Dec 24 - Where is He?

Where is He?

Sunday, December 24, 2023

by: Bambi Wheeler

Scripture:  Matthew 2:1-12

Key Verse: 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:1-3

Have you ever heard a song that’s lyrics chilled you to your very core? A song so disturbing that you couldn’t really even speak right after you heard it because it left you so unsettled? That is a really unusual way to begin an Advent devotion, but stick with me for just a second. 

My mom and I were traveling to Branson a couple of weeks ago to watch Esther at the Sight and Sound Theater (sidebar: if you haven’t seen that yet, RUN, don’t walk, to that theater and see it!). On the way over, we had Christmas music on full blast because genetically, I am 90% elf and Christmas everything is my favorite, but especially Christmas music because it’s typically joyful, hopeful, peaceful, even, and it leaves me feeling warm and happy. We were shuffling through some Pentatonix Christmas songs and landed on one I had never heard before. The tune was dark and ominous, very unlike all of the songs that preceded it. It took me a minute, but when I tuned into the words they were actually singing, my heart sort of broke; the song was Coventry Carol, and I’m not really sure how I’ve missed hearing it my entire life, but it is a devastating song about King Herod’s response to the birth of Christ (I won’t elaborate any further, but check out Matthew 2:16 if you need more details).  This song didn’t leave me feeling full of hope, joy, or peace; instead, I just felt sad, and my mom and I sat there in silence for a little bit after the song ended.

That’s not the typical feeling associated with anything Christmas, and you’re probably wondering why this is the story I would choose to share on Christmas Eve, of all days! And if I’m being honest, I’ve been wondering that myself.  However, that song left a huge impression on me, and the lyrics have haunted me since I heard them. And then…THEN…a few days after hearing it, I signed up to write an Advent Devotion. There were only two spots left unclaimed when I signed up, and I chose Christmas Eve. I flipped open my Bible to the Scripture associated with my devotion, and would you believe it was from Matthew 2, the VERY CHAPTER in which Herod’s awful story is found?! 

 

I started out just reading familiar words about the Magi seeking the King of the Jews because they had a desire to worship him. I was anxiously wading into the story, excited to get to the good stuff: these wise men following a star to the house where Mary and Jesus were, being overjoyed when they found Him and bowing and worshipping, offering up their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It’s a wonderfully perplexing story because these men weren’t even Jews, but yet they understood Who Jesus was even better than some of the Jews did and they weren’t going to let anything stop them from finding Him.

The Massacre of the Innocents - Rubens

But in the middle of that beautiful story, you have verse 3, which says, “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed…” And as anxious as I was to get to the good stuff, I had to pause my reading for a minute. Because yes, the wise men were going to find Who they were seeking. And yes, they were going to worship Him. And yes, they were going to offer up their oddly specific gifts. But immediately after that, they were going to incite the wrath of King Herod, and some pretty awful things were going to happen to innocent people. And for just a minute, I had that overwhelming sense of sadness again, just like I felt after listening to Coventry Carol. Why, in the middle of anything good, does there seem to always have to be a verse 3? Why does sickness exist? Why do people have to die? How can humans be cruel to one another? Why can’t we just love one another? Why does doing the right thing have to feel so hard? As much as I’d like to relish in the fact that we live in a beautiful creation, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, we have a God that loves us so much that He was willing to send His own Son to this earth to die for us so that we can spend eternity with Him, as much as I would LIKE to relish in that, life is just full of verse threes that seem to hit me in the face and leave me sad. 

So, I paused. And I asked God what He was trying to teach me through this. And He left me with this Scripture: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This life is gonna be full of verse threes, but you can’t let that rob you of the good stuff. Because of that baby born in Bethlehem, we have the promise of eternity with Him, where there is no more death and there are no more tears. HE has overcome the world, so we don’t have to. We just have to trust Him. I pray you are blessed this Christmas, and that you truly know and accept the love of our savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas. 

 

Holy God, you gather the whole universe

into your radiant presence

and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.

Bring healing to all wounds,

make whole all that is broken,

speak truth to all illusion,

and shed light in every darkness,

that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. 

Amen.

The Revised Common Lectionary

Dec 23 - The Joy of the Shepherds

The Joy of the Shepherds

Saturday, December 23, 2023

By: Andy Lambel

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”   Luke 2:8-11

This is a very familiar Scripture text to most of us.  It’s part of the narrative of the Christmas story as found in the Gospel of Luke.  The story that will be read in most churches on Christmas Eve.  It’s a story that’s so familiar to us that maybe we’ve lost our fascination with it.  So, I’m trying to read this with a different set of eyes than I normally would.  

I’m looking at the words “great joy,” and wondering what that might’ve felt like or looked like some 2,000 years ago when these angels appeared in the night sky to those shepherds.  

Before going on I wanted to know the definition of the word joy so here’s how Dictionary.com defines joy: “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.”

