We are called to witness, to proclaim and attest to. God's unfaltering love. Let us not miss an opportunity to sing God'
Week 1
Promise
- Thea Cheuk
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”
NOVEMBER 29
PROMISE
Jeremiah 33:14-16 “14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
I always look forward to the first Sunday in Advent. I learned at an early age that Advent is the start of the liturgical year. It is a time of anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promise; a time of a clean slate. Because Advent is a special time, it evokes many memories. One in particular involves driving a van full of Jubilate members back from a late fall concert in Roanoke. As we passed the star on Mill Mountain, someone started singing Mendelssohn’s “There Shall a Star” and the rest of the group joined with him in perfect harmony. The text of this anthem mirrors this passage from Jeremiah and eventually evolves into the hymn “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star.” This is particularly meaningful as we approach the dark days of midwinter. We yearn for the Morning Star; the Branch of David; the Light of the World. We long for the bright future that He intends for us and the joy that comes with it. Happy New Year! Most gracious Heavenly Father, we look with anticipation for the light of your salvation as illustrated in the life of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Ray Gaines
PROMISE
NOVEMBER 30
Luke 21:25-26 “25There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
When I read this scripture, it tends to make me feel uneasy and despairing of the negative events going on in our world. To keep from feeling hopeless, I think of ‘My Wish for You’ by Maya Angelou. Here are a few lines: “My wish for you Is that you continue… To be who and how you are To astonish a mean world With your acts of kindness To allow humor to lighten the burden Of your tender heart… To remind the people that Each is as good as the other… To take the hand of the despised And diseased and walk proudly with them Some might see you and Be encouraged to do likewise… To plant a public kiss of concern On the cheek of the sick…
To let gratitude be the pillow Upon which you kneel to Say your nightly prayer And let faith be the bridge You build to overcome evil And welcome good… And by doing so You and your work Will be able to continue Eternally”
Dear Lord, help us to think positively, to do all we can to make the world a more positive place. Help us to continue to be faithful to you. - Michelle Proffitt
DECEMBER 1
PROMISE
Isaiah 11:1-2,6 “1A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord…. 6The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.”
- Thea Cheuk
PROMISE
DECEMBER 2
Isaiah 40:28-31 “28Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. 30Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; 31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Though I’m sure I heard this passage earlier in life, my first memories of it are learning a praise song in college that uses these words as the lyrics. I can remember singing it to myself as I tiredly walked to class some mornings, or trudged to the computer lab to type a paper. I knew I wouldn’t stay awake in class or actually write the paper unless God renewed my strength. I rarely got enough sleep in college, so I sang this song quite often.
It gives me comfort to know that God never grows weary, even when I do, and that He always understands me. Since college, I’ve faced weariness in other ways, sometimes physical tiredness, sometimes the stress of dealing with unruly or uncooperative students, and, more recently, the ache of missing a loved one who died. I am comforted to know that God renews our strength when we ask him. Thank you, Lord, for carrying us through situations when we are weary. Help us to remember to draw on You for our strength rather than to rely on ourselves. - Jen Bates
DECEMBER 3
PROMISE
Jeremiah 31:31-34 “31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.”
In our wedding ceremony twenty-three years ago, Beth and I exchanged vows. Those vows were promises we made to love each other for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. What we didn’t do was write down rules about who was going to cook and who was going to mow the lawn. We signed no laws stating whether the toilet seat was to be left up or down. We promised that our love for each other will motivate us to act in ways that please one other. After years of marriage, we have both hurt one another’s feelings and provoked annoyance or anger. But after years of marriage, we also know what’s in each other’s heart. What keeps us going is our promise to belong to each other, so that there is forgiveness and grace during the times we fail each other. Advent reminds us that we belong to God. While we still wait for the time when we will love God perfectly, God promises to love us perfectly, so that we can know God’s love and live as a beloved people.
