Saturday, December 17

Luke 1:46-49

Eloise Smith

Many were the Jewish girls who dreamed of becoming the mother of the Messiah!  The Savior of Israel!  Even those who were not rich or princesses could be chosen.  However, to be chosen was not so simple.  The Angel Gabriel had been so sure!  And Mary, a girl of about 14, was willing to be obedient to God.  But… how would Joseph react?  Her parents had betrothed her to him and said he was a good man.  Still, the punishment for an unwed pregnant girl was death by stoning should Joseph refuse to marry her.

She sought comfort.  Mary hastened to see her Cousin Elizabeth, finally with child after being barren for so long.  Elizabeth’s baby leapt in her womb at Mary’s voice.  Gabriel was sure and now Elizabeth and her baby also!  Mary burst out in a song of praise to God: from the depths of her heart she praised God.  Her words are recorded as a beautiful poem we know as the “Magnificat”.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior . . . for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”  (Luke 1: 46-49)

Have you ever felt great uncertainty or great dependency on someone else?   And yet, Mary magnifies the Lord.  She holds God in greater esteem than ever before.  She has no idea what this whole experience will bring, but she is willing to put her trust in God.  Doesn’t she set an example for us?  In all circumstances we are to praise the Lord and trust in him to deliver us.

Dear Heavenly Father, We, too, praise and magnify Your name.  We thank You for what Mary’s faith has meant to us and for the fact that You are trustworthy.  We would remember especially at this time what it means to pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Friday, December 16

Luke 1:30-33

Roberta Hipp

Luke 1:30-33

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Imagine the thoughts Mary must have had when the angel Gabriel came to her and told her that she was to give birth to the Christ child. She did not think of herself as special, only as a humble servant.  Surely, she was overwhelmed with fear and emotions that we cannot begin to comprehend.   Because of her faith, she accepted graciously and knew that her servitude to God was necessary.

Throughout history there were persons  given important purposes.  St. Paul, Mother Teresa, Gandhi are just a few that have fulfilled their purpose during their lifetimes.   Just as God chose Mary and many others for great purposes, He also has a special plan for each of us. Not everyone is destined for world notoriety or greatness. We support a friend in need, help with local service organizations , and pray for world peace. We are to recognize, trust, and accept the responsibilities that God gives us.  Let us listen and look for signs, be attentive to God’s call, and not be afraid.  We are all servants in God’s kingdom and are assured of His love, concern and compassion for us.  With love in our hearts, help us joyfully share God’s message of hope, love and peace for all of mankind.

Father, Open our hearts and minds to the plans that You have for us.  Help us not to be afraid to put our trust and faith completely in You.  Amen.

 

Thursday, December 15

James 5:7-8

Steve Lemons

James 5: 7-8

“Be patient, then, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.  The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

I have recently returned from a disaster deployment with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in hurricane ravaged Northern New Jersey.  While meeting the physical needs of the community and homeowners was important, sometimes it seemed that the greatest need was for addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of the hurting men, women and children.  Sharing hope and comfort in crisis, with compassion and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ through listening, counseling, and prayer not only encouraged the tragedy’s victims but also lifted up the disaster responders.

James 1: 2-3 reads, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance...” True joy was repeatedly derived from renewed dependence on the Lord Jesus.  Entire communities joined together to support one another, and they learned to trust every day into His hands. Also, the responders learned to trust every effort they put forth into His hands when doubts of their adequacy rose. Together we all rejoiced, as we took care of God’s business and built up His house by the giving of hope.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank You that no matter what circumstances we encounter, we know that You have a purpose for us. Please help us to always trust You and have us find the true joy of depending upon Your Son and the comfort that You are always with us. Amen.

Wednesday, December 14

Matthew 11:28-29

Lee Hipp

Matthew 11:28-29

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

Often called the “Great Invitation and Great Demand,” this beloved passage offers the gift of peace as a reward for living a Christ-centered life.  This promise from Christ represents all of the Advent blessings – hope, love, joy and peace.

Rick Warren states in the first sentence of his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, “It’s not about you.” So what I am about to share with you is not really about me. In my mid-twenties, I experienced a personal crisis that left me filled with despair. This condition resulted from a combination of events that made me question my purpose in life. I sought advice from two family members for whom I had great respect – my grandmother and older brother. My grandmother, a lifelong devout Presbyterian, told me to “surrender” while my brother, in a separate conversation, suggested I simply “open my heart.”