I also found a Biblical definition of joy.  The Greek word for “joy” is chara.  Chara is Greek noun which describes a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing.  Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing.

So, with that in mind, let’s think about this “great joy” that the angels told the shepherds about.

I think we’re all searching for joy.  At least, I know I am.  And this time of the year marketing agencies try to capitalize on that.  Every technology ad promotes it, and Christmas business strategies rely on it: unshakeable, undiluted, undeniable joy.

Melani Pyke - Good News of Great Joy

Are you looking to receive joy this Christmas season?  Buy this subscription.  Do want to sleep better at night this Advent?  Buy our comfortable new luxury mattress.  Want to find fulfillment? Enjoy our half price meal deal at your favorite restaurant.  We’re inundated with aspirational images of a joy-filled individual.

Joy is an important theme throughout the Bible especially during Advent.  God makes it His priority to make it available to each of us.  Just like we would all rather hear a baby laugh instead of cry, God wants us to experience a deep rooted joy in our lives.

This is the message God sent to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11.  The good news they heard was that Jesus is coming to redeem the restore the world.  God spoke to a group of men who needed joy, in a society where they were at the bottom of the totem pole, and completely disregarded by the culture as a whole.

Some of us are asking God to simply remove difficulty and trouble in our lives.  But Jesus offers you something better: His joy in the midst of it.

This Christmas substitute your contingent joy that dependent on circumstances with a courageous joy found in Christ.  Contingent joy depends on our external variables, but courageous joy makes us vulnerable and available to Jesus.

Take some time this Christmas and be like the shepherds.  Open yourself up to an interruption.  Open your ears to hear the word of the Lord: “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Let Jesus come close and bring you into His joy.

Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
    send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces 

    to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward 

    to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for 

    the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.

Dec 22 - Faith of Joseph

Faith of Joseph

Friday, December 22, 2023

by: Joy Ross

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Key Verse:

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  Matthew 1:24

We know so little about Joseph. The scriptures don't give us much information about him. But there are a number of things we can glean from what scripture does say.

• First- he was righteous. He probably could have called to have Mary stoned for being pregnant but he was also carrying because he didn't want to expose her to public disgrace.
• Second- he was a" son of David"- of the royal family line from which the messiah would come.
• Third- he was obedient. Matthew 1:24 says " he did what the Angel of the Lord had commanded him amid took Mary home as his wife".

Can you imagine the faith Joseph must have had? We praise Mary for her faith but Joseph had to have had as least as much faith as Mary, perhaps even more! Can you fathom being a man finding out that his betrothed was pregnant and knowing that it wasn't his? The hurt, anger, embarrassment and loss of trust he must have felt? He might not have believed her when she told him it was no man's child, but God's, yet he still choose to treat her with kindness and dignity, hence, "divorcing her quietly". And then the Angel of the Lord came to him in a dream rather than when he was wide awake as Mary was when she was visited by Gabriel. It must have been enough to convince him of the truth of Mary's claim and he acted in faith- great faith, I would say!

His faith showed again when when he took his small family to Egypt at the instruction of an angel in another dream and yet, again, when he was told in the same way to return home.

I don't know about you, but it always helps my faith along when I get shots of reassurance or confirmation from God in ways I'm not expecting. For instance, Simeon and Anna at the temple the day Jesus was presented according to the law, or the visit of the Magi, who knew the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Even the shepherds at Jesus' birth confirmed God's word to Joseph and Mary.

Eventually they had to go back to Nazareth. Go back to the whispers, the looks. That took great faith as well, for them both. At some point, I imagine, something else came along to talk about in the community, but did the gossip ever go completely away? Did people ever really forget? Were Joseph and Mary ever truly respected in their town? We'll never know this side of heaven, and perhaps no one will care once they're there- it will no longer matter!

Joseph and Mary had great faith to accept God's calling on each of their lives. I'm not sure I would have been able to do that. They both had so much trust in God that they simply "obeyed". They didn't challenge or try to bargain or even ask "why me?".

Such faith, such trust! My prayer for each of us it that when God calls us to Acton, whatever it may be, that our response to God will be the same as that famous line from the movie Princess Bride, "As you wish." No more, no less.

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Online] Book of Common Prayer

Dec 21 - Angelic Declarations

Angelic Declarations

Thursday, December 21, 2023

by: Millie Ball

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Key Verse

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God."  Luke 1:29-30

Have you ever been amazed at what God’s plan for your life looks like? You know that everything we have or will ever have is but a gift from God. One amazing gift we received happened when we were first stationed in Hawaii. We were two country kids a long way from home, but in a beautiful land. Trying to become pregnant wasn’t working for us, so I decided to take a civil service test and go to work. However, that was not God’s plan and before I was scheduled to take the exam, I suddenly started having morning sickness. We were so excited our prayers were answered at the most unexpected time! Yes, excited, nervous, and feeling alone, I prayed and thanked God and realized that we are never alone as believers.  I wonder if Mary experienced the same emotions I felt. God took care of all my emotions and blessed us with a precious baby girl;  just as God blessed Mary with our Savior.

