December 25

32

December 25

Christmas Day

Do you know why your parents chose your first name? If you are a parent, why did you choose your child’s name? My mother’s first name was Werdna, which was her father’s name (Andrew) spelled backwards! Names are significant in the Bible, and lifechanging experiences often led to a person’s name being changed.

Jesus had several names! His birth certificate name was “Jesus,” which was related to his role as our Savior (Matthew 1:21). An angel told Joseph that Jesus was also Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” fulfilling a prophecy by Isaiah (Matthew 1:23). Other titles used by or about Jesus include Son of David, Son of God, Son of Man, Messiah (or Christ, anointed one), Servant of God, Prophet, Rabbi, and Lord. Isaiah 9:6 mentions four titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. During this Advent season I especially like to focus on Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Wars and other kinds of conflict and violence are often in the news. The world needs to meet and embrace the Prince of Peace. Like the movie character in “Miss Congeniality,” I too want world peace!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Jesus! If you are already one of his disciples, I hope you will reflect on the meaning of Jesus for your life. If you are just beginning to learn about Jesus, I pray he becomes your Savior and Lord.

Warren McWilliams

December 24

31

December 24

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

A Christmas Carol

Robert Herrick

What sweeter music can we bring,
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!
Heart, ear, and eye, and everything.
Awake! The while the active finger
Runs division with the singer.

Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
And give the honor to this day,
That see December turned to May.

If we may ask the reason, say
The why, and wherefore, all things here
Seems like the springtime of the year?

Why does the chilling Winter’s morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell, like a mead new-shorn,
Thus, on the sudden?

Come and see
The cause, why things must fragrant be;
’Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth,
To heaven, and the under-earth.

We see Him come, and know Him ours,
Who, with His sunshine, and His showers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers.

The Darling of the world is come,
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome Him. The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart.

Which we will give Him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do Him honor; who’s our King,
And Lord of all this reveling.

December 23

30

December 23

Karlee Fuller

December 22

29

December 22

I don’t know about you, but the Christmas season means singing to me. Hymns and carols of the season are the greatest part of what I remember from the past. Special concerts, events, and performances are a whirlwind in my mind when I think of what the season brings to me.

I believe this is true for many; without the songs of Christmas we are stuck with the other senses, with some noise thrown in. Christmas music calms the soul, focuses our thoughts, and directs our actions towards saying and doing the things that honor this child of God who came to us as a babe.

Psalm 89 tells us to sing. I know of no better way to articulate our feelings of this marvelous season than by lifting up the Kingdom carols and hymns of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Even those who normally refrain from singing lift their voices in some way during this season, because it feels wrong not to do so.

No one cares what you sound like at Christmas - it is all one joyful noise to the Lord during this time of year. You may feel you are not worthy to sing sometimes, or not good enough to sing sometimes, or someone may hear you (oh no!). During this season of good cheer, let your heart overcome all those feelings; sing for joy, sing for the child of God who comes to take away our sins, sing so others may know it is, indeed, fine for them to sing as well.

“I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever.”

Jim Vernon

December 21

28

December 21

With all the turmoil in the news today, I try to avoid hearing much of it. I do try to listen to Lester Holt as he ends his news with this reminder: "Take care of yourself and each other." It warms my heart to remember that we are all connected. We need to avoid selfishness and look for ways to help others and connect with them.

In this scripture God seeks a relationship with people and finds it in David. "I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations" 3b-4 NIV. God promises that his covenant with him would never fail. That covenant continues through time until it reaches its fulfillment in Jesus who is in David's line.

We need a connection to God and to each other. In a recent sermon Justin reminded us, "It is in the community of faith that we are strengthened." We all need help from other people even as we seek to help others when and where we can.

The earthly Jesus reached out to people and set an example for us to follow. As we enter the season of Advent, it is at this time of year that we seek connections to family and friends perhaps more than any other time of the year. May we let David's covenant with God come full circle through Jesus to us.

Lynda Pence

Psalm 89: 1—4, 19—26

27

Psalm 89: 1—4, 19—26

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,

4 ‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

9 Once you spoke in a vision,
to your faithful people you said:
”I have bestowed strength on a warrior;
I have raised up a young man from among the people.

20 I have found David my servant;
with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21 My hand will sustain him;
surely my arm will strengthen him.

22 The enemy will not get the better of him;
the wicked will not oppress him.

23 I will crush his foes before him
and strike down his adversaries.

24 My faithful love will be with him,
and through my name his horn will be exalted.

25 I will set his hand over the sea,
his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, the Rock my Savior.’”

December 20

26

December 20

Psalm 125

Growing up, I knew the last week of November meant a few things: our tree was going up, school was winding down, and Christmas music would be sung at church. I loved it; there was a whole section in our hymnal of Christmas music, and I would keep a little list of what songs we sang, hoping we would get them all (and maybe a few of my favorites would come up twice). As I read these words and mull over how to tie them to the Advent season, one song comes to mind.

