2020 Advent Devotional Wesley United Methodist Church 209 South State St Dover, DE 19901 What is Advent? By: Jim Skeans The dictionary says Advent means “arrival or coming” and it prompts us to pause each day in December and remember why Jesus came at Christmas. Most Christians know Advent today as a time of anticipation and expectation of the birth of Christ. The first mention of Advent occurred in the 300’s AD. Advent lasts four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The Advent season not only symbolizes the waiting for Christ’s birth, but also his final return. There are five candles. The first candle symbolizes Hope. The second represents Faith. The third symbolizes Joy. The fourth candle represents Peace. The fifth candle is the Christ candle which represents light and purity. So as we travel through this Advent season, let us think of the story of Christmas. God’s relentless love for us. He brought his only son to us to begin the journey for us to have grace and salvation forever. All we have to do is say “God I surrender”. The Advent Wreath By: Jane Ragains Advent is a time for all believers to celebrate the arrival of Jesus and to prepare themselves for His second coming. The season of Advent begins four Sundays prior to December 25. The tradition of the Advent wreath began in Germany in 1839. The circular shape represents God’s unending love and the eternal life he offers. The evergreens symbolize everlasting life during all seasons. In our church we have five candles focusing on the promises of God. The first purple candle represents HOPE, as Isaiah predicted the Messiah’s arrival. It also shows God’s forgiveness toward man. Isaiah 7:14 The second purple candle demonstrates FAITH. Micah foretold the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 The third candle is rose denoting JOY. We read of the shepherds’ great joy at the angels’ announcement of His birth. Luke 2:10-11 The fourth is purple and signifies PEACE. The angels told us Jesus came to bring peace to all the earth. Luke 2:14 On Christmas Eve it is our tradition to light the white candle symbolizing the light and purity of our Christ. Heavenly Father, may this Advent season bring each of us hope for our world, a deeper faith in You, joy that only You can provide, and peace that passes all understanding. Amen. November 29, 2020 Psalm 144 “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” By: Carol Gambone School year 2020-2021 has left me many times feeling very anxious and unsettled. Currently we are gearing up for our 6th grade students to return to the building. In August, it was announced that special populations would be entering the building as well as all staff. Being the teacher of students who don’t speak English as a first language, I am included in special populations. After teaching from home in the spring, staying to myself, and limiting my outings in general, I was less than excited about returning to the classroom. I had the mindset that I was able to do the job I needed to do from home and there was no need for me to go into the building around other people. Once I got to school in August, I learned that I would not have my classroom. I would not have access to the space as I knew as stability due to the need for a teacher workroom. I blew up. I lost my cool and let admin know I was not happy. I decided each day I would come in and hide in the computer lab I am assigned to and do the job I need to do. I would come in, teach, leave. No extras, no nothing. And then, I settled. I realized that I am assigned the job I am called to do. I have wanted to be a teacher my whole life. I never considered any other profession. I know without a doubt that I am right where I need to be doing what I need to be doing. I rely heavily on my faith and trusting that God has placed me in the best place for me and my students. I enjoy the student I work with in person so much. He is learning, he likes school and likes my stories. The classes I have virtually frustrate me as they do not consistently log into ZOOM or complete assignments. I put numerous offers out for extra help and just space for them to chat. Sometimes they take advantage of it and sometimes they don’t. There are so many factors that are beyond my control when it comes to my students’ progress. I continue to praise God for being my rock and preparing me for battle each and every day. How can you use your faith to trust the Lord is preparing your hands for battle and your fingers for war? Advent Devotional By Becky Davis A few months after I became a Christian, I gave birth to my second daughter. A few months after that, I became a single mom. I had a good job as a symphony musician, and I took on extra work teaching French horn lessons as an adjunct professor in several colleges. Still, with a costly divorce money was extremely tight that year. Two days before Christmas, with no money, I searched for a way to buy some presents for my two young daughters. My faith was new and very small, and I was quite experienced at the unfairness of life. Still, I cried out to God and asked that He might give me enough money to provide a present for each of my beloved children. The next day I received a letter in the mail from Australia. A Christian friend of mine, had sent me a blank sheet of folded paper. A tiny green square dropped out of it. It was a folded hundred-dollar bill. A Christmas miracle! I was able to buy gifts for my kids, and we had a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas morning. Having received food from the Boy Scouts, our Christmas dinner was delicious and my new-found faith grew exponentially as I realized, first hand that God cares for widows and orphans in very real ways. Christmas Season By Pat Root As I write this it is November 10, six weeks until Christmas. In a typical year I would be spending every free minute shopping, sewing, and preparing decorations and gifts. Bustling and rushing to accomplish all the preparation before the big day, the day of Christ’s birth. A crescendo of pressure and activity with to-do lists, celebrations and events! This year is different. This year for me there will be no family parties, friend parties or choir parties except those that happen virtually. No last-minute shopping to stuff the stockings. No extra rehearsals preparing the Christmas Cantata. No deadline to have the house ready for guests. This year I have mostly free time because of the pandemic that makes 2020 unique. I have more time to ponder the reason I did all those things in previous years – to share my love of Christ with the people I love. I have had time beforehand to prepare and record our music for the Advent season for the church I love. I have more time to write Christmas cards to people I haven’t sent them to in many years. More time to just stop and thank God for His precious gift of Jesus, who came as a tiny baby to save me, a sinner who needs him so badly. Time to have an excellent, although atypical Christmas. Luke 10:38-41. At the Home of Martha and Mary Proverbs 3:5-6 By: Jane Ragains Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight. After a successful heart surgery, my Uncle Preston struggled to regain his strength. A hospitalization revealed he had contracted acute leukemia. The treatment was not an option. His response was “The Lord will guide me.” Preston was sent home with hospice care. An outpouring of food, love, and prayers came from his church family. The newly appointed pastor visited almost daily...my uncle, having held every office in the church at least twice in his 65+ years of membership there, was able to instruct the pastor in the history of this church. The Lord did indeed make Preston’s path straight. As we approach this advent season, we see that Mary too trusted the Lord with all her heart. She needed to put herself in God’s hands as she fulfilled the scriptures’ promise of Jesus’ birth. Joseph put aside his concerns and trusted God to lead him. We see the Almighty’s work in the path to Bethlehem, providing for the needs of all. May we adopt these verses into our own lives. Whatever concerns and trials we may have, we need only to trust in the Lord, knowing He will guide our path. Advent Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 By: Eunice Craig Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.