Loving God, place your Love in our hearts so that we may be your beloved people. Amen. - Michael Cheuk
PROMISE
DECEMBER 4
2 Peter 3:2,8-9 “2…you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. 8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.9The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”
In ancient times our Christian ancestors and their Hebrew predecessors (chosen by God to be a blessing to all nations) found it necessary to improve their understanding of God’s creation and His long term plans. Second Peter, by its early verses, appears to be directed to all Christians during times of internal or external stresses on their faith and corporate unity. At the time of the letter’s composition, near 100 A.D., many of the congregations were experiencing the burdens of Roman domination, disruptive, and/or false influences. Moreover, their expectations regarding the time of the Second Coming had not been met and this was a source of dissonance. To reassure the recipients of this letter, the author drew on the wisdom of the Hebrew prophets as, for example, in the 90th Psalm, attributed to Moses regarding the discontent of the Hebrews after their long exodus and delayed entrance into the Promised Land. Second Peter’s reassurance has especial value to scientifically aware Christians because the phrase translated “ ...with the Lord...a thousand years is like one day...” was from its Hebrew origin metaphorical, so that the word “thousand” could as well have been “billion”, the point being that God’s “time” and plans often are quite different from ours and that His patience, grace, benevolence, and power extend over generations. Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving grace and grant us, through your Holy Spirit, the patience, knowledge, and wisdom to love one another and to advance your goals for University Baptist Church. Amen. - Ed Barker
DECEMBER 5
PROMISE
Psalm 89:1-4 “1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. 3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’”
I was fortunate to grow up here at UBC, and my knowledge of his love was learned from my UBC family. I was especially influenced by my loving family, all members of this church. My maternal grandparents, Hugh and Jennie Sadler, were founding members, and the candlestick holders in the sanctuary are in her honor. My parents, John and Mildred, led in so many ways at UBC. My dad was in the choir for many years, served as building and grounds chairman, and even directed the youth choir for a time while I was in high school. My mom taught many classes and helped direct the youth program for a number of years. So I learned much of God’s steadfast love from each of them. I have tried through my devotedness to God and his church here in this place to pass on that steadfast love to my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren.
Dear God, thank you for those who went before me to show me the way, and help me to be a beacon of light and to show your love wherever and whenever I can. - Larry Johnson
Week 2
Preparation
- Thea Cheuk
“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
DECEMBER 6
PREPARATION
Malachi 3:1-4 “1See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.”
An Oriental custom of preparing for the visit of a king was quite involved. Messengers visited the various town and villages through which he would travel, notifying the inhabitants of his appearing. Thus the towns and villages could prepare a proper reception for him. Much preparation is made for remembering the first coming of the Christ-the King. Holiday decorations adorn towns, shops, and malls. Salvation Army tinkling bells call us to remember the needy. Homes are decorated, Christmas trees trimmed, Christmas greetings sent, gifts wrapped, and the aroma of holiday treats fill the house. In churches Chrismons, Christian symbols of the Trinity, hang on Christmas trees. Lighted candles on Advent Wreaths help us to expectantly wait and prepare for the celebration of the Nativity. Congregations sing Christmas carols. Choirs present beautiful Christmas music. Children reenact the birth of Jesus. However, the most important preparation is personal. As we prepare to celebrate His first coming through prayer and repentance, we are reminded of how much we need a Savior as we look forward to His second coming. Loving God, the one who comes like a refiner’s fire and a fullers’ soap, purify us so our offerings will please you. Amen. - Leon Castle
PREPARATION
DECEMBER 7
Luke 3:2b-4 “2bGod’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 4 This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, A voice crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord…’”
Handel’s Messiah begins with the solo, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord…’” This is what Advent is all about – we are preparing a way for the Lord. The wilderness that we are preparing is our own hearts. We are making a way for Christ to be born in us … again … anew. As you set up Nativities in our homes and churches this year, stop to look at the story that unfolds in the figures. See a young woman who was willing to be the servant of God. See a man willing to raise this Son of God as his earthly father. See shepherds willing to believe the songs of angels and to seek out the Savior. See Wise Men willing to travel from foreign lands to seek a King, wise enough to find that King as a baby is His mother’s arms. What are you willing to do this year to prepare the way? Pray that, as the Christmas celebration nears, we may all find a way to prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming to our hearts, to our relationships, to our daily routines, to our very being! - Ministerial staff
DECEMBER 8
PREPARATION
Philippians 1:3-6 “3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”
A good work began at UBC in January when we started hosting a playgroup for preschoolers and their parents. With minimal effort and expense from the church, we have been able to create a venue for parents to come with their young children. The children have a chance to play with different kids and toys, enjoy a snack, and sing songs together. The parents can keep an eye on their kids while also having the opportunity to interact with other adults, share celebrations, and commiserate with people who are in a similar life stage as themselves. This ministry does not necessarily increase our numbers on Sunday mornings, but it makes a difference in the lives of those parents and their children, and that’s worth celebrating. God, we pray for these families who benefit from our church week after week. Thank you for this good work that has begun at UBC. - Amanda Ohlms
- Jonah Ohlms
PREPARATION
DECEMBER 9
Isaiah 40:3-5 “3 A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”
Did Isaiah know what he was talking about? Could he have imagined the glory of Lord being revealed in the birth of a baby boy? Isaiah had a wife and two sons, so he must have known the joy of becoming a father, and of welcoming a new life into the world. I wonder if Isaiah looked at his sons at their birth and experienced the glory of the Lord. It is a marvelous thing to become a parent. In that one act we come as close to God’s creation as humanly possible. We see, or at least we have the opportunity to see the glory of the Lord in the new wide eyes of the newborn, to hear the song of the angels in a newborn’s cries, to touch the face of God as we caress the newborn’s wobbly head. Look with wonder all around you and see the Glory of the Lord – for the mouth of the Lord has spoken! - Alba Beasley
DECEMBER 10
PREPARATION
Hebrews 13:7-8 “7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
We leave the entry for today up to you. In your life, who is someone who has exemplified the Christian faith? Whose faith do you imitate? Take a few moments to think about this, and pray for those whose life and faith are an example you seek to follow.
