Advent Devotional 2018

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3

Title Psalm 40; 67, Isaiah 1:10-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Luke 20:1-8 by amy wynkoop

Introduction

What does mean to “wait patiently for the Having hope involves actively exercising LORD?” The psalmist brings his pain to God, faith. It must be grown, stoked, and tended remembering The word God’s Advent past comes deliverance from the and Latin through wordpracticed "adventus," relational whichinterchange means with grace. David "coming" pleads, or "arrival." wranglesThe andseason reminds of Advent our living, is a timeactive of waiting, God. a“Come time when now, let us God; hewe expresses are reminded anger,of doubt, how much yearning, we needreason a savior.together,” And whilesays we look the forward Lord. “Though pain andto praise. festive David, gatherings the prophets, with friends Paul, and and family, your sins maybewe like anticipate scarlet, they the birth shall be of as white the gospel ourwriters Savior,all God's exhort only us son, to live—right with a renewed as snow,” joy. Isaiah declares. David exercised his now—in the hope and expectation of God faith wrestling with God through his psalms, workingThe His four will in sections our lives. in this Even devotional through correspond often ending to the in resignation themes of and the four praise: “I am our pain.weeks How of canAdvent: I believe hope, our peace, loving joy, Godand is love. poorYou andwill needy…You find devotionals are my written help and my workingby when Covenant I don’tmembers feel that utilizing way? scripture deliverer; passages O from mytheGod, Dailydo Lectionary not delay.” Paul to write their reflections. lived into the hope of knowing Christ Jesus When my son was in his early college years, more and more, exhorting believers to imimy husband Look, and listen, I needed rejoice, to and practice be alert “tough for thetate presence him “because of Jesus our among gospel us. came to you not love.” We said we would not bail him out but simply with words but also with power, with would support his getting help. We told him the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” we loved him. He thanked us and walked out the door. We did not know where he was I want to continue to seek the Lord honestly for quite some time. I remember internally with all my heart. Living hopefully knows repeating scripture promises. As panic and Christ bore the sin of the world. It is grateful. fear surfaced, I reminded myself God loved It is long-suffering and forgives. It believes him more than I did, pleading “Lord, help! God is sovereign and working. What trouAre You working?” Again and again I would bles or preoccupies you? Will you bring your panic and wrestle with God in prayer. Yet, cares and joys to the Lord and honestly open following each time, I felt hopeful. Peaceful. your heart?

I was learning patience and endurance. To trust and to hope.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Think of five things for which you are thankful. Make a collage or write them down. Hang them on your door or refrigerator so you can be reminded of them during Advent.

One of our most special traditions was inviting a foreign student to live with us during the holidays through the Christmas International House, a ministry offering foreign students the opportunity to enjoy and learn about Christmas traditions, American culture, and faith.

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How to use this devotional This Advent devotional booklet is intended to be a useful tool to draw you and your family closer to Christ during this special season of anticipation. Inside you’ll find devotionals written by Covenant members wrestling with scripture, questions on which to reflect and discuss with others, and suggestions for activities to do with your family. Each day’s selected passages are drawn from the Two-Year Daily Lectionary from the Book of Common Worship, which is the source used for Covenant’s Daily Devotional email (covenant.org/dailydevo).

We hope that you’ll build a habit of spending time in scripture that will last long after Christmas comes and goes.

Here are some suggestions for making the most of your Advent journey with the help of this booklet:

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²² Each Sunday in Advent, we light one candle in our Advent wreath during worship for each of the four themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. Look for these weekly themes of Advent as you read. How do you see the coming Christ in each story? ²² The daily scripture readings include a Psalm, an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading.

We encourage you to read all the scriptures for each day, even though the author may have chosen only one or two from which to write their reflection. Pay attention to how God may be speaking to you through the daily scripture readings and the author’s reflection. ²² Each page of the devotional contains an Advent Faith Practice. These practical, simple, and meaningful activities are intended to engage your entire family.

Hope

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

Listen To Your Life Psalm 25; 110, Isaiah 1:1-9, 2 Peter 3:1-10, Matthew 25:1-13 by sally barber

For the last twenty-five years - pinned to the wall of my closet with a straight pin, written on a piece of torn and discolored newsprint paper - have been these words. I have read them every day for twenty-five years.

These words give me hope and assurance and remind me to give thanks for this crazy, wonderful life:

of hope, and affirm to me that God is everpresent in each moment and in the everyday details of life. Oh, how easy it is to miss them amidst our busy lives, especially this time of year.

I challenge you to find a quiet moment to look back on your day, to think about the key moments that usually slide right by.

Listen to your life; see it for the fathomless mys- Give thanks for ordinary, special moments. I tery that it is. write mine down and call them “Yesterday’s Blessings.” Once I start writing, more and In the boredom and pain of it more God moments come to my mind that I would have missed had I not spent quiet time no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, with Him. No moment is too small. taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments and life itself is grace.

- Frederick Buechner For me, these words represent the meaning

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Thank You, God, for your mystery which is present in our daily lives, giving us hope. Help us to be still and allow You to reveal your holiness in our busy days, hours, minutes, moments. And may we know that life itself is grace. Amen.

Who in your community is in special need of a note, call, or visit? Make an effort to check up on that person.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3

Hopeful Progress Psalm 40; 67, Isaiah 1:10-20, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Luke 20:1-8 by amy wynkoop

What does mean to “wait patiently for the LORD?” The psalmist brings his pain to God, remembering God’s past deliverance and grace. David pleads, wrangles and reminds God; he expresses anger, doubt, yearning, pain and praise. David, the prophets, Paul, and the gospel writers all exhort us to live—right now—in the hope and expectation of God working His will in our lives. Even through our pain. How can I believe our loving God is working when I don’t feel that way?

