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)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Twenty-fifth Day of Advent

Wednesday, December 22

Isaiah 9:2-7  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=160028198

A Great Light

This is one of my favorite Scriptures. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined…for a child has been born for us, a son given to us: …” You will often see these verses on Christmas cards and wall hangings. They are poetic and powerful revealing, I believe, the deepest nature of God and God’s love for us.

Candles are central to our celebration of Advent and Christmas. They remind us that Christ is our light and salvation. There is nothing more powerful for me on a cold winter’s night than to see a candle burning in a window. We light candles as a symbol of God’s presence and love. We light candles to say God’s love lives in me and this is a place where God’s hospitality and welcome are made know.

Light a candle today and look deep within its glowing. Hold your hand over it and feel its warmth. Cut off the lights and notice how much light comes from just a single candle. Prayerfully lift up the names and faces of those who come to mind as you gaze into the candle’s light.  If you have a friend or family member who is missing a loved one or struggling with this time of year because of some other reason, buy them a candle and holder or share a candle from your collection. Remind them that Jesus is God’s light shining in the darkness for us and for our salvation. Celebrate God’s promise that the darkness will never overcome the light.

Kid’s Challenge 

Invite your parents to help you light a candle today. If you have an Advent wreath, light its candles. Take a few moments in silence to watch the flame flicker and jump. Kneel by the candle, or bow your head, and say a prayer for your family and friends. Pray that God’s light will shine brightly in you and your friends.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

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

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Twenty-fourth Day of Advent

Tuesday, December 21

Hebrews 2:10-18   http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159898480

Help For Those Being Tested

It is a miraculous story, an absolutely amazing fact, Jesus—Emmanuel, was born as a baby, completely human, completely divine. Out of all the religions in the world, only Christianity embraces that God became human in order to save the world.  Hebrews tells us that Jesus, “had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God…Because Jesus lived and was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”

Life is a mix of the ordinary, the extra-ordinary, mountaintop experiences, deep dark valley crawls and a whole bunch of other stuff in-between. Because Jesus was born, lived, knew joy and sorrow, Jesus is able to be with and help us as we live and experience life, the good and the less-than-good. When we are living through difficult times, when we are being tested, Jesus is here with us.

The holidays, filled with joy and cheer, can also be a time of great difficulty. For those who cannot be with loved ones, for those who have lost members of their family, especially during the past year, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany can be long and dark.

If you are missing a loved one or friend today, I invite you to lift up their memory and give God thanks for their life and the goodness that lives in you because of them. If you have family or friends who are missing loved ones, write them a note. You might share a funny story or memory. You might just give thanks for a life well lived  and offer thanks for the way that person touched your life.

Kid’s Challenge 

 The Christmas Season is filled with memory and expectation. I invite you to look through old family photos today, especially those from Christmas gatherings of the past. Say a prayer thanking God for all those folks, family and friend, who have touched your life. If someone in your family or a friend has lost someone close to them recently, do something nice for them. Let them know that you are thinking about and praying for them. 

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

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

Monday, December 20, 2010 Twenty-third Day of Advent

Monday, December 20

John 1:1-5   http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159851662  

Relationships

The Gospel According to John does not give us the story or any of the details of Jesus’ birth. It instead jumps right ahead with a bold assertion: Jesus is God born in the flesh. Jesus is God’s “Word.” Through Jesus, God is revealed to us. Jesus shares God’s identity and character. Jesus’ revelation of God comes through Jesus’ intimate relationship to God.

Jesus reveals God to us and shows us the way of Salvation. One of the ways that Jesus shows us God and the way is through his own personal relationships. I think about the way Jesus taught, shaped and molded his disciples, …just the right amount of teaching, sharing, inviting and challenging. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close personal friends of Jesus. He shared meals and many conversations with them. They knew they could count on him and he had deep feelings for them. They felt they could look him directly in the eyes and tell him exactly how they felt and what they were thinking.

Think about the conversations Jesus had with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) and the Woman of Samaria (John 4:1-42). These conversations were close, honest and personal. 

Give thanks for your friends today! Are there conversations you need to have, feelings that you need to share? Write a note or send an email and let someone know how much their friendship means to you.

Kid’s Challenge

One of life’s greatest gifts is our friends. Close your eyes, picture your friends, and pray God’s blessing for them. Pray that you will know how to be a good and caring friend. Write a note or send a Christmas card to one or two of your friends and let them know that you are thankful for their friendship.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

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

Sunday, December 19, 2010 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 19

Matthew 1:18-25    http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159761102   

Do Not Be Afraid

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We are in the home stretch—Christmas Eve is Friday! Advent always seems to go by so quickly. Between the shopping and the attending, there are many things that must be done.

