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

Advent Devotion, December 17, 2014
Reading:  Luke 1: 39-45
Written by:  Anita Bergh

It seems to me this passage speaks about relationships.:Elizabeth with Mary and the two women’s relationship to God. Elizabeth was so surprised, so full of excitement, that her entire being was affected, so that the developing child within her stirred, moved, leaped and she felt sheer JOY. Mary felt the honor and blessing received from Elizabeth as she too was given a joyful greeting —“Blessed are you—blessed is the child within you”  (“the fruit of your womb”) The exchange of these greetings reflects the love and intimacy these two women had experienced; no doubt throughout their lives. But this moment was an indescribable one of mutual understanding and joy.

The passage also indicates the closeness to their God-“Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit”(vs 41) . And later in this chapter is recorded the song of praise Mary gives to God.(The “Magnificat”)

This passage inspires me to convey to others the indescribable JOY this Advent season can bring.  Maybe we aren’t even aware of the impact our spirit has upon the server at the restaurant, or the sales person in the shop, or the ticket taker on the bus. I recall once when working in a hospital (as a young girl), tending to daily duties in a ward, a voice from one of the beds said to me—”How does it happen that you can be so cheerful all the time?”  His words came as a surprise and I gave no real answer.  In retrospect, I realize that basically I was full of the Joy of the Lord. And I did not convey this to him.  Maybe I could have replied somewhat like this: “”Not always do I feel cheerful, but knowing the Lord gives me a deep-down joy “.

Even if we are not always feeling buoyant, our patient demeanor can convey what I call “spiritual Joy”.  This Joy cannot be experienced or maintained without “daily renewal” through the Word (Bible reading) and the Sacrament of Holy Communion (worship).

PRAYER:  THIS ADVENT DEAR LORD, I pray that your Spirit will cut through the concerns, anxieties, and disappointments of my life so that I will be free to experience that JOY you are forever giving to me and to the World.  Amen.

Advent Devotion, December 16, 2014
Reading:  Philippians 2: 1-11
Written by:  Elaine Cornelius

As we move closer to the celebration of Jesus’ birth, looking at love makes sense. Jesus was sent because of God’s love for us. How do we show love? Love is understood to be action, not just words. God understands love perfectly. His gift of a savior is a clear demonstration of his love for us.  We are asked to be joyful in hope, patient in troubling situations and faithful in prayer.  

Love in Action 

How do I create love in action? 

Where do I find it on earth? 

As I prepare my heart for celebration 

Can I learn salvation’s worth? 

Called to release my grip on evil, 

I hold fast to what is right. 

Finding hope through my trials, 

I pray through day and night. 

Let me be passionate in spirit. 

Lord, You refresh my tired soul. 

You give me strength for the journey. 

I know You are in control. 

Oh come, precious Savior. 

This world is in need of You. 

Though, as I help my neighbor, 

I serve the Master too. 

So, I strive to be love in action 

Live life as Christ would now 

I’ll accept grace and show compassion 

Lord, to Your will, I bow 

Prayer 

Lord, thank You for teaching us about love.  You help us know that through serving others we demonstrate Your love in the world. In Your name I pray, Amen. 

Advent Devotion, December 15, 2014

Reading:  1 John 3: 18-24

Written by:  Diane Bechtold

Love isn’t a “feeling,” love is what we say and do in relationship to another. If we love others then they, and everyone else, will know because we actively demonstrate that love. God frees us from any guilt we have and enables us to act as Jesus did – caring for and serving in ways that meet the needs of those to whom we show our love.

Prayer

Gracious God, help us all to remember that love is not “butterflies in our stomach,” or “fluttering in our heart” but actions that serve to raise up those around us. Help us act in the ways of Christ. Amen

Advent Devotion, December 14, 2014  
Focus on Angels
Reading:  Luke 2: 8-14
Written by:  Marie Hoder

God shows up in unexpected places to unexpected people. The shepherds were not well respected.  But they were the first recipients of the Good News that a newborn King had come.  And His birth announcement was accompanied not by a couple of dweebie angels, but  by all the armies of Heaven singing His praises.  The Israelites anticipated a King to overthrow the Romans.  But Jesus shows up as a  baby born to a poor couple.  Yet … This GREAT NEWS will bring JOY to ALL people. 

  

 Jesus came unexpectedly, to ordinary people.  He still does that everyday - To us - Bringing Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. 

 Prayer:   Thank You Jesus, for coming to us. Unexpectedly, surprisingly, humanly, divinely, supremely.  You are our God and we are Your people.  Be with us and touch our hearts, especially this Christmas season.  Bring us Hope, Love, Joy,  and Peace.    Amen.  

FAMILY MOMENT:  Angels- 
The angels appeared to the shepherds to bring news of the newborn King. In fact, the Gospel writers of Matthew and Luke show us the Angels appearing to Joseph, Mary, the Shepherds, and even the parents of John the Baptist. The angels first words were always “Fear not!” We don’t have to be afraid because God has promised to be with us always. What are some things that are scary to us? How does God’s promise bring us peace? Is there someone in your life who is afraid or nervous? How can you be like the angels and tell them the good news of God’s promise?

Advent Devotion, December 13, 2014
Reading:  Matthew 11: 25-30
Written by :  Carolyn Champagne

Gosh, I read these verses and can’t help but marvel at how gracious our Lord is to us.  Verses 28 thru 30 speak to me the loudest as Jesus almost begs us to lay our burdens down and let him deal with them.  Let him take them on and walk with you till all is well again.  Then our burdens are lite and our stress is nothing.

Over the past 2 years I have had to deal with some serious health issues with my mother.  It is so stressful making sure she is taken care of and under good medical care so that she can once again live on her own and not be so dependent on others.  I worry and stress over whether my sister and I are making the right decisions for her and that she is comfortable.  But each time I finally wised up and realized that I can’t do this on my own.  I need to turn it over to Jesus.  I leave the stress to him AND the outcome.  It is in his hands.  He has not let me down yet.  Even the little things, that made life easier during her healing process, had to be the Lord’s work.  The stress was lifted and I am grateful.

Dear Lord, thank you for offering to take our burdens from us.  Open our eyes to see this gift you give us and let us only have to ask for your help to receive your blessing.  Amen.