When my son was in his early college years, my husband and I needed to practice “tough love.” We said we would not bail him out but would support his getting help. We told him we loved him. He thanked us and walked out the door. We did not know where he was for quite some time. I remember internally repeating scripture promises. As panic and fear surfaced, I reminded myself God loved him more than I did, pleading “Lord, help!

Are You working?” Again and again I would panic and wrestle with God in prayer. Yet, following each time, I felt hopeful. Peaceful.

I was learning patience and endurance. To trust and to hope.

Having hope involves actively exercising faith. It must be grown, stoked, and tended through practiced relational interchange with our living, active God. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” Isaiah declares. David exercised his faith wrestling with God through his psalms, often ending in resignation and praise: “I am poor and needy…

You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” Paul lived into the hope of knowing Christ Jesus more and more, exhorting believers to imitate him “because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.”

I want to continue to seek the Lord honestly with all my heart. Living hopefully knows Christ bore the sin of the world. It is grateful.

It is long-suffering and forgives. It believes God is sovereign and working. What troubles or preoccupies you? Will you bring your cares and joys to the Lord and honestly open your heart?

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Lord! Help us to bring our struggling humanity to You. To seek You with all our hearts in the hopeful process of knowing You better. We yearn for your strength and love, your peace and joy—help our unbelief! Thank You for sending your son, for faith, and the ability to live into the expectant hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s prayer word is HOPE. What does it mean to have hope? Draw a picture of something hopeful or pray for a hope you have.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4

Hope Against Hope Psalm 85; 94, Isaiah 1:21-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Luke 20:9-18 by bonnie canizaro

As we prepare ourselves for the Advent of our Lord, God presents us with a simple conundrum: We are a people without hope, and yet there is hope that we will live in peace forever.

How can this be? No one, not one, could guess God’s plan of hope before it unfolded before them.

The prophet Isaiah speaks with passion, and we are tempted to flip back to the title page, fully expecting the copyright date to match this year, so current are the problems he points to: “How this city [is filled with] murderers! Everyone loves a bribe… They do not defend the orphans.”

Our minds seek answers that will soften the blow. Perhaps the condemnation is for others: the powerful among us or the wicked in our midst. But no. Perhaps, we think, if we just tried harder or changed our ways. Jesus himself tells a story that answers our thoughts.

As we hear again of the ruthless behavior of the tenants put in charge of the master’s vineyard we recall our own envy, the misdeeds we have tried to hide from others, our hesitance to listen to the divine, and our failure to

protect our own planet. And our hearts convict us. We realize that we are the ones whom Jesus says will be “broken to pieces.” Without hope, we are driven to despair, anticipating catastrophe, and we are jolted into repentance.

And that is the key. Repentance is the key that drops from our inner pocket and clinks on the floor at our feet. The psalmists’ words drive our prayers: “Restore us again, O God of our salvation and put away your indignation toward us.” Our divine Father has brought us to this awareness of being without hope so that we will stop dithering, slaving, and aching, and simply come before God in humility.

My mind returns to a time when my family was scattered like dandelion seeds upon the winds sweeping across Virginia. Only by God’s help did we survive. By God’s grace a family that was driven apart through failure to love was drawn into wholeness and peace through learning to love. God’s love extends to us in our need, and we learn to trust the One in whom all our hope is founded. God is with us! Our hope is secure.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

O Lord, we forget that You and You alone are our refuge and our strength. Forgive us. We fail to understand even the simplest of ideas, like the fact that You love us! Teach us. We tend to wander off on lonely paths. Lead us.

Turn our minds so that they rest only on You. Assure us with hope. Amen.

Silence. How long can you sit in silence?

Try one minute, two minutes, or even five minutes!

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

Hope Based on Promise Psalm 53; 17, Isaiah 2:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20, Luke 20:19-26 by bill short

Hope is based on more than mere wishful thinking that something good will happen or be true. Christian author Lee Strobel defines hope as “the sense of expectancy and optimism that God wants to instill in all of us who love Him. It’s an overriding confidence He gives, reminding us that, even in the midst of our greatest problems, God is still with us and He is greater that any problem we might face….It’s the unswerving belief that better days are ahead, probably in this world and certainly in the next.”

was for a beloved retired high school football coach in the Houston area who happened to be a strong believer in Jesus Christ. Although there was expected sadness, there was a tangible sense of joy and hope in that service by all in attendance. What a contrast!

I have often wondered what people who are non-believers and have no hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ think and feel when a loved one is seriously ill or passes away.

As the psalmist says in 17:15: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”

Our hope is based on a promise, a promise that what God has told us is true. That truth is that members of the body of Christ will be resurrected with Him and will live with Him forever.

We have great hope in that promise.

Twenty-six years ago I attended two separate funerals approximately a week apart.

The first was for a former law partner whom I strongly suspect was a non-believer. There was a coldness and sense of doom in the service itself and among the members of his family that was tangible. The second funeral

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Lord, thank You for sending us the promise of hope in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Write a note of appreciation to someone in a helping or serving profession to tell them how much you value their work.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

In Darkness and Hope Psalm 126; 62, Isaiah 2:5-22, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, Luke 20:27-40 by qinyan (vanessa) gao

I did not grow up in a religious family, nor was I surrounded by a Christian community.

Looking back at how the Lord was calling me has been an amazing journey. Ten years ago, I was a teenager who had just arrived on the West Coast, knowing no one. By the end of year, I had settled down in a pastor’s house, played piano in the church, and spent Christmas with my wonderful friends. I was hopeful for the unknown and exciting future in front of me. Just like in the psalms, the Lord has done great things for us.

However, it can be difficult to convince ourselves that God never forgets or leaves us alone when we struggle.

