Wilson UMC's 2015 Advent Devotional

2015 Advent Devotional

WRITTEN BY THE STAFF AND CONGREGATION MEMBERS OF WILSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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reader

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for opening our 2015 Advent devotional. Within the United Methodist denomination, we follow a liturgical calendar that helps us mark time. The season of Advent allows the people of God time and space to reflect and prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus, and starts four Sundays before Christmas. These four Sundays are marked in worship by the lighting of a series of candles. It is important to reflect on that first Christmas when that star shone over that blessed manger and the birth of our Savior and how that changed all of history, but it is equally important for us to appreciate that Christ comes to us daily right where we are.

During this season, the people of Wilson United Methodist Church are learning together what it means to be a radiant church. We pray that these devotionals, that have been written for you by our staff and members of our congregation, bless you and encourage you to radiate Christ’s love within your own spheres. We would also love to see you in worship on Sundays at either 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00am, and on Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00, or 9:00pm. We pray that this Christmas season bless you, but that you also actively look for ways to bless others.

Your brothers and sisters in Christ, The people of Wilson United Methodist Church

week 1

week 3

Sunday, Nov. 29………...………….…...Page 5

Sunday, Dec. 13………...………….…...Page 21

Monday, Nov. 30………………………..Page 6

Monday, Dec. 14………………………..Page 22

Tuesday, Dec. 1…………………………Page 7

Tuesday, Dec. 15………………………..Page 23

Wednesday, Dec. 2……………………..Page 8

Wednesday, Dec. 16……………………Page 24

Thursday, Dec. 3…………………….….Page 9

Thursday, Dec. 17………………………Page 25

Friday, Dec. 4………………………….Page 10

Friday, Dec. 18…………………………Page 26

Saturday, Dec. 5……………………….Page 11

Saturday, Dec. 19………………………Page 27

week 2

week 4

Sunday, Dec. 6………………………....Page 13

Sunday, Dec. 20………………………..Page 29

Monday, Dec. 7………………………..Page 14

Monday, Dec. 21……………………….Page 30

Tuesday, Dec. 8………………………..Page 15

Tuesday, Dec. 22……………………….Page 31

Wednesday, Dec. 9……………………Page 16

Wednesday, Dec. 23…………………...Page 32

Thursday, Dec. 10…………………….Page 17

Thursday, Dec. 24……………………..Page 33

Friday, Dec. 11………………………..Page 18

Friday, Dec. 25………………………..Page 34

Saturday, Dec. 12……………………..Page 19

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sunday, november 29 Rev. David Hiester, Senior Pastor Please read Jeremiah 33:14-16 The reading for today might seem a bit confusing. Within the historical context of two nations—Israel and Judah—and metaphoric language of the “Branch of David,” what we can take away from Jeremiah is that God, in the midst of what appears to be utter chaos and abandonment, is the God who is very much present and is working all things out with a particular end in mind. Here, in the midst of what was certainly one of the darkest times in history, God let’s his people know that while things look helpless, He is in control and there will come a day when His covenant promises will be fulfilled.

There will come a time where hunger will end, where wars will cease, governments will rule justly, and every hurt that’s been committed will finally be rectified. There will come a time where, from what appears to be the dead stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-11), an unmanageable shoot will indeed spring forth, and what looked like the defeat of the Davidic kingdom will result in victory - the fulfilled promise of God to always have a king on the throne.

What God is promising to Jeremiah and to all of the people of God—as hard as it was to believe at that time – was ultimately… Jesus. For it is in Jesus we find God’s promised and eternal King spring up from the line of David.

In Jesus’s – through his life, death, and resurrection – God secures the basis for His Son’s reign and rule while also procuring salvation for any and all who believe. But it would be a mistake to only anticipate and celebrate the arrival of this Jesus as the Christ-child and savior.

There is little doubt about whether this world is operating the way God originally intended. Far too many people go without food, corrupt leaders and institutions rule with heavy hands, and wars destroy nations and families on a daily basis. In the midst of such an age, and during the season of Advent, we are invited into a way of marking time that not only anticipates Christ’s birth (first advent), but His second as well. Because the truth is: God is not finished.

And the promise made to Jeremiah and His people has not yet been fully realized. Like the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s day, we still live in a chaotic, violent, and dark world. We, like them, long for the full promise of God’s final redemption.

In and through the season of Advent, we are given the chance to hold in tension that which has happened, and that which has not. While Jesus’ first advent made possible peace between us and God and the possibility of being renewed in His image, it is His second advent that will ultimately, and finally, put all things in creation right once again.

Advent is the time to celebrate God’s past saving activity while simultaneously looking ahead to the final fulfillment of God’s promise to cause a ‘righteous Branch sprout,’ one that will save the people, and finally usher in a new era of peace.

Prayer: Lor d J esus, we long for your ar r ival. We wait not only for your ar r ival as the Chr ist child, we long also for your final arrival as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Come Lord Jesus, Come.

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monday, november 30 Tammy Murden Please read Matthew 2:9-12, Romans 10:9-18 Bible stories can become so familiar that we cease to be in awe of them and none more so that of the Christmas Story. A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to focus my personal devotion time each December on some aspect of Jesus’ birth asking the Lord to give me eyes to see the familiar story like a wide-eyed child on Christmas morning.

Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the wise men (or Magi) visiting Jesus. It’s a familiar story even in the secular world memorialized in song, art and movies. Before you read the story – what do you already know about it? Is what you know really what the Bible says or what our culture has taught us? Next think about how the story practically relates (tangibly or metaphorically) to your own life. Here are five lessons I learned from the Magi’s story.

He is worth seeking and when we seek him we will find him – The Magi pursued Jesus for years through what must have been a difficult journey convinced that he was worth it (because of the spectacular nature of the star – their sign). When we seek God with sincere determination as the Magi did, we will find him. He is not hiding from us but wooing us to him even as he did the wise men. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. (Rom. 10:13) The Magi worshipped Jesus as God - These wise men did not just pay their respects, but they worshipped the child as only God deserves bowing before him and presenting him with gifts for a king (gold) and for a God (Frankincense was burned in the Jewish temple as an offering to God). (Pictured: A ndrea Mantegna’s “A doration of the Magi” c. 1500) Jesus is a God of all nations - The presence of the Magi represents the worship of other nations even in the earliest days of Jesus’ life. Jesus is the God of all nations and through signs, wonders and people (he even used the wicked Herod to guide the Magi), he woos the peoples of the world to himself.

