Advent Devotion - Day 25

DECEMBER 25 – Luke 2:13-14

By: Russ Hauck

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)

The angel announced the birth of Christ and then was joined by a multitude of angels who sang “Glory to God in the highest…” A hint of what that might have sounded like may be found in Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria in Excelsis Deo (you can hear some of that on YouTube: http://youtu.be/8kzgMkpsw_M ). Can you imagine – a chorus of a thousand or more angelic voices singing Gloria? Magnificent and stirring!

But why did God choose to announce the birth in this way to some poor shepherds? I believe that this was not just an announcement of a one-time event, however great that was in and of itself. No, I think it is more than that. It’s a metaphor – an example of how we also should serve as announcers and messengers of this good news. Christ has come to a waiting world! And, so we also sing, with joy and thanksgiving… “Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace and good will to all!”

Prayer
Most gracious and loving God, we pray that we might be stirred to action and join that chorus – that we might be not just hearers of the Word, but also announcers who, in our words and in our actions, joyfully proclaim the good news to others. The good news that Christ has come for all people. Glory to God and Amen!

Family Moment
On the very first Christmas Day, the angels sang praises to God. What are your family’s favorite ways to praise God? Is it a Christmas song? Sing Christmas carols together – perhaps even “Angels We have Heard on High” or “Angels from the Realms of Glory.” Pray: Lord, give us a heart that is always singing your praises! Amen.

Advent Devotion - Day 24

DECEMBER 24 – Luke 2: 16-20

By: Barbara Johnson

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told."

In Luke 2:16-20, we see the shepherds seeking the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The Lord’s first visitors are not wealthy businessmen, heads of state, or ambassadors. The first to pay homage to the Christ child are shepherds; men who tend sheep, who probably do not speak with perfect grammar and more than likely smell much like their herd. God chose these humble caregivers to receive an audience with the King of the Jews. These men, who could be considered “lower class citizens” by society, were given the highest praise by God-they were entrusted with a message that would change the world-“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” We, too, good shepherds, can spread this message of love and hope to the world.

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, please help us spread the good news of your love for all people, through our words and our actions. Amen.

Family Moment
After the angels left the shepherds, the shepherds went to Jerusalem “with haste.” Imagine the sight of dirty dusty shepherds – usually out in the fields – rushing into the town! As they left they sang praises to God. After encountering Christ they were transformed. When have you encountered God? What transformation have you seen? The shepherds told everyone they saw about what they had seen – the Christ child! Make a Christmas card to tell someone about Jesus.

Advent Devotion - Day 23

DECEMBER 23 – Matthew 2: 7-12

By: Elaine Cornelius

Those who know of Jesus’ birth almost surely have also heard of the magi. They are familiar participants in the story, but no one is certain who they were, where they came from, or how many there really were. Those things weren’t recorded. What we do know is that they traveled a long distance and Herod took an interest in destroying what they were seeking. Herod summoned them so they HAD to go to him. It wasn’t a choice. After they met with Herod, they continued their journey. As they had on so many nights, they saw the star at its rising and “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Again, they were filled with the wonder of this star that “went before them.” It led them right to Christ.

If the star could lead men from a faraway land to the Christ child, why didn’t Herod simply send someone to follow it as well? Maybe it was hidden from him or, possibly, he was afraid. Perhaps, he simply chose not to see the miracle. The Light had come. Even the heavens had to proclaim it. Herod was living in darkness, and he missed the wonder of God’s Light.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is simply titled “The Star.” It notes “the light, shining from that star, will show you who you are and this light, shining with its might, will lead you through your darkest night.” Jesus is that Light and Christ will lead us through our night no matter how bad, how dark things appear.

Prayer
Lord, please help us to know the wonder, the awe the magi felt as they saw the star and knew it would lead them to You. Let Your Light show us not only who we are, but lead us to discover more fully who You are. Amen.

Family Moment
The Wise Men had arrived! The star had stopped over the town of Bethlehem. What was their reaction? They rejoiced with exceeding great joy! What does it mean to rejoice? When have you felt joy? What is the difference in being happy and having joy? (Happiness is fleeting but joy is sustained regardless of the situation). Give thanks and rejoice to God.

