The Blessing of Christmas

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 24, Morning

By Fran Wheeler

The Blessing of Christmas

Read: Psalm 23:1-3a ESV

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”

It’s no accident that shepherds and sheep were included in the glorious birth of Jesus. In scripture, God’s people are often compared to wandering sheep, needing shepherds. And Jesus often referred to himself as our shepherd. But before that, Jesus was born the Lamb of God. 

Imagine the night on the hills around Bethlehem. 

In the sky was an unfamiliar star, casting bright light over the countryside. No one, especially not shepherds who spent their nights outside, could have missed that phenomenal star. Its light filled the whole sky! As the shepherds gazed upward, an Angel suddenly appeared, terrifying them! The Angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you joyful news. A savior has been born to you in Bethlehem. Go, find the baby who is lying in a manger.”

Dumbfounded, they were mesmerized as a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared, praising God: “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

They ran down the hill to Bethlehem and found the baby, the newborn Lamb of God, lying in a manger just as they had been told. This baby would grow up to become the Good Shepherd, watching over his sheep. And that’s us. We are his sheep.

Jesus our Shepherd, leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. He protects us from the evil one. When we find ourselves in dark places, he restores our souls. And when we go astray, he searches for us and brings us back home. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

That’s the blessing of Christmas.

Prayer

Oh Lord, we need your tender care, and knowing you watch over us comforts us. Thank you for never leaving us alone and unguarded. Amen.

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In Anticipation of our Blessed Hope

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Friday, December 23

By Barry Christmas

In Anticipation of Our Blessed Hope

Read: Titus 2:13 NKJV

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

I liken the season of Advent to waiting with childlike anticipation for the arrival of Christmas morning. We can hardly wait to see what gifts have been left under the tree! Prior to this day, there is excitement in the air and everyone is busy making preparations. It’s a time to tidy up the house and spend all day preparing a delicious feast for our guests.

But Advent is the season of preparing for the coming of Christ, not for that fictional jolly character from the North Pole. We need to be busy preparing ourselves for His arrival and for the unique spiritual gifts He has for each of us. It’s a time to “tidy up” by seeking forgiveness and preparing our hearts to be receptive to Jesus’ visit and to His message. He spreads out the feast before us and invites us to partake of His goodness and mercy. May we feast daily with the Savior and anticipate His presence during our time of studying His Word and praying for His guidance.

During the season of Advent, we not only look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also look forward in anticipation of the second coming of Christ to establish His kingdom on Earth. Oh what a time of peace, love and joy that will be for all of His children! He truly is our Blessed Hope.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, please come to us this Advent season and fill our hearts to overflowing with hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.

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The Power of Three

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 22

By Katie (and Evie) Strangis

The Power of Three

Read: Romans 15:14

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Chats with Evie are often spiritual. This kid has a lot of questions about God and Jesus and especially Heaven. A (small) sampling of questions have included:

“What do you think heaven is like?”

“How will I know who I was in heaven before Jesus put me on earth?”

“Do you think God is in this cheeseburger?”

 Some of the hardest ones are about the Holy Spirit, and, because she often sees me editing our online worship service at home, she has asked me, “What does Pastor Catherine mean when she says the ‘fewowship of the Howy Spirit’?”

When Evie and I talk about the Holy Spirit, I’m usually just winging it, unsure what to tell her because, to me, the Holy Spirit really is a great mystery. But framing it as the fellowship of the Holy Spirit has made it easier to understand. We talk about it as the community to which we belong; or as I describe it to Evie, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is sort of like the family and friendship of the Holy Spirit. It gives us something really special to connect to. Fellowship makes us stronger because it means we are not alone. I thought for a long time that I could believe in God and Jesus without church … and I still get bogged down sometimes by flawed people running religious institutions (I am a very flawed person who works at a religious institution after all!). But ever since I started attending church again, I have felt the hope and promise and fellowship that comes from being in a spiritual community again. We may enjoy very individual and complex relationships with God and Jesus, but for me, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is what keeps me going when I feel alone or like I cannot grapple with the magnitude of the mystery of faith.