Meeting Jesus changes the course of our lives - After the Magi met Jesus, they did not go back the way they came.

Likewise, when we encounter Jesus, we are changed forever and cannot go back to our old way of life.

Often we don’t find Jesus in the places we expect him to be - The Magi came seeking the newborn king in Jerusalem – the political capital – but they did not find him there. He was born not of prestigious parents, nor in a prestigious house or city, but of humble people in a humble place. Jesus will always be found by us but often not in the places we expect.

For Personal Reflection 

When was the last time you read your favorite Bible story with “new eyes” asking the Lord to show you something you’ve never seen before? Give it a try.

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Reflect on how meeting Jesus has changed the course of your life

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This Christmas season consider how you can share the story of the Magi with a non-Christian friend without reading the story to them from Bible. Watch a film with a modern interpretation, visit an art museum with a painting of it or just tell the story with your own personal journey of seeking Jesus in mind.

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tuesday, december 1 Gary Packard Please read Luke 10:21-30 On almost every work day morning since I was 17, I have put on my uniform and gone to work. Sometimes my place of work was an airplane, sometimes an office, and sometimes a classroom. However, the uniform was always present to announce my rank or my status. As a younger officer, I was often intimidated by those of high rank.

As a senior officer, the rank on my uniform can lead people to do things because of the rank I wear, not because of who I am or the relationship I have with them. In many ways, a uniform can get in the way of deep, personal relationships.

Jesus could have come to earth and walked among us in the uniform of a king. Many kings wear a military uniform to provide a visible reminder to their people of their power and stature. As the King of Kings, Jesus certainly had the authority to remind us of who He is. But, thankfully, that is not how God operates. If Jesus had come to us with the dress and appearance of a king, we would have seen Him differently. We might have respected His power and authority, but we would not have been able to relate to Him on an intimate, personal level.

In Luke chapter 10 we read that the Father’s love is revealed through His Son, Jesus. In fact, verse 21 states that He reveals His son to little children and has “hidden these things from the wise and understanding.” Christ can relate to the kids and the kids can relate to Christ because they see Christ for who He is and they hear His message clearly. He left his royal garb aside so He could walk among us in a way that was real and personal. So much so, that the little children could relate to Him, even if those in power could not. This is great news for us. We don’t have to be learned, or of high rank or power to be in a relationship with Christ. We just need to accept that Jesus came to us as a baby and walked humbly with us in order to reveal the true nature of God. Our God is a God who loves us so much that He was willing to set the uniform aside so He could be like us. As we journey through Advent, praise God the He sent His Son in a lowly manger, born to every day parents, so we could relate to Him. For it is through that genuine relationship with Him that God reveals Himself to us.

For Personal Reflection 

Uniforms come in many shapes and sizes. Do you have a uniform that keeps you from a genuine relationship with God and others? Perhaps it is a desire to be recognized or jealousy when someone else is promoted and you are not. What is one way you can grow closer to God this Advent by taking off your uniform and humbly seeking God?

Prayer: Father , I thank you that you came to ear th as a child bor n in lowly cir cumstances and that you walked the earth as a humble servant and not as the Holy King that you are. Thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Son. Help me this Advent to prepare my heart for the birth of a King who has a desire to relate to me as a person and not as a subject in His kingdom. In His name we pray, Amen.

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wednesday, december 2 Corey & Stacy Farkas Please read Matthew 15:19-27 Mercy is the virtue of forgiveness; it is good because it halts the spread of hatred. We are fortunate, for our God has unending mercy for us; we do not have to fear that His mercy will run out, it renews as the sun rise on a new morning.

“The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day"(NKJV). Lamentations 3:22-23 This verse shows God’s mercy is constant, for all time. This makes me think of Stacy and I as parents. We are merciful to our children, at times; yet, we are not consistent. Our children push us to the limit and sometimes farther.

I am sure that anyone who has children knows what I mean, but even if one doesn’t have kids, it can be a coworker, parents or a neighbor that pushes us to the brink. It is in these moments of vulnerability that we should take the time and thank God for His unyielding mercy, then reciprocate that mercy to our children. We can’t do this alone; we are empty, incomplete and simply not capable. It is the Holy Spirit that fills the void which allows us the ability to be consistent in mercy; so, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you up. Put into action what the Lord has equipped you with and be merciful. Every day, God wants us to truly experience His mercy and do what 1 Chronicles 16:34* tells us.

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever"(NKJV).

As a disciple, we are to live a virtuous life and lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. This sounds simple enough; however, it is not easy. It is simple because all one has to do is follow some basic principles set forth by God, simply put we should be virtuous in all we do. A virtue is a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Treating people with kindness, forgiving, extending grace and showing mercy in all we do are all examples of moral excellence. However, it takes more than subscribing to these qualities to make one a moral champion. It takes action and consistency to become who God made us to be; and, this is what makes it so difficult for us to live a virtuous life. Though difficult, it is what we are called to do; however, that is not to say that some virtues are not more difficult than others. While we are diverse and struggle with different things, mercy could be one of the most difficult moralities to endeavor for any of us.

But with God in our corner, we can’t lose!

For Personal Reflection 

Think, who needs your kindness? Your forgiveness? Who do you need to forgive?

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Who do you need to model grace and mercy for?

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Now go, and take action as a disciple!

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thursday, december 3 Barry & Jean Timmons Please read Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. As a boy, I looked forward to what Santa had left for me and my younger brother under the tree. Nine-year-old Ralphie in the movie “The Christmas Story” dreams of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. When I was nine, I dreamed of getting a real genuine PBY Seaplane in my backyard after seeing one at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. My dad had been a crew member in this type of aircraft during the end of WWII. But what a disappointment! All I got was a model of one in a small cardboard box.

Yes, Christmas can be disappointing for us all at times as it was for me- like the Christmas I found out that there was no Santa and felt guilty that it was really my parents who spent all that money on those gifts. That was to become the last Christmas with my dad as he was killed in an automobile accident shortly before my eleventh birthday and Christmas.

