Thursday, December 30, 2010 The Sixth Day of Christmas

Thursday, December 30

Luke 1:26-56  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160732576

Choose Joy!

"Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God."
— Madeleine L'Engle

"I think joy and sweetness and affection are a spiritual path. We're here to know God, to love and serve God, and to be blown away by the beauty and miracle of nature. You just have to get rid of so much baggage to be light enough to dance, to sing, to play. You don't have time to carry grudges; you don't have time to cling to the need to be right.
— Anne Lamott

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

— Henri Nouwen

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! I love that song, the words, the music, the joy that I feel when I sing or hear it played or sung. Joy to the World reminds me that God has a plan and is in control. I just can't help it, it makes me smile and feel…Joy!

So what is joy? Where does it come from and how does one receive it?

Joy, I believe, is a gift from God, a fruit of the Spirit. Often we mistake signs of joy: happiness, cheer, gladness, etc…, as joy. Joy is something deeper. It is a result, a consequence of God’s presence and our "yes" to that presence.  Joy is a sense that things are ultimately as they should be, a oneness between God, soul and creation. I know of no better story to illustrate “joy” than the story of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel in Luke 1: 26-56.

Gabriel tells Mary not to be afraid, she has found favor with God. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.”

Can you imagine the thoughts and questions that must have been running through young Mary’s mind? How could this be? I’m too young. I’m not married. Could this really happen? Who am I, lowly girl that I am, to be the mother of God’s Son?  What does it mean to be the mother of the Son of God? There is no way that Mary could have fully understood all that was about to happen to and through her. Yet, in her response and the pondering that followed we experience one of the most faith filled moments recorded in Scripture.

Mary said, Yes! “Here, am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Though Mary did not understand the how, what, when and where of all that was about to take place, she did know and understand that God was in control and that something miraculous and life-changing was about to take place.

Mary said yes, put her life in God’s hands and then filled with joy began to sing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior …”

Mary looked at her options and chose joy! We have the same option each and every day of our lives. We can look out into the world and say, “no.” Or…we can, like Mary, say, “yes,” choosing “joy” centered in God’s will as our choice for daily living.

Kid’s Challenge

Read through and/or sing Joy to the World. Think about the words: What do they tell us about Jesus? How do you feel when you sing Joy to the World? Make a promise to make God’s joy part of your life each and every day!

Christmas Blessings!

Rich

Here are a couple of versions of Joy to the World. I invite you to lift up the words as a prayer of thanksgiving and joy as you sing along!

Faith Hill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-8i_N-thek

Chris Tomlin…rockin’ version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLhb3qUA3uc

Joy to the World  

UM Hymnal No. 246

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 The Fourth Day of Christmas

Tuesday, December 28

Matthew 21:33-46, The Parable of the Vineyard and Wicked Tenants
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160571596

John 3:16 (17-21) http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160571641

God’s Gift of Love

“This is how much God loved the World: God gave his Son, his one and only Son.”

If we are to begin a conversation about receiving the Gift of Christmas, there’s certainly no better place to start than with love.

Several years ago at Charge Conference our district superintendant, the Rev. Rodney Hamm, introduced this parable from Matthew by saying: “Hear now the story of Christmas.” I will never forget how surprised I was to hear him then read the parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants. I was even more surprised as he read and spoke that I had never before heard and understood this story to be the “other” Christmas Story.

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put everything in the vineyard that would be needed to plant, grow and harvest his crop. He even built a watchtower to make sure the vineyard was kept safe. After completing the vineyard the owner decided to move to another country for a while, so he leased his vineyard to a group of farmers.

When harvest time came, the owner sent his servants to go and collect his payment, his rent on the vineyard. When the owner’s servants arrived, however, instead of paying what was owed, the tenants beat one, killed one and then stoned another. One could only imagine how the owner might react to such unbelievably irresponsible and self-centered behavior from those to whom he had entrusted so much?

Believe it or not, the owner reacted in a most gracious and merciful way. He sent even more his servants to the vineyard to collect what was due. He gave the tenants another opportunity to live up to the agreement they had entered into with him. But, the result was the same as before. The servants were again beaten and mistreated by the tenants.

How would the landowner react now? After having several of his servants mistreated, abused kicked out and even killed? How would you have reacted? Would you have been angry and sought justice through the legal system or maybe even have hired soldiers to go and take out your revenge?

The landowner reacted this way, …he sent his son, his only son. Surely they will respect my son, he thought…

Through the years the Lord God sent a number of folks to try and lead his children back to faithfulness. Abraham, Moses, the prophets…many came, spoke, invited and pleaded.  How would the Lord God respond to his children on earth after they (we) continually turned their backs on him, unwilling to listen and repent?