I’m sure Mary, a virgin girl, was amazed and shocked when the angel Gabriel told her she was going to have a baby. “”How can this be, since I have not been with a man?” (Luke 1: 34) How am I going to tell Joseph, the man I am betrothed to what is happening; can and will he believe me? Then the angel told Mary, “do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1: 30)  God is all powerful all knowing; it is no secret what he can do, he knew her heart and her thoughts and sent an angel to tell Joseph he had nothing to fear. This was God’s perfect plan for Mary and Joseph and they found peace, love, and joy in knowing that this was a special and divine gift. We, too, need to let go and let God work his glorious plan in our lives. Let His love work through us as we strive to bring more and more people to know and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Father God we love you and praise you; open our hearts and let your love flow through us as we strive to expand your Kingdom. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen

Dec 20 - Prepare the Way for Jesus

Prepare the Way for Jesus

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

By:  Larry Ball

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Key Verse:

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  Matthew 3:1-2

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  Matthew 3:11

Which road to take? That was a question I prayed about some 20 years ago. Things in my life seemed to be crashing down on me; I was in a deep valley both with my work and with my family. I was praying sometimes and going to church regularly, but I suddenly realized I was a Sunday Christian. Meaning I was striving to be a faithful servant only one day a week, and not following God’s plan for my life the other six days. It was at that point I said, “Lord Jesus I surrender all to you and your master plan.” In order to surrender all, we must chose to put Jesus first in our heart. By choosing that road and God’s plan for our lives, we will experience Christ’s grace, love, peace, and joy.

John the Baptist followed God’s plan and became a great preacher, telling people “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Mathew 3:2) John prepared the way for Jesus by preparing others to welcome him. When they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. John said, “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God.” (Mathew 3:11) Let us make straight the road for One coming very soon who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 

We, too, can be road builders and urge people to repent, confess their sins, be baptized and live for Christ. John compared people who claim they believe God, but don’t live for God to unproductive trees that will be cut down and burned up. When Jesus returns, he will separate the believers from the nonbelievers and gather the believers unto himself while telling the nonbelievers he never knew them.

Lord Jesus we love you and praise you; help us witness to the lost and help them to repent, confess their sins, and put your love in their heart. Amen.

Dec 19 - For God So Loved

For God So Loved

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

by: Brian Groe

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

This is probably the best known and the most quoted verse in the Bible.  However sometimes I wonder if we really understand what this verse means to us today.  

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why God loved us?  Is it because we have so much to offer God?  How often have you heard someone say, "We are so lucky to have so-and-so in our church.  They contribute so much to our services and ministry."  

Paul says in Romans 5 that "at the right time, when we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly..." (verse 5).  Then a little later Paul says "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  (verse 8) Then Paul concludes by saying "while we were God's enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son" (verse 10).

I was lost, still living in my sin and an enemy of God.  Yet God so loved me that He gave His only Son so that I might be reconciled to God.  I had nothing to offer, nothing to bring to the transaction, and yet God so loved .... God loves because that is who He is.  

So what does this mean for us as a church today (and more specifically for me as a child of God)?

It is easy for me to love those with whom I have something in common: family, friends, those who share common values or social standing.  But what about those who think differently than I do, the socially awkward, those that are on the fringe of our acceptable society or those who have special needs.

I am so thankful and delighted that our church has a Sunday School class that ministers to those who have special needs in our community.  The members of this class are some of our most faithful attenders of our services and activities, and they bring a unique sense of joy everywhere they go.  

Over the last year several members of this class have accepted Jesus as their Savior, and become members of our church.   

One of the key members of this class is Tina.  Our hope was that we could interview Tina for this blogpost, and share her answers with you, but illness caused some lockdowns at her facility, so we were unable to talk to Tina directly.  Hopefully next year we will be able to share Tina's remembrance of Christmas with you all.

Diana and I joined FUMC in the spring of 2007, and one of the first people we met was Tina.  All it took was introducing ourselves once, and from then on Tina called us both by name.  

I can't do that!  I am constantly asking people to tell me their name over and over again!  (Diana and I had an agreement that when we were at any kind of work function, and someone came up to talk to us; if I didn't introduce them right away, Diana would introduce herself because I had forgotten their name!)

In the summer of 2007 Diana and I moved to Boston, and we were there for seven years.  On our first Sunday back in 2014 I walked into the sanctuary, and Tina said from across the room, "Hi Brian!"  After seven years, Tina still remembered me by name.  Tina has a remarkable memory, she is a wonderfully loving person, and she is one of the fixtures of our worship services.

This year as we prepare to celebrate Christmas my prayer is that we can all learn about the love of God by sharing that love with someone who makes us a little uncomfortable.  God loved us while we were helpless, lost and actively hostile towards Him.  I pray that I can learn more about that love by sharing with someone that is helpless and lost.  