God showed His mercy and called me to trust Him. I was healing. I was hopeful. Even in the darkest times when all I had tried to do was shut everything out. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.

In this season of Advent as we read scripture, let us remind ourselves how much Jesus knows what we need if we let Him speak into our hearts. We are to be patient and faithful because God does not let us suffer the pain that we cannot endure. If this holiday season is especially difficult for you or your family, open up to God, let the Holy Spirit enlighten the darkness so that you will recover. Let Him immerse you in love, fearlessness and hope.

During my senior year of college, I was overwhelmed by stress and desperately needed the power and hope to keep moving. I felt God’s presence in my life the day He called me to the same Presbyterian church my future roommate had also been attending.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Lord, thank You for your countless blessings that light up our heart. We pray to be filled with grace and reminded of your unconditional love. Please guide us through the darkness with your mercy and wisdom. We ask for your forgiveness when we are in doubt.

Please give us the courage and the power to spread your love, peace and hope in the Advent season and beyond. In your Son’s heavenly name, we pray. Amen.

Hope, continued. Today, light one candle for hope.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

Preparations Psalm 130; 16, Isaiah 3:1-4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Luke 20:41-21:4 by jennifer

Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. Of preparing to celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah, who arrived as a baby 2,000 years ago. Of preparing our hearts to receive our King, who already dwells in us. Of keeping watch and being ready for Jesus’ second coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This week we have been preparing in hope for the known and the unknown, for our Savior, friend, and King… and we’ve probably been pretty busy with other preparations as well.

As we prepare for Christmas, today’s scriptures offer some practical advice: ²² Make and protect time for prayer and study – it will open our eyes so we can keep them always on the LORD, receiving his counsel and instruction. (Psalm 16:7-8) ²² Set our intention to serve the LORD with reverence, as we do our daily work and as we shop, bake, and decorate for celebrations. (Psalm 130:4)

²² Be careful that our busyness and preparations don’t become about us and our own honor. (Luke 20:46-47) ²² When we feel overwhelmed, from the depths, cry to the LORD for mercy. (Psalm 130:1-2) ²² Amid the busyness and pressure, rest secure in the LORD’s presence, with glad heart and rejoicing tongue. (Psalm 16:9) ²² When we mess up – whatever it is, maybe snapping at a loved one or the sudden realization we haven’t been making room for Jesus in our Christmas preparations – take hold of Jesus and pray: “only let us be called by your name – take away our disgrace!”

(Isaiah 4:1) "Put your hope in the LORD and his unfailing love with confidence: he will not abandon us to death but will make known to us the path of life, filling us with joy in his presence and eternal pleasures at his right hand." (Psalm 130:7, 16:10-11)

²² Love one another… more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)

Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, as we prepare together for the LORD this advent season, may we become more and more aware of his love and mercy for us, of his living presence in our hearts, and of the glory yet to come. May our hope in him manifest in excitement to make gifts of our lives, gifts that we just can’t wait to share with him, blurting out “Daddy, open mine!” And may we know beyond a doubt he will come and will receive these gifts with 12

love and will fill us with joy in his presence, because he has called us by his name. In the name of Jesus, the way the truth and the life (John 14:6), we pray. Amen.

Advent Faith Practice Imagination. Look at the clouds or the grass or snow outside. What do you see there?

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Hope Psalm 80; 72, Isaiah 4:2-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Luke 21:5-19 by john fincher

Everlasting hope entered the world and Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem. Listen to the pleas of the psalmist Asaph from selected versus of today’s reading of Psalm 80 (World English Bible translation): “Hear us, Shepherd of Israel…Stir up your might! Come to save us!

Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved…Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine, the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.”

Selected verses from Psalm 72 of Solomon say, “The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness…For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper…Praise be to the Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.”

Hope is also found in the Isaiah reading, “Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.

There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.”

The New Testament readings reinforce the everlasting hope we find in Christ. Selected phrases from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are “don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope...So we will be with the Lord forever.” From Luke 21:19 – “By your endurance you will win your lives.”

We all admire people who come to Christ and “win their lives” as well as people who find hope in the direst of circumstances. Christ, the miracle of hope, who entered our world on Christmas morning continues providing hope to all believers. I have witnessed the peace that surpasses all understanding through Christians who have suffered personal tragedies and yet still exhibit a hope that is deep and true, rooted in their faith, knowing Christ has saved all believers unto everlasting life.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Creator and Redeemer, thank You for sending hope into a fallen world on the first Christmas morning. During this time of Advent let us prepare our hearts and minds to once again hear the good news and to share the hope that is Christ with people near and far. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Donate food or other needed items to an organization that serves those in need.

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Peace

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Seeking Peace in Disappointments Psalm 25; 110, Isaiah 5:1-7, 2 Peter 3:11-18 ,Luke 7:28-35 by andrew chapman

Isaiah’s song is filled with agricultural images about a vineyard. The owner, a specialist in vineyards, begins the work of preparing a new plot of land for harvest. He digs, clears, plants, even builds a watchtower in the midst of it. The owner of this vineyard knows precisely what to do, and how to do it, in order to yield grapes.

Disgusted, the owner abandons the entire ordeal when the vineyard yields a worthless harvest. “He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit” (5.2c). In a shocking response, the owner destroys everything he had built.

How shall we disappointments?

respond

to

those

Several options are available to us. The owner of the vineyard demonstrates one option.

Peace is another option. Can we be a people of peace, even when things don’t go our way?

My hope during this season of Advent is that peace becomes an option upon which we base our lives. May we look to the coming Christ Child to bring peace to our hearts. For it is in Christ that we will bear much fruit.

