Stories of Christmas

8/13/2019 Stories of Christmas

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H i l l s b o r o P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h

Stories of

Christmas2013 Advent Devotional

A daily guide including scripture, reflection and prayer to helplead you to the Christ child during this Advent season.


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A letter from Pastor Chris Adams

Its an ancient story about grace. In the midst of empire, God was doing a new thing to save

his people and grant them peace.

Emperor Caesar Augustus is most known for instituting the Roman imperial mandate of

Pax Romana. This Latin phrase meaning Roman peace was achieved by exercising power and

dominance over Romes enemies. Peace through power. So at the beginning of Lukes gospel,

the Emperor was counting up his assets of people and property in order to know the status of his

peace. More people under Roman occupation meant more money. More money and resources

meant more soldiers and the defeat of enemies. The defeat of more enemies meant more PaxRomana. Thats how empires work.

But in the midst of all of this, God was doing a new thing. Gods peace is countercultural.

It is not achieved through money and resources and the counting of people. Instead, Gods peace

is delivered in the form of a single tiny child, helpless and vulnerable. That child was the one the

world had been waiting for as the answer to the problem of empires and Caesars. That child in

many ways is the one the world, and those that struggle and fear, still

wait to receive as the answer to the things that dominate and oppress.

That single child brings us peace!

It is again the season of Advent, and in the name of that child,

I invite you to prepare your hearts and minds to receive the graceand the peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Through

Christ, God has come to us and set us free. (Luke 1)

As you ponder again what this means for you and your family

during this season of Advent, this book contains some devotional

thoughts from our elders and deacons. Read them, reect upon them,

pray them even, and my hope is that you discover the sense of peace

that God has offered through Christ. Then, as a sort of culmination

of this season of preparation, I invite you to Stories of Christmas: A

Service of Grace with Live Nativity on Wednesday, December 18th at

6:30pm with a Christmas dinner beginning at 5:43pm.

Let us again center our hearts and our minds on the ancient

story of peace!

Peace,

Chris Adams


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Advent Schedule of Events

Sundays:Combined service at 10am with Sunday School at

9am

December 8, 6pm:Sounds of the Season Christmas

Concert followed by Cookie Reception

December 18, 5:43pm:Stories of Christmas: Service ofGrace with Live Nativity, featuring Christmas dinner and

music by Alice Peacock. Dont forget to RSVP to Amy!

December 24, 5pm:Christmas Eve service (Chapel open

for prayer from 4-5pm)


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Part 1: Joseph, Mary & Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all

the world should be registered. 2 This was the rst registration and

was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to theirown towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of

Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem,

because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and

who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came

for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her rstborn son

and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger,because there was no place for them in the inn.

This scripture accompanies the devotionals forDecember 1-December 6


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December 1, 2013

Sunday, The First Week of Advent

A Welcoming Christian, a Welcoming ChurchRon Arildsen

...because there was no place for them in the inn.

As a child, I was told that all the beautiful Christmas lights symbolize being prepared forthe Holy Family...that there is room for Jesus and his family in our homes.

One of the many things that I love about Hillsboro is that there is room for all of us. That

is why it is so important that we do all that we can to remain a welcoming place for all, certainly

for those with physical, emotional and mental disabilities, but also for all of us, harboring somerejection and brokenness that needs Christs touch. Visualize our Christ in the Gospelshis heal-

ing presence with rich and poor, sick and well, those revered and those outcast by the society of

that time.

As an usher, I see the Kingdom coming as we come together and each of us comes for-

ward for Communion. We are so different in many ways, but we are bound together as children

of God. Some of our homeless visitors dont feel comfortable going forward for Communion,

but my fellow ushers and I have the joy of serving them Communion in the pews, and witnessing

their grateful smiles. Who would not be moved by seeing the story of the widows mite played out

in our midst, when one of our homeless visitors puts a dollar in the collection plate?

So let us continue to welcome the Holy Family to our homes and to our church home thisChristmas...and let us welcome all of Gods children. In doing this, we will turn on the light of

Gods love in our hearts and welcome Christ home there as well.

The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

PrayerDear Lord, we pray that each of

us individually, and the Christiancommunity as a whole at

Hillsboro and throughout the

world, should be welcoming to

all people. Help us to see them

all as children of God.


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December 2, 2013

Monday, The First Week of Advent

The Importance of FirstsAlice Barnes

Firsts are such an important part of our lives. The Emperor Augustus called for the rstregistration in all the world. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem for this rst enrollment. Mary is

expecting her rstborn. These rsts for Mary must have been exciting, yet frightening at the same

time.