God of grace, thank You that when I was lost, you found me and when I was ashamed you forgave me, nailing the accusations against me to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). Remembering that forgiveness cost everything for you and nothing for me, I receive the priceless gift of unconditional grace now.  Amen

Lectio 365 Devotion

Dec 18 - Do Not Be Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid

Monday, December 18, 2023

By: Betty Coats

And when the time for the burning of incense came all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the alter of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was gripped with fear. But the angel said to to him "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth.
Luke 1;10-14

Zacheriah was serving as a priest and his division was on duty that day to go into the temple and burn incense. It was his duty to keep it burning in the alter in front of of the Most Holy Place where God's presence appeared. One can imagine Zacheriah was concentrating on his duty when suddenly Gabriel appeared. He had prayed for a child but at his old age was skeptical and did not believe the message that they would become parents and his prayer had been heard and answered. Not only it would be a son, but his name would be John a delight to him and to many.

We too have been in Zachariah's place of disbelief and fear. Knowing that phrase "Do not be afraid" is found in the Bible 365 times is a calling from God that we do not have to live in fear. Today it would seem there is much to fear and we pray to God to solve our fears and disbelief. In the scriptures he

tells us to be patient, be still and listen, and "Do Not Be Afraid."

Heavenly Father, during this time of Advent we lift up our fears and disbelief and lean on the hope, love, peace, joy and hope Christ's birth brought.   Amen

Dec 17 - Comfort My People

  Comfort My People

  

   Sunday, December 17, 2023

   By: Fredia Campo

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-10

 

I love the Old Testament. God gives us the history of how He communicated with His chosen people, to love and when necessary, discipline them. A dear friend says that "the Bible is a love story" that tells of God seeking, blessing, rebellion, discipline, asking for forgiveness, returning to God and rest. What descriptive words apply to us and which words describe the love of God?

 

In Isaiah 40 we find a wide range of prophecies and promises. Starting with verse one; 150 years in advance of their return from Babylonian captivity He promises that they will be comforted and they will have paid double for all their sins. Next we see Isaiah prophesying the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3 and Mathew 3:3).

 

In the following verses there is a prophecy of the send coming of Christ where the "glory of the Lord will be revealed and all people will see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah 40:5).

 

In verses 6 - 7 (this is what I believe God is saying to us). God tells Isaiah to "cry out" that we are like the grass and flowers of the field, we wither and are no more. We have a short time to let His light shine through and to tell of the saving grace of our Savior. Although we may have withered, God's Word endures forever.

 

In verses 9-10, Isaiah is told to go up on a high mountain and shout the good news and do not be afraid, "here is your God, the sovereign Lord comes with power, and rules with a mighty arm and His recompense is with him' (amends for loss or harm suffered). I believe that this also gives us a glimpse of the second coming of Christ.

 

With such great news, let's rejoice and celebrate His first coming, 'Christmas', and be filled with joy and expectation for His second coming

 

For Peace Among the Nations

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the

world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among

them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they

may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

[Online] Book of Common Prayer

Dec 16 - A Christmas Truce

A Christmas Truce

Saturday, December 16, 2023

by: Geoff Posegate

And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,

    one who will arise to rule over the nations;

    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[a]

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:12-13

My childhood was in the shadow of World War II and the Korean War, and in the run-up to the War in Vietnam.  From my earliest days I took for granted the reality and impact of warfare.  One Christmas in the midst of all that I heard a fascinating war story that has intrigued all my life.  It happened in Europe at Christmas in 1914. It was the first year of what was then known as The Great War or The War to End All Wars. (!)  All along the Western Front an unplanned, unauthorized truce took place.  From across no man’s land, British soldiers heard German soldiers singing “Stille Nacht” and saw them decorating scrawny trees and bushes with candles.  They responded back with their version – “Silent Night.”  Hesitatingly, soldiers from both sides crept out of trenches, weaponless, to greet their enemies, and to wish them a Merry Christmas.  Gifts were exchanged, drinks were shared, pictures were taken, and games were played.  Up to 100,000 troops experienced this up and down the front.  If only for a few hours, enemies united to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

In his letter to followers of Jesus in Rome, Paul quoted Isaiah’s prophecy, saying, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”  When we hear the term “Gentile” now, we tend to think this means simply those who were not from a Jewish background, as was Paul.  “Gentile” had a much heavier and negative meaning to Jewish people then.  A Gentile was someone who was not a part of God’s favored people, not pleasing to God, and even unworthy of any kind of interaction with those who followed the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.  In short, a Gentile was an enemy, by presumption of accepted Jewish practice.  This ramps of the impact of what Paul said.  The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus binds all in his Lordship and his Kingdom, even and especially those we see as enemies.

Whom do you and I assume is outside the benefits and importance of the birth of a Savior?  Before what individual, group, political persuasion, ethnicity, lifestyle, etc. are we staying in our trench, braced for attack, or planning for attack?  Where do we need to lay down our “arms”, sing “Silent Night” as an invitation, and cross no man’s land to offer “Merry Christmas” as an invitation to celebrate together?