As a teenager, I didn’t know how to feel about the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” It had a lovely, bittersweet melody that appealed to me, but the lyrics were a bit of a roller coaster. It was such a sad image to picture someone at Christmas time – a time of joy! – bowing their head in despair, torn over hate being strong and the lack of peace on Earth. Frankly, it just wasn’t as fun to sing as “Joy to the World” or “Silent Night.” I think a big part of this was my lack of maturity in my faith at that age. I didn’t want to associate Christmas with sadness, doubt, or hurt – but for many, that’s what it can be. Our circumstances on Earth aren’t always belting “joy to the world.” and that can weigh heavier, it seems, this time of year.

As an adult, I can barely sing this song without emotion cracking my voice. Now, I don’t just focus on the sadness of that verse – I focus on the response. “Then rang the bells, more loud and deep, God is not dead nor does he sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on Earth, good will to men.” What a reassurance to know that no matter the prayer, the joy or despair, the answer is the same: God is there. God is in control. God will not let evil prevail.

We have a lot of turmoil in our world. It is easy to watch the news or read articles and feel heavy over hate and a lack of peace. Sometimes our prayers can feel like they’re full of despair – and yet, God does not change. The response will not change. Peace on Earth, good will to men.

Linsey Brown

December 19

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December 19

Psalm 125 was written long before Christians invented the Advent season. Even so, this psalm is a song that contains an expectation of the kind of righteous kingdom we anticipate during this season.

Many songs and stories in the Bible remind us that the behavior of our community is profoundly important in its effect on people around us. Psalm 125 sings about how God’s people are called to be a righteous community.

The psalm begins with the announcement that the Lord’s people are protected by the Lord like surrounding mountains protect Jerusalem. Yet, while these people live in “the land allotted to the righteous,” their protection in this land depends on their behavior.

The righteous are those who do not “stretch out their hands to do wrong,” but are “upright in their hearts.” “Those who turn aside to their own crooked ways” are led away from this land with evildoers since it is intended to be a righteous land protected by the LORD who “abides forever.”

Prophets like Amos and Isaiah can tell us why the LORD’S people are called to be a righteous people. They are to be a light to other people, a community that demonstrates what justice and care for the helpless looks like. Christian communities have inherited this sense of a community that consists of people who strive to be “upright in their hearts.” During Advent we tell each other again about our hopes and expectations that we can be a community known for its love for its neighbors and sense of justice for everyone.

Joe Hall

December 18

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December 18

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”

Perhaps the author of Psalm 125 was writing to encourage all those who waited for the Messiah to stand strong. He states that “the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore.” The relationships that had sustained the people in the past would continue to comfort them as they waited for the Messiah. The Psalm concludes with a plea for the Lord to do good to those who are faithful.

As we wait in this season of Advent, may we continue to be faithful and trust in the Lord. May we not be shaken but endure in our faith. Our community of believers is strengthened by our faith and our care and concern for one another.

Marguerite McDowell

Psalm 125

23

Psalm 125

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

December 17

22

December 17

The Third Sunday of Advent

In the Carpenter’s Shop

Sara Teasdale

Mary sat in the corner dreaming,
Dim was the room and low,
While in the dusk, the saw went screaming
To and fro.

Jesus and Joseph toiled together,
Mary was watching them,
Thinking of kings in the wintry weather
At Bethlehem.

Mary sat in the corner thinking,
Jesus had grown a man;
One by one her hopes were sinking
As the years ran.

Jesus and Joseph toiled together,
Mary’s thoughts were far
Angels sang in the wintry weather
Under a star.

Mary sat in the corner weeping,
Bitter and hot her tears
Little faith were the angels keeping
All the years.

December 16

21

December 16

Calvin Dunn

December 15

20

December 15

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” YES, the LORD has done amazing things for us. WHAT JOY!

Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears and harvest hear shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

The part of this scripture that sticks out to me most is “WHAT AMAZING THINGS THE LORD HAS DONE FOR THEM.”

The Israelites where rejoicing so much and felt so grateful to be back home they didn’t stop rejoicing and praising God’s name and what he had done for them. So much so that other nationalities even recognized the joy they had and the power that God had to deliver them. This was a connection point of those who believed in God and those who were still trying to figure out who he was. It connected these nations on a level we may never know.