It was during my twelfth year that I gave my heart to Jesus Christ and asked him to be my Lord and Savior. I didn’t really understand the theological implications of it all (I’m still working on it) but I knew it was a genuine gift from God (Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”)

Something else that took me awhile to realize also- who Jesus really is: God Himself in the flesh (John 1: 1, 14: “ 1In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us...”) So the only, real, genuine and lasting gift that is ours for the asking is Christ Himself, something that money can’t buy but will last forever. Jesus is the Rock- a firm foundation that is eternal. He can never be a disappointment.

For Personal Reflection 

As you read Matthew 7:24-27, think about what you or your family can do during this Advent Season to demonstrate to others that your faith is built upon Jesus. How can you “act” on Jesus’ words?

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friday, december 4 Trudy Schaefer Please read Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus heals the blind men, but he does not just select them from the crowd, the blind men approach him and ask to be healed, and when Jesus asks them if they believe that he can do this, the men answer, “yes Lord�. This tells us that they already believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah. When Jesus tells them to make sure that no one knows about this, the men instead spread the news all over. This news cannot be hidden, it has to be told because this is too good not to tell everyone. We are told that in Christ Jesus our salvation is revealed! Share the good news with others.

But in order to do this we have to see clearly the saving grace of Christ not just in the past, but each day in the present and in eternity. But do we really see this clearly, or are we sometimes blind to this good news?

I know that there are times when I wear blinders. After the loss of a child one month before he was to be born, I put the blinders on. How could God do that, why did I deserve that, and what did I do wrong? After quite a while, and lots of prayer, the blinders gradually disappeared and I saw that God did not cause this and that if I really believed and opened my eyes that all would be right between God and me. Do you sometimes wear blinders? What causes you to put these blinders on? Financial stress, work stress, family problems? If you just ask God to r emove these blinders and heal your blindness, he will certainly do so.

Prayer: Dear God, I have gone blind to your love and your gr ace.

In this time as we await the coming of Jesus Christ our Savior, please remove these blinders and heal my blindness so that I may once again see clearly. Amen

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saturday, december 5 Ben & Christie Andress Please read Psalm 147:1-6 When I read the words of this Psalm I am reminded of how important God is in my life to sustain me through my brokenness and my inability to save myself. God has an intimate and all-encompassing knowledge of who I am as a person. He knows my thoughts, desires, motivations, temptations and the inner strength that He put within me during creation. He knows me on a level that is so much deeper than I know myself and His understanding of me is complete.

During the times that I get frustrated with my children, annoyed with my co-workers or despair about circumstances in my life it is natural for me to feel worthless or far away from the holiness of God. The urge to fall away and keep sinning can feel overwhelming. It is easy to forget that God sees me differently than I see myself. He knows me fully and sees the person He created me to be.

Because of sin, the world with its pain, fear and temptation constantly wears down and breaks us. It often feels that we make the same mistakes over and over and that there is no way out of our present circumstances. Through Christ, however, God heals our hurts and makes us whole again. He does not fix us once and then let us go, but is constantly fixing and improving us. He made us for a very specific reason; to praise Him. It is through our brokenness and His forgiveness that we turn fully and raise our voices in praise to Him. When we humble ourselves before God and ask Him for forgiveness we need not fear sin or pain. We are even forgiven of the things that we have trouble forgiving ourselves for. He removes our sins from us as if we never sinned in the first place. It is in these times that we must praise Him. I encourage you to not dwell in sin but to find life in the forgiveness of God. To strive to live in the strength of His fullness instead of in the frailty of mistakes that He has already forgiven you for. To praise him because of who He created you to be.

For Personal Reflection 

What will it take for you to ask for and accept the forgiveness of God?

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How will you let the sins of your past go and focus on the present and future that God intends for you?

Pray that God will fill you with His power and for giveness so that you can stand in the wor ld whole and unblemished.

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sunday, december 6 Joanna Lindstrom, Director of Youth Ministries Please read Luke 1:46-56 The Magnificat.

A hymn of praise sung in humble admiration by a humble servant.

As I did some research on the Magnificat, I was surprised to discover that some scholars believe Elizabeth to be the singer and not Mary. I’m not a Biblical scholar, I don’t know Hebrew or Greek or Latin (the language of the word “magnificat”) but I can see how either woman could be the singer.

Both women are overflowing with joy and expectation at the arrival of the Lord Savior. As Israelites, both women know the stories and struggles of their people- as well as the Lord’s continued faithfulness through those struggles. And both women know the promises and prophesy of the Lord.

But as Elizabeth and Mary reflected upon God’s saving past, I wonder if they truly understood what was in store for the future. Did anyone? Could I, if I were in their shoes?

Throughout the Christmas season we sing hymns of praise like Mary (or Elizabeth) that magnify the Lord, remembering His miraculous birth and promises kept. Sometimes these are sung from memory, recounting an old story from history long past. Sometimes they are sung in painful remembrance of our own struggles and sorrows. And other times they are sung in eager anticipation of Christmas day and, the year, to come.

In these last few days before Christmas I encourage you to sing these hymns – your very own magnificat – with joyful expectation, remembering the eternal hope we have in Christ and the hope we have in His return.

For Personal Reflection 

What is your favorite Christmas hymn? Why? How does your favorite hymn remind you of the hope we have in the future? Have everyone in your family share and discuss at dinner/an upcoming family event.

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Take a moment to rewrite the Luke 1:46-47 in your own words, with your name as the speaker. For example, mine would start “And Joanna said …. “ 13

monday, december 7 Richard & Jennifer Beckham Please read Isaiah 35:1-10 Life in a desert, in the heat of summer, can be an unbearable place with no retreat. But, when the spring rains come to the parched desert it becomes alive with new growth and flowering blossoms. The promise in this is when our souls and lives are parched our God can transform us into something beautiful.

While most of us have lives that are pretty full and meaningful all year around, there are many for whom that is not the case. For many people in our world, life is pain, life is loss, life is doing without, life is being forgotten and shunned. Many millions suffer from wars and famines and floods and plagues—as well as from corruption and greed and cruelty. And in the midst of all that suffering, the message of Advent calls us to look forward to the time when God will set all of this right. It is the good news that those who suffer “shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:10) In Advent we’re looking forward to something better than the injustice and violence and suffering all around us. We’re looking forward to someone better who will set things right—for everybody. We are looking forward to the kindness and generosity and compassion of our God being fulfilled for all the peoples of the world. It is not folly to look forward to God’s new world—God’s something better. Looking forward to “peace on earth, and mercy mild” is the heart and soul of our faith. Our faith still rests on the good news that in Jesus the Christ God has entered this world definitively to set everything right and to make all things new. That in Jesus the Christ God has come into this world and has become “Immanuel,” God with us. It is this hope and faith, which gives us energy to sustain our love as we seek to contribute to God’s “something better” by transforming our corner of the world.