Advent Devotion - Day 22

DECEMBER 22 – Matthew 2: 1-6

By: Johan & Anita Bergh

As I read through the story, words other than those of this beautiful scene jump out at me--the part
where King Herod hears of the three men seeking the Jesus. The passage says he was “deeply disturbed”.
Another translation says Herod was “filled with fear”, And another says he was “very upset”. Herod had
heard that this babe born in Bethlehem would someday be a king, so his fear was that his status as ruler
would be replaced by “King Jesus” . But wait, another passage says that the shepherds visited by the angels
who declared the birth of Jesus, were also “filled with fear” at this announcement. But this fear was
mixed with the startling, unbelievable message that Jesus was born, the Messiah. This announcement
was followed by the comforting words “Glory to God in the highest and “PEACE ON EARTH to those
with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NLT). The shepherds were no less startled by the message of
the birth than they were at the message of “peace”.
We offer “Peace be with you” at worship; we use the phrase, “God’s Peace” in letters of greeting.
Recently, in study sessions I became aware of new meanings and were given fresh insights;
>Peace is not the absence of fear: it is the insertion of comfort and confidence in the midst of a
fearful situation. Peace is the underlying state of the heart 24/7, thereby bringing us safely through daily
exasperation or crisis situations.
>Peace for the believer is freedom from worry. Philippians 4:6 & 7:9” Don’t worry about anything;
instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done”. (NLT) Then
you will experience GOD’S PEACE, which exceeds anything we can understand. His PEACE will guard
your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer
Dear Lord, we are not filled with fear at the birth of Jesus. Rather, we are filled with awe and astonishment
as were the shepherds .Time and time again we experience or have a tiny glimpse of the PEACE that is
ours in the midst of worry or fearful situations. During this Advent and Christmas season, help us to share the
PEACE during our worship settings, not only with our lips but with our hearts. Amen.

Family Moment
Imagine a star so big and bright everyone could see it. This is how the Star of Bethlehem appeared the
night Jesus was born. This star was a light for all to see and follow. From that night in Bethlehem, God
was showing us the way to follow Him, follow His light. Make your own Star of Bethlehem. Decorate
it to shine bright. Hang it somewhere in your house so you can see it and remember that God is our star. God is the light in our lives.

Advent Devotion - Day21

DECEMBER 21 – Luke 2:13-15

By: Anita Canteenwalla

New International Version (NIV)
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

I can just envision the shepherds on that night, witnessing such an amazing sight, realizing that they were being given a unique and special gift. They saw not only an angel, which was not something anyone would say is an everyday event, but they saw the heavenly hosts of angels appear and then return to heaven before their very eyes!

They were chosen to behold this miraculous event and told that God’s peace is with those He favors! Imagine how this singular occurrence impacted them—in their minds, their hearts, and in their souls. These men were from the basest class in their world. They labored hard and long hours, isolated from other people and putting their animals’ safety before their own human safety. They were the protectors of their flocks, overlooked by most of society because of their roles as laborers. And yet they were chosen to witness this spectacle, singled out and named “favored” by God.

After their initial fear of such a supernatural visit, they knew right away that they had been charged with a mission to spread the message of the wondrous news of the birth of the Messiah entrusted to them. I am struck with how appropriate it is that these everyday shepherds would help welcome our Lord, The Shepherd!

Prayer
Lord, help me to be, like those shepherds in the fields so many years ago, a humble witness to your amazing greatness and fulfilled promises.  Amen.

Family Moment
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! Glory to the newborn King! When the shepherds heard the great
news of the birth of Jesus, they wanted to share it with everyone. Sing some of your favorite Christmas Carols as a family to celebrate the news of Jesus’ birth. You could even share your carols with friends and neighbors.

Advent Devotion - Day 20

DECEMBER 20 – Luke 2: 8-12

By: Diane Bechtold

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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:  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 find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Imagine the night sky shining brightly and voices coming to us to announce the birth of Jesus! We’re told that Jesus always comes to us – we have no need to do special deeds, or have unwavering faith – Jesus still comes. He comes to us as we do our most humble tasks and announces that we are his, an announcement worthy of our rejoicing; an announcement that should make us want to move forward and tell others.

Prayer
Lord, God, you gave us Jesus to show us, once and for all time, the magnitude of your love for humanity. Show us the way to show our love, and reflect the grace that you so freely give.

Family Moment
The angels appeared to the shepherds to bring news of the newborn King. Their first words were “Fear not!” Then the angels proclaim that the good news is for ALL people. God’s love (made incarnate through Jesus) is truly for all people. Make a list or draw a picture of people you know. Then tell them that God loves them – God loves everyone!

Advent Devotion - Day 19

DECEMBER 19 – Luke 2: 6-7

By: Rob Coble

Such humble beginnings for the Son of God. In the age of entitlement we live in today humility is not
often on display. Who amongst us today, given the same ability to raise the dead and perform miracles would choose to do selfless good works instead of using these gifts for their own personal gain? I have heard humility described not as thinking less of yourself but as thinking of your self less. I am thankful for the examples of humility Christ set forth not only in birth but throughout his time on earth.

Prayer 
Dear Lord, help me to remember your will not mine be done. Remove from me the bondage of self that I may do your good works and be of help to my fellow man. Amen

Family Moment
A King being born in a stable? Why is it important to know that God came into the world in a stable? God gave Jesus to us, to everyone. Draw a picture and include all the creatures you see in God’s Kingdom.