper and wiser voice than our own.
We know that Jesus’ love for us has no limits or conditions and that he helps us sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. His loving presence helps us to be a channel of love, joy, and peace to others.
Prayer: Where can we go where you are not? What can separate us from your love that you have not already defeated? When we could not, you sent your Son to bridge the gap, to draw us close to you again. Nothing can separate us. Forgive us when we act like the busyness and stress of this season, or the fears, disappointment, and challenges of this year have somehow distanced not only us from one another, but us from you. Help us, Great Mediator to navigate the days ahead, and to keep our focus on you. Draw us close to you, in your Son’s name we pray. Amen. 21 Root Of Jesse
Rev. Julius Collins
"On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious." Isaiah 11:10 (NRSV)
Have you ever wondered why sometimes everything crumbles, falls apart, and drains every ounce of hope out of us before life gradually begins to take shape again? The end of Isaiah, Chapter 10, paints a picture of hopelessness with the image of God himself hacking down the trees and thickets of the forest with an axe. But, hope is soon on the horizon because a shoot is coming out of Jesse’s stump, and a branch is growing out of his root.
Isaiah uses the root metaphor to refer to the Messiah. The “root” of a family is its progenitor. In this case, it is Jesse, the father of David, from whose lineage comes the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17). At some point everything appears bleak and hopeless, especially when Israel experiences exile and estrangement from God. But the root lives on and in due time it will shoot up branches. Hence, about 700 years after Isaiah’s prophecy, Mary gives birth to Jesse’s root and names him Jesus. He comes as the Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, and the Hope of God’s eternal glory.
Three things to ponder: 1.God is sovereign- it means God is in charge and will use whosoever he wants in order to bring his grandiose plan to fruition. 2.God loves all peoples- the promise starts with the Israelites but finds its fulfillment even in the Gentile nations (Romans 15:8-13). It means we must pass on that love to others as well. 3.Hope always abides- consider the evergreen, they may look bedraggled under the winter chill, but they remain alive. Always keep your hope alive.
Jesus, the Root of Jesse, and Son of God comes to us offering new life and new beginning, because he is our hope.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember that you are always doing a new thing, even if we do not see it. Amen. Draw a few of your family members in the ornaments on your Christmas Tree.
Who is the oldest Do you have a memory family member you of your grandparents to remember meeting? share? Place the names of Jesus in a beautiful gift box that you can open any time!
Place the precious gift under the Christmas tree.
What fun to be able to open one gift under the tree any time you want! 22 Savior
Rev. DeDe Jones "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11 (NRSV)
When I was growing up, like most kids, Christmas was my absolute favorite time of the year. My mom and dad had a special way of celebrating Christmas. Every room in our house had a Christmas theme with a beautiful tree to match. The music room was royal purple and gold, the liturgical color of the season. The dining room was everything Christmas red. The den was everything Santa. The Kitchen was decorated in Christmas green. One room was themed in angels with another in nativities. We had a total of nine Christmas trees inside! It was simply beautiful!
But the “BIG” tree stood tall in the grand living room. It was the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It was twelve feet high and had shiny white and crystal ornaments. It looked like something right out of a magazine or blog. The theme for this tree was “The Light of Christ.” I could sit and stare at this tree for hours and hours, and I often did.
One of my favorite parts of this tree, believe it or not, was the tree skirt. My parents’ sweet friend sewed this gorgeous silver and white tree skirt with a pearl accent. In the middle of the tree skirt were the words stitched in vivid silver, “SAVIOR, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel.” That skirt served as a great reminder to me every year of what Christmas is really all about.
Our family would sit around that tree wrapped with that beautiful skirt and read from the second chapter of Luke. Together, we would reflect on all that Jesus had done in our lives that particular year, the hard lessons we had learned and the blessings that had been given. But most of all, we remembered how our Savior, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel loved us enough to come to earth in human form to redeem us, and to love us. A savior who would never leave us or forsake us. A Savior who would forever change the world.