We are challenged to become the bearers of good news to the poor and marginalized of society. Our prayer should be: "Lord God, fill our hearts with your love and our minds with your wisdom so that our actions will be pleasing to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through your Holy Spirit. Amen."

Through the message of Advent, God encourages and empowers the Church to proclaim and practice peacemaking in our society and around the world. May this Advent Season be filled with Everlasting joy and gladness where sorrow and signing will flee. Be a bearer of hope and a giver of life. Let your heart be challenged to reach out this Advent Season to those who need the Lord’s touch and be filled with His everlasting love, gladness and joy.

For Personal Reflection 

Where is your heart today as you walk this road of Holiness?

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Do you find yourself being one that needs to be strengthened, steadied and delivered from fear and hopelessness?

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Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?

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tuesday, december 8 Tim & Angela McKibben Please read Luke 1:26-38 Sometimes a journey begins with one giant leap and sometimes it begins with a very small step. In either case, a measure of trust is needed before loading up the car for the road ahead. Today’s scripture begins with Mary being greeted by an angel followed by a promise of things to come – a huge promise that speaks of “forever” and “never” and the assurance that God’s Word will not fail. Much like us, Mary’s first thought is to question, “How will this be?”

Having moved cross-country a couple times and being blessed with three children, we’ve questioned too. “How will we make the move? Won’t we miss our family? Are we making the right decision? Will our children be OK?” Moves and new jobs didn’t come without their challenges…we missed our family very much; starting over was a struggle; and decisions that seemed right were not always easy. Yet the blessings have been new friendships and experiences as well as appreciating God’s provision in our lives and continuing to trust in God’s promises. In the future, even if our questions change, our need to trust will remain.

Scripture doesn’t tell us about Mary’s life leading up to this point in the story, but we know that her servant heart and ability to trust are key to the rest of her life unfolding. God’s Word tells her story and so many other stories of God being faithful and trustworthy. It tells of His promises fulfilled. This season of Advent gives us the opportunity to celebrate God’s greatest promise…the gift of His son Jesus. Our greatest blessing will come when we trust that God’s Word will never fail and when we trust enough to receive this gift.

For Personal Reflection 

What situations in your life require you to trust God the most?

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What promises from God bring you the greatest peace?

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Take a moment to pray for those who may need the gift of Jesus this Christmas.

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wednesday, december 9 Larry & Lotus Burtoft Please read Psalm 103:1-10 Advent is a time of preparation, of getting our hearts ready for the Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birth. Like the festive decorations beckoning us inside the shops to buy gifts to fill the empty space under our Christmas trees, Advent invites us inside our own souls that we might reflect on God’s gift of Jesus, without whom we would truly be lost and without hope.

Today’s scripture is ideal for such reflection. A joyful recollection of God’s gifts, the psalmist begins by reminding himself not to forget: “Bless the the Lord, o my soul . . . and do not forget all his benefits!” Not forgetting is at the heart of Advent. Remembering all that God has done for us in Christ, and what he promises to do for us in the future: forgiving our sins, healing our diseases, delivering us from danger, showering us with love and mercy, satisfying us with goodness, and renewing our strength.

So many gifts. So many promises. So much to bless God for. Yet so often forgotten. How easy it is to live our days all wrapped up in the details, rushing to the next thing that must be done, focused on everything but the things— no, the One—who ultimately matters. It’s a sin.

That is why we need this Psalm. To remember to remind ourselves, regularly, to bless the Lord. -- and to do so because, first and foremost, “he does not deal with us according to our sins, “but is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” It’s an easy thing to forget, actually. Maybe that’s why the psalmist begins and ends his list of benefits with forgiveness. It’s as if all the other things depend upon this. They do, of course. If God did not, through Christ’s great sacrifice, welcome us back into his loving embrace, where would we be? What future could we hope for?

But he has! Christ came. Christ lived. Christ died. Christ rose again. Bless the Lord, O my soul, indeed!

For Personal Reflection 

Take a moment to think of two or three things in your life that you know are gifts from God. Got them? Now, bless the Lord for them!

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Was one of those things God’s promise not to hold your sins against you? If so, bless him another time for that, remembering what it cost, and where you would be without it.

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If not, take a few moments to ask yourself why? And then ask yourself what a difference it would make if you lived out your days aware that you live under the merciful skies of God’s steadfast love.

Prayer: God, at this Advent season may I write your promises on my heart. May my life reflect the assurances that I have from you. May my thoughts, my anxieties, my shortcomings, be covered completely by the quilt of blessings with which you surround me, especially your forgiveness and grace. Lord, help me not forget “all your benefits”the amazing miracles that you have worked in the past, the miracles that you work everyday still, and let my future hope be in you alone. I bless you, O my Lord!

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thursday, december 10 Corinne Moss Please read Isaiah 41:13-20 As we come to the halfway point of advent, the anticipation of Jesus’s birth is growing greater and greater.

When these verses were written, they were a message to the Israeli people during their captivity under the Assyrians and came as a story of hope. Verse 16 states that, “...you shall rejoice in the Lord, in the Holy one of Israel you shall glory,” giving the people (some people) a message of coming hope. Without the hope of Jesus to bring them redemption, the Israelites would have had nowhere to turn in their dark time. We don’t face the challenge of captivity in our daily lives, but that doesn’t mean God’s promise is any less meaningful. Today, we are being reminded again of the hope that Jesus brings. Is there an area of your life today where He can lighten the darkness?

The Holy One is the one who helps us in hard times, strengthens us in weakness, and redeems us despite our shortcomings. The celebration of his birth is coming soon, and with it, another look at how He can heal us and help us. Not only do these verses promise that Jesus can save us, but they also tell the story of how with him, our lives can go beyond the ordinary. His promise to the Israelites was water for the thirsty, and a land overflowing with it so that their crops could be plentiful (I would recommend reading this in multiple translations if possible, the latter half varies significantly). It’s hard to say what area of your life God will have overflow. I would encourage you to pray today to see where God is renewing your life, and thank Him for the everlasting promise of strength and redemption in the lives of those who love Him.