As a mother, I look back to the December before our rst child was expected in January.

Marys story with the birth of Jesus brought added meaning and questions as we awaited parent-

hood. I knew our world would change with this rst child, but the change was so much more than

I had envisioned; and Mary, how could she even imagine the scope of her importance with the

birth of Jesus and what it would mean to the world?

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you

for Mary and the roleshe had with herfrstborn, Jesus Christ.May we learn andgrow by her example.


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December 3, 2013

Tuesday, The First Week of Advent

No Room in the InnBeth Baxter

During my medical school training, I was able to work with some midwives at GeneralHospital here in Nashville. Part of my job involved working with pregnant women who had been

admitted to have their babies. My job was to teach these women how to bathe their babies. I was

a bit awkward doing this, but I felt very moved by this task.

There was no room in the inn for these women, and their babies were going to be born

into mangers. It was an experience I will always remember and yet another way that Gods

word and his stories are new in our world, even 2000 years later.

Prayer

God, in this Advent

season, help us to

hear the story of the

coming of your Son as

new in our world.


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December 4, 2013

Wednesday, The First Week of Advent

Rejoice in the ChildRod Bellomy

I remember so clearly when my rst son was born how my wife, my mother and I preparedfor the coming. We knew his doctor. We knew where he was to be born, where he would be living

and the bed where he would be sleeping. Everything was prepared for the birth. My mother had

contacted all of the family and friends so the buzz was loud. We had prepared for a truly joyous

occasion.

Mary and Joseph had a slightly different situation. They were forced to travel miles, Mary

on the back of a donkey pregnant and traveling into the unknown. They were not sure of where

they would stay, or if the baby would be born on the road to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph had

no time to prepare for the upcoming birth, and there wasnt any family to assist them. The one

constant was that they believed that God was taking care of his Son. The Lord sent angels to pro-

claim the birth of his Son to shepherds in the elds, and he placed a star in the sky so all would

know that someone great was born. The gifts to Jesus were brought by wise men guided by the

star.

The message from God is clear: have faith in the Lord and his promises. God was a proudfather as he sent his Son to save the world.

Prayer

Lord, thank you fordelivering your Sonto the world toforgive us of oursins.


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December 5, 2013

Thursday, The First Week of Advent

A Vulable OpportunityScott Brunette

I have many thoughts as I read Luke 2:1-7. My mind goes back to the Old Testamentprophecies about the Messiah. In order to be a prophet inspired by God you have to be right

100% of the time. The prophecies say that the Messiah will come from the lineage of King David

and be born in Bethlehem. I know of no one who ts this requirement but Jesus.

I also think of the meaning of Bethlehem, The House of Bread. Jesus refers to himself

as the Bread of Life. Holy Communion reminds us to remember Jesus sacrice for us until he

comes again.

But I keep thinking about verse seven, which describes the Holy Family as struggling for

lodging and living in poverty. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes how we will be judged when we

meet God. We will be judged by how we care for the homeless, the sick, the hungry, the stranger

and anyone who is in need. We have a valuable opportunity in this church to honor and serve Je-

sus by participating in the Room in the Inn ministry. What could be more in line with following

Jesus example of how to live?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, may you

be proud of the way

we live by how we

serve others in your

name.


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December 6, 2013

Friday, The First Week of Advent

Young Boy and a Grown ManBen Cannon

because there was no place for them in the inn.

Out of all the story of Jesus Christs arrival, it is this line that strikes me the most. I remem-

ber as a child feeling so angered by the thought of such an injusticeJesus, the Son of God, born

in a stable??? Laid on a bed of straw??? Surrounded by farm animals???

Strangely, as Ive grown older, I seem to have found great comfort in the thoughtthe

still of night, the smell of hay, the only sounds arising come from Gods creatures in the stable

surrounding them. Mary, away from all of the chaos and the people, with only Joseph at her

side...knowing in her heart that she was bearing a great light into the world. And the Christ child

entering his Fathers world in a peaceful place, surrounded only by those who truly loved him on

this Holy Silent Night.

When I reect on this sacred night and take myself back to that placethere beside the

mangerI thank God for making his Sons arrival so simply beautiful and so telling that lessons

were learned by a young boy and, in that same scripture, comfort is found by a grown man.

PrayerGod our Father, thank you

for sending your Son to walkamong us and for doing so in

such a way that lessons are

learned by both young and

old through the telling of his

birth.


