December 1, 2025 - Unto Us a Child is Born

Unto Us a Child is Born 

By: Rebecca Pruett

Monday, December 1, 2025

My fifteen year old daughter was telling me a story about another student in her class who is being raised by her grandparents, who are in their late 50s. The student told my daughter how “old” they were, and my daughter looked at her in shock since her own parents are in their early 50s! And that made me stop and think back to when my own children were born.

I had actually given up hope that I would ever have children. I was in my mid-30s and unmarried; it seemed unlikely that I would ever have children. And as much as I longed for children, God did not seem to be making a way for me.

I was missing out on all the child-like wonder of the world. I longed to cuddle a small baby, take a walk with a toddler, discover the excitement of learning to read with a 5 year old, teach a ten year old how to cook, teach a fifteen year old how to drive, watch an adult child get married, and cuddle my first grandchild. I wondered who would look out for me when I became older. Would I sit alone, wishing for someone to visit me?

And then something surprising happened. God showed me a wonderful man, who had been nearby all along. We married and I was content with where I was and who I was sharing a life with.

And then (I know this is not surprising to anyone but me), we discovered I was pregnant! And all those dreams I had hoped for with a new baby all began to come true! I cuddled a sweet little baby, and then a second. I took (short) walks with toddlers. We discovered the excitement of putting letters together to make words and words together to make stories. We started school. We learned to cook together. And now we are learning to drive.

God granted the deepest desire of my heart, not in my time, but in His time. And His timing was perfect!

God didn’t just do this for me. He granted the deepest desire of His people’s hearts. He  did this for Israel and in so doing, also blessed the entire world! Isaiah 9:2 says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

I really did feel like I was in darkness. The hope I had for a husband and children did not seem very close. And for the Israelites, hope did not seem very close either.

But then Isaiah 9:3 says, “You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.” And I really did rejoice! My children really are my harvest! (Ok, don’t tell my children that they are the spoil! They might decide to take advantage of me!)

And then Isaiah 9:6 points this out:

“For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

    there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

    to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

    from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Did you notice that last line? “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” “Zeal” is another way to say “eager, enthusiastic interest”. I love my children and when I am not totally exhausted, I certainly have “zeal” and “enthusiastic interest” in them. But this is NOTHING compared to the enthusiastic interest God has for us. His zeal and enthusiastic interest resulted in Him sending His own Son as a baby to us - His Son who is our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace!

One of my favorite expressions of this shows up in Handel’s Messiah. Talk about zeal! This excitement shows up in echoing lines in the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass lines along with the underlying orchestra parts! Make sure you play this at full volume!!!  

Lord, thank You for Your amazing gift – the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace! Thank you for loving us so much that You planned this before the foundation of the earth. Hundreds of years in advance, You put all the pieces in place – pieces we had no idea would fit together and they did! They fit together just like You planned and You prepared the way for Your perfect salvation for us! Thank you for your gift, Your Son, who came to earth as a baby, experienced the world the way we did, was the sacrifice for our sins, and then rose again. Help us to remember and appreciate the Gift You have given us and point us to You in this season. In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen.

November 30, 2025 - Shine

Shine

by Carol Powell

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-5

I wiped the sweat off my neck and struggled to catch my breath as I completed my workout. So frustrating! I used to do this with ease, but now my joints complain, my back hurts. How did I get old so fast? Why do I seem to dwell more on memories than than what will be? Thoughts randomly flit through my head: an old friend long gone, something my mother told me, something I wish I had done better, an action I wish I could take back. I rarely look forward, only behind.

I glance at the scripture I was reading earlier from Isaiah 60:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the people’s, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you

My LIGHT has come?? I’m nearly 74 years old. Not shining so much anymore. I indulged myself with these kinds of thoughts a bit longer. After all, I’m much closer to the end of my life than the beginning. And that’s when He spoke up. Or maybe that’s when I paused enough to hear his voice:

Why would I send you a second chance at love at 67 years old if your light couldn’t shine? Why would I give you experience and wisdom to lead a Bible study in your seventies, or find new ways to serve the church if your flame was extinguished? With whom have you shared a prayer, or a recipe, or given comfort to just in this past week?

Joy of Aging by Joanne Turney

And just like that, my God reminded me that while I might not move as quickly or accomplish things as easily, I am still His, and I am still “fearfully and wonderfully made” for those things He calls me to do at this stage in my life. I can still lead, I can still learn, I can still listen and follow His will. I can still love deeply, gasp in awe at the beauty of the world and its creatures. I can cry at yet another glorious Christmas cantata, smile at the wonder on a child’s face as she marvels at the glow of holiday lights. There is a light within all of us, young and old, that God has placed there so that we shine for the world. We are called to carry this light-the light of Christ-to the very end of our days. And if we’ve done it right, His light will continue to shine, long after we are gone. 

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.

- Henri J.M. Nouwen

November 27, 2025 - In Your Light We See Light

In Your Light We See Light

by: Brian Groe

November 27, 2025

 

                         How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

                             People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

                         They feast on the abundance of your house;

                             you give them drink from your river of delights.

                         For with you is the fountain of life;

                             in your light we see light. - Psalm 36:7-9

Happy Thanksgiving! This is the time of year that we all pause to give thanks for the many blessings that God bestows on us every day!  

How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God!  This is the truth that we can rest upon.  Even in difficult times when we focus on this truth, we can rest assured that God is working. People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  They feast on the abundance of Your house. 

God's unfailing love and provision is the light by which we see the light of God working in all of our daily lives.  For with [God] is the fountain of life.  God is the source of all that we need, and He abundantly provides for us every day!

We are once again entering that season of Advent.  That time of anticipation of the coming of Christmas, and the patient waiting for Christ to return again.  I pray that this Thanksgiving finds you full of God's love and overflowing with thankfulness.

Over the last 3 years we have done a daily devotion and blog during Advent written by various members of the congregation.  You can see by the map below just how far our blog has reached around the world!  It is amazing that our little church can reach so far, and have such an influence on so many people.    

This year we will do our blog/devotion again.  I hope that you all enjoy these devotions as various members of the congregation share their memories, hopes and thoughts about the scriptures of Christmas.

I hope that you will feel free to comment on these posts, asking questions, or sharing your own memories or thoughts.  We look forward to hearing from all of you!

Salvation is Created is a beautiful choral piece written by Pavel Chesnokov.  I hope you enjoy this recording of this wonderful piece.  For those of you that don't speak Russian, the text is based on  Psalm 74:12 - 

"Salvation is created, in the midst of the earth, O God, O our God. Alleluia".

Lord Jesus,

Free me from the many things that occupy and preoccupy me. 

Help me just to be with you. 

To pray with you, glorify you, thank you, worship you. 

I want to be attentive, more ready to hear you, 

more willing to understand the mystery of your birth and life, 

your dying and your rising. 

Make me still, Lord, make me quiet, and speak to me in that silence.

Amen.

Henri Nouwen