We try to set ourselves up for fruit-bearing in so many areas of our lives. In our study and work, our areas of specialty, visions of fruitbearing are what motivate us. And while bearing much fruit is a worthwhile motivator - a concept taught throughout scripture sometimes we don’t come close to achieving the fruit for which we hope.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Gracious God, lead me in your truth, and teach me. For You I wait all day long, eager for a gift of peace from You. Amen.

Peace. What gives you peace? Thank God for peaceful things.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 10

The Peace That Passes All Understanding Psalm 40; 67, Isaiah 5:8-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Luke 21:20-28 by kim nugent-anderson

My soul is at peace when I remember that God loves and accepts me, just as I am, in all my brokenness. He does not love us according to our acts, our offerings or our sacrifices. Yet, He always has a listening ear for his lost children. When I was being treated for cancer this psalm was of great comfort to me, because I realized that no matter what fears or unknown outcomes I was facing, God was always listening to me with an open ear and walking beside me through the storm.

My soul is at peace to realize that God, Our Father, knows me intimately and that he has already written my name in his “scroll�, because He already counts me as one of his beloved children.

As a mother, I know how fierce and protective I feel toward my own children. I would do anything to love, nurture and protect them. But, I also know that sometimes the most loving thing a parent can do is to let your children fail or feel discomfort, so they can learn from their own mistakes and grow wiser. In just this way, our Heavenly Father shows his love for us, by not protecting us from difficulties, but by coming alongside us through them. He knows us by our name and loves us more than we could ever love our own children. Knowing this should provide us great joy and peace.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Lord, may we be at peace, knowing that your love for us is infinite. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it. It is your great gift to us of everlasting life. May your mercy and grace grant us peace. Amen.

Gratitude. Practice gratitude today by listing the things for which you are thankful.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11

Remember and Trust Psalm 85; 94, Isaiah 5:18-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Luke 21:29-38 by bob peterson

After I asked Jesus to come into my life, Bible reading and study, I realized that God created me in order to glorify him and have a loving relationship with him.

In knowing that, life in this world made a lot more sense.

However, my sinful nature makes it impossible for me, by myself, to trust, obey, and love him completely. Knowing this would happen, his Son, Jesus Christ came to take the penalty for my sins (past, present, and future).

Jesus let me trade judgement for forgiveness.

God promises to always be with us. But there were circumstances so dark it was difficult to see his presence: loss of loved ones, loss of a job, loss of wealth, loss of health.

Nevertheless, I continue to trust his promise.

My trust is strengthened by remembering the times I've seen his grace in my life. Much like the writer of Psalm 85 (v1-3), sometimes his presence is only apparent in looking back on my life. I find it helpful to do the memory work in search of the ways He has helped me in the past. Trust builds confidence, confidence builds faith in what we do not see, and faith brings peace.

To receive the redemption and eternal life with God brought about by Jesus' work of atonement, I need to be united with Him through faith. Again, knowing my weakness, Jesus placed the Holy Spirit in me as the bond that connects me to Him, that guides me to strengthen my faith. The Spirit gives me the power to live the Christian life. By doing all of this for me (and all believers) God demonstrates his incredible love for us, even me.

This has given me great inner peace for many years.

Advent is a perfect time to remember those times when God has helped us in the past.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Invisible God, thank You for your promise to always be with us. Give us good memories to see those times when You have intervened on our behalf through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Make a special effort to offer a smile or kind gesture (such as opening the door) for a stranger today.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

Peace Amidst the Bustle Psalm 53; 17, Isaiah 6:1-13 , 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, John 7:53-8:11 by ann atkinson

Last Christmas was anything but peaceful. My entire nuclear family (my parents, my three siblings, their three spouses, seven assorted nieces and nephews, and my best friend) all holed up in a cabin in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains in hopes of fulfilling our dream of a white Christmas. With seventeen people in one house, and seven of those aged eight or younger, it was hard just to hear myself think.

While it did snow, we didn’t quite get the abundance we’d been hoping for, but I still think it was the best Christmas we’ve had in ages.

I’ve always found it easy to feel God’s love among my family, but somewhat more difficult to fill myself with His peace. When I think about times I felt filled with God’s peace last Christmas, I think about walks taken in the snow, the soft crunch of a fresh dusting under my feet, the wind in the trees. Assured of his love for me, I think about his goodness and his mercy and his grand design, all of which I am only a small part. I think about

how much easier it is for me to see these things in nature, and how much harder it is when surrounded by the bustling city or my loud, loving, incredible family.

Psalm 53 says, "God looks down from heaven on all mankind, to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Christ is coming, the Prince of Peace, and He is looking over the earth for those who are seeking Him. Take time this Advent season to escape from the bustle, from the busyness and the noise, to reach out to the One who is always reaching out to you. Take time to experience His peace, to hear His call for you, and to be open to where He leads you.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Blessed Father, grant us open and willing hearts as we prepare for the gift of your Son this Christmas. Let us be filled with your peace that we might hear your call. Amen.

Peace, continued. Light two candles today.

One for hope and one for peace.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13

An Obliquely Arrived at Peace Psalm 126; 62, Isaiah 7:1-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Luke 22:1-13

If you are at all like me, you take very little comfort in these readings from the Lectionary.

You struggle to see what these verses possibly have to do with peace (our theme for this second week of Advent). A brief review: one psalm ends with a theology of works of righteousness, various peoples are warring on Judah (though they’ll get their comeuppance in 65 years!), there is someone called “the lawless one” who is in league with Satan, and, lastly, we find Judas bartering away Jesus’ life.

What are we to do with this?

And what does God do in return? He reveals Himself. He nurtures a relationship that isn’t perfect and that is intended to grow. When God goes from the God of smiting enemies to the God of turning the other cheek, it isn’t God who has changed in the relationship. It is us. We have gone from a people who could only understand God in a limited fashion (e.g., as cosmic protector) to a people who understand Jesus as radical love personified.