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Part 2: The Shepherds

Luke 2:8-12

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the elds, keeping

watch over their ock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood

before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, andthey were terried. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid;

for seeI am bringing you good news of great joy for all the

people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who

is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will nd

a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.



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December 7, 2013

The Blessed BabeLucy Carroll

Running out the front door to get into the car with deep snow on the ground, Everettereminded me we probably needed to take a blanket. The agency had just called telling us the

newborn we were planning to foster was ready to leave the hospital. I grabbed one of the baby

blankets neighbors had provided, and we drove through a snowstorm to the hospital, snuggled

Lee (the name which we had chosen for her) in the blanket and held her close, received some

instructions and formula from the nurses and joyfully brought her homea beautiful baby with

her birth mothers red hair.

As Jesus was the rstborn in his family, Lee was our rst foster baby with many more to fol-

low. Shepherds, helpful neighbors, came to see her, bringing their kids and petsall fascinated

by her infant sounds. Wise Men, our ministers, cameall bringing gifts. Lee was an especially

beloved baby and was adopted at ve months of age by loving parents who had prayed many

years for her arrival. Guess what! The name they had chosen for their rst child was Lee, and this

was Gods special conrmation that he had been guiding each of us all the way. To him be the

glory with thanksgiving!

Prayer

May Jesus, the babe of

Bethlehem, bless Lee

and all in foster care

all their lives and draw

them to himself.

Saturday, The Second Week of Advent


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December 8, 2013

In the Eyes of GodJim Cozart

The shepherds were working, doing their jobs. The shepherds were not sophisticated or

educated and not the ones a person would think would be the rst recipients of news of the birth

of a messiah, savior or king. Of course, they were scared and uncertain. No one of class talks

with shepherds. They are servants. What do they know? In addition, what kind of gifts could they

bring? Yet, these are the rst to receive the announcement that the Messiah was born.

This is a great example of Gods love for all. It calls for understanding that no one is great-

er or better than another. This should cause all of us to treat everyone, even or especially those

who are different from us in appearance and beliefs, equally. All are equal in the eyes of God.

Prayer

Jesus, open our

eyes, our hearts andour minds to know

we are all Gods

children.

Sunday, The Second Week of Advent


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December 9, 2013

And, lo...Linda Diguette

You will nd a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.

On the night Jesus was born, no one thought God would be interested in shepherds, or

that shepherds would be interested in God. Shepherds were notoriously irreligious, ranked with

prostitutes and other habitual sinners. They were outcasts, barred from the synagogue and po-

lite society. God would never accept them.

But God led the heralding angel to bypass Jerusalem, the religious center of Israel. He

didnt go to Herodium, Herods villa near Bethlehem. He appeared instead to a band of shep-herds tending their ocks. God knew that these shepherds, like so many who appear indifferent to

spiritual things, were quietly longing for God.

All of us have a longing in our spirit. No matter how hard we try to appear self-sufcient,

sooner or later we run out of something essentiallove, money, time or life. And the resulting

loneliness and fear lead us to acknowledge our need for a Savior.

The angels words to the shepherds were simple and direct: There is born to you this day

in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. You and I are the you in the an-

gels announcement.

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Prayer

Thank you Father,

for your gift of a

life-giving Savior to

our dying world.

Monday, The Second Week of Advent


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December 11, 2013

Wednesday, The Second Week of Advent

Bringing the Good NewsDon Fiete

During the joy of the Christmas season, it sometimes seems difcult to remind ourselves

the great blessing that was given to us. And certainly all the good works that our church does, not

only during this season but all year long, are a true testament to the Christmas virtue.

But I am also constantly reminded of the Christmas story and the meaning it has for me

and my family. For one thing I am always amazed that despite the number of times I have heard,

or read, the biblical story of the birth of the Christ child, it speaks new every time. As I reectedon the story this year, it reminded me of the delivery of the message to the shepherds. In this age

when we see all the publicity given to the newly born of the rich, famous, celebrities, etc., the sim-

ple story of the birth of the Savior is even more notable. For it was plainly announced to humble

shepherds by an angel. And even equally signicant is that it was shepherds, for which the Bible

has many allegorical meanings. For me this reects that God intended his Son rst for the less

fortunate among us. And his love and grace are not bound to any hierarchal structure.

PrayerDear God, we thank you for the blessingof your son Jesus Christ. His presence and

ministry have provided us with the truemeaning of love for all humanity. Maythis Christmas spirit of giving and sharingwith the less fortunate be a continuingone. And a special thanks for thepresence of the Hillsboro Church forpersonifying this spirit throughout theyear.