I hope my kids will lean into and grow with the Holy Spirit as they get older and deepen their understanding of the Trinity. I’ll be relying on that hope and fellowship — and a lot of mystery — as I walk through Advent this year.

Prayer

Triune God, you have given us so many ways to understand you, and yet you are still a powerful mystery. Thank you for our children, who both complicate and demystify you, distilling the hope, joy, peace and love you have shared with us through the trinity. Amen.

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A Blip in the Screen

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 21

By Beth Cooper-Libby, Preschool Director

A Blip in the Screen

Read: Hebrews 6:10 NIV

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

It happens at Walmart; it happens at McKay’s; it happens a lot at the grocery store. I hear a voice “Hey, look Tommy, look! It’s Miss Beth! Don’t you remember Miss Beth?” Next I will smile and greet a child that has no clue who I am. Poor Tommy will scan my face, having no idea who I am or why his mom is excited to see me. The parent does of course remember me, but rarely do they understand that the child does not. I don’t take it personally. It’s called “childhood amnesia” and just part of the natural order of life. Most adults do not have memories of their lives for the first 3 to 3 1/2 years, and although many adults may have some, chances are a woman you knew in preschool and have not seen since isn’t one of them. 

I know that I am just a blip on the screen; most families forget about me within a year of leaving and nearly all of the children will. I like to think that deep down inside they remember someone being the hands and feet of Christ by acting kind to them in their early years. I consider my job mission work. It’s how I serve others and what I feel called to do. Is it glamorous? Nope, not really. Prestigious? Not exactly that either.  

During Jesus’ mortal life, He served the poor. He taught the gospel. He fed crowds of hungry people. He washed His disciples’ feet. He ate with thieves and touched lepers. He healed the sick and even raised the dead. Thankfully, none of that is in my job description, because if you know me at all, you know my feelings about feet.

You can serve the Lord by serving those around you. You do not have to do something big to serve others. For me, it’s helping a child learn to share, tying a shoe, making parting from a parent more comfortable, teaching the prayer we use before we eat — all small ways that I serve. They might not be big, but those are things that I’m good at doing. When we willingly serve, with the talents we are given, we become more like Christ and our faith grows.

Prayer

Blessed Jesus, because of your finished work on the cross, our labors have become labors of love; our works are works of faith. May we love and serve those around us who need our services and offerings of love. Amen.

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My New Meditation App: The Gospel of Matthew

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 19

By Jane Gulley

My New Meditation App: The Gospel of Matthew

Read: Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Christmas is coming. Are you excited? Or anxious? I admit the season can make me nuts. Ask me about my spreadsheets.

Christmas is literally EXTRA. Our faith tells us to give to the needy, comfort the lonely, and repair family bonds. Our culture tells us to decorate competitively, entertain lavishly, and document the whole thing on social media. Not calming. 

To fix my bad attitude, I re-read the Christmas story in all four Gospels. Shocker: it’s not in Mark or John. In those gospels, the adult Jesus is baptized by John and jumps right into ministry. (I’m calling these the “hustle and grind” Gospels). Luke is the one you know best. It’s got those tent pole moments: Angels! Shepherds! Kings!

But for life wisdom, I like the Gospel of Matthew. The birth of Jesus is low on razzle-dazzle and moves quickly to the Holy Family’s persecution by Herod. But stay tuned! The rest of Matthew includes the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus healing the sick, and many teachings I found newly relevant. Health, relationships, finances—Our Lord covers it all. One of my favorite soothers for a worried mind is the above scripture reference of Matthew 11:28-29.

In the hustle of December, consider putting a Bible in your car or adding an app such as Bible Gateway* to your phone. And in the spirit of the season, I wish you … Peace. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, give me strength and wisdom for living my days, with appreciation for the gift of Jesus in showing us how to live. Amen.