Same God from Abraham to today. But we are different.

Being good Presbyterians we can readily bring a systematic theology to the text to explain it. But I would offer that explanations of that sort are square pegs to this particular round hole. If I am honest, I must admit that much in these passages is confusing to me.

These situations are foreign to my experience, both of life generally, but of God too. But it is exactly here—in this place of honest confusion—that I would submit we are intended to be. The Bible itself is an account of a confused people who wrestle (sometimes literally) with God, who scream at Him, who lament their limited understanding and upset expectations.

So what does this have to do with peace? Well, I take great comfort and draw great peace from this historically-realized, and on-going, relationship that God has with us. Sure, today we may not understand. But tomorrow we may. And if we do, it will be because God has remained faithful to us in our journey from darkness to light. Surely there is peace in that.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Lord, thank You that You remain faithful and that your constancy rather than our effort vouchsafes our relationship. May we find comfort and peace in such things this week. Amen.

Play a game together as a family. Did you know play can be a spiritual practice? It can!

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14

Be Still and Know Psalm 130; 16, Isaiah 7:10-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, Luke 22:14-30 by laura kuykendall

A last minute phone call sends me bounding up the stairs to grab his guitar. I enter his bedroom, sadly noticing that everything is in its place marking his absence. I miss both my sons and the sounds and smells of their being in our home. I frequently ask God to watch out for them as I go about my day but this day is special to me and I’ve looked forward to seeing my son with an ache that I cannot explain. As I grab the neck of the guitar I am immediately transported to a messy, smelly room, a floor strewn with a week of dirty socks. My son is curled casually over his guitar picking out "Blackbird."

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, spread your broken wings and learn to fly…

I don’t want to leave but I snap back to the task at hand because we have a couple of hours of hill country to drive. Downstairs I take a moment to turn off the TV and am bewildered to hear a classical pianist playing "Blackbird" on the news program. I sense God’s presence in a thin place where I feel as though He is saying to me, “all is well” and a warm feeling of peace washes over me.

Psalm 16 encourages us to take refuge in the Lord. “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure.

This must be the peace we celebrate during this season, peace from the Prince of Peace.

Knowing that He is near, standing beside us if only we can be still and feel his presence.

There is a kind of freeing of the soul in knowing that Christ is with you always.

I close the door behind me and jump into the idling car, eager for my journey and my long awaited reunion with my son. The words from "Blackbird" are swirling in my brain…

Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free..

Peace.

In this season of Advent, Psalm 130 reminds us to wait for the Lord. “My soul waits and in his word, I put my hope.”

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

God, thank You for sending your son to save the world and help remind us that He is the Prince of Peace, here and present, if only we can be still and wait for Him.

Pick up trash around your neighborhood or other public place.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

Work for the Peace of Christ Psalm 80; 72, Isaiah 8:1-15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, Luke 22:31-38 by greg wilson

As we approach Christmas, my mind is filled with memories of my mother decorating our tree, baking desserts and preparing a delicious Christmas dinner. As a child, it was a magical time full of excitement and joy.

As an adult watching my wife create that same magic for our three boys, I began to understand and appreciate the planning, preparation and hard work it requires. Hours of research and shopping for just the right gifts, menu planning, cooking, decorating and wrapping presents. At times for her the work became hectic and stressful, but her gift to our family was a special time and place of peace, love and joy.

We can’t work our way back to God; our salvation is dependent on His grace as expressed through Jesus’ sacrificial life and death. But God calls us to follow Jesus in his healing mission to restore the world to its true purpose.

We can’t do that sitting down. We must get our hands dirty in the service of God’s kingdom and, in our work, we will find His peace.

The apostle Paul makes clear that hard work is integral to living a life that honors God. Christ has called us to bring peace to the world. That call requires us to put our faith into action, to work toward the establishment of God’s kingdom by loving our neighbor and serving the weak and needy.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Lord, inspire us to seek You and give us the strength to do your will by serving those You love. Amen.

Pray for others today. Who do you know who needs an extra word of prayer to God? Write their name down.

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Joy

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

Finding Joy in Difficult Times Psalm 25; 110, Isaiah 13:1-13, Hebrews 12:18-29, John 3:22-30 by laura mittan

Last year, I was on top of the world. I was blessed with a good job and my family was visiting for Christmas. And just as suddenly as everything seemed perfect, three weeks before Christmas, I found out I had been laid off. Immediately I thought of Psalm 25:15, “My eyes are ever on the Lord for only he will release my feet from the snare” and I dropped to my knees and prayed for God’s protection and provision. As I went through the days looking for work, I had an unfamiliar sense of peace about my future. Rather than spending my time shopping for gifts, I used my days to focus on God. I was no longer worried about the material things that normally stress me out about the holidays, but focused instead on the relationships that matter the most.

As we read in Psalm 25:4-5, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long,” I knew I had to trust in God. I look back on last Christmas and have some of the most joyful memories of my life. God was able to take a stressful season of life and replace it with joy. God became my greatest focus; and the peace and joy of his loving ways carried me

through this challenging time. For the first time in years, I was present and full of joy. I embraced every conversation with my family.

I was focused on what really matters about Christmas. God stripped me of my means for providing all of those unnecessary “things” and gave me the gift of joy.

I think this is what the author of Hebrews meant in Chapter 12: 26-29, when he or she wrote “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Sometimes we get caught up in the noise of life and need to be reminded of what’s important, and God has a gentle way of re-aligning our priorities. No matter what happens here on earth, our future is built on a solid foundation that can’t be destroyed. Knowing and trusting in that brings me comfort and joy, especially during challenging times.

What is it that is distracting you from experiencing the joy that comes from knowing and trusting in God?