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December 12, 2013

Big New ThingsJody Grantham

This passage from Luke chapter 2:8-12 tells of the angels annunciation of Jesus birth to

the shepherds. Scholars nd the major meaning here in that it is not the kings and rulers who are

chosen to receive the news, but rather it is the lowly shepherds living in the elds to whom God

has sent an angel giving the rst news of Jesus birth. This begins turning things upside-down and

is meant to be taken as sign of the new order in which the rst are last and the humble are lifted

up. Amen to that.

Reading this passage as a layman, I am drawn to the shepherds fear, which Luke tells us

about when he says they were terried upon the appearance of the angel. The angel told the

shepherds not to fear and gave them the best news ever, but the shepherds had to act on what they

had been told. Big new things can be scary for sure. The trick is what we do when these kinds of

things come to us in our everyday lives. Do we hear the angels reassurance and choose to move

ahead with faith?

Prayer

Lord, help us to hear

your voice and tomove ahead faithfullythrough whatever bignew things come ourway.

Thursday, The Second Week of Advent


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Part 3: The Angels

Luke 2:13-20

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly

host, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors! 15 When the angels

had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place,

which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they went with haste and

found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When

they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this

child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told

them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her

heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all

they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



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December 13, 2013

Did You Really Mean that for Me, Lord?David Gregory

An encounter with the Divine comes as a stunning surprise, and human responses areoften ambivalent.

One is tempted to ask, Is this real? Maybe I just had too much Starbucks, and not enough

sleep. Or, with some measure of belief, I might say, Yes, but why should I respond now? If I

wait, it might go away. There is no need to rush into this, especially since I do not know what is

going on.

Another response might be, OK, I need to do something, but I want to nish this other

project rst. I cant just drop everything and take off chasing something that was probably an illu-

sion. How much is this going to cost me? If I leave my job behind, I will lose money, and maybe

get red. What about my family?

The shepherds had no doubt that the announcement meant something really big was hap-

pening. They had been looking for the Messiah for a long time. Oppression from Rome made life

hard. There was no hesitation, no reservation, no quibbling and no excuses. There was no fear

that the sheep would suffer, and no concerns about the cost of answering the call from God.

Prayer

Lord, give us thecourage andconviction to answeryour call quickly,selessly and boldly.

Friday, The Second Week of Advent


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December 14, 2013

Modern AngelsBen Hall

In our busy and broken world the notion of angels can seem quaint at best. But when I

slow down and look around me, I feel the presence of God through modern angels.

My mom always loved red birds. She grew up on a farm in Missouri, and cardinals lived

all around her. Whenever she saw one, she would stop and count to ten and say, Cardinals never

stay still for more than ten seconds.

There is now a family of cardinals that lives near our back porch. When I see one, I stop,

think of my mom, and I count. Im amazed how often our red birds sit longer than ten seconds.

I smile and think that somehow it is my mom watching our familyseeing her grandkids and

telling us fear not. A peace comes over me.

Christmas is a season of symbols. Let us stop and take in what God is telling us. He sends

us messages every daythat we can overlook or embrace. Let us remember the bottom line of

the Bible. God wins. He loves us. And let it give us peace.

PrayerDear God, may you open our eyes

to the symbols of your love you

place all around us. May we take

time in this season to remember the

love you have for us and the promise

you made through Jesus. And may

we experience the peace you

intend for us.

Saturday, The Second Week of Advent


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December 15, 2013

Angels We Have Heard on HighNancy Hartmann

As the days grow shorter and morning frost appears on the rooftop, thoughts of Christmasand decorating our home for the holidays come right behind. Part of our family tradition, even

before the crche is unpacked and placed on the mantle, is to gather the angels I have collected

over the years from travels to different parts of the U.S. and Europe. They are all sizes and shapes,

made of china, glass, pottery and wood. As I place them around in different rooms of the house,

I nd myself humming the hymn Angels We Have Heard on High.

Angels are proclaimers of Christs birth, beings full of light and song, lighting up the

night sky. They are truly bringers of good news. Setting up my angel collection helps to bring the

Christmas story to life and set the mood for the season.

Our treetop angel was my grandmothers and as such is one of my favorites. Each year the

kids would alternate in the placing of Nanas angel on the treetop.