Where do you and I need a Christmas Truce?

 

 Jesus, you who came into the world as an enemy of none, show me where we need to take the first step toward a “Christmas Truce”, so that others may see you in me.  Amen.

Dec 15 - The Light that Dwells Among Us

The Light that Dwells Among Us

Friday, December 15, 2023

by Alexandra Graham

The true light, which illuminates every man, was coming into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not recognize him.  He went to his own, and his own did not accept him.  Yet whoever did accept him, those who believed in his name, he gave them the power to become the sons of God.  These are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word became flesh, and he lived among us, and we saw his glory, glory like that of an only-begotten son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:9-14 (Catholic Bible App)

In the opening verses of the Gospel of John, we encounter a profound truth—a light that enlightens everyone is entering the world. This light is none other than Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. On its face, these short verses just look like quick recap of Jesus’ thirty-three years Earthside. But really, even 2000 years later, we really aren’t all that different than the people then.

Verse 9 reminds us this light is universal, illuminating the lives of all people. It shines forth, bringing enlightenment, understanding, and grace to a world in need. Yet, it's poignant to note that despite being in the world, the Creator was often not recognized by His creation. How often do we not notice God in our lives? I have a whole collection of bracelets from volunteering at VBS for several years that say “Watch for God” hanging from my headboard in the guest bedroom. I have specific places where I watch for God, and I’m amused that over the years, I’ve accidently inculcated my practice in other people I know to ask for holes in traffic and for a good parking spot at the airport.

 

Verses 10-11 reveal a paradox—the world came to be through Him, yet many remained unaware of His presence. Even among His own people, there was a lack of acceptance. It serves as a reminder that divine truths can be obscured by worldly perceptions, and the extraordinary can be overlooked in the ordinary. Lest you think that my God sightings are only about getting what I want when I want it, really the definition of a God sighting for me is seeing the hand of God in the everyday. It’s the nudge to go to the library at lunch instead of after work and discovering the latest book in a series I’m reading. It’s thinking about someone and then the radio plays that person’s favorite song. Maybe that’s coincidence…but then maybe coincidence is just another word for God.

The narrative takes a turn towards hope in Verses 12-13. Despite the rejection by the people of Jesus’ time, there is an invitation extended to those who accept Him. Through faith, we are granted the extraordinary privilege of becoming children of God. This relationship is not a result of natural descent, human choice, or a mere decision; it is a divine birthright, a rebirth granted by God Himself. I have a whole long line of movies, TV shows and songs that I love because they’re about blind faith: “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel, Field of Dreams, and Joan of Arcadia are just a few. I think that God is bigger than anything we can understand while our souls are housed in human bodies. God’s light is within all of us; we are all part of something larger. We choose to focus on our differences instead of what we share in common, but in talking to people from other faiths, what always strikes me is their visceral experience with God often sounds like mine: such overwhelming joy that I can’t stop crying, experiencing something so profoundly beautiful that my teeth ache, that frustration that if I could just get out of this confining body, I could truly join the whole. It makes me appreciate so much the idea that “What you do to one of my children, you do to me” because it means when we damage each other (especially in the name of religion), we are actually damaging God, and ourselves, too.

Verse 14 encapsulates the mystery and beauty of the Incarnation. The Word, the very essence of God, becomes flesh and dwells among us. The Creator enters into His creation, not in a distant or indifferent manner, but intimately and personally. The glory of the Son is revealed, and in Him, we encounter the perfect fusion of grace and truth. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus was equally annoyed with the limits of his body, and I wonder if in the undocumented years between twelve and thirty if he found ways, like most teenagers, to slip the collar and find freedom. I wonder about teenage Jesus. Like, his pre-frontal cortex wasn’t fully developed yet: Did he take up dares from his friends to jump off crazy high cliffs into the river? Did he fall in love and have his heartbroken? He visited us Earthside to experience life the way humans do—did he get the opportunity to feel all the emotions, including jealousy and avarice?As we reflect on these verses, may we be awakened to the universal light that shines in our lives, dispelling darkness and offering the transformative gift of divine filiation. Let us recognize and accept the Word made flesh, embracing the grace and truth that He brings. When we recognize that God isn’t just outside of us, that he is part of us, that he is part of our everyday lives if we just bother to notice, that when we follow that quiet voice to move to action, we become witnesses to His glory, and through faith, we are welcomed into the family of God.