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friday, december 11 Curt & Connie Grosse Please read Isaiah 48:17-19 This is what the Lord Says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore- too many to count!"

These verses are referring to the time when the Jews had become comfortable and complacent in their captivity in Babylonia. They followed the counsel of Jeremiah and had houses, gardens, and families. but they became attached to these things so it was not easy for them to pack up and leave and go to the Holy Land. However, this is where God wanted them to to go. There is where he had work for them to do. They chose to be disobedient. If they had obeyed, they would have experienced peace, not war.

Seventeen years ago, we were disobedient. Curt was laid off from his job of 20 years. Curt was hired by the company a friend worked at and actually received a promotion. We went to New York and found a house and I was hired by the same state office that I worked at years before - people I knew. So I quit my job in North Carolina to have the time to keep the house in order for showings and to start packing. Everything was perfect - so we thought. Curt went on to New York and started his job.

I remained back in North Carolina waiting for our house to sell. We had numerous showings, sometimes with the same couples two or three times. I couldn't figure out why we weren't getting a contract. Then one night Curt called and I could tell something was wrong. He told be me he was seeing things at this company that just were not ethical and he had been all his knees on night praying, as he didn't know what to do. He was so worried. We were one week away from closing on the house in New York. I asked Curt what does your heart tell you to do? He said, "Run home." Then come home, I said. This was a very unsettling time for us. There are a lot of details that I am leaving out here, but everything worked out in the end.

Where is the disobedience you ask? It was that Curt and I never once prayed about that move. It was all going according to our plan. We never sought God's guidance. We never asked God to reveal his plan to us. New York wasn't where God wanted us to go.

It was 16 years ago that an employment opportunity opened here in Colorado Springs. Curt and I prayed to God to let us know if this was where he wanted us to go. He did just that. We only had our home up for sale for a day when it sold for full price. It has been absolutely amazing to see the people God has brought into our lives and how he has worked in our lives here in Colorado Springs.

The lesson Curt and I learned is that we need to seek God out in ALL decisions, no matter how large or small they are and being obedient to where God leads us. We were reminded that God has a plan for us and wants what is best for us. It is about trusting God and having that ever flowing peace of knowing that God always has our backs.

For Personal Reflection 

Do you seek God out in all the details of your life no matter how large or small?

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Do you have peace even when God does not give you the answers that you want?

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saturday, december 12 Cynthia Hagen Please read Luke 2:1-20 Imagine being a fifteen or sixteen year old and everything in your life drastically changes. You are a virgin, yet you are pregnant. An angel tells you that the baby you carry is the long awaited savior; your aunt, who is past childbearing years is also pregnant. An angel tells your fiancé to still marry you. Angels are not a part of your experience thus far in life. Towards the end of your pregnancy you must travel some distance because of some annoying census.

While on this trip you begin to feel something you have never felt before. Is this labor? The baby is coming, you are far away from home, there is no mid-wife to call, no mom to call upon, all this while you are in a stinky barn.

Finally you give birth and wrap the baby in cloth. Out of nowhere these unknown shepherds show up at the stable. They tell you an amazing story of angels appearing and saying that “Today a Savior is born-the Messiah – the Lord.” The angels give them signs to look for this new born King.

What would your response be? This young mother, Mary, “treasured all these things in her heart.” She pondered, mulled over, valued, and contemplated all of this. The miracle of God, the Son of God, her son, was lying in her very own arms. Strangers come and worship this baby.

The story is so well known that we sometimes lose the incredible meaning of God, becoming one of us, in the form of a baby. The craziness of angels and shepherds showing up and making unfathomable statements about what God has done and what it means for the entire world.

I invite you to ponder the significance of God entering our world to offer relationship. The Lord, the Messiah, the Savior came as a baby. The idea of this, let alone the events that occurred are mind blowing. After you have contemplated the significance of this, think about the miracles He has done in your life. What is your story? How did Jesus enter your world? Reflect on the signs you have seen in your life that you can treasure in your heart.

*For additional contemplation listen to “Mar y, Did You Know?” by Pentatonix on youtube.

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sunday, december 13 Indiana Martin, Director of Worship A rts Please read Philippians 4:4-7 Welcome to the third week of Advent! Hopefully you have been taking time to rest in the beauty and promise of this season. It is no secret, and definitely not earth shaking, when I say that sometimes the Christmas season can be stressful. There are parties, extra expenses, yummy sweets that make you loosen your belt, and navigating family relationships while making hard decisions on how to split time between everybody. I don’t know about you, but when I read today’s scripture I can’t help that my head says, “Thanks Paul, but seriously, how can I rest in, and rejoice in, the lord when I have a Hanging of The Greens to plan, and a Community Tree Lighting and Christmas market to organize, And don’t forget the 5 worship services that I am responsible for in the course of one week!-in addition to all the family obligations and seasonal festivities that only come around one time of year!” phew…

Thank God we don’t only think with our heads and calendars, but that we are given hearts to feel. If it was up to our heads all of the time it would be far too easy to live in an never-ending cycle of stress. We have hearts that can remind us that even in the midst of holiday (or regular) stresses, we have a God that has blessed us with life, and in every moment we have the choice to rejoice in Him, or not.

We, as North American Christians, often bite down on the religion of comfort.

We work hard and cram our schedules full so that we can be...comfortable? The theme of joy is prominent through Philippians, and Paul is definitely continuing this message in today’s reading. He writes from a prison cell to remind the church of Philippi (and us today), that life will have stress, and we will feel anxiety, and even still we can rest in comfort and peace because we have a God that is near! Near in the sense that He holds each of us in his loving grasp, but also near in the realization that in just 11 days from now we can remember and celebrate that He came to/for ALL of the world in the form of a baby in a manger.

If you, like me, need to be reminded, let me tell you that one of the gifts of Christ in a manger is that no matter where we are in life, no matter the sadness/anger/stress you may have, and no matter when the last time you took time to rejoice in The Lord was, the peace of God is near. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds. Merry Christmas!