Along with joyous sounds of Christmas, and the joyous news of the birth of our Savior

that the angels delivered, let us add a few beautiful sounds of our own: God bless you! May I

help? Thank you! Praise God! Welcome home! I forgive you. I love you.

Prayer

Loving Lord, maywe, like the angels,

be bringers of good

news to others.

Sunday, The Third Week of Advent


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December 16, 2013

Christmas is a Time...Rod Hitt

Christmas is a time when we all remember our childhood and are reminded of the bless-

ings of being a child. Christmas is also a time to remember the joys we experienced raising our

children. Christmas is a time for looking back with loving memories of loved ones who are now

with the Lord. For many of us who have lost loved ones, we rejoice in knowing they are with the

Lord and that our time on earth is a eeting moment, and that we will be united with our loved

ones one day. Christmas is a time for all the beautiful remembrances of family.

No wise men will visit our homes this Christmas, but nevertheless they will be there in spir-

it, reminding us that Christmas is not just a time for presents and family dinners but a time when

Gods promise became a reality. Too many of us forget Christmas is the celebration of the birth

of our Savior who came to earth for the salvation of mankind. The birth of the Christ child is the

Alpha and Omega of our Christian faith.

There is an old Pennsylvanian Dutch saying which sums up what Christmas is all about. It

reads, God said it. Christ did it. And that settles it!

PrayerGod, help us remember

that Christmas is not just atime for presents andfamily dinners, but a timewhen Gods promisebecame a reality in thebirth of Jesus.

Monday, The Third Week of Advent


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December 17, 2013

Can You Imagine?John Howard

Can you imagine? Who heard the news rst? Not the kings or the priests but the lowly

shepherds. Why was this? And why not just one angel but a throng of angels appearing to the

shepherds singing glory to God in the highest?

Can you imagine? The greatest event in history had just happened!

Jesus is with all of usthe plain and the ordinary, the rich and the poor. Jesus set aside his

glory so he could identify with all of mankind and show mankind how to live.

Prayer

Jesus, you are the gift

that continuously gives.

The best Christmas

present ever! Amen!

Amen! Amen!

Tuesday, The Third Week of Advent


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December 18, 2013

Things to Ponder: The First Christmas...A LastChristmas?

Jen James

She already knew her child was special. She had been told privately, quietly, by an angel

months earlier. Now on this rst Christmas, the sky was full of angels, and this time they were

dramatic and public and LOUD! Then the shepherds came andwell!

Mary must have been so amazed. There is no way she could have imagined everything he

would mean to the world. She just knew that her child was special. And she pondered what it allmeant, that rst Christmas.

Rewind back to the Advent season of 1996. My younger daughter had been gravely ill

earlier and almost died. She was out of the hospital, but her health was still very fragile, and her

medication was dangerous. As I prepared for Christmas that year, my soul was overwhelmed by

the fear that this could be her last Christmasher last tree, her last gifts. I could hardly bear it.

And of course I prayed. And of course, I also had things to ponder. What happened? Why to her?

Thanks be to God, that Christmas was not her last. Over the following months, she slowly

gained strength and health, but I still ponder those same questions. I have no answers, but it clear-ly helped shape her and us into the people we are.

Prayer

Dear God, help us tosee your presence inall things as we ponderquestions that have noanswers.

Wednesday, The Third Week of Advent


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Part 4: The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12

1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men

from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, Where is the child who has been born king

of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.

3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and

calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them

where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for soit has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are

by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is

to shepherd my people Israel. 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and

learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to

Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found

him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage. 9 When they had

heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen

at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that

the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, theysaw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then,

opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own

country by another road.



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December 19, 2013

Saved by Serendipity...Or is it by the Hand ofGod?Lee Limbird

How often have our plans been interrupted by an unforeseen turn of events, a word of

advice from a trusted loved one, or a visceral warning, and we lived in gratitude that our plans

were indeed turned upside down? How often do we forget that Gods hand is always in our lives,

whether we push it away and charge on with our own agenda or, by some act of grace, respond

in the full embrace of Gods love?

I am reminded of the dream that warned the wise men not to report on the whereabouts

of this new child, the purported Messiah, to Herodand of the providence of God to inter-

venenot always by radiant light of angels, but sometimes through the voices and concerns and

wisdom of others among Gods children.

Prayer

Loving God, give me the ears to

hear, the patience to listen and thecourage to move in response to your

will, made apparent via the loving

words of your earthly children when

they reach out to me with grace

and concern.