God of yesterday, today, and forever, as we seek to live according to your Word, we give thanks for the example of those whose faith has shown us the way. - Ministerial staff
PREPARATION
DECEMBER 11
2 Peter 3:13-15 “13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.”
Waiting is hard. Whether it’s standing in line at the DMV, getting caught behind a CSX coal train, or watching three entire light cycles progress before finally making it through the intersection, sometimes it can be really hard to wait. Yet Advent is a season of waiting: waiting for the child to be born, waiting for Santa to visit our stockings, waiting for family members to arrive from out of town. Today’s passage from 2 Peter reminds us that we are also waiting for something much larger: the new heavens and new earth where God reigns and righteousness is at home. There is so much in our world that is broken. The news brings us images of tragedies near and far, and our lives contain seasons of pain, anxiety, and disappointment. With one eye on the injustice and sadness before us, we wait longingly for the new heavens and new earth that are promised, preparing for the joyful day when our deepest hopes are fulfilled. God who reigns in the new heavens and earth that are coming, we ask you to reign in our hearts even now, granting us peace as we wait. Amen.
- Will Brown
DECEMBER 12
PREPARATION
1 Corinthians 3 “6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth…. 9 For we are God’s servants, working together….”
For two weeks each winter we provide food and shelter for homeless men. During that time we also serve as Christian witnesses as we plant seeds of love for our neighbors and water the seeds of love that have been planted by other host churches for PACEM. Each one of us plays a small, but essential, part in witnessing to these men, building on work done by each other and all of the Christians who have come before us. The job of spreading the gospel and doing God’s work is not done by one person or one church, but by many people over many lifetimes. We only see glimpses of the fruit of this now, but one day we’ll be shocked at the powerful ways that God used our small acts of faithfulness in the lives of others. God does not require success from us, but faithfulness in what he has assigned to us. We aren’t responsible for saving the world, but we are responsible for following Christ where we are. Help us, Lord, to work together, using the gifts that you have given us. Give us unity of purpose as we do our part in growing your kingdom.
- Lynn Martin
Week 3
Praise
- Thea Cheuk
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!”
DECEMBER 13
PRAISE
Zephaniah 3:14-15,19, “ 14 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. … 19 I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.”
“Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, and shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold your King cometh unto thee!” The beautiful soprano aria from Handel’s Messiah urges us to proclaim the coming of the King. I wonder if Zephaniah knew the King would be a Baby Boy, born in a stable and laid in a manger. This passage tells us that to be in the presence of the King is to be free of fear. In the presence of the King is the safest place to be in time of battle or of peace. No one is more protected in battle than the King, and no one more cared for in peace time than the King. But mostly, dwelling in the presence of the King, we learn from His wisdom and benefit from His grace. This Christmas, come into the presence of the King! Stay close to God in your prayers and your thoughts. Look for deeds of kindness that you can offer to “the lame and the outcasts…” Share the love of God with everyone you see! O Lord, may I ever dwell in Your presence! Amen! - Alba Beasley
PRAISE
DECEMBER 14
Isaiah 12:2-6 “2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
June 16, UVA Medical Center: The neurosurgeon shared the gravity of my husband’s status after his stroke. “It’s a risky procedure but with the surgery, there is a possibility for improvement. Do nothing and he remains the same, or worsens with time.” How quickly one’s ordinary life can stop, and yet, just as quickly, one’s faith can bolster the confidence needed to make life-altering decisions. Placing Joe’s life in the hands of the neurosurgeon and the Great Physician was a faith-based decision. As we awaited the outcome of the (successful) surgery, many Bible verses and songs bolstered my heart and mind and continue to be of particular comfort: Casting Crowns And I’ll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.