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*Bible Gateway, a free app, was recommended to me by Church Streeter Thomas Stubbs, now a UMC clergy member serving a church in CT.

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Salvation at Christmas

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 18, Fourth Sunday of Advent

By Tim Best, Senior Associate Pastor

Salvation at Christmas

Read: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 NIV

“Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (v.3)

What does it mean to be saved? This seems like more of an Easter question, but it is exactly what comes to mind when I read the above Psalm lesson. The questions that typically come to mind one week before Christmas tend to be: “Have I sent all my cards? When do I need to go to the store to get the last items for Christmas dinner? Will there be a fight between those two relatives on Christmas Eve?” The Psalm forces us to consider salvation. The Psalm makes us consider salvation from the perspective of Advent. 

The Psalmist refers to the Lord as a shepherd, an image common throughout Psalms and other Old Testament passages. Jesus later refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. Shepherds, and certainly good ones, are present with the sheep. Not showing up or not providing care, comfort, and food would be neglect. Over the next week I invite you to ask yourself each day “how is Jesus showing up in my life today? How is Jesus at work saving and leading me?” I pray that you will feel God’s loving presence and be able to see all the ways God is at work in your life. God’s salvation is for now as much as it is for after we die. In Jesus our lives are saved from old patterns and damaging behaviors. Let us prepare to welcome our good shepherd, the one who saves us, into our lives. 

Prayer

Almighty God, In Christ you offer salvation to the whole world. Open our hearts that we may see the ways your salvation is now at work in us. Prepare us for the gift of your salvation by helping us to see your presence in our lives. Amen.

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Shining Under Bethlehem’s Star

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 17

By Nancy Christmas

Shining Under Bethlehem’s Star

Read: Psalm 16:11 NKJV

“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

A few years ago before Christmas, our church members received a purple “Joy” star with a Bible verse from Psalm 16:11, along with a personal note card entitled “Joy” from Rev. Catherine. My husband and I still have those two items on our refrigerator to read when we are in the kitchen. 

That brings to mind, what would it have been like to have been among the “wise ones” who were led by this bright star to travel to Bethlehem? Who would have known that this glowing star would guide these travelers to their destination, where they found Baby Jesus cradled under the Bethlehem Star? There, the heavenly host proclaimed the sweetest of all good and great gifts as planned by our Father above.

Along with the gift of Jesus, God also brought peace, hope, joy, goodwill and light, and a Love that will last forever, thanks to the shining star of Bethlehem. With our renewed faith, we welcome Christmas and every day with hope for all. God’s greatest gift to us is His only begotten Son, who is the light of Eternity. This light is forever strong and will be the guide that is always there to open our lives to God’s presence every day. 

Joy and love are in my heart. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Our Father in heaven above, as we pray with joyful hearts, we thank thee for your gift of love. Amen.

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Giving and Getting

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Friday, December 16

By Rev. Rick Isbell

Giving and Getting

Read: Acts 20:35 NIV

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.”

When I was a little boy, I loved getting presents on my birthday and under the tree on Christmas morning. Who doesn’t like getting a new Nintendo, a nice piece of clothing or that one item you “hinted at” all year. Receiving gifts from friends and family is a special time for all of us. But lately I have seen that getting things can be quite overwhelming and cumbersome. I look around and see the proliferation of storage unit complexes that span acres or go up several stories. And more are being built each year. We have so much stuff that we need extra storage units to store it all.  

As I have gotten older, I have found the joy in giving rather than always thinking about getting stuff. Sure, I still like to receive presents; but now I think more on how I can share the “gifts and graces” I have been blessed with. I think about how I can give my time and resources to help others. This Advent season is a time to think about what gifts you can give to others that don’t need to be wrapped. Think about all those warm clothes you don’t wear anymore that could be given away. Pick up a few extra food items at the store and give to a food co-op. Take the time to visit a homebound church member or send them a card. Give an extra $25 to UMCOR to help flood or hurricane victims. Volunteer 1-2 hours a week at the church or community agency such as Mobile Meals, Beacon of Hope, Wesley House or a local school.    