O Lord, incline your merciful ears to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our hearts by the light of your visitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  Author Unknown

 

Dec 14 - Heard in the Backseat

Heard in the Backseat

Thursday, December 14, 2023

By: Diana Groe

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

John 1:1-5

Every year for Christmas, my parents would bundle us up in the car and off we'd go to Grandma's house, about 100 miles away. (It seemed like such a long way then!) When I was about 6 or so, on one of these yearly treks, I was holding court in the backseat with my sister Cindy as my primary audience. My teacher had been regaling my class with the scientific explanation of how the planets in our solar system had come into being. It involved swirling gasses and chunks of rock banging together with solar flares whizzing by, all of which had somehow come from nothing, and finally became the set of (then) 9 planets orbiting our sun. I was always keen to learn new things and, I must confess, loved to show off my new knowledge to my captive younger sibling. 

However, my mini-symposium was interrupted when Dad said, "No, Diana. That's wrong. 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.'" 

My father went on to tell us about our infinitely creative God who made all that is, was or ever will be by simply commanding it to be so. By His Word. But when it came to making people, He took extra care. The Creator God shaped the first human from the dust of the ground (though just the other day, Dad said he suspected it might have been good, rich Iowa topsoil!) and then God breathed His very own breath into Adam's lungs. The God my dad believed in was both immensely powerful and incredibly tender.

I remember feeling an intense sense of awe and wonder as I sat in that backseat listening to my father tell me about his God. The foundation for my faith was being laid in my childish heart on that road trip. No matter how much my science teachers tried to convince me that I was a product of time and slime, I couldn't buy into it after that. 

My father had told me different. That was good enough. (And I have to admit to a bit of glee now as astrophysicists scramble to rethink their cosmological theories since the data collected from the Hubble and Webb telescopes have confounded so many of their imaginings!)

Scripture doesn't need to be re-imagined. 

I've always loved the grandeur and poetry of the beginning of John's gospel. He echoes Genesis with his "In the beginning..." opening and then goes on to explain creation further as the work of none other than the Word, the God/Man Jesus Christ.  And then later in this first chapter, John shares the greatest mystery of all--that the Word became flesh and came to live with us. Jesus left eternity and was born as one of us, bearing even in His infant form, all the authority and supremacy of the eternal God.

And unfathomable love, because He brought life for us with Him, and light to erase our darkness. Jesus' coming tells us we don't need to be afraid, no matter what, because He is with us. He will see us safely into His arms.

This year, two days before Thanksgiving, my dad took a fall and hit his head on Mom's piano's leg. (For those of you who enjoy Mom's preludes, you'll be pleased to know the piano was not harmed.) But Dad's head injury called for a trip to the ER. We were all stunned when the CT-scan revealed a tennis ball sized tumor in the frontal part of Dad's brain. When the doctor left the room, my dad was the first to break the silence.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away," he said softly. "Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Clearly, my father still has things to teach me.  

***

On Christmas Day, my parents will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary! When you see them at church, please congratulate them as we celebrate their amazing 70 years of love!

Dec 13 - Sell Your Possessions

Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Needy

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

by: Rob Stauffer

"Sell your possessions and give to the needy.  Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with treasure in heaven that does not fail, where no thief can break in and no moth can destroy.  For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."  

Luke 12:  33-34

Wow!  This is a tough one.  Sell my stuff and give the money away?  I worked and saved a long time to just give it all away.  What does this really mean?

When I was a young boy, I remember reading a story by Aesop about some ants and a grasshopper.  It was late autumn and the ants were busy drying the grain that they had collected during the summer in preparation for the fast approaching winter.  Well, along comes a hungry grasshopper with a fiddle under his arm, and he begs the ants for a bite to eat.  The ants were astounded. "What? You haven't stored away anything for the winter?  What in the world were you doing last summer?"  The grasshopper whined,  "I didn't have time.  I was busy making music with my fiddle and before I knew it, the summer was gone."

The ants were disgusted.  "Making music were you?  Very well; now dance."  And they turned their backs on the grasshopper and went back to work.

My parents wanted my five siblings and me to know this story.  When they thought any one of us was slacking off on a job we knew had to be done, they would just say, "Get busy.  No fiddling around," and we knew just what they meant.

Later on I came across a verse or two in the Bible that said pretty much the same thing as Aesop was saying.  Proverbs 6 speaks to the lazy person.  "Go to the ant, you sluggard!  Consider her ways and be wise."  If you fail to work  "your poverty will come on you like a prowler."  In II Thessalonians 3, Paul tells the people:  "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat."

The message here seems pretty clear to me.  Work hard!  Save as much as you can because hard times are coming and you need to be prepared.  Makes sense to me.  BUT, then I get to Luke chapter twelve.  What's this?

In Luke 12: 16-21, Jesus tells a parable of a rich farmer who just harvested a bumper crop and his barns aren't big enough to hold it.  So, he builds bigger barns.  Now he has enough stored up that he can basically retire early.  Eat, drink and be merry.  Sounds like the dream of every hardworking person.  But then there's a twist.  That night he dies because he was too selfish!  What about the ants?!?