Activity: Tur n your phone on silent, dim the lights, light a candle in pr ayer , and simply allow your self the space to breathe and rest in the Lord and to rejoice in Him. Set a timer and do this for 15 minutes (or longer!)

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monday, december 14 Beau & Jonni McCoy Please read Numbers 24:2-7; 15-17 Balam, the king of Moab, hired a pagan spiritualist and seer to keep an eye on Israel. Interesting that he knew there was something to their God and needed to be alert.

The diviner began his work but the spirit of God intervened and took over, speaking through the seer telling of the star that will rise out of Jacob. Not even a pagan king nor his seer can stop the spirit of God from getting his message out.

How often have we assumed that only the holy, official, righteous and even pious are the ones God will speak through? How often has God used the ‘unrighteous’ (in the world’s eyes) to get His message to people?

Rahab, a prostitute, saved His men Joshua and Caleb who Moses had sent to spy the land, a donkey spoke to Balam (yes the same king we are talking about here) to get his attention, or a poor simple girl of no wealth or prestige was used by God to give birth to His greatest gift to mankind.

How often have we overlooked the ordinary unceremonious people who serve God wholeheartedly for the flashy well-versed people who seek to lead? Let us keep our eyes open for His message – wherever it may come from.

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tuesday, december 15 Dave and Shelley McAdam Please read Mathew 21:28-32 The religious leaders of Jesus’ time had said “yes” to religion, but were not actually doing God’s will. They didn’t realize it, so they were defensive when Jesus pointed it out. Unteachable, they “knew” they were strictly following God’s commands in the Bible and had to be right and would fight to Jesus’ death for their egos. They trusted God’s word to stay in charge. In contrast, unbelieving sinners originally mocked the Jewish religion, seeing the hypocrisy and discounting it or simply ignoring it in pursuit of their pleasures. They said “no” to religion. But when Jesus came, and proved with his life and rebukes of hypocrisy, those sinners took a second look. They could and did say “yes” to a relationship with God when they heard the truth. Quietly, humbly, even some of the religious leaders saw the truth and changed their “no” to Jesus himself to “yes”.

For Personal Reflection 

Have you said “no” to Jesus because of the hypocrisy of Christian leaders?

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Do you ever say “yes” to what seems like God’s will and after starting the task, discover God really wants something a little different (or a lot)?

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Are you humble enough to change your answers to please God?

repent verb re·pent \ri-ˈpent\ to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to God.

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wednesday, december 16 Dave & Leah Niedringhaus Please read Luke 7:18b-23 Scripture tells us that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

In this passage from Luke, we learn of some doubts from even John the Baptist, who himself had baptized Jesus and pronounced him the Son of God. From prison, John sends two disciples to ask Jesus if he really is the One, the true Messiah, or if they should expect someone else. * At this time in Jesus’ ministry, the people's support for him wavered between enthusiasm and rejection. During that time, Jesus performed many miracles by healing people of diseases, cleansing them of evil spirits, giving sight to the blind, and preaching the good news to the poor. Jesus sends those disciples back to John to report all that they had seen, with the reassuring reminder of the truth of the Isaiah prophecy.

Today, we don't have the physical Jesus performing miracles right before our eyes, so sometimes our faith might waver. Personally, we had a great test of faith when our son died in 2005 at age 18. What did we truly believe?

Was our faith strong enough to be sure of what we hope for (eternal life)? Did we trust God enough to pull us though our despair? There were times of deep soul searching for both of us, and even today, sometimes the doubts creep back in. Just as the people of Jesus day struggled, we can't help but have doubts and questions along our faith journey.

For Personal Reflection 

What might help you to strengthen your faith? God understands your struggles. Talk to him! On this day, pray the simple prayer: “I do believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

* At a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus had proclaimed himself to be the One who was foretold in Isaiah (61:1-2) (see also Luke 4:16-21).

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thursday, december 17 Björn & Susi Braun Please read Ephesians 4:25-32 Only say things that are helpful for building others up! Do we do that all the time? Do we always say things that benefit our listeners?

Our son (you can guess which one) loves to say straight out what comes into his brain. “Yuck, I don’t like dinner”, “Ugh, that looks horrible”, “Man, Why do I have to do that?”, “I hate home work”, “I hate this food”. He doesn’t have a filter yet. Is that so bad? Sometimes it’s good to voice concerns, and it’s important that we have opportunities to talk about disagreements. But isn’t the key how we do it? We can voice concerns and disagreements by just being negative or by trying to say it in a helpful way. It gets pretty annoying for everyone to just hear complaints.

A suggestion for improvement is most of the time more helpful. Sometimes the best thing is just to not comment. Some things are just not worth saying even if they might be true. Think about if you are uplifting the next time you want to argue. This is not just true when talking to other people but also when you use other communication methods like email, texting, Facebook, etc? Was that Facebook post really necessary? Was it maybe just derogatory to someone? As Christians we need to love all people, even politicians and enemies.

The command “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other” is not just for friends; that would be easy. It’s also and especially a command when we disagree or even want to hate our neighbor.

Let’s remember in this Advent Season that Christ came to us to teach us the hard things not the easy things. Get rid of your bitterness, rage and anger, along with every form of malice. Let’s follow Christ’s example and bring love into this world by our words and our actions!

We are called to change the world. Let’s do it by showing Christ’s Love in everything we do and wherever we go!

For Personal Reflection 

How are you going to respond to opposition today?

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How can you bring Christ’s Love into the World today right where you are?

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Can you pray for someone you think you hate today?

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friday, december 18 Steve & Megan Penick Please read Matthew 1:18-25 As the holidays are in full swing we can feel stressed, anxious, and financially overwhelmed. In this passage, we begin to see that our current holiday woes seem quite manageable compared to Joseph’s journey. Joseph was a law-abiding man, a man of integrity, morals, and faith. When Mary was found to be pregnant, Joseph planned to divorce her quietly, but Joseph was visited that night in a dream by an Angel and was told to not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Joseph believed the message from the Angel, he trusted his faith, and took Mary home as his wife.

We often have our own doubts and insecurities about what is in front of us, but our God is incredible and has a bigger plan, a plan for each of us. Megan and I grew up and first meet in a Methodist Church. We were baptized, confirmed, and eventually wed in the exact same chapel we grew up in. We socialized from time to time, but when we graduated high school and went our separate ways, creating the life we thought best, sometimes succeeded and other times stumbling to find our way. God sure had a plan for us both and it was nothing like we could have ever imagined.

