O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 16

By Rev. Catherine Nance

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Read Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

It is one of the first “Christmas Carols” I remember learning as a child. Although I could not read many of the hard words in the hymnal, I could sing out on the refrain! Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. I would sing out, REEEE-joice! Reeee-joice! Eeee-manuel …

It was not until I was in youth choir that I learned to sing Rih-jose and Ih-mahn-u-ehl. Even now while singing alone, I try to pay attention to my vowels and my East Tennessee dialect. The words and melody are still meaningful; perhaps even more so with the softer, less twangy, syllable!

There are things we learn about Advent and Christmas as children that are precious to us. As we grow older, some of those childhood assumptions and ‘knowledge’ are replaced with footnotes from the Bible and a little bit of study. I will not tell you how old I was before I grasped that shepherds and wise men never appear together in the gospels. But no harm is done when we put them on the stage together for the children’s pageant. Sorting out traditions with the Biblical story is a good spiritual exercise.

When I studied Isaiah’s text that Matthew borrows, it was difficult not to read ‘little baby Jesus’ where Isaiah writes ‘the child.’ Instead, God is assuring King Ahaz that the threat of world powers warring at his borders will not last forever. Things appear horribly now, Ahaz! But look! There is a young woman about to give birth. Before that child is two or three years old, all this will be over! The child’s name is Immanuel which means God is with us. Matthew borrows those powerful words as a poignant reminder that God has been at work all along. God has always been about seeking peace and justice. I find it so helpful to look at the words our Gospel writers and hymn writers borrow from the Hebrew Scriptures. Emmanuel, Wisdom, Root of Jesse, Dayspring, and others give a depth to ‘little baby Jesus’ that causes me to understand Messiah more fully. Rejoice! Rejoice!

Prayer

O God who is always with us, thank you for making your eternal message accessible to us all of our days. When we dread the days ahead, encourage us to look back and remember how you have been at work in our family, our community, and our world for generations. Amen.

Rev. Catherine Nance is the Senior Pastor at Church Street and wrote this devotion in honor of the Parish Youth Choir at Church Street United Methodist Church.

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Be Still

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 15, Evening

By Linda Henderson Cox

Be Still

Read Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

If ever there was a true statement, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” this period of time is surely it. We’ve lost spouses, siblings, and dear friends and in some cases were not able to participate in their celebration of life. Some have lost homes, income, meaningful employment, and peace of mind. We are having to endure an upheaval in life as we knew it, where it seems, as the saying goes, the inmates are running the insane asylum. Now the country is either burning down or drenched with flood waters. If only we could move the two together.

Is God trying to get our attention? I rather doubt that is the case, but it seems the perfect time for us to evaluate where we stand with Him. Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

It’s tough to be still and tougher still to attend to exaltation when it seems our world is going mad. But not attending to these things is robbing us of the very thing we seek: peace and calm. The sacrifices Jesus made to come to us as a baby made a way for our redemption, to give us new life, to give us peace surpassing anything we can imagine on our best day. This is what gives me strength: being still and knowing.

Prayer

Lord help us to know you, see you as a baby who grew to be the redemption of a lost world. Help us in our efforts to make the most of our present circumstances, to love one another, and to have before us always the promises that began in Your lowly manger. We pray in Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

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Is Jesus Still Coming?

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 15, Morning

By Dona McConnell

Is Jesus Still Coming?

Read Luke 2:10-11

“And the angel said to them,’Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

Christmas 2020 isn’t the Christmas we expected, or wanted. Everything in our world has changed. In these jarring days, we’re afraid to eat at a restaurant, or go to the movies or the beach. People are saying, “No Christmas this year!”

Every December, followers of Christ re-live the coming of Jesus in much-loved ways. It’s a beautiful story, and we love to hear it over and over again. Yet in this challenging year, we can’t attend a Christmas Eve service, or participate in a live nativity, or cheer on little “wise men” in bathrobes. It seems so far removed from the time when a young couple, blessed by God, welcomed the birth of a baby who would change the world.

But was it really so different in those prophetic days? The year Jesus was born was a hard year, too. There was violence and unrest throughout the land. Political factions were divided and pitted against each other. Leaders were fighting to stay in power or get more. Anything that smelled of new leadership had to be discovered and destroyed. Fear was rampant. Mary and Joseph endured a long trip across a hot land, riding a donkey, and when they arrived at the city they were seeking, they were refused food and shelter.

If we were orchestrating the arrival of Jesus, we might say, as we have with many things, “The timing couldn’t be worse. Let’s wait until next year.” But that was not how God planned it. Jesus came in the midst of all that chaos. He came because the world couldn’t wait any longer for its deliverer. He came because people were in the dark, and desperately needed the light. Jesus was the gift that was promised long before, and God was faithful to that promise. Few even realized that something significant had happened on that night. Yet a world-changing event had taken place right under the noses of people who were much stronger and more powerful.

This year, there probably won’t be any in-person services or holiday parties, but Jesus will still come. Even amid the confusion, even when many do not expect or even know the wonder of His birth, Jesus will come quietly; and if we open our eyes and hearts to his presence, we will realize that Christmas did come, after all. Jesus was God’s promise, and God’s promises never fail.