This Advent season as we prepare again for the “coming” of the Christ child into the world, let us discipline ourselves to think more of giving than getting. Let us think about helping the Kingdom of God become a reality by giving of our time, talents and resources in helping others. 

Prayer

God, help me find ways to give to others all year long. Help me give of myself and my resources to make this world a better place for all. AMEN.

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Timeless Joy

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 15

By Steve Richardson

Timeless Joy

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:4-18

“For it is God who said, ‘Light will shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (v.6)

Odd as it seems, our modest, practically-generic rancher house now has an architectural designation. It was built in 1955, so it has become classified as a “Mid-Century Modern.” Such a label puts us right up there with “Victorian,” “Cape Cod,” “Williamsburg,” “Greek Revival” and others. Frankly, these other labels reflect more impressive aesthetic qualities, compared to “Mid-Century Modern” which hovers over a mundane point on a time spectrum. Yet whatever the descriptor or identity, we happily call it “home.”

Recently we undertook some interior renovation. The project included removal of long-ago laid wall-to-wall carpet, followed by restoration of the original oak flooring that had been shielded from view for literally decades. When the floor sanding began, I was amazed to sense the scent of freshly cut oak. It was as if the timber had just been milled! After 67 years, the oak’s distinctive aromatic profile was as fresh and vibrant as ever.

For a moment, I felt joy from this unexpected waft of nature along with seeing the surface and grain of the wood freed to resume its original purpose.

Later, it caused me to wonder: During these days of Advent, what might we discover if we could strip away (or at least strive to do so) the layers of really-not-so-important trappings of the holiday season? We all know of them —those many things that tend to obscure, hide or crowd-out Christmas’s spiritual core and character. Maybe there is a timeless joy to be found and experienced —the joy of the heavenly host, the joy made known to the shepherds, the joy made known to the magi, the joy of the authentic Christmas. Such joy must surely still be fresh and vibrant if we simply can uncover it and set it free to be experienced again.

Prayer

Generous God, open our hearts and minds to receive, and then to share, the spiritual life-lifting gifts you graciously offer so that we may always know your timeless joy.

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Expectation, Excitation, Exhilaration

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 14

By Linda Henderson Cox

Expectation, Excitation, Exhilaration

Read: Luke 1:31-33

“You will … give birth to a son … He will be great … 

His kingdom will have no end.”

Unlike Zechariah’s unbelief when an angel told him he and Elizabeth would have a son, Mary didn’t doubt when Gabriel gave her the news that she too would bear a son of the Holy Spirit. She trusted. When it sank in, she couldn’t wait to share with her cousin Elizabeth who was six months along with, as we’re told later, John the Baptizer. The gift for the world they each carried was reason for exhilaration. Elizabeth made a declaration and Mary sang a song.

Having five great-grandchildren in five years, I can tell you something of all three emotions. Each child expected and loved before birth; the tension of waiting and wondering ending when a new person entered our lives; the moms eager to get pictures out to the world!

“He will be great.” I’ve often wondered whether Jesus had a ‘normal’ childhood. He had siblings. Did He stand out as being great? In my mind, I see Him being treated equally, though I imagine Joseph and Mary shared a look or two when His behavior was a bit different.

“His kingdom will have no end” is the climax to the story. All made possible by God sending His Son into the world in human form. To be admitted into the kingdom that has no end, is perfection. To share eternity with the owner of this kingdom—the thought should make us drunk with exhilaration. 

Prayer

All praise and thanksgiving to You, Creator God, for giving us the gift of eternal life with a home in the Kingdom that has no end. In the name of your Son, Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen.

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