Thursday, The Third Week of Advent


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December 21, 2013

Seeking JesusCarol Nations

Driving home late one evening amidst the trafc lights and busyness of the town streets,

its difcult to fathom what it must have been like so many years ago for three persevering men to

travel by faith on animals guided by a bright star in search of the Messiah. I envision the scintil-

lating stars Al and I observed on the dark abandoned beach in late October. We were mesmerized

by the magnicent beauty of Venus and its indescribably brilliant reection across the vast waters

of the gulf, as we have only seen by the moon before.

In rereading Matthew 2:1-12, my focus went to two phrases: they were overwhelmed with

joy and opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When we seek Jesus, our lives are lled with his light. We see his light in others, in the details of

his wondrous creation and in our circumstances. Awareness of his constant presence, praising

him and worshipping him brings joy into our lives. We reect that joy to others. I can open my-

self and give him my heart, my mind and my trust. In spending quiet time with him, talking with

him, nurturing a personal relationship with him and putting him rst in my life, my life becomes

overwhelmed with joy. Praise be to God!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you

for giving us Jesus.

Open our hearts and

minds to see, hear

and know him.

Saturday, The Third Week of Advent


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December 22, 2013

What Happens Next?Jill Reddig

We often talk about the lavish gifts the wise men gave to the Christ child. But what did they

receive? They were wealthy, highly-regarded astrologers (scientists of their day), and well-con-

nected. King Herod called them in for a consult!

Foreigners, they were the only ones who saw the Bethlehem starand they saw it twice.

They arrived late to the party but in time to see Jesus. And they recognized him; they knew they

were in the presence of the Messiah. They offered their gifts and knelt in worship. In that mo-ment, I think the men were fully aware that God was present in this infant, that the prophecies

had been fullled, that something entirely unique had happened.

Avoiding Herod, they left for their own country... So? And? What did they do next?

They have seen God. Did they just go home and play with the kids? Do some more as-

trological work? Did they at least tell the story? Did they realize what a privilege they had been

given? Of course, they did not have our good fortune. They did not know how Jesus would live

and what he would teach and the sacrice he would make for us.

You and I know. So? And? What will we do next?

Prayer

God, help us to respond

to the birth of Christas though it makes a

world-changing

difference toand

througheach of us.

Sunday, The Fourth Week of Advent


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35/36

December 24, 2013

Getting to Know JesusPaula Yelverton

The Magithey studied, they persevered on their long journey. Herods and Jerusalems

unrest in hearing about the Messiah did not stop the magi. They listened to Herod but were not

swayed by him. They were overjoyed when they found Jesus and shared their treasures. They lis-

tened to God and took a different path home. They found a better way. How are we like the magi?

What gifts do we share with ourselves and others? Do we listen to God and nd better ways?

The Starthe magi not only saw the star but recognized it as a sign to lead them to Jesus.Do we keep our awareness open for signs outside of us and within us that lead us to Jesus?

Herodhe was fearful and threatened by the Messiah, that his power, position and control

would be usurped. He tried to put obstacles in the way of the Messiah. How are we like Herod?

Maryopen to what God asked of her, present for Jesus. How are we like Mary?

Jesus, his birthour hope, our renewal through grace and forgiveness, that we may begin

(be reborn) each day new and ready to try again to live with our hearts and our minds as he taught

us by his example. How are we like Jesus?

PrayerLoving God, help us to be aware

of our darkness (our Herod) so thatwe may be open to your light.

Help us to be like the magi and like

Mary. Help us to recognize and to

follow the many stars outside us

and within us so we may more fully

follow Jesus and know you.

Christmas Eve


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December 25, 2013

Follow the StarSharon Yokley

At the beginning of Jesus life, we are given the example of the wise men following the light

of the star. All through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we hear about light. David tells us

in Psalm 27:1, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear. However, Isaiah says

in 59:9, We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We are

constantly encouraged to follow and trust in the light, but being humans, we fall back into the

dark.

When I was much younger, there were two instances in my life where I was overcome with

fear, indecision and worry. Both times this lasted for daysespecially in those dark hours in the

middle of the night. Finally, I remembered my mothers reminder that Jesus tells us not to worry

and to bring all our prayers to God. As soon as I turned my burdens over to God in prayer, I

physically felt the burden being lifted. I felt lighter!

My hope is that we all remember the wise men following the light of the star and keep the

light in our lives from being overcome by the darkness.

PrayerDear Lord, we praise and

thank you for Jesuscoming to us and bringing

hope and light. Help us to

follow the lighted path that

Christmas Day

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