…God loves us so much, that he sent his only Son…

Now that is love, the first gift of Christmas!

I invite you to receive God’s grace-filled, arms outstretched gift of love this Christmas. It is in and through this love that we find our beginning and end. It is in and through this gift of love that we can learn to love and learn to love one another!

Kid’s Challenge

The world in which we live often, I believe, misuses the word, “love.” I think that is especially obvious when we compare what we call love to the love and the examples of God’s love that we find in Scripture. In Jesus, we find God’s love personified—that is: alive and in person. Think of all the stories and all the facts that you know about Jesus. What are some of the ways that Jesus offers God’s love to others? As you say your prayers tonight, ask God to help you open your heart so that you can love God and others in the same way that God loves you!

Receive God Christmas Blessing today!

Rich

The song, Love Came Down at Christmas, speaks directly to our devotional today. I invite you to watch the attached video and then read the words to the song a couple of times. What are some of the ways that you see and experience God's Christmas love in your life?

Love Came Down at Christmas  UM Hymnal No. 242
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIr5th0d44Y


Love Came Down at Christmas ,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Monday, December 27, 2010 The Third Day of Christmas

Monday, December 27

Matthew 1:18-23   http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160488450

Emmanuel-God is with us!

Throughout Advent, we’ve been focusing on how to “give ourselves;” a habit that I pray has become, and will continue to be, part and parcel to each and every day of our living. As we celebrate these Twelve Days of Christmas, however, I invite you to add another emphasis to your daily reflection and practice. I invite you to focus on receiving God’s gift of Christmas—Emmanuel, God is with us!

Each year Christmas comes to us through Advent with great anticipation, expectation and wonder. We do considerable work as we prepare to receive Christ’s coming. Yet, once Christmas gets here, once the Christ arrives, it seems we have little time to stop and experience all that God offers. The radio stations who have been playing Christmas music since the first week in November aren’t the only ones that cut Christmas off at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Day (the First Day of Christmas). We are so impatient, so quick to move on. Perhaps the pressures of gathering and gifting have worn us thin? Or maybe, just maybe, without even recognizing it we’ve allowed the constraints of our culture’s celebration of “the holidays” to invade our full receiving of God’s gift of Christmas?

Emmanuel, God is with us—what an amazing gift! God loves us so much, that God came (and still comes!) to be with us. But like any other present, God’s gift must be well-received before it can be appropriately opened, embraced, known and shared.

Rev. Keck suggested in yesterday’s sermon that as we take down our Christmas decorations this year we might want to move Mary, Joseph and Jesus out of the stable and place them in a window looking out into the world. What a great idea! I think that would be a great place for us to start. Looking out from your window into the world what do you see? Is the world filled with the peace, justice and mercy that God has promised? Or is there still maybe a little work that needs to be done? How about in your life? Have you worked to receive the real Gift of Christmas or have you settled for something way smaller?    

The prophets foretold of the coming of The Messiah who would inaugurate a new reign, God’s kingdom here on this earth. Jesus was born, lived, died and was Resurrected in fulfillment of these prophecies. Jesus promised that when he ascended to be at the right hand of the Father, we would not be left alone. God special presence, the Holy Spirit, was then sent to guide and teach, to be with us. Indeed, Emmanuel—God is with us and …is with us still!

And so as we continue this 27/12 journey, I invite you to hang on just a bit longer. Hang on with open arms and an open heart to receive as completely as possible the fullness of God’s gift. Over the next several days we’ll be looking at the gifts of Christmas: love, peace, joy, mercy, abundant life, simplicity, wisdom, freedom, and responsibility.

Pray that you, and we, might better understand and receive God’s gift for us, this Christmas.

Kid’s Challenge

You’ve had the chance to hear and even share in the telling of the Christmas story several times over the past several weeks. What do you think, is our celebration of Christmas consistent with the Christmas story? What would you like to add to our celebration of Christmas? What would you like to take away? Get a piece of paper and write down the things you really like about Christmas. Then turn the page over and write down the things about Christmas that you would like to remember and live out every day of the year. Put your paper in a place where you will see it often and try to read it every couple of weeks throughout the year.    

Christmas Blessings.

Rich

Here are several verses of the carol, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." I invite you to read through (and even sing) these words several times. What "Gifts of Christmas" do you hear anticipated in these verses?

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home. The captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits our spirits by your justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

  

Sunday, December 26, 2010 First Sunday After Christmas

Sunday, December 26

Matthew 2:13-23  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160382100

Keeping Christmas

Joseph was warned in a dream that it was not safe to stay in Bethlehem. Soon Herod would recognize that he had been tricked by the wise men and send soldiers to kill all babies two years and younger in and around Bethlehem. Joseph, Mary and Jesus would flee to Egypt as refugees.