Their advice led me to the realization that I needed to relinquish control or at least share it, as would be the case in taking up the yoke. Gradually my anguish subsided as I gave over to God’s incredible Grace. Over the following months and years, the Spirit of Hope moved me to make a career change, complete the necessary training and eventually secure a faculty position at Virginia Western Community College, where I found what I believe was not my purpose but God’s purpose for me.

Prayer: (from the Beatles’ “Let It Be.”)

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Tuesday, December 13

Isaiah 9:2-4

Lindsay Faulstick

Isaiah 9: 2-4

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

As we continue through this season of Advent, this scripture reminds us of the unending hope and joy of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Though, as humans, we face difficult times—tribulations of the mind, body, and spirit—we are fortunate in that we have the promise of good times to come. Additionally, we are reminded through this passage that we are so fortunate, as a people, that we are able to rejoice in the coming Good News. Many other people and nations experience times of tribulation so desperate that the light cannot penetrate the stifling darkness. May we always remember that we are blessed beyond words, and that we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves in whatever ways we are able. Each day of advent, let the season be a reminder that there is a GREAT joy coming into our lives that we can and should share with the entire world.

Dear Lord, continue to remind me of the Good News of Your Son’s birth that is coming so soon. May I always be mindful of those who are less fortunate than myself, that I may be an instrument of Your will, shining Your light into the darkness. I thank You so much of Your promise of such joy to come! Amen.

Monday, December 12

Zephaniah 3:14, Psalm 100

Loren Walker

Zephaniah 3:14

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!

Rejoice, and exult with all your heart O daughter Jerusalem.

Read also Psalm 100. What more marvelous way to express joy than with a joyful noise! The Bible urges us to worship with joyful singing. Our congregation does a good job of this. We have an excellent choir, and we all celebrate with many spirited congregational hymns.

The Christmas music is especially joyful. Consider Joy to the World! or Angels We Have Heard on High with its pealing “Glorias” or O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant! There are many more.

We should not only sing these wonderful Christmas carols, we should be sure to teach them to our children. They will hear them at church, but it would good if they would hear them at home also. They are not likely to hear them on the radio. The radio versions of Christmas songs are cute, but usually have nothing to do with Christ – “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “Frosty the Snowman”, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, etc.  So when you are listing to Christmas music at home or in the car, put on a CD or MP3 of Christmas carols. A good one is Christmas Sing Along with Mitch (Mitch Miller). There are plenty of others. This music will become ingrained in your children’s Christmas tradition.

Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction.

Prayer:  The birth of Your Son has brought great joy to people of His time and to many generations since. We thank You for the hymns which express that joy. We pray that You would help us to remind our children that although Christmas is about gifts and visits with family, it is primarily our opportunity to share in the joy of the gift of Your Son to us. And to express that joy with a joyful noise!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, December 11

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Ben Faulstick

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

There are times in our lives when we all have moments of pessimism, doubt, and even dread.  It is at these times, I often sputter into a downward spiral forgetting the things in my life that are positive and inspirational.  When we focus on the positive; rejoice, pray, and give thanks, we are able to reverse the downward spiral and regain perspective.

One of the hardest things I ever had to deal with was the sudden death of my Grandfather.  He and I were extremely close, living only about a half mile apart, and he was a clear example for my life.  Perhaps the most drawing feature to Grandpa was his consistency.  No matter what happened in his life, he was content, humble, and happy with his life.  His example was one that showed God’s will by the consistency of his prayer, rejoicing, and thanks.

When Grandpa died, I experienced the moments of pessimism, doubt, and dread.  It hurt deeply that I knew I would no longer get to see, talk, and just be with Grandpa.  I would never see him ride the mower again, he would not again attend any of his grandchildren’s sporting events, and he wouldn’t be there to play a good game of Euchre.

This was a situation when I wanted to ask why, certainly not give thanks.  However, turning to God’s will of consistency and Grandpa’s example, I was able to give thanks to a full life.  We rejoiced in the fact that this was the way Grandpa wanted to go, quick and completely capable until the day he died.  The last time I saw him, he was sitting on the tractor.  The night he died he was able to watch my sister play softball.  It was perfect.  I rejoice and give thanks for that.  I just wish we could play another game of Euchre.