Prayer

God of wonder and salvation, thank you for sending us Jesus, this year and every year. We need a reminder that Christmas is not a holiday, but a gift that is given to us over and over. Grant us the peace we all desperately need during this special season, and let our celebrations be wrapped around your Holy presence. Amen.

Dona McConnell is the director of the Beacon of Hope. 

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Every Day is a Great Day!

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 14

By Ken Bodie

Every Day is a Great Day!

Read Psalm 118:24

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

This was my fraternal grandfather’s favorite bible verse. I can only imagine that some of us do not feel this way during 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic and the effect it has had on our lives, our jobs, our country, our worship and our general outlook on the uncertainty of life.

I can tell you that even though this terrible pandemic has not affected my job or my family, there are many days that I feel anxious or guilty, that others may be suffering. My heart hurts for them.

My grandfather joined God in heaven in 1975. He was the most God-loving man I have ever known. Unfortunately, he suffered multiple heart attacks and then had a stroke. He was bedridden at home for several weeks, unable to walk and could barely talk. However, the first thing he did upon waking every morning was to recite Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Even though his voice was affected by his stroke, he still fought to recite this verse every day until he passed on to heaven’s gate.

This memory of him made me think, that even when things like Covid-19 are affecting our lives, maybe we can be like him and rejoice that we have another day on this earth and will all meet God to end any earthly suffering.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for today. Help us to understand that even on our worst days, we should be rejoicing that we will all end up in your arms of love and protection. Amen.

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Making Room for God

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 13, Evening

By Janet Edwards

Making Room for God

Read Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Working as a hospital chaplain has taught me to listen for God speaking to me through the patients I serve. Recently, a patient, struggling with a life-threatening illness, shared something her mother had taught her when she was young: “It’s not enough to invite God in, you have to make room for God. If you let anger and fear fill your heart, there is no room for God there.”

I wanted to offer reassurance: “It’s okay to feel angry and scared; you are grieving. God will not abandon you in your suffering, God is with you!” But I knew that was not what she needed; and so, I listened … with my heart.

Before this visit, my getting-ready-for-work ritual was to listen to the news on NPR. By the time I arrived at work, having listened for the entire commute, I was anything but the ‘non-anxious presence’ a chaplain is supposed to be.

Clearly, I needed help making room for God. So now, I begin my day by praying Psalm 51.

Advent is a time to make room for the One for whom there was no room at the inn. Immanuel comes to make a home in us, to abide with us. And so, I pray to be a hospitable home for God, with ample room for peace and love to dwell:

Prayer

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Amen.

Janet Edwards serves as the Chaplain with Trident Health Systems in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

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Shepherds Heard and Responded – Will We?

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 13, Morning

By Bishop Richard C. Looney

Shepherds Heard and Responded – Will We?

Read Luke 2:8-20

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

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The account of angels appearing to the shepherds is one of my favorite Advent events. They brought incredibly good news to shepherds in the fields, and they were heard. Have we ever been in greater need for good news? “Great joy for all people.” “Glory to God in highest heaven, and on earth peace.”

And surely the news should have first come to the high priests, bishops, pastors, and leaders. Yet the lowly shepherds, common laborers, heard first. And still that is true today. Some of the most unlikely persons are most open to God’s truth and filled with God’s Spirit. So may I not dream also of receiving some heavenly truth?

But they were not in the temple or other sacred place. They were in the fields with the sheep, and there they heard the joyful sound. Is that not like our loving God? We love our magnificent sanctuary, but we have heard the angels sing through virtual worship. Through TV I have been able to worship with you these last several months, and have experienced God through the magnificent organ, soloists, choirs, ensembles, drone pictures, mission announcements, prayers, and sermons. The angels still sing.

Even stranger was the word of instruction. The Messiah will be found in a manger, not a palace, nor resort hotel, but a stable. And in the strangest places we find Him today. Will I be willing to see? “In as much as you have done it to one of the least of these, you have done it to me.”

The shepherds then returned, glorifying and praising God. May that be our theme through the entire season. Don’t be afraid; you have received good news of great joy.

Prayer

O God of the angels and God of the Shepherds, open our eyes and our hearts that we may be willing to see you and receive your good news to all people. Amen!

Bishop Richard C. Looney served as interim pastor from 2016-2017 and Senior Pastor 1987-88 before election to the episcopacy. 

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Conform or Transform in These Confusing Times

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 12, Evening

By Andy and Nancy Zirkle

Conform or Transform in These Confusing Times

Read Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing of the mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Our nation and churches are vulnerable in these confusing times. We as Christians cannot stand in a corner and ask what is going wrong, but must stand up and be counted. We must present ourselves to God, who has given mercy and kindness to those who believe in him. We must give ourselves and our lives as new sacrifices to Him. We must serve the Lord. You serve the Lord where he has assigned you at the present time. We can’t have one foot in society in today’s culture and another foot in our Christian way of life.