It is amazing how fast Christmas comes and goes.  Like the Holy Family, life will quickly demand that we pickup and move, getting back to work and life.

Take some time today, this Second Day of Christmas, to reflect on the Christmas season thus far and all that you have experienced. What are the pieces of Christmas that you should have with you each and every day, all year long? Make a list of the Gifts of Christmas you would like to experience more deeply, like: love, joy, peace, abundant life, assurance, grace and salvation.

Over the next week plus, we’ll be sharing the Twelve Days of Christmas and focusing on receiving these gifts of Christmas more fully. The Ghost of Christmas Present reminded Ebenezer Scrooge that they kept Christmas with them every day, 365 days a year. How might we keep Christmas with us each and every day, all year long?

Kid’s Challenge

Do you have a favorite Christmas ornament or decoration at your house? Ask your parents if you could keep it out this year and not pack it up with the rest of the Christmas stuff. Hang or place it in a place where you will see it every day so that it can remind you to keep Christmas in your heart all year long!

Christmas Blessings,

Rich

This Christmas, there's a gift that only you can give,

                                          ...give yourself this Christmas!  (Peter Mayer)

Saturday, December 25, 2010 Christmas Day

Saturday, December 25, 2010 Christmas Day

Luke 2:1-20 

Christ is Born!

When there is a quiet moment today, I invite you to read the Christmas story over several times. Receive the gift of Christmas!

2And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Christmas Blessings!

Rich

Friday, December 24, 2010 Christmas Eve

Friday, December 24

Isaiah 9:2-7  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160155895  

Titus 2:11-14  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160156063

Receive

It’s finally here! Christmas Eve has arrived. The season of waiting and preparation is over. We gather to receive God’s most holy and sacred gift, Emmanuel. Tonight in worship we will sing carols, read the story of Christmas and come to Christ’s table to receive Holy Communion. We’ll be welcomed by luminaries and candles, wreathes and greenery, bows, bells, friends and family—we’ll be welcomed by the Christ Child.

Titus 2:11-12 reminds us: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, …”

I invite you to come to worship tonight with hands and hearts open and ready to receive. Pay special attention to the words as we sing and read the Scriptures. Allow the warmth of the candles to bathe you in their glowing light. Come to Christ’s table with hands upward, one on top of the other, reaching out and ready to receive the grace filled gift of Jesus body and blood.

Christmas Eve offers an amazing opportunity for us to worship, give thanks and receive God’s love. Invite family and friends to join you for worship tonight at 6:00 or 8:00 p.m.

Kid’s Challenge

As we gather to worship tonight, as you gather at home with family and friends, say a special prayer for those who are alone, away from home, or missing loved ones tonight. As we share Holy Communion tonight, we’ll be inviting everyone to leave an offering on the Communion Rail for the poor. I invite you to bring an offering tonight to remember and be shared with those who are in need.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

This Christmas, given the gift that only you can give,

                                 ...give yourself this Christmas! (Peter Mayer) 

Thursday, December 23, 2010 Twenty-sixth Day of Advent

Thursday, December23

Psalm 96 and 148  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160072153  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160072180

Sing (and Praise) to the Lord!

“O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.”

As I picture that first Christmas Eve in my mind, there is nothing more powerful to me than the angels singing in the heavens, praising God for the birth of the Christ Child. It’s no secret, I love Christmas music. I especially love the hymns and carols that tell the story of Christmas, offering praise and thanksgiving for the gift of God’s love in the new born king.

Today, I invite you to sing to the Lord! In your house, in your car, at work…wherever and whenever you can, sing to the Lord! Sing out loud, sing to yourself, sing with others, sing to the Lord! Sing your favorite Christmas carol, your favorite hymn, just sing and make up the words as you go, thanking and offering praise to the Lord as you go. Sing to the Lord! If someone catches you singing and smiles, smile back. If they catch you singing and give you a strange look, ...smile at them anyway. Sing to the Lord! If you really, really, really don’t like to sing, play a CD and act s if you’re singing along. Sing to the Lord!

As you sing, as you listen, I invite you to pay attention to the words, what they say about God and God’s love, what they say about our relationship with God and each other. Invite the words to bless you and to open your heart as we draw close to Christmas.

Write down a few of the words that really stick in your mind. Send them in a note or email to a friend or family member, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a time of blessing.

Kid’s Challenge

Sing Silent Night or Away in a Manger and listen to the words really closely.  Invite a friend or family member to sing with you. Draw and color a picture of the scene that comes to mind as you sing. Give the picture away to someone or put it up in a place in your house where everyone can see it.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give,

                                  ...give yourself this Christmas!  (Peter Mayer)