God never showed up in our dreams to tell us his plans, but he appeared in several other ways, bringing Megan and I back together and setting us back on a journey towards Christ together. We may not have always had the faith Joseph had, but as God continues to show up in mysterious way, we are finding our belief and conviction in God’s plan. To believe in the unknown can be daunting, difficult, and scary, but image Joseph, being told to marry a women who is carrying a baby that is not only from God, but will save all of mankind from their sins. Save us from all sin, not matter the severity, nature, or intent. How powerful is that; can you imagine the impact this one verse could have on all of humanity? Once again challenging us to believe; believe in a savior who has the power to show up in unique, unexpected ways and ask us to trust in him, and that through that belief we are saved from our sins.

With all of the stressors involved with the holiday season, we begin to loose sight of many things; things God has carefully planned. Please take a few minutes to pray and meditate with the questions below: 

What areas of your life is God asking you to believe and trust his plan?

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How can you remember this holiday season to listen for God’s voice?

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saturday, december 19 Skip & Jennie Marsh Please read Luke 1:5-25 We now turn to the story of the Angel Gabriel’s prophesy to Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth about the coming birth and foretold accomplishments of their son John, later to be known as John the Baptist.

The story begins with the Angel Gabriel speaking suddenly and unexpectedly to Zechariah while Zechariah was serving his priestly duty in the Temple of the Lord. Gabriel first told Zechariah that their future son would be named John, and that John would be born to Zechariah’s barren wife, Elizabeth. This because they were both righteous in the sight of God, and because Zechariah had prayed for children in his home, and his prayer was thereby answered. Gabriel said that John “…will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born” (V15). Gabriel then foretold that John: [And he] will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, To turn the hearts of the parents to their children And the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous— To make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (V17).

What perfect thoughts for this Advent season! While we prepare for the coming of the Lord we are anticipating the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Gabriel has provided two steps of preparation for then, and now, and the future – First, turning the hearts of the parents to their children. We hope that all parents stand with their children in the light of God to prevent darkness from taking them, and for helping them realize that with their parents love surrounding them that they can reject the feeling of being forsaken.

And who are these children? As Jesus said in Mark 10 (13-16), “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” So Gabriel’s guidance is for all of us, young and old alike!

The second preparation is that the disobedient should be turned to the wisdom of the righteous, becoming righteous as a people, prepared for the coming of the Lord. Here we each need to look inward and reflect on our thoughts and behaviors.

For Personal Reflection 

Can we continue to strengthen our God directed thoughts and behaviors?

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If we identify areas for improvement, can we repent during this thoughtful time and move closer to God?

The Word of God for the People of God.

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sunday, december 20 Tracy Hiester, Director of Children’s Ministries Please read Luke 1:39-45 Be filled with the spirit as you rejoice in Christ’s presence among us.

As a mother who has given birth to four children, I remember those moments where I felt my babies moving around so vividly. As I look at the story of Mary (the mother to be of our Lord) coming to visit Elizabeth (the mother to be of John the Baptist), I can just imagine the excitement in the room. Luke 1:41 tell us “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Not only did Elizabeth understand what was about to happen, so did the baby inside of her. Elizabeth was so enthusiastic that she “In a loud voice exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (Verse 42). By God’s filling her with His Holy Spirit, she was able to not only encourage Mary in all that had been told to her, but she was able to honor her as well. In those days, Mary, being younger and having less stature than Elizabeth, would have been expected to honor Elizabeth and exalt her in the circumstances that they each found themselves in. But Elizabeth “filled with the Holy Spirit”, praised Mary for her belief in what was to come.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. When we allow ourselves to be “Filled by the Spirit” we are giving God control. It is not our will, but the will of the Father. It is not by our works and deeds that we are “Filled with the Spirit”, but by faith. We cannot earn it or gain it by what we do. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.” Being filled with the Spirit is not a one time thing. We do have to seek it. It does not guarantee happiness, but it promises Joy. Being a person of faith and full of the Holy Spirit go hand in hand. Both Mary and Elizabeth show us what being “Filled with the Spirit” should look like. We are to trust God with whatever circumstance we find ourselves in today and always. Ephesians 5:18 says “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Reliance on a Holy and Perfect God is what we are called to as followers of Christ.

For Personal Reflection 

Who is God calling you to “celebrate” in your life right now?

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How are you allowing God to fill you with His Holy Spirit?

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Where is God asking you to Boldly proclaim His work in your life?

Prayer: God, I pr ay as we ar e just a few days fr om celebr ating and r emember ing the bir th of our Lor d and Savior, we will remember that you have filled, called and equipped us to do your work here on earth. May we be Filled by the Spirit, so that others may come to know you.

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monday, december 21 Jonathan & Rhonda Weston Please read Zephaniah 3:14-18a The prophet Zephaniah lived in some of the darkest years in the history of God’s people. His ministry was mainly from 641-610 B.C The northern kingdom of Israel had already been destroyed decades before. The southern kingdom of Judah was all that remained of the Israelite nation and its people had all but forgotten their covenant with the one and true God. Very soon, King Josiah would implement important reforms that would rekindle a small flame of hope, but despite his attempts, the nation of Judah and the remaining Hebrew people would be exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.

Yet Zephaniah’s message was that of hope. He was a prophet that depended on God’s past promises and a thousand-year relationship with his chosen people. He used this knowledge to sustain him in his present life, and prophesy a future of hope for the Hebrew nation.

Past, present, and future - whether it was in biblical times or our trials of today, we must always keep in mind the big picture of God’s plan. “The Lord God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.”

For Personal Reflection 

During the most difficult times, we cannot help but focus on the present, but our task is to look at the big picture. In the midst of our suffering, are we able to learn from our past relationship with God and see the progression of his plan?

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Are we able to trust that God’s love and faithfulness will give us hope for the future?

Prayer: Loving and faithful God. Give us the faith to trust in your wisdom and power. We ask that you be always in our midst, in good times and in bad. And give us the strength to look past our immediate suffering so that we can see your divine plan for your people. Amen.

