Do Not Be Afraid a Devotional Guide for Advent 2020

Do Not Be Afraid a Devotional Guide for Advent 2020

Do Not Be Afraid A Devotional Guide for Advent 2020 Highland Presbyterian Church Winston Salem, North Carolina 2020 Advent Season Calendar First Week of Advent: Hope Sunday, November 29: Worship available virtually Advent Devotional Booklets available through email Wednesday, December 2: 8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer Second Week of Advent: Peace Sunday, December 6: Worship available virtually * Sanctuary Open House with Advent and Christmas Music, 4:00-6:00 p.m., sign-ups required Wednesday, December 9: 8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer Third Sunday of Advent: Joy Sunday, December 13: Worship available virtually Caroling shared with Homebound Members virtually Wednesday, December 16: 8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love Sunday, December 20: Worship available virtually Christmas Joy Offering Received Wednesday, December 23: 8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24: Worship available virtually including Christmas Pageant and Carols by Candlelight * Candlelight Services, 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15 and 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day Friday, December 25: Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come! *Plans contingent upon pandemic conditions Cover art by Patrick Simpson Page 2 Dear Friends, “Do not be afraid!” This is the message of the angels as they begin to share the news of Christ’s birth. Again and again, “Do not be afraid!” They spoke those words in a fearful time, to those who were in need of good news. We hear these words anew in our own fearful time, trusting that the God who speaks to us through the message of the angels still has good news to share. The season of Advent and Christmas in the church is a time for us to prepare for the dawning of God’s incarnate light in a darkened world. This pandemic-shaped season seems darker than usual, for many reasons: illness and isolation, chaos and confusion, suffering and stress, and more. There is plenty of reason to be afraid. All the more do we need to hear this message: “Do not be afraid!” For to us is born a Savior, whose birth we anticipate and then celebrate in this season of light. It is our hope that these devotions and reflections will be a means by which we bear witness to God’s light and love, incarnate in Christ, who has the power to calm our fear and renew our hope. While this season will certainly be different from years past (and hopefully different from years to come, as well!), we nevertheless rejoice in the many gifts of this season, and look forward to sharing it with you. Peace—Randy, Debbie, Courtney, Heather, and Creighton Page 3 Sunday, November 29 O Come, O Come Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Refrain For reflection: The name “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” What hope might you find in God’s presence as we endure our own experiences of grief or loneliness these days? In light of this vision of the end of strife and discord, and a world filled with heaven’s peace, what might God be calling you to say or do today? God with us, as we begin this season of Advent, we pray that you would lift our spirits, and fill us with your peace. May we do something this day to share in your darkness-dispersing work, that we may be a means of your light breaking forth into the world. Amen. Page 4 Monday, November 30 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Matthew 11: 25–26 ESV his year, I have found myself longing for the past and longing for the future, grieving the loss of what was and yearning for post-pandemic life. T This is particularly true this Christmas season, with adjusted family plans and health concerns. But what if, amidst the sadness and uncertainty, this is a Christmas to cling to the small joys of the present? My children, ages 1 ½ and 3 ½ , ground me in the present everyday. Christmas of 2020 will not feel normal to me, but the present is all they know. And to them, life and faith is beautiful and curious, simple and exciting. We will do an Advent Wreath as a family for the first time; we will ponder the mystery of baby Josie Scott, grade 9 Jesus; we will sing and celebrate. In this season, their childhood innocence has restored my adult heart over and over again. The phrase “faith like a child” holds new significance for me as I look for Emmanuel in the present moment. Lindsey Hayek Almighty God, you are past, present, and future. You are God With Us in this moment, in the beauty and sorrow, in the joy and mystery. This Advent season, help us to look for you with childlike faith, here and now. Page 5 Tuesday, December 1 But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33 NIV ver seen this? FEAR = False Expectations Appearing Real. What an emotion! It can push us into overreactions creating complicated and E life-lingering repercussions or yank us away from potential situations which hold accolades and rewards. The choice is ours. We can give into the unreal and unsubstantiated or calm our minds while we harness our thoughts and see circumstances for what they actually are in “real” life. How we handle our fear can make such a difference in living each day. Fear doesn’t come from God. Scriptures confirm that for us. Just as Angels directed the shepherds, “Do not be afraid” when they brought the news of Jesus’ birth, Jesus himself counseled his disciples, “It is I; don’t be afraid” as he approached them in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. Get past the fear; look at the rewards. That holds true for us today. Do we hold tightly to God’s wisdom in our minds and hearts for our 21st Century living? Do we approach these very different days resting in the comfort of his guidance, without hesitation, without fear? Does our God-given courage abound, giving us the freedom to enjoy each day? May it be so! Cathy Seaver Oh, God, our God, as we face each day may we hold your hands and stick together, knowing you provide the courage to combat our fears, enabling us to live life to the fullest. Amen. Maddie Wagoner, age 9 Page 6 Wednesday, December 2 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. John 14:27 NRSV grew up in a Presbyterian church, very similar to Highland Presbyterian. I was baptized in the church and my family was nurtured and embraced by a I supportive group of teachers, role models, and caregivers. Angels here on Earth. One of my favorite annual Christmas traditions was to help my grandmother put up her Christmas tree. She would tell stories about the origin of ornaments that she kept year after year. Grandmother had children, grandchil- dren, and eventually great grandchildren. There were enough ornaments to decorate three Christmas trees! As the years went by, there were a few ornaments on her tree that appeared old and tattered. One year I asked her - Why do you continue to put these old ornaments on the tree? She told me a story. Grandmother lost her 17-year-old child – my aunt – in a car accident years ago. As the holidays approached that year, she felt frozen. She could not find the spirit to decorate for Christmas or motivation to hold the traditions that had always taken place. She still had four children who were under the age of 16. That year, a dear friend from the church came to Grandmother’s home, sat with her, talked with her, and crafted homemade ornaments for the Christmas tree. She helped her decorate her home for Christmas; essentially holding Grandmother’s hand through the motions of the holiday in her time of need. Grandmother never forgot it, and she put those same ornaments on her tree for the next 50 years. The same angel of this Presbyterian church later became my preschool teacher, my art teacher, and my fellow choir member. She was a beloved and respected member of our community – and even inspired the naming of my youngest child. As I reflect on the church of my childhood and the church of my children’s childhood – I am so thankful for the sweet angels who lift us up and embody Christ’s spirit in our lives. Mary Mendenhall Dear Lord, as we approach this holiday season, help us find ways to recognize and appreciate the miracles of community and friendship. Guide those who may need extra support as we all face a quiet, less social Christmas season. Thank you for the angels that you send our way – as they are reminders of your presence and comfort us in our times of need.

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