I can’t help but wonder at least a little about how that first Advent was for Mary and Joseph. It began with the Angel Gabriel’s visit and concluded some nine months later as the couple made their way to Bethlehem and found a place to rest in a stable. I imagine Mary and Joseph did lots of pondering during those many in-between days, lots of…”okay God how is this going to work?” Today our reflections focus on Joseph, his dreams and his faithful response to God’s bidding.  The angel tells Joseph to, “not be afraid…” 

I invite you to, “not be afraid,” today and this week as you reach out to others. Is there someone you’ve been wanting to invite to church or to engage in deeper conversation? Often the Holy Spirit puts folks in our thoughts and dreams who are longing for an invitation or affirmation from one of us. Invite them to tonight’s Spontaneous Christmas Pageant and Party or to our Christmas Eve Candle Light Communion Services at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. At least talk to them, let them know that you are thinking about them. Let them know you care. Do not be afraid!

Kid’s Challenge

If you have friends that do not have a church home, invite them to come with you tonight to the Spontaneous Christmas Pageant and Party or to Christmas Eve Services. The gift of Christmas is a gift that should be shared with as many people as possible!

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

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

Saturday, December 18, 2010 Twenty-first Day of Advent

Saturday, December 18

Matthew 1:18-19  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159683759

A Righteous Man

Joseph was a righteous man. After finding that his wife-to-be was expecting a child, and knowing that it was not his own, he decided to quietly dismiss her from their betrothal. Though Joseph had every right legally, he had no desire to publicly humiliate Mary. Who knows what might have happened to Mary and baby Jesus if it were not for the appearance of an angel of the Lord in Joseph’s dream and the fact that Joseph, a truly righteous man, was willing to follow God’s leading?

So, there are at least of couple of things that we can say about Joseph: 1) God chose well—It took a man of Joseph’s character and faith to be there for Mary and to be Jesus’ adoptive father. 2) We experience what it means to live in a righteous manner through Joseph’s example. The righteousness we see in Joseph is simple: obedience to God and mercy to others. Righteousness looks first to God, next to the other, never to self (for that would be self-righteousness).

I want to invite you to ask a really important question of yourself: what is God’s will for my life today? Are there places in my life where I have been fighting God and less than willing to follow God’s leading? What is keeping you from saying “yes” to God?  I know that may seem to be a huge question, but it is a question that really should be central to who we are and how we live each and every day. Joseph’s righteousness was not his own. It flowed, a gift from God, as Joseph opened his heart to follow God’s leading.

Kid’s Challenge

Write down the names of at least three friends today and pray for them each separately by name. Pray that God will help you to be a good and supportive friend and that they will experience God’s presence and leading in their lives.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

                                  …give yourself this Christmas! (Peter Mayer)

Friday, December 17, 2010 Twentieth Day of Advent

Friday, December 17

Romans 1:7  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159513446

How do you greet someone when you go to their home or pass them on the street? Folks from the Far East and Africa often bring gifts to share when they visit as a sign of honor and respect. In other cultures folks bow, kiss both cheeks or shake hands. In Eastern North Carolina we often wave and say, “hey, y’all!” The way we greet others says much about not only where we are from but also who we are and how much we care.

Paul addresses the folks to whom he writes in Romans as God’s beloved…, who are called to be saints. Then he offers grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s quite a greeting. How could they help but know that Paul cares deeply and wants only the very best for them?

Advent is a season when we focus on preparing our hearts to receive the coming of Christ. It is also a time for healing, renewing and reconciling our relationships with each other that we might receive Christ more perfectly, together. Are their folks in your life, past or present, who need to know how much you care, that need to hear a word of welcome, peace or reconciliation from you? What better time could there be than now, today, in this season, to reach out and let others know how much you care?

Write a note, send an email, make a phone call today—sharing the grace and peace that is God’s gift to this world and to each and every one of us!

Kids Challenge

Is there a friend or family member with whom you have had a fight or misunderstanding and now your friendship is not what it used to be? Sometimes when we get in an argument, we say things that we don’t really mean, the other person says things that they don’t really mean and we both walk away hurt and angry. Often the fight and the hurt get bigger and bigger because neither one of us wants to be the first to say, “I’m sorry,” or make the first move to make things better.  If you are mad at someone or someone is mad at you, find a way to talk to them today. It might be that just your willingness to make the first move is all that needs to happen to make things better!

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

                                   …give yourself this Christmas!  (Peter Mayer)

Thursday, December 16, 2010 Nineteenth Day of Advent

Thursday, December 16

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159503498

Let Your Face Shine!

The young boy's face glowed with joy as he walked into my grandfather’s classroom that cold morning. Rarely had this poor boy from the top of the mountain seemed so excited to be in school. But this was a special day.

The boy immediately ran to the front of the classroom and presented my grandfather with an amazing gift. It was an old tin wrapped in what obviously was well used Christmas paper, tied with a faded and tattered piece of red ribbon.

After carefully removing the paper, ribbon and lid from the tin, the hidden treasure within was revealed. The tin was packed to the rim with shelled mountain walnuts. This young boy, who hardly had enough to wear, barely enough to eat, had spent hours picking up and shelling these almost-impossible-to-shell, hard, black walnuts, so that he too could bring a Christmas gift for his teacher.

