Advent Devotion - December 25th

Christmas Day
Written by: Diane Bechtold

Reading: Luke 2:1-14

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:9-11

How often we’ve read and heard about the trials of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census. The streets and inns were crowded with people whose only purpose was to fulfill their civic duty. Surely, this new baby was an unexpected entry of God the Son to humankind. Angels praised God as they announced the Christ’s arrival to shepherds. What a night of awe and mystery.
This was God’s quiet entry into the midst of our life on earth. He came to us as an innocent baby, of lowly birth. Those looking for the Messiah often missed this gift because they were looking for earthly power and might. They looked for a king in royal robes who would be served by armies that would free them from Roman oppression; instead, they received innocence and the directive to love God and one’s neighbor.

Prayer: God Almighty, we pray to recognize You when we are expecting someone else. Teach us to look for what You have for our lives rather than for what we want for them. Help us to watch and listen as you speak to our hearts. Amen

Advent Devotion - December 24th

27th Day of Advent
Written by: Nicole Eastwood

Reading: Psalm 46:7-11

“Be still , and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

The name “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” Jesus is God come to earth – never to be separated from His people. This is made perfectly clear when the curtain in the temple (once used to separate worshippers from God) was torn in two from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus’ redeeming death (Mark 15:38).

Since God is with us always, how do we respond? Do we talk with God all the time? Do we start to forget God’s presence until we need something? In this busy Advent season, do we rush with our to-do lists, making time for God only on Christmas Eve or Sunday? I’ve often wrestled with Psalm 46:10’s call to “Be still and know I am God.” I don’t like to do anything slowly. Never mind-stop and be still!

Ever present God: This season I pray that I will choose to be present with you in spite of my hurriedness and busyness. Grant me the patience to slow down and spend time with you. Thank you for being with me always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 23rd

26th Day of Advent
Written by: Julie Parker

Reading: Luke 12:35-38

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.”
Luke 12:35-36

During Advent Christians all over the world once again, joyously anticipate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us think about this scripture where Luke tells of Jesus message to always be ready to serve God, as we never know when he will come again; we should remain steadfast in our faith, honoring him with our service. If we keep God foremost in our hearts, speaking with him often in thought and prayer, and walk each day with Jesus at our side, we will be blessed.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ and the love for me you show each day. During this season of Advent help me to remember I am your servant, ready to do as you ask. Help me learn to turn my burdens to you, so that I may be free to follow you with an open heart. Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 22nd

25th Day of Advent
Written by: Rob Coble

Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Mary will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
And they shall name him Emmanuel”
Matthew 1: 21-23

The incarnation of our lord was a gift from God. A divine gift in the form of flesh and blood. Jesus would walk amongst us as man in order to experience what it is to be human.
The miracle birth of our Lord is celebrated today by many as a reason for personal gain and less for seeing the examples God has provided for us to experience through the life of Jesus Christ.
God sends his son to the world to experience human nature. It would have been easy to create and maintain a world of perfection but God also gave man the gift of choice. What choices do we make on any given day? Do we follow the examples set forth by Christ the man or use our own will to make choices centered on self.
Emmanuel means “God with us”. God is with us always. It is when we forget this that we start to feel the stress and chaos that the busy time of year can bring. When we forget God is with us we take needless control over all our situations and feelings and forget that God is the one who leads the way. When I step back and let God take charge, I find that my life is filled with serenity and the crowds, traffic and fast pace of the season doesn’t seem so bad after all. Have you seen the bumper stickers that say “God is my Co-pilot”? I prefer it the other way around. With God as my Pilot I am happy to take second chair.

Dear Lord,
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, help me to remember the examples set down by Jesus, the man and gain a true understanding and appreciation for the magnificent gift you have given us in the form of your son on earth. Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 21st

24th Day of Advent
Written by: Marnee McClellan

Reading: Luke 2: 25-32

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
According to your word;
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
Which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A light for revelation to the Gentiles
And for glory to your people Israel."
Luke 2: 29-32

For many the anticipation of Christmas is camouflaged by the hype of the season. Rather than looking forward to the birth of a savior, there is an eagerness to see what presents will lie under the tree and produce momentary pleasure. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could reach deeper inside ourselves and beyond our personal and limiting needs for material goods and seek the one thing that will bring us the true gift of the season -- the arrival of the Messiah and the salvation his birth promises?!

As one old man named Simeon discovered about two thousand years ago, if our sites are set on the real goal of Advent, we too can experience the joy that comes from "waiting for the birth of the Lord." Whether we sleep in the cold winter of the north or the warm breezes of the south, we can sleep safer and more snug knowing that our lives are secure in His all-loving and forgiving embrace.

God...give me the strength to understand the importance of the season and to look into the eyes of the Christ child and understand the gift he brings to my life -- the gift of salvation. Before my life comes to an end, allow me to see the life the Christmas child allows me to experience. Don't let me die before my life has begun. Open my eyes, like the eyes of Simeon. Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 20th

23rd Day of Advent
Written by: Nancy Ulerich

Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9: 6

What do you want for Christmas? We spend so much time preparing for Christmas. Getting photo cards made, writing Christmas letters, shopping, buying gifts, wrapping presents, decorating, trimming multiple trees, baking, cooking, partying …
But, are we prepared to receive our gift?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Dear Everlasting Father: Please help me make time to prepare for the richest of all gifts. Allow me to receive your gift of a wonderful, counselor, mighty God and experience the fruits of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Advent Devotion - December 19th

22nd Day of Advent
Written by: Gardner Hussey

Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

The 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. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David….
Jeremiah 33: 14-15a

These verses are verses of hope. Hope that is in Jesus who is the righteous Branch from David’s line as promised by God to Israel and the house of Judah. It is also our hope and a promise to us that Jesus is coming again to establish righteousness and His kingdom on earth. Are we not Israel? Are we not descendents of Abraham? Of course we are. We are the people of the promise. “Death will be no more, mourning and crying or pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). What a promise one can count on! In these times of uncertainty it is easy to lose our focus. But God is in charge and He will fulfill His promises to us of eternal life. May we continue to focus on Him and His promises to us. We may break our promises but God does not. Our God is a God of righteousness, who is merciful and has given us forgiveness and eternal life through belief in His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. “But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by Grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5). Hallelujah, Jesus is Lord!

Lord Jesus, keep us focused on you and the promise of eternal life with you. Thank you for the mercy you show us each day in the forgiveness of our sins. Only through your promise of grace will we be saved. Amen.