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our foundation is in You. I pray that during this Christmas season, You would give us the spiritual eyes to see beyond our “created things” and to experience the joy You have in store for us. Give us spiritual ears to hear your voice leading us away from the materialistic distractions in our lives so that we may focus our attention on You – the One who offers our solid foundation for eternity. Amen.

Beauty. Take a walk outside and notice three beautiful things.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17

Christmas Music Joy Psalm 40; 67, Isaiah 8:16-9:1, 2 Peter 1:1-1, , Luke 22:39-53 by megan clark

Joy! Christmas music is an incredible source of joy for me. Listening to it, sharing it, or singing it with the choir, at home, or in the car.

Christmas music for me is wrapped in a rich tradition of my mom’s five disc CD player. Every year from the weekend after Thanksgiving to the New Year, we listen to an incredible range of Christmas music - five discs at a time.

I always grab Garth Brooks “Beyond the Season.” It has two of my favorites “Unto You This Night” and “The Friendly Beasts.”

As I reflect on them now, each song is its own prayer, thanking God for the gifts of the season and helping us share our joy.

In the best possible way, I hope Christmas songs get stuck in your head today and accompany you wherever you live, work, and play.

My mom has great taste in music. The CD collection reflects not only her wide range of preferred styles but also many gifts of CDs over the years from family and friends that share in the joy and love of music.

My sister and I are known to snag CDs she has already played and put them back in rotation.

Even my dad, on Christmas morning, will snag a favorite to replay as we make breakfast.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

From Psalm 67:1-2

Do something kind for a neighbor. Shovel their walk, leave a plant, or write a kind note.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Amen.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18

Righteousness and Peace Kissed Each Other Psalm 85; 94, Isaiah 11:1-9, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 3:16-21 by joy durrant

Psalm 85: 7,10 7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

God’s response to the psalmist's petition in verse 7 for salvation is the birth of our Savior, whose birth we will soon celebrate. In Christ, steadfast love and faithfulness met, righteousness and peace kissed each other. That image fills me with joy, how about you?

For a triennium, I have the pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors of Presbyterian Women as the Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace. One of the Purposes of Presbyterian Women is that our response to God’s grace through Jesus is to commit ourselves to work for justice and peace.

I believe we are called to work for justice and peace today:

²² Because we are a nation made up largely of the descendants of immigrants, yet immigrants are no longer welcome in our country and are oftentimes irreparably harmed if they come. ²² Because our laws, legal enforcement procedures, and justice systems seem to have disproportionately filled our prisons with people of color. ²² Because slavery is more prevalent today than at any time in the history of the world; researchers estimate 40 million are enslaved worldwide, generating $150 million annually in illicit profit for their traffickers. ²² Because Americans of European descent fail to understand and work for an equitable solution to the fact that the favorable circumstances of their birth and life are not the experience of all Americans.

These are just a few examples; there are so many more. How are you called to joyfully work for justice – and with the Holy Spirit’s help, to have a joyous glimpse of righteousness and peace kissing each other?

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Gracious and loving God, we give all praise glory, and honor to You. Thank you for our salvation through Jesus. As a response to your grace, open our hearts to how we may joyfully work for justice and peace, today and always.

What brings you joy? Draw a picture of it or say a prayer.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Seeking Joy Psalm 53; 17, Isaiah 11:10-16, Revelation 20:1-10, John 5:30-47 by matt mcmichen

Joy should be a defining characteristic of Christians. When the world looks at the church, it should be struck by a unique, counter-intuitive joy. Joy should be palpable.

Rich. Intoxicating. It should be inseparable from who we are and how the world sees us.

That's the beautiful thing about Advent. God knows that our perspective on joy is constantly assailed by the world's narrative, so He provides a way into a new narrative - a means to reorient ourselves on what it really means to have joy.

Unfortunately, joy is more rare than constant.

Instead of joy defining us, joy is a frustratingly elusive "thing" that we constantly chase and rarely obtain.

Consider today's passages, for example. In both Psalm 53 and Isaiah 11, we see a desperation in the brokenness of God's people, alongside an eager expectation in the coming Messiah. The basis of their joy was hope.

They rejoiced in the hope of Christ's coming - His future delivery and salvation. "Oh that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion...let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."

That is because life is hard, and we look for joy in the wrong places. Distracted by the busyness of our lives and jaded by the brokenness of the world, we mindlessly submit to the world's narrative of what it means to achieve joy.

And we walk away disappointed when it doesn't deliver.

But we were made for joy. Embedded deep within us is a proclivity for joy, so our search for it continues. We can either buy into the world's narrative and search for joy in the wrong places or we can step into another narrative. We can search for true joy where God promised we'll find it.

This Advent, we have the opportunity for an even more pronounced joy. While the Israelites looked forward to the coming of Jesus, we have the unique perspective of looking both backward and forward. This is God's counter-narrative. True joy is found in Christ alone, and we can obtain it by reminding ourselves that God sent Jesus to save us, while we eagerly await his return.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Gracious Father, You are so good to your people. You have created us to relish in your goodness and glory. Forgive us for looking elsewhere for joy, and help us this season to rejoice and be exceedingly glad for the hope that we have in your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Practice Listening. It is a spiritual discipline to listen well. Ask someone in your family three questions. Listen closely to their answer.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Choosing Happiness Through Faith Psalm 126; 62, Isaiah 28:9-22, Revelation 20:11-21:8, Luke 1:5-25 by kali' rourke

In Psalm 126, the focus of the psalmist is on the exuberant happiness of the people and the fulfilled promises of God. “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” As I read this song to God, I thought this must be a bit of what Mary felt as she rode to Bethlehem and anticipated her coming, holy child.