What a blessing to have praise songs such as this and Bible verses like Isaiah 12:2-6! As we celebrate Joe’s recovery, I continue to praise our Mighty God. Thank you, God, for your amazing grace, power and love. - Jeannette May
DECEMBER 15
PRAISE
Philippians 4:4“ 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
There is a legend that on the night Jesus was born, there were robins present in the stable to witness this amazing event. After the birth, Mary and Joseph were exhausted. So Joseph made a fire in the stable, bundled his family as close to it as possible, and they all fell asleep. As the fire ebbed and the flames died away, the robins became concerned that the Christ Child, the creator of all, might get too cold. So they flew down from the rafters and formed a circle around the fire, and they begin to beat their wings until the embers caught up, the fire glowed red, and the stable was again warmed. As they did this, their white breast feathers turned a crimson red, and to this day the robin has a red breast. All creation joins in chorus to rejoice at the birth of the Christ Child. The sun rises in glorious splendor, the day is bright and clear, and the night stars bow to the Christmas star that lights the way to the Lord! O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Amen! - Ministerial staff
PRAISE
DECEMBER 16
Psalm 126 “1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy… 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.”
I thought I would never see my family again. I lost sight of my Dad as we were waiting in a crowded station waiting to board a ferry to get back home. Looking right and left, all I could see were a jumble of legs and shoes connected to unfamiliar faces. Unwelcomed thoughts flashed across my mind. Where’s Dad? Why isn’t he looking for me? What if he leaves me behind? Will I ever see Mom and Lisa again? My heart constricted in panic, forcing tears to flow from my eyes. How horrible to be lost. How devastating to feel unwanted. How frightening to face an uncertain future. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, then strong hands that lifted me up. Through my tear-stained eyes, I recognized Dad. He had found me! As I wrapped my arms around him, tears were still streaming down my face, but amid my tears, I felt comforted and safe. Compassionate God, many people during this time of the year shed tears – tears of mourning, tears of loneliness, tears of disorientation. We praise you for being our divine Parent, who can lift us up and, amid our tears, offer your comforting presence. - Michael Cheuk
DECEMBER 17
PRAISE
Isaiah 42:10-12 “10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth! Let the sea roar and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. 11Let the desert and its towns lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the tops of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands.”
My first glimpse of the aurora borealis occurred while on the beach of a lake in central Canada. We were on a camping trip and had chosen this spot, or rather this spot had chosen us. We got stuck in the sand, so we pitched our tent. In summer, it never gets really dark that far north. We were debating about starting a fire when the sky just exploded. A soundless explosion, but with such beauty, sound would have been superfluous. I have been a captive of sound all my life, music my slave master. I suddenly wanted to sing every song I knew, every hymn I had ever learned. But I couldn't. I realized how fortunate I was for the sheer silence. All of creation was filled with praise that night, praise so loud it was deafening. As the lights played across the sky, sometimes blue and green, sometimes purple and yellow, I realized the 42nd chapter of Isaiah is right. “Sing to the Lord a new song,” a song without sound. What an awesome God we worship. - Lu Bolen
PRAISE
DECEMBER 18
Isaiah 52:7-9 “7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. 9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.”
On November 16, I had the privilege of making some wonderful phone calls, sharing the good news of our son Seth’s birth. Being a messenger of good news is a beautiful thing, and the birth of a child is particularly special. Looking at a new child, one’s mind is filled with possibility, with life, with hope, and with joy. Isn't it amazing that each one of us is just such a child? In this season of Advent, we remember both that God’s son was born in Bethlehem and that God cherishes each of us as a beautiful, beloved child. God gazes at us, and God’s mind is filled with possibility, with life, with hope, and with joy.
Loving Parent, thank you for the Good News that we are all your beloved children, cradled in your arms. Help us to share that message with all of our sisters and brothers. - Will Brown
Newborn footprints of Seth Robert Brown, born November 16, 2015
DECEMBER 19
PRAISE
Psalm 148:1-3 “1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!”
God of Light and Love, we praise you for the beauty of your brush strokes across the evening sky, for this amazing world you have created and continue to create, and most of all, God, we praise you for sharing it with us. - Debra Bryant
Week 4
Presence
- Thea Cheuk
“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.”
