MERRY CHRISTMAS ! Advent Devotion, December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve
Reading:  Luke 2; 1-14
Written by:  Justin Stone

Luke 2:1-14 is the most popular account of the Christmas story because it embodies God’s love for his creation, describes the birth of Jesus, and sets the stage for the spread of the Christian faith.  The Christmas story begins with the counting and taxing of the citizens, bringing Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.  God, too, according to Luke, also takes a census of his creations.  However, the heavenly census is not one of taxation, but one of love.  “But even the hairs of your head are all counted.  Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)  Christmas is a time to remember God’s personal and individual love for all he has created.

          

The birth of Jesus carries another theme that is echoed later in the Gospel of Luke.  “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8)  These shepherds are not only the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus, but also serve as a metaphor for Jesus himself.  Jesus later asks, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4)  Jesus has come for the salvation of all, even those who reject him and are lost in the darkness.

               

The heralding of the birth of Jesus truly introduces the Christian message to the world, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, goodwill among people!” (Luke 2:14)  It is a mission and a message that cannot fail, because God himself is behind it.

Christ Our Savior:  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your love and salvation—I pray that your church places the Christmas story and the Christian mission in its heart this season.  May we help bring peace on earth and goodwill toward all people.  Amen

Advent Devotion, December 23, 2014
Reading:  John 1: 6-8
Written by:  Lou Shives

The focus in this scripture is on John's role as the primary witness to Jesus, the Messiah, so that all might believe through him.  While writing this Advent devotional, I reflected on my relationship with God.  As a member of St. Stephen, there are several opportunities for me to be a witness or to share the Good News not only during Advent but throughout the year.  One only needs to review the Get Involved Tab on the St. Stephen web site to see a list of “witness” services available.  They include music-worship arts, the community garden, mission and outreach (contains 25 categories), and small groups and quads.  In addition there is the CARE Team that provides communion or extra care from membership separate from pastoral involvement.   Have you taken advantage of these various opportunities to be a witness to the light?

Loving Father:  Each of us are blessed with talent and opportunities to be a witness to the light as we interact with family and others during our daily activities.   Grant us the wisdom to recognize our talent and to discern how each opportunity can be utilized to share Jesus’ glory with others.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Advent Devotion, December 22, 2014
Reading:  Revelation 3: 20-22
Written by:  Russ Hauck

This is a well-known bible passage, partly because it lends itself to a very simple graphic representation.  And, there have been many paintings that depict Jesus standing at a door and knocking.  Something strange that these paintings have in common is that many of them show Jesus knocking at a door that has no door knob or handle!  The implication is that the door must be opened not by Jesus, but by the individual on the other side.  In other words, these artists are implying that those who will accept salvation must decide to “open the door” and let Jesus in.

But we can – and should - understand this passage by reading it much more simply as Jesus has come to us – is with us – all of us.  Jesus is Immanuel “God with us.”  The consistent promise is that God is with us always, not just when we decide to let Him in.  And, that is the greatest comfort.  

Prayer:          Immanuel, Immanuel

God incarnate, here to dwell
Immanuel, Immanuel
Praise His name Immanuel!

Advent Devotion, December 21, 2014
Focus:  Shepherds
Reading:  Luke 2: 15-20
Written by:  Nikki Witt

Mary captures my attention every time I read these verses. Everyone who had heard what the shepherds repeated about Jesus (He’s the Savior, Messiah, the Lord) was amazed. But not Mary. I picture Mary smiling to herself as she looks down at the baby in her arms, the baby blinking cautiously up at her through the light from an oil lamp nearby. Perhaps she’s looking at her baby, and she’s thinking that in this tiny person time and space have folded in on themselves, collapsing into a still point that fills her with a blindingly bright love unlike anything she’s ever known. Maybe she’s contemplating the future of a boy who will grow up to be a Messiah, struggling to shake off the long, cold fingers of worry that clutch at her shoulders when she imagines all the danger, false friends, and pain that lie ahead of him. Or maybe she’s simply wondering how in the world she’s going to take care of this tiny, helpless person. Messiah or not, a baby is a baby, and babies require a lot of work.