Tears filled my grandfather's eyes that afternoon as he shared this story of "the most precious gift he had ever received" with my grandmother. He held out the tin and said, “Now, this is Christmas.”

Each Christmas season, from that year on, my grandfather would take a tin filled with walnuts, tie a red ribbon around it, and place it on the mantle above the fireplace for all to see; a reminder of a special Christmas gift from a special young boy.  

In today’s Psalm, Israel’s prayer is for God’s face to shine among them bringing again its light of restoration and salvation. I couldn’t help but see the face of this young mountain boy as I read the Psalm. Bringers of light sounds like who we, who are so blessed in so many ways, are called to be. Give yourself this Christmas and shine a little of Jesus’ light in this world!

Kid’s Challenge

How can we be a blessing to others? It’s rather simple. What are you good at? Drawing, coloring, crafts, digging, talking, listening, writing notes, hugging, smiling, laughing…cracking nuts—whatever you are good at, share it with your friends and family today!

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

                                …give yourself this Christmas!  (Peter Mayer)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 Eighteenth Day of Advent

Wednesday, December 15

Isaiah 7:10-16  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159374880

A Sign

Ahaz, the king of Judah is in a foreign policy crisis. He fears that his neighbors to the north, Syria and Israel, will soon seek to overthrow him and seize the kingdom. The prophet Isaiah has assured the king that faith in God will save the nation, even in a political crisis. But Ahaz is not ready to depend on anything other than brute military force. In a defiant challenge, Isaiah invites the king to set a test for God, to show that God will be faithful. Ahaz would have none of that.  After all, what would Ahaz do if God passed the test proving the prophet’s words to be true? Ahaz was not about ready to place his fate in the hands of God or anyone else.

Just the same, Isaiah announces that God will give a sign that will offer the people of faith assurance of his presence and power. “Look the young woman is with child and will bear a son, and he shall be named Emmanuel, God is with us.”

The Christian tradition has understood that this “sign” given against the will of king Ahaz in fact anticipates a much larger sign, the birth of the baby Jesus. The Advent question for us, then, is the same one faced by Ahaz. Indeed, it is the same one faced by Herod and by Pilate. What would happen if life were so reorganized that this baby’s presence became the very center of our  being?  What would happen if we actually invited God to become the keeper of our lives and our world? Everything changes when, “Emmanuel, God is with us!”

Today, I invite you to be a sign of God’s love and faithfulness to all those around you. Ask God to give you faith and insight so that each decision you make today, each interaction you share today, will have God’s love as its center.

Kid’s Challenge

Jesus is a sign for all the world of how much God loves us. We are called to be a sign for others by sharing Jesus’ love from our hearts in the way we talk, act, think and live. Treat everyone you meet today as if Jesus was standing right behind you, looking over your shoulder and watching.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

                                    …give yourself this Christmas! (Peter Mayer)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 Seventeenth Day of Advent

Tuesday, December 14

Romans 1:1-7  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159340810

Called to Belong

Peter Mayer is the lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Refer band. He is also an accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist on his own. Peter spent most of his early years in India where his missionary parents served for 17 years. That faith centered upbringing is front and center in Peter’s personal recordings. If you arrive a little early for our Wednesday Night Fellowship meal you will often hear one of my favorites, Peter’s Stars and Promises Christmas CD playing over our sound system.

We are using one of the songs from Stars and Promises as the theme for our Advent devotions. “This Christmas,” reminds us the most important and precious gift we can give is the gift of ourselves: our time, attention, presence and intentional love.

As you shop for presents this Christmas, don’t forget the most important one—YOU! Spend a little time thinking about how you can give yourself this Christmas…and how you can make the giving of yourself something that continues each and every day of the year.  As those who are “Called to belong,” to Jesus, what better gift could we possibly give?

Kids Challenge

Get some index cards or cut out strips of paper and write down gifts of yourself to include with the Christmas gifts you purchase for your family and friends this year. You might give hugs, smiles, poems, promises to do certain chores around the house, a live reading from one of your favorite books, pictures you’ve drawn or colored or even ten minutes of your undivided attention. Be creative. I bet you can think of lots of ways to give of yourelf, your time and talents.

Advent Blessings,

Rich

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

                                    …give yourself this Christmas!  (Peter Mayer)     

Here are the lyrics to "This Christmas:"

This Christmas

(Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer, Mac McAnally)

It’s Christmas time again, New year’s ‘round the bend.

There must be something more than give and take.

What it’s all about, turns you inside out.

‘Till you finally see the difference you make.

Chorus

This Christmas, this Christmas

There’s a gift that only you can give.

This Christmas, this Christmas

Give yourself, Give yourself! 

To Love is in short supply,  such an obvious demand,

Shouldn’t be so hard to understand.

We hang the lights for hope; look for the star to follow.

Peace on earth, for what it’s worth, is in our hands.

Chorus

Start with the best of you

Followed by the rest of you

The things you say and the things you do this Christmas.

Chorus

Lend a heart, lend a hand;

Make a start, and understand.

Lend an hour, lend a day,

Wrap yourself to give-a-way.