DECEMBER 20
PRESENCE
Luke 1:26-28 “26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name as Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The Annunciation She sat trembling in her small chamber, nervously, knitting and loosening her fingers, pondering what had whispered through the trees in the little olive grove near the well and set their leaves to trembling how it had suddenly rushed in and enflamed the room where she huddled in that enigmatic moment between black night and rosy dawn. She could still feel how it grew and loomed until she thought it would consume all the air in her little cell - consume her – how, finally, it spoke those words that made her feel the coming gain and loss she could not name. How does a girl, so recently playing with dolls of straw and rags, deal with this fearful awareness of something so overwhelming, stirring within her? How explain it to her parents? How meet the incredulous stare of the man to whom she was betrothed? How cope with the other whispering which would surely also come to the well– shrill crones, with their piercing, disdainful eyes? And then she gave up her questioning – gave up her fear – gave up understanding and simply whispered: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word.”
- Ed Lowry
PRESENCE
DECEMBER 21
Micah 5:2,4-5 “2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. … 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and he shall be the one of peace.”
God loves to surprise us – to turn our preconceptions upside down. There are dozens of stories in the Bible where this happened. When God wanted to help Gideon defeat the Midianites, he had him reduce his army to 300 to defeat thousands of the enemy … with trumpets and torches! When a young, unmarried teenage girl named Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, God purposely picked humble beginnings for Jesus, I believe not just so that he could experience the life of a “normal” human boy, learning carpentry from his father and doing chores for his mother. It was also so that when it was time for him to reveal his true identity as an adult, he would surprise the locals – and he certainly did. Many of Jesus’ parables provided this same contrast and puzzling endings – e.g., “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.”
Dear Lord, during this Advent season, may we be open to your unexpected reordering of our priorities, and, with hearts of gratitude, accept once again your most surprising gift of all - your son in the form of a baby. Amen.
- Debby Johnson
DECEMBER 22
PRESENCE
Revelation 21:1-5 “1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’”
As we experience Advent each year, we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ first entrance into the world to save us. We may wonder why we should reflect on the twenty-first chapter of Revelation, when our focus is on an earlier event in God’s effort to restore His relationship with His people, documented from the beginning in Genesis. John’s Revelation may be looked at either symbolically or literally. Advent is filled with symbols representing the birth of Christ. Perhaps we should be mindful not just of the infant Jesus, but of the culmination of his saving presence at the end of the age. We are reminded that the thirst of the faithful will be quenched with the water of life. In other words, our longing for our promised inheritance, as children adopted into the family of God, will be realized when God dwells with us. Lord God, help me to remember your promises to us. Let me look with new eyes at the lights and symbols of the Christmas season as a reminder of our hope, our joy in living with you in the New Jerusalem. Amen. - Pam Johnson
PRESENCE
DECEMBER 23
Isaiah 9:2-3,6 “ 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. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder…. 6 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.”
When I first read the Bible through, I was astonished at how much of it I could sing. I would read a passage and realize that it was the text of a familiar anthem or hymn. Today’s text is no exception. When I read this, I hear a bass soloist singing the 11th movement of Handel’s Messiah followed by Chorus no. 12 For Unto Us a Child is Born. So much of our Hymnody is Biblical. As we draw closer to Christmas, and we hear and sing the carols once again, listen to the text. You will hear the Christmas story as related by Matthew, Luke, and John, whether quoted or paraphrased. Music is a learning tool, whether as simple as singing the ABCs and Jesus Loves Me or as sophisticated as Bach’s Sleepers Wake and Handel’s Messiah. So as you celebrate this Christmas, remember the story of Christ’s birth related through music, and celebrate with Christians through the ages the gift of new life.
Father God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, grant that we may receive him as our redeemer, so that we may see his light in this dark world. - Ray Gaines
DECEMBER 24
PROCLAMATION
Psalm 96:1-3 “1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.”
These verses implore us to joyfully praise God and tell of His wonderful love and mercy to all people. One definition of ‘sing’ could be to exclaim information. Perhaps the greatest information of all is that God made Himself incarnate in the form of Jesus Christ. We are called to witness, to proclaim and attest to God’s unfaltering love. Let us not miss an opportunity to sing God’s praises in our day to day lives; as John Keble put it, “Sing your carol of high praise.”
Dear Lord, please help us to recognize all opportunities to ‘sing’ of your love and mercy. May we ever be aware of people who need to hear the Good News of your glory as expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Thomas Dykes
DECEMBER 25
PROCLAMATION
Luke 2:10-14 “10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’”
God, I pray that today we are present with you and are able to hear the great news that you are trying to share. AMEN! - Lindsey Belt
Thank you to all the church members who made this devotional possible through the contribution of their thoughts, words and prayers.