Whatever Mary was thinking, it’s ultimately her secret, and I like it that way. Before Mary became the Mother of God, Saint Mary, the Blessed Virgin, she was a mother. I don’t think this is insignificant, and I’m thankful that she’s a part of our beautiful Christmas story.

God, thank you for mothers everywhere- their patience, their willingness to sacrifice, their intelligence, their bravery, and most importantly their inexhaustible wellspring of love. Amen.  

FAMILY MOMENT:

Shepherds – The Shepherds were the most unlikely of people to be the first recipients of the world’s biggest and greatest news story. They were not popular, did not smell good, and lived in the fields with the sheep! Yet they are the group of people to whom God entrusts the big task of telling the world about Christ’s birth. How would you tell someone that Jesus is born? How would you share this news story? Make a newspaper/magazine/poster/video/etc. telling others that Jesus is born!

Advent Devotion, December 20, 2014
Reading:  Psalm 46: 10-11
Written by:  Frank Raike

The command is to “be still”. 

From the Bible study with John J. Parsons, the word comes from the Hiphil stem of the verb “raphe” (meaning to be weak, to let go, to release), which might better be translated as, “cause yourselves to let go” or “let yourself become weak”.

But to what end are we to “be still,” “let go,” or “to surrender”?  In Hebrew grammar, the emphasis of coordinated imperatives (“be still” and “know”) is on the second imperative.  In other words, we surrender in order to know that God is in control.  We “let go” in order to know the saving grace of God in our lives.  We give up trusting in ourselves and our own selfishness in order to experience the glory of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46 is often referenced as Martin Luther’s favorite psalm. He composed the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in a rather free paraphrase of Psalm 46 on his journey to the Diet at Worms, where he went boldly to defend the Reformation at the risk of his life.  He let go and let God.  And we are here today.

At this Christmas Season with all the stress and challenges to be self-centered on our design ideas and concepts of what the Holidays should be, try to take the time to “be still and know that God is in control”.

 Oh Lord, we assign our lives with wishes, dreams, and expectations, only to find frustration and disappointment in others and ourselves.  Please Jesus, let us surrender to know that our lives are yours and you will always be with us.  Selah. Amen

Advent Devotion, December 19, 2014
Reading:  James 5: 7-8
Written by:  Bill Nasworthy

This passage is calling on us to be patient because The Lord is coming. 

Patient…. To be patient one must be calm and quiet.  That means you get to view and listen to what is happening around you.  In that quiet, you can see what needs to be done for others as well as yourself.  That gives you the opportunity to act and do what needs to be done.

None of us knows when The Lord will appear, so do quiet, good deeds all your days and you will be doing The Lord’s work within your “patient waiting”. 

Prayer:  Lord, in this time of rushing and hurry, help us to seek the quiet and patient time.  Amen

Advent Devotion, December 18, 2014
Reading: Psalm 33: 20-22
Written by:  Anita Canteenwalla

²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;

    he is our help and our shield.

²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,

    for we trust in his holy name.

²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

    even as we put our hope in you.

Advent provides us with a time of reflection as we anticipate the celebration of the birthday of our Lord and Savior.  In Psalm 33:20-22, we are reminded of the basics of our relationship with our God.  The words “we”, “our” and  ”us” are used to describe the strength we have as believers who rejoice in the Lord.  United in our faith, we are of one soul!

We, His people, are waiting.  We waited for the birth of Jesus and that promise was fulfilled.  Now we are waiting again for the return of His son.  We can trust Him and His holy name because He delivers on His promises.  He loves us, not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful and unfailing in His love for us.  He extends us the grace of hope—hope for His mercy, His help, and His protection. 

Dear God:  As we enter this sacred time, may we recall how good you have always been to your people.  Help us to renew our faith in you with a proclaiming of our trust in you.  May we remember our unity and rejoice together, showing our joy at being filled up with faith—as one soul!   Amen