My parents have since passed away, but I never forget those special memories and traditions that I now share with my family. As you go through this season, I hope you and your family will stop and reflect on the joys, the blessings, the lessons of the year. Take time to sit around the tree and just stare at the lights. Make every moment count, spend time making memories, sing to the top of your lungs and tell the story of a Savior who shone light into the world. Then remember, “Your Savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord.” 23 Unspeakable Gift
Rev. Dr. Tom Hudspeth
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV)
Appealing to his rich in means and poor in spirit First-century, Corinthian Christians, the Apostle Paul wrote of collecting a gift to tend to the needs of the saints back in Jerusalem. Astride an isthmus adjoining two sea trade routes along Greece’s perilous coastline, Corinth was blessed with location, culture, and talent. Yet, compared to these cosmopolite Christians, it was their poor in means and rich in spirit cousins, some 80 miles north, in drought-stricken Macedonia who were out-giving them to Paul’s Jerusalem collection.
When Paul wrote “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” in his second letter to the Corinthians (9:15), there is the immediate connection of the Macedonian’s gifts to the collection. What marveled Paul was not the size of the collection, but the joy in which Corinth’s poorer siblings in Christ gave to the collection. Amidst such trying circumstances, the Macedonian’s gift had the potential of shaming the Corinthians. Yet, Paul highlighted the spiritual motivation of joy, in describing their gift as indescribable, or unspeakable. I think Eugene Peterson’s biblical translation, The Message, captures the spirit of their giving: “Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!” This gift is no pride of size. Rather this gift is the miracle of God’s generosity welling up within all who have received the ultimate gift of Christ. The harvest poor Macedonians could not help but respond richly in glorifying Christ.
Might we so appeal to God in prayer, that God will swell in our hearts an abiding love for Christ. And may the gift of Christmas, the Christ-child, make marvelous our witness that is beyond words! Give a secret gift to someone to let them know they are loved!
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Don't let them know it is from you! 24 Wonderful Counselor Rev. Dawn Anderson
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NRSV)
This passage from Isaiah is an inspiration to Christians who see it as a prophecy of the Messiah, who was to come. Christians recognize Jesus as this Messiah: the child born who is Mighty God, come to earth, the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
But Jesus is also called our “Wonderful Counselor” in this passage. What does that mean for us?
Maybe you have had a family member, friend, or even a therapist who gave you wise counsel. You knew you could come to that person when you were in deep distress, feeling broken and alone. You could pour out your heart, knowing they would listen, accept you, and certainly not condemn you. After letting you talk and release your emotions, they would also give you wise advice.
Jesus is that kind of counselor, but even more. The Hebrew word for “wonderful” means miraculous, out of the realm of human explanation. Human counselors can be wise and helpful, but no one can fully know and love you like the One who created you. His wisdom goes beyond your present circumstances, into eternity. Only wisdom from God is custom- made and perfect for your life.
Prayer: Wonderful Counselor, thank You for your great love that is beyond all human love. Forgive me for the times I hurry through life with my own agenda. Help me take the time this holiday season to sit alone in the stillness with you. Quiet my anxious thoughts.
As I focus and listen for Your Voice, let me feel your Presence guiding me, comforting me, and strengthening me every step of the way. I surrender to You and desire Your divine counsel above all else. Amen. 25 Emmanuel Rev. Dr. Stan Copeland
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”which means, “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
Several years ago, artist Bette Midler recorded the song, “From a Distance.” In that song, Bette Midler declares that “God is watching us. God is watching us. God is watching us from a distance.” It’s a beautiful song, but it is terrible theology. It is not what we believe as Christians. God is not out there watching us from a distance. The whole story of the Incarnation is that God is here and present and near at the heart of all we are and hope to be. God is not only omnipotent; God is omnipresent.
A.W. Tozer says that "few other truths are taught in the scripture with as great clarity as the doctrine of the divine omnipresence of God." The passages are so plain it would take considerable effort to misunderstand them. When Adam and Eve fall, God comes to them. When the children of Israel escape, God guides them providing water from the rock, manna in the wilderness, and directions for the journey. The Psalmist says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4). Then, in one sweeping, grand miracle that could only be conceived in the mind of God, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth.”
The great news of the Christian gospel is that God is with us. God is in our very midst, closer than the air we breathe, deeper than the desires of our hearts. WE ARE NOT ALONE. GOD IS WITH US.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all. And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lonely Lived on earth, our Savior holy." - Once in Royal David's City -
Reflection: How can you be aware of God with you today? How is God with you?