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tuesday, december 22 Ken & Karol Christie Please read Luke 3:1-6 A voice came to me, crying in the wilderness, on a bike ride one morning in June of 1997. It was just after daybreak and too foggy to ride on the country roads surrounding the small Kansas town Karol and I called home. So I decided to ride on the old railway bed, which I thought would be safer.

It was easy going as the rails and ties were gone, leaving a smooth gravel surface. Less than a mile out of town, a small truss bridge over a ditch appeared. But it wasn't a problem for my mountain bike to bounce over the eight-inch railroad ties with four-inch gaps. Until half way across. A railroad tie was missing. My front wheel lodged into the gap, and I flew over the handle bars landing head first on one of the next ties.

The first sensation I felt was an extreme dizziness. Next was a tightening of my neck. Just like it feels when jamming your finger on a basketball, my whole neck locked up. My helmet (thank God I had a helmet on) was cracked and my nose was bleeding.

After orienting myself, I picked up my bike and walked a quarter mile to the nearest road. A Good Samaritan stopped to help and gave me a ride home. After waking Karol to tell her what happened, I drove myself to the small rural hospital in town to get checked out. It turned out I fractured my neck. After doctors fused two vertebrae, I sported a neck brace for the rest of the summer. It’s by the grace of God I’m not paralyzed.

The voice I heard in the wilderness that day was God saying, "I'm not done with you yet" (see Philippians 1:6).

But I needed to repent. After 20 years of trusting God, I had become complacent and apparently God thought I needed a wake-up call. A broken neck was God’s means to guide me to make ready the way of the Lord in my life as I recommitted myself to Him—to seeking to know and follow Him on His terms rather than mine. This was the beginning of a faith adventure with God that dramatically rearranged both our lives for good. I learned the importance of daily making myself ready for the way God has for me.

For Personal Reflection 

What might God be nudging you to repent of today?

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Are you ready to let the Lord have his way in your life?

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How can you make yourself ready for the way of the Lord in your life today?

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wednesday, december 23 Royce & Shirley Gipson Please read Luke 1:57-66 When have we missed an opportunity to follow God's plan because we couldn't believe that God had really spoken – to us? J ohn the Baptist would still have been bor n, in spite of Zechar iah's skepticism, but Zechariah would have missed the blessing of being God's voice. Zechariah was a believer, and faithful to a point. But, when faced with what he believed was an impossibility, his faith faltered. Until he really believed and confessed “his name is John”. God's voice often comes in the silences, as with Elijah – and it may touch us with only a gentle nudge. Today, we may have the opportunity to hear and to be God's voice; maybe to accept and love those who are different than us, but are also made in God's image. We certainly do have an “Advent opportunity” to wait in faith, believing that a new message for us accompanies this 2015 celebration of the coming of The Best News Ever. Can we get over past doubts raised by earlier disappointments? Or failures to get what we have hoped and asked for? If we can, r eal joy is fast approaching, just around the corner. Praise be to our Faithful God! Listen! Expect! Rejoice!

Prayer: Holy God. May I hear and then be your voice to ever yone I meet. Amen!

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thursday, december 24 Ron & Ann Clarkson Please read Luke 1:67-79 Merry Christmas!

Thank you for opening our 2015 Advent devotional. Within the United Methodist denomination, we follow a liturgical calendar that helps us mark time. The season of Advent allows the people of God time and space to reflect and prepare their hearts for the coming of Jesus, and starts four Sundays before Christmas. These four Sundays are marked in worship by the lighting of a series of candles. It is important to reflect on that first Christmas when that star shone over that blessed manger and the birth of our Savior and how that changed all of history, but it is equally important for us to appreciate that Christ comes to us daily right where we are.

During this season, the people of Wilson United Methodist Church are learning together what it means to be a radiant church. We pray that these devotionals, that have been written for you by our staff and members of our congregation, bless you and encourage you to radiate Christ’s love within your own spheres. We would also love to see you in worship on Sundays at either 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00am, and on Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00, or 9:00pm. We pray that this Christmas season bless you, but that you also actively look for ways to bless others.

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friday, december 25 Rev. David Hiester, Senior Pastor Please read John 1:1-18 When I was in seminary I heard a children’s worship leader ask, “Ok class. Why was Jesus born?” Their trained response was, “To die on the cross for our sins!!!” I was stunned.

For many, this is the sum total of the Good News of Jesus Christ – where humanity’s fundamental problem is separation from God because of sin, and because of His atoning sacrifice (and our praying to accept God’s forgiveness), we can be assured that when we die we will go to heaven (so, get on with your life and do what you can to tell others that they can have their fundamental problem of eternal separation from God, because of sin, solved so they can go to heaven when they die too).

Let’s get something straight: Jesus did not come merely or only to die. Instead, Jesus, filled with the Life that was the Light for all mankind, came to shine brightly into the world’s darkness (its bondage to sin and death)…to push it back…to overcome it…to obliterate it even. Jesus came to us to show us who God is, what He is like, and how it is He feels about us. He came to reveal our need for forgiveness of sin while also providing the perfect sacrifice, yes. But more than anything, he came to usher in a new era…a new reality…one might say He came to usher in LIFE itself through His life-bringing work.

The reason Jesus came to us was to conquer the cosmic power of sin and death. Jesus came to free humanity from their slavery and to invite them into a new and better covenant. Jesus came to gather up a lost and wandering people and bring them home to live in the security of His care. Jesus came to bring those who would trust Him fully alive, to heal them, and to give them a new life. Jesus came to break us free from sin’s downward pull and to give us a new ability to live, now, with Him and for Him. Jesus came to show that sacrificial love is the most powerful thing in the universe – powerful enough to melt and transform the hardest heart. Jesus came because He is, like the Father, smitten with us and willing to go any length to prove His love. Jesus came to bring us life, hope, and a future.

So as we think about the Christ child on this Christmas day, my hope is that we have more than a Jesus-cameto-die appreciation of the Gospel, and instead see a Jesus-came-to-bring-life-light-freedom-hope-and wholeness (right now!!) Gospel. For this is truly Good News. May we embrace the life and healing that Jesus makes available in every area of our lives and live in such a way as to point others toward this Life.

Prayer: Gr acious, loving, and incar nate God in Chr ist, thank you for the love and gr ace that compelled you to come to us, to free us, and to finally bring us alive. Thank you that the eternal life that you make possible is available to us even in this very moment. May we embrace it, live in it, and lead others toward it. Amen

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