I know that I can make a list of things that “… the Lord has done for THEM.” But can you list things that the Lord is doing and has done for you?

It seems to be easier to see what God is doing in other people’s lives but difficult to see how he is blessing and delivering us. I challenge you to stop and think “What amazing things the Lord has done for ME.”

List three things that the Lord has done and is doing in your life that are worthy of his praise. Will you use this to glorify him all your days?

1._________________________________________________________________________

2._________________________________________________________________________

3._________________________________________________________________________

Channing Seikel

December 14

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December 14

When I was 14 years old my dad and step-mom were separated for a time. My dad and I moved out of the house and were able to find a series of temporary lodging through our church and friends. As my dad worked to repair his relationship with his wife, there were times where I spent the day or overnight by myself. I remember waking up and realizing that my dad had not come back home that night. I remember feeling alone and abandoned in that moment. The one not chosen, rejected. I see now that he was doing the best he could with the situation but it was still painful.

While I can attune a portion of the experience, in truth I’ve never been truly exiled. I’ve never been surprised as war comes to my neighborhood, never fled on foot with just my family and the clothes on my back. I’ve never been held captive, as a slave or a hostage or under the control of an oppressive government. I’ve never experienced the pain of loss, humiliation and degradation in the ways that many people / groups throughout history have encountered oppression and violence.

But…as I read in Psalm 126 of a hope for renewal, repair and respite, of laughter, songs and joy, I’m reminded that the “God of Israel” is not just for Israel of the Old Testament, but is Yahweh, Lord of All. I am chosen, you are chosen. When I think about a world filled with war, I’m reminded that Yahweh, Lord of All is the Lord of Israel and Palestine, the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa in Sudan, the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, the immigrants seeking safety, the descendants of slavery and treaty violations, those who have been colonized and have lost so much of their culture. I know that religion has played major roles in all sides of conflict but I cling to the hope of ALL people returning from exile. I pray that they(we) remember, in their hearts and bones, that they are chosen and loved and though the world groans under the weight of sin, that the Lord of All is drawing the world to redemption.

During Advent, we sing songs of a light in the darkness, streams in a desert, fields of bounty. Our joy in times of grief, loss, fear and abandonment is that we are not abandoned. We choose to believe in Hope.

Canaan Crane

Psalm 126

18

Psalm 126

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

December 13

17

December 13

Christmas, which is supposed to be the most peaceful time of the year, often seems to be a most tumultuous time. Holiday season 2023 seems to be no exception with an ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict, an Israel-Hamas conflict, an off-and-on U.S. government shutdown threat, a potential major volcanic eruption in Iceland, and the list goes on. World events, as well as personal events, can threaten finding a peaceful Christmas, at least on human terms. Fortunately, Psalm 27 reminds us God is light and goodness in the midst of chaos and darkness.

The structure of Psalm 27 mirrors who God is. Verse 1 begins with, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” So first, God is Light. While verses 2 and 3 talk about potential chaos from enemies, foes, armies and war, the middle of Psalm 27 reminds us God is always present. The psalmist ends by declaring in verse 13, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” God is in the beginning, the middle, and the end. Psalm 27:4-5 in The Message translation describes God"s house as “the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world.” Escape the chaos of the world this season by taking time to enter God"s house and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate manifestation of Light and Goodness.

Kaylene Barbe

December 12

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December 12

December 11

15

December 11

The Advent season is a time of light. We honor this by reminding ourselves each year of Christ’s light in our world by lighting candles and celebrating the coming of His light.

Psalm 27 offers us the certainty that the Lord has always been our light, not just since Christ’s time. God’s light shows up in the third verse of our Bible, and it is the first wonder that He did for the world: “Let there be light.”

Psalm 27 also reminds us of the truths of the Advent season:

- Do not be afraid for the future
- He will provide us a home in heaven
- He will hide us from our enemies
- He will listen to our cries
- He will not abandon us
- To always seek Truth
- To wait on Him

All of these truths are manifested in the coming of the Savior at Christmas. He came to fulfill these promises again to us, to each generation and to each believer.

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage” (vs. 14). Did it take courage to not run from the heavenly hosts when they appeared to the shepherds? Certainly. Did it take courage to marry Mary even when all the signs said to do so? Definitely. Did it take courage for Simeon to declare publicly in the temple that he had seen the Messiah, surrounded by all types of skeptics? Oh, yes.

Be strong, and be courageous. Let the courage of the past and the courage Christ gives us carry you to a new perspective on the Advent season this year.

Psalm 27

14

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

December 10

13

December 10

The Second Sunday of Advent

Annunciation

John Donne

Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death’s force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivest, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker’s maker, and thy Father’s mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shuts in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.