In Luke 12: 22-29, Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about what they will eat or what they will wear.  Remember, these men gave up everything to follow Jesus.  It seems reasonable that they would be a little worried.  But Jesus tells them that God feeds the birds of the air who neither sow nor reap nor store away.  And, God also "clothes" the lilies more beautifully than Solomon even though they neither "toil nor spin."  " If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, surely He will feed and clothe you even more, so don't worry."

What's going on here?  Feed the birds?  Clothe the flowers?  Punish the successful farmer?  Maybe the grasshopper was right!  I should have retired earlier!

But let's look a little closer.  Verse 21 says the rich farmer was laying up "treasure for himself and was not rich toward God."  He was blind to the fact that all his riches came from God's hand.  Also, verses 31 & 32 say:  "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you."  And if we truly seek God's Kingdom, "it is your Father's good pleasure to give the Kingdom to you."

Okay.  This is starting to make sense.  True treasure is obviously not to be found among the things here on earth.  Our opening verses, 33-34, tell us that earthly treasures can be lost or wear out.  They can be stolen or decay.  Not so with treasures in heaven.  Everlasting life is forever.  Your salvation cannot be stolen.  God's grace and mercy know no end.

Long ago, on that first Christmas, God sent us Treasure from heaven.  Jesus Christ came to set us free from sin and to teach us what true treasure is and is not.  It's not clothes that wear out.  It's not vehicles that break down.  It's not a house that can burn down.  And, it's not money that can be stolen by inflation.

Treasure from Heaven is Christ Himself!!  The Son of God!  The Word of God!  Every possession we could possibly own on earth, great or small, pales in comparison to the gift that God the Father has given us.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Jesus is God's gift to you--your Treasure.  Your heart is your gift in return.  And, "Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."

Have a Treasured Christmas!

Prayer for Generosity

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve as you deserve,

To give and not to count the cost,

To fight and not to heed the wounds,

To labor and not to seek to rest,

To give of my self and not ask for a reward,

Except the reward of knowing that I am doing your will.

Amen

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Dec 12 - Love Beyond Measure

Love beyond Measure

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

by Donna Taylor

           

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38 NIV 

What words jump out at you in this passage? For me, it's the very first word, “Give”, an action word of clear, direct instruction. Then, of course, the word “measure(d)”, repeated three times in two sentences. 

Jesus speaks these words. After being baptized by John and tested by Satan in the desert, He has begun his ministry of preaching, teaching and healing the sick. On this occasion He and His twelve disciples went up on a mountainside (Matthew 5:1) and stood on a level place surrounded by “a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon...”. (Luke 6:17) “Looking at His disciples...” (Luke 6:20) Jesus begins to teach. These teachings, recorded in Matthew and Luke, have become known as the Sermon on the Mount, and our scripture text is included in Luke's account.

The Sermon on the Mount introduces the Kingdom of God. Luke begins Jesus' discourse with four blessings that will accrue to those who follow him and four woes for those who reject Him. Jesus then calls His disciples to love their enemies and “Do to others as you would have them do to you”. (Luke 6:31) The group of verses 6:37-42 address judging and relating to others: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) This verse immediately precedes our scripture text, Luke 6:38.

“Give, and it will be given to you”. Is Jesus talking about money or material things? Considering the preceding verse, isn't it likely that Christ is challenging our human tendency to judge, condemn and not forgive ourselves and others? Jesus wants us to give mercy, forgiveness and no condemnation. This declarative sentence, “Give, and it will be given to you”, contains no conditions, no qualifiers. Do you hear the promise, the truth, the love in Jesus' words? He wants us to know what we sow we will reap, be it blessing or curse. 

“A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” This is how God will bless those who are generous. Here Jesus uses a common everyday example in the lives of His hearers to illustrate:

“In markets Jews would purchase grain or other granular products. They would generally pull up their outer garment from below with both hands outstretched from their sides to form their garment into a bowl-like shape. The merchant then would pour the grain into the lap of the buyer and press it down. Then the buyer would shake the grain together to make room for more. Finally the seller would top off the grain if generous”.  Quora.com/Milan Woodson

Jesus wants His followers to know God will bless them beyond measure when they, like God, give themselves generously. 

“For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This is a promise that if we give with a big measure, we will receive a big measure in return from God. At this time of  Advent, I think of a young, virgin Jewish girl in Nazareth. She responded to an angel's incredible announcement wholeheartedly. Giving her full measure of obedience and devotion she became the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world!

We love to measure things—objects, distance, light, time, temperature, money—and each item has it's own unit of measure. So I wonder now, what is my heart's unit of measure? Is it love? When I consider judging, condemning, forgiving (others as well as myself), am I stingy or generous giving love? How open am I to new people, to ideas that differ from mine? Do I first consider if a person is worthy or deserving of my time, attention or resources? Do I pick and choose who I associate with according to whether their behavior and lifestyle agrees with my own?  Does what I give others help and heal? Does what I give glorify God? What is my standard of measure? Is it love?