Then I read Psalm 62, with its more somber tone and descriptions of persecution and faith and the sure rewards for those who trust in God as their rock and fortress. Again, I thought of Mary and the difficulties of travel, the fear, and uncertainty that must have surrounded that young family as they journeyed at the requirement of distant authorities.

They found no place to rest once they arrived until a humble manger became the joyous birthplace of the King of Kings. They were so poor in possessions and support, but so rich in faith and hope.

Life is filled with these contradictions, and we live through them, dimly aware of the greater picture until at the end when we look back and see at least a little of the pattern and path that God has laid out for us. It is said that in life, we are only as happy as we decide to be, and these two passages, juxtaposed, give us a vivid illustration of that wisdom. Each expresses joy, faith, belief, and confidence in God’s plan and purpose even though the tone and settings vary widely. In each, the psalmist has reached for the strength and happiness we can find when we trust in the Lord.

Can you and your family decide to focus on the positive, the “songs of joy” and the trust and confidence in your Redeemer that will sustain, support and succor you through the darkest of days? What will be your strategy in that endeavor? Prayer is one of the most powerful tools you can employ.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear Lord, as we celebrate the advent of your birth, we thank you for your support and guidance in the challenge of our daily lives. We ask your help in finding the positive, avoiding the negative, lending our hands and hearts to others less fortunate, and even in discovering our songs of joy and singing them as prayers to You. In your glorious name, Amen.

Compliment a stranger today.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

There Is Fullness of Joy Psalm 130; 16, Isaiah 29:9-24, Revelation 21:9-21, Luke 1:26-38 by will rodenbusch

A few years ago, my wife was pregnant and we were at a party with our bible study group (which also contained a couple of other pregnant women). It was clearly a dangerous group to spend time with if you were not already considering starting a family. At the end of the party, our hosts and study leaders called us over to make an announcement: they were also expecting. At first, we all assumed it was a joke as they were older and in the next stage of life. When reality set in, we were both befuddled and elated for them.

It was a complicated pool of emotions because pregnancy later in life is full of complications.

In ancient times, birth, even in the best of conditions, was full of complications. Possibly a third of all women died in childbirth and only half of the children they gave birth to survived. Consider what a pitiable pair Mary and Elizabeth must have seemed in 1 BC: two pregnant women, one out of wedlock and one almost certainly destined to die in childbirth. Their men were no better off: Joseph appeared to be engaged to a strumpet and Zechariah lost the power of speech.

The border between joy and sorrow in this story is faith. Will God fulfill his promise?

They must all have had their doubts. I have never been pregnant but I have known the terror of disbelief. In fact, the thing I fear most is the power of my own doubt. It can steal my joy with a passing thought. I have found that I cannot think my way out of faithlessness. The only hope for me is the presence of the Lord.

He is the only one who offers me the fullness of joy and the path of life referenced in Psalm 16.

Imagine the joy these two baby boys brought their parents. Even in their deaths, that joy was not destroyed. May God fill you with the joy of the promise of life found in Jesus.

May his presence give each of us faith in that promise.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Psalm 130:5-6

Joy, continued. Light three candles. One for hope, one for peace, and one for joy.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22

Great Expectations Psalm 80; 72, Isaiah 31:1-9, Revelation 21:22-22:5, Luke 1:39-48a (48b-56) by diane murray

Most of us try to reign in expectations at Christmas. We encourage realistic wish lists from our children, limit social engagements to fit our calendar, try to get a handle on our budget, and somehow resist all the cookies.

Our scripture readings for today encourage just the opposite, they fan the flames of high hopes. They awaken longings in our hearts, create great expectations.

Psalm 80 is a plea for restoration; we are tired of our tears, we are tired of being victimized and cut off from God. Return to us, O God Almighty. Look down from heaven and see!

Please shine on us. Psalm 72 is a heartfelt prayer for a just king who rules forever. He governs in righteousness over a land where prosperity has returned, people are safe, and the poor are cared for. Both psalms are Christmas wish lists of tremendous proportion.

God responds. In Isaiah we are warned against looking for help in the wrong places. We are promised the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will come down. In Luke, wrapped in the womb of Mary, our Christmas present arrives. We leap for joy with the infant John the Baptist and we sing a hymn of praise with Mary because we know our Savior has come.

Advent is a time to examine the longings of our hearts. What do we really want for Christmas? Let us receive with joy the gift of salvation and maintain great expectations for eternal life to come.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Dear God, you are what I want for Christmas.

Amen.

Hospitality. Invite someone to come to your house today.

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Love

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

Would My Friends Say I’m Loving?

Psalm 25; 110, Isaiah 33:17-22, Revelation 22:6-11, 18-20, Luke 1:57-66 by shannon bieberdorf

I wish that I had the special kind of love that Jesus brought to this earth. His love is unselfish, compassionate, unconditional. He loves us just as we are. He gives us His love so we can give it away in the same unselfish, compassionate, unconditional way He gave it to us. I have grown to love and trust Jesus as I have witnessed his grace and love. As I look back on my life and see all the crazy things I did, I feel that Christ was there with me during the “hippie” times, the struggles, and the joys. Even when I was maybe not loving, He was with me and loving me! My friends say I’m funny, smart, but do they say I’m loving? What would I need to do differently to be more loving? If my heart and soul aren’t loving, my deeds are only activities. Before I start doing things, I first need to love myself.

Here are some ways to love yourself: ²² Have the courage to forgive yourself and realize that through grace, Jesus forgives us.

Not believing you are forgiven is a harsh criticism, and you won’t be able to love until you forgive yourself for just being human.

Pray to God as David did in Psalm 25:7 “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord are good.”

²² Realize your own beauty for what it is. It’s not your weight, hair color, nor your choice of clothing that makes you less attractive than anybody else. Realize your internal beauty for what it is, not in the context of how you look compared to others.