We must be transformed from the inside out, not conformed from the outside in. In today’s world we need both the outside, the Bible and the inside, the Holy Spirit. We must seek the perfect will of God. We can’t let the world pressure us from the outside. No one drifts away from holiness. We must become Christians in more than words alone.

We must let God into our hearts and receive the fulfilled life. In doing so we will learn the will of God. We will know that the will of God is good and acceptable and perfect. We will love the will of God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Please help us to transform our minds through the wisdom of your teachings. Amen.

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Good Trouble

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 12, Morning

By John Eldridge

Good Trouble

Read Amos 5:24

“Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”

One of my all time heroes, John Lewis, died this year. He coined the phrase, “Good trouble,” saying that when you see injustice, you need to do something about it, even if it means getting into trouble. When you get into trouble that advances the cause of justice, reconciliation and inclusion; that was not getting into trouble for John Lewis, it was getting into good trouble.

I have been thinking about John Lewis’ belief in good trouble a lot lately, and I think about something else he said: “When you pray, pray with your feet.”

It troubles me to realize that my comfortable life in the suburbs is getting in the way of my getting into good trouble. There is good trouble I need to get in all around me: my white privilege, economic and social injustice, systemic racism, hunger in America (not to mention around the world), the lack of inclusion in my church, and the list goes on.

And I find myself pondering where I need to get into good trouble and do something to advance the cause of truth and justice and bring about a more loving and inclusive church, community, society and world.

How about you? As you live out these days of Advent, is there a place in your comfortable life that you need to leave and, following John Lewis’ example, go get into some good trouble?

Prayer

Search my heart, Lord, and help me see what I need to do to help bring your kingdom to this world. Amen.

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The World- What Would Baby Jesus Think?

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 10, Evening

By John Peterson

The World – What Will Baby Jesus Think?

Read Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

In this year 2020, the world has been in turmoil more than any time in history. As the year draws to an end, the season of Jesus’ birth will be celebrated as a Holy celebration. In America, many families will experience the season as a new, strange, and unfamiliar experience. While the new disease Covid has been at the center of this disruption, it is not the only cause. This has been a time of loss of family members due to disease, accidents, crime, splits, drugs, financial loss, and (most significant) a separation from one’s own Church.

Jesus tells us, “He will never leave us.”

Have we forgotten that God controls the whole world? God sent His only Son Jesus to bring salvation to all who believe in him and accept Jesus as their savior. We were given the Holy Spirit to guide, help and direct all who ask for help. God gives everyone all the help needed to live in a beautiful world, with blessings for those who follow Jesus’ direction.

I believe Jesus would tell all how sad our actions have made Him. Jesus is upset we have not trusted the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ teaching says we are not to give up, but be strong, pray continually and give thanks for all our blessings. In sight of any loss in this world, one can always make a long list of blessings. Jesus said love your neighbor. This one command demands one should forget self and the “I,” “me” syndrome of 2020. Jesus will meet all our needs, if we are taking care of our neighbors.

During the celebration of Jesus’ birth, put praying, trusting and doing what Jesus wants first on your list. Jesus has a plan, purpose and need for everyone.

Prayer

Dear God, forgive our business of selfish ways. Help keep your directions before us daily. We trust you and want to be more obedient. In Jesus’ name, hear our prayers.

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Let Heaven and Nature Sing

Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 10, Morning

By Jenny Cross

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

Read Psalm 105:1-4

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

Each year, there is a great debate regarding when it is appropriate to start listening to Christmas music. Some sit soundly in the camp of “it isn’t Christmastime until after Thanksgiving.” Some cue their holiday playlist the moment the weather turns a bit chilly. Some subscribe to the “Christmas in July” philosophy and listen to carols whenever they need a little joy in their life. I firmly believe that one is not better than another. But regardless if I’m in the Christmas spirit when these songs start playing, their promises of redemption bring hope to my weary soul.

Tucked within familiar carols are nuggets of absolute truth and phrases that put words to our longings. But my favorite Christmas hymn of all time is one that rarely gets sung when caroling around the neighborhood. “Once in Royal David’s City” tells the Christmas story in the first two stanzas, confirms Jesus’ humanity in the third stanza, and reveals God’s motivation for His incarnation in the final stanza. That last one brings tears to my eyes every single time. It reads: “And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.”

It sums up Christmas so powerfully for me: Jesus came so that we could be with Him. Yes, and amen.

We prepare Him room because He has already made a way for us. And whether that preparation looks like fanfare and the pipe organ, or quietly humming while folding laundry, it all counts. My prayer for this season is that we don’t miss it when heaven and nature sing. And when we hear the joyful chorus, I hope we sing along.

Prayer

Holy God, We pray that the gift of Christmas is not lost on us this season. After a year that has felt harder and heavier than most, we need the coming of the Christ child more than ever. Open our eyes to the goodness of Your presence and help us to share the light of Jesus with a weary world. Lord, remind us to sing Your praise whether our hearts feel ready or not this season. And teach us to rejoice at Your gift of redemption. Amen.

Jenny Cross is the Youth Director at Church Street UMC.

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