As we near Christmas we reflect on God's greatest gift to us, Jesus. Jesus! Our redeemer and friend. He told us and showed us that God is love. To help us, he gave us a new command: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). He gave himself, full measure, for each one of us. I know that I have a ways to go to love wholeheartedly, with full measure. I also know the Holy Spirit is eager to help me: counseling, nudging, correcting, affirming as needed. I have hope that in time, listening to Jesus's words and relying on the power of God's Holy Spirit, I, too, shall learn to love generously.

Gracious God, in Jesus' name cultivate a giving, generous heart in me. Help me give unlimited mercy, forgiveness and no condemnation to myself or others. Free me from every fear and insecurity that limits my ability to give the love you so freely and continuously give me. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead me into a life of giving love beyond measure. Thank you! Amen

Dec 11 - Treasures in Heaven

Treasures in Heaven

Monday, December 11, 2023

Interpreted by Minister John Koch

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

In my life I have learned that my Father created me and gave me gifts, things here on earth that lead to treasures in heaven. I am not talking about physical things I'm not talking about wealth, our home, cars, books, or anything physical we can touch. I'm talking about the gifts that God has given us.

Spiritual gifts are different from talents, talents are special abilities that we can learn like playing sports or a musical instrument. We're a spiritual gift we can only get from God our Father. Apostleship, discernment, evangelism, encouragement, faith, giving, knowledge, leadership, mercy, pastoring, service, and  wisdom. 

    Treasures in Heaven by David Sorensen

In Matthew 6:19-21" Lay not up yourselves treasures upon the Earth, where moths and rust doth corrupt ,and where thieves break through and steal: but lay it for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is your heart will be also."... Using the spiritual gifts that God has given us we are building our treasures in heaven. We are doing what He wants us to do .We are showing the world the light of His love and understanding and forgiveness and showing the world where our love is where our heart belongs and that is with God our Father. I find that I am happiest when I am serving God and showing his love to the world because I know that someday I will be at great peace at His side.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought

us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty

power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by

adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your

purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Online] Book of Common Prayer

Dec 10 - Help the Weak

Help the Weak

Sunday, December 10, 2023

by Crystal Hammack

Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus. When I was growing up we had Christmas service with the children in each class performing in a skit or reciting, usually singing the beloved Christmas songs. It was a lot of work for the adults helping plan, practicing with the kids, and then sweating it out during the service. I know when the service was over they all were relieved. Mistakes, forgotten lines, hijinks were all a memory. There was a lot of love shown during advent.

In everything I did, I showed that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus,"It is more blessed to give than to receive."  Acts 20:35     

Jesus was a constant example of how to help those in need by doing whatever you do in love.

Who are the weak? Not everyone who we think "look" weak, are. Many people are born 'differently abled' than the mainstream. Others become that way through illness, accidents, wars, mental illness. Many of these people learn to do things in ways I can't even imagine doing, like having no arms and dressing a newborn, or playing an instrument with your feet, painting with your mouth. Adjusting after loss of a body part, or one of the 6 senses.

Then there are those who seem to be confident and have 'it' all together. Physically healthy, good job, happy family. But they have fears or guilt they are hiding from themselves and others.  They work 'harder' to keep the image, until it takes it's toll one way or another. This can make them weak. God sees the truth. He wants us all, in all our strengths and weaknesses, to come to Him. He wants us to do what we do in love, 

Hard work doesn't mean doing more than you are physically or mentally capable of . It changes for everyone depending on what season of their life they are in. Working out of duty becomes a burden and a person can get bitter and resentful. They can internalize that and become bitter, mean people. It is more blessed to give than to receive but only if given in love and without restrictions. If we tithe and then wish we hadn't given so much or if we give someone money and then worry about what they may do with it, we would be better off not giving. Jesus wants us to give with an open hand, not a clenched fist.

I have been a nurse since nursing school. Much of the days, or nights, were very difficult, in ICU. I went in to nursing because I felt it was my 'calling'. Sometimes I was able to make someone feel better and sometimes if they were facing a frightening procedure or diagnoses, I would ask if I could pray with them. I could see the lessening of anxiety, even if it was 'just' the Lords' Prayer. I enjoy giving. Sometimes I can feel my fist clenching, worrying about are they really homeless or are they scamming. I know then it is better for me not to give at that time, to wait until I feel ready to give freely.

Does this mean we shouldn't receive? I don't think so. When someone offers me a compliment I feel embarrassed or not so special. I used to shrug it off but someone told me that I was negating the blessing they were giving me. I was raised with better manners than that! Now I try to say thank you. We know that God is often where we are, here in West Plains.

As God works in your life, things happen. The old has passed away, the new has come(Paul). God wants us to be responsible, properly using what he's given us. He gives us goals to work toward. Phil2:12  Work out your own reward with fear and trembling. Let all you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14. We should work under the promise that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ".

Prayer to Know God’s Will

May it please the supreme and divine Goodness

to give us all abundant grace

ever to know his most holy will

and perfectly to fulfill it.

—St. Ignatius of Loyola