God created us and loves what he created. ²² Choose to do what you love and don’t live a life being submissive to the expectations put on you. Loving yourself means finding and understanding what makes your soul happy and doing that thing as frequently as you’re able. Pray that God will “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” – Psalms 25:4 – 5 ²² Accept that not everyone will love you, and that not everybody has to. If you are being true to yourself, and somebody has a problem with that, that is their negative energy to deal with, not yours. Remember “His steadfast love endures forever.” – Psalm 136. ²² Understand that you must love yourself before you can love anybody else. Don’t let anxiety, self-doubt, insecurity, etc. interfere with loving yourself. We have all experienced these emotions. Pray like David

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always put You first as we follow Christ’s footsteps, and may we know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, fill our hearts with love, that all may know your Son, our Savior. Amen.

Give a gift to someone who really needs it today.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

A Christmas Gift with Eternal Rewards Psalm 132; 114, Isaiah 35:1-10, Revelation 22:12-17, 21, Luke 1:67-80 by don spencer

Advent is the time of year to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior on Christmas day. It is no secret that Christmas ranks high on every one’s list of favorite times. It is a time for family gatherings, for candlelight church services and joyful greetings between friends and total strangers alike.

A cheerful “Merry Christmas” can bring a smile to the face of just about anyone! It is not much of a stretch to conclude that love is in the air.

of Jesus is unconditional. He has given us this gift and is just waiting for our response.

All we have to do is accept the gift and our reward is eternal life with Him. We receive this reward even if we have not been what he would consider as “good children.”

The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is an expression of this love. Some even feel that the worth of the gift reflects how much they are loved. God must understand this human emotion. God loves us so much He wants us to spend eternity with Him. The sincerity of His love is reflected in His gift to us on that first Christmas day. The gift of His perfect Son whose substitutionary death for all our sins imparts to us the righteousness God requires for us to spend eternal life with Him.

In Revelation 22:12 Jesus declares “I am coming soon, my reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Jesus is also waiting to see who accepts God’s gift.

He will "give to everyone according to what he has done." Not the deeds he has done, but what he has done regarding the acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Santa likes to ask the children “Have you been good children?” implying a negative answer would jeopardize their chance of receiving the gifts they anxiously anticipate. God’s gift

On Christmas day as you open your gifts try to remember to give thanks to a God who has given you the greatest gift you will ever receive and all you have to do is accept it.

Revelation 22:17b tells us, "Whoever is thirsty let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Each individual must accept God’s free gift to receive the rewards Jesus has for believers.

Prayer

Advent Faith Practice

Our Heavenly Father, I give thanks for your gift of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, I give thanks for the Holy Spirit sent to counsel us and teach us your ways, I give thanks for the peace that comes with our acceptance of these gifts. I offer this prayer in your holy Son’s name.

AMEN.

Love. Today's prayer word is love. Draw a picture of someone you love.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS DAY

Let Us Sing a New Song Psalm 98; 96, Zechariah 2:10-13, 1 John 4:7-16, John 3:31-36 by jon wasson

One of my theology professors used to say, “If we keep saying the same things the same way, people will forget what we mean.” His point was that if we’re not careful, our speech to and about God can rely too much on platitudes and clichés. The risk we run when this happens is not only that other people will forget what we mean, but that we too will forget and our relationship with God will turn stale.

In the psalm for today, the psalmist invites us to sing a new song, as if to warn us of this very thing. To sing a new song means finding new language for our praise for God.

This devotional has been an attempt for us to practice this together so that we won’t forget what we mean when we talk about the miracle of Christmas. I hope it has been a gift for your Advent journey.

In the reading from John’s gospel, we are told, “The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate that God’s love for Jesus – the Father’s love for the Son – extends to us.

Christmas morning reminds us that God refuses to be God without us. May we indeed sing a new song of gratitude, joy, and praise for the with-God life. Merry Christmas!

Advent Faith Practice Love, continued. Light four candles today.

One for hope, one for peace, one for joy, and one for love.

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Acknowledgment This 2018 Advent Devotional was written by members of the Covenant congregation. Our contributors represent all ages, backgrounds and experiences. Each of them was assigned scripture and one of the four Advent themes, and asked to reflect on Jesus’ coming in the world.

Many thanks to all who participated. Your words are a blessing to all of us this Advent season.

ADVENT ADVISORS Jon Wasson Kathryn Sedberry

COPY EDITORS

Kathryn Sedberry

Stephanie Schultz

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Noël Kalmus PRINTER Austex Printing & Mailing

Christmas Eve Worship Times 2:00 p.m.

S anctuary

Traditional service with candles

4:00 p.m.

Sanctuary

Children & family service

5:00 p.m.

FE 200

Contemporary service with candles (no communion)

8:30 p.m.

Sanctuary

Traditional service with choir and candles

10:30 p.m.

Sanctuary

Traditional service with candles, communion, and string quartet

Advent Events Wed, Dec. 5 5:30 - 7:15 pm

Journey to Bethlehem and All-Church Carol Sing Step back in time to explore the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Eaton Hall, then join the congregation for a carol sing in the Sanctuary beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Sat, Dec. 8 9:30 am - 1 pm

Silent Advent Retreat Covenant members and friends are invited to unplug using the ancient spiritual practice of solitude this Advent. Cedarbrake Retreat Center, Belton. Visit covenant.org/silentretreat.

Sun, Dec. 9 4 pm

GraceNotes Christmas Concert, Sanctuary

Wed, Dec. 12 6:30 pm

Journey and Children’s Choirs Combined Concert, Sanctuary

Sun, Dec. 16

Sanctuary Choir presents Christmas Music Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

9:30 & 11 a.m.

covenant.org | 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, TX 78757 | (512) 454-5231