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Christmas Day Devotion–December 25: John 1:1-4

John 1:1-4                                       

Celebrating the Continuum

In the Gospel of John there are no shepherds, wise man or manger scenes.  John traces the divine origins of Jesus to the very beginning of creation, the genesis moment of life.  His understanding of Christ is the one who, in complete partnership with God, brings into existence everything that is.  In his Gospel, Jesus is the co-creator splashing brightness onto the canvas of outer darkness.

The everlasting longing of humankind for a glimpse of the Lord Almighty, the waiting of all people for a savior and the longing for Divine peace and love are all completed in the appearance of Jesus.  In John the Baptist’s words, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  The One who was in the beginning with God shares his own being with us and chooses to not only dwell among us but to experience death, even death on a cross.

Today, we celebrate the always coming Christ.  This is the day for great rejoicing and celebrating.  It is a time to receive the gift of his everlasting presence among us and his forever love for us.  It is a holy moment to experience his light in our lives.  It is an experience of the holiness of Christ filling the hollowness of our God space.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, we rejoice today for your continuing to come into our world.  Forgive us for rejecting you in the homeless, the prisoner, the children and the sick ones.  Grant us peace and fill us with your love. Unwrap us from all that keeps us from you and enfold us in your arms of grace.

Submitted by:  Dr. Ron Lowery

Special Devotion for Monday December 24– Christmas Eve: Hebrews 10:5-10

Hebrews 10:5-10

From the realms of glory, God sent angels announcing the good news:   a Savior is born.  Did those watching his birth understand the reason, or more importantly, do we understand it today?  God sent a body, in the form of a child, to earth – to be born, grow up, and die – for us.

The yearly offerings of the blood of animals were ineffective to rid man of sin.  But God had a plan.  Just as He provided the ram for Abraham to sacrifice in place of his only son, an offering was also provided for us.

A lamb was born and they named him Jesus.  Only this time, the sin offering would not last merely a year, but for eternity.  Jesus, the son of God, became the willing vessel, who chose to be born and to die for us.  An unbreakable covenant was made “…and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more” (v. 17).

Tho’ an infant now we view Him,
He will share His Father’s throne;
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new-born King.

Prayer:  Thank you Father for the gift of your son and for the willingness of His sacrifice.  Help us to visualize the infant baby now sitting at your right hand, triumphant.  Thank you for making a way for us to be, once and for all, completely forgiven.  Amen.

 

Submitted by:  Lorraine Smith

Advent Devotion for Sunday December 23: 2 Peter 1:16-21

2 Peter 1:16-21 

Today, December 23^rd, was my mother’s birthday. At this time of year I am always especially reminded of her as well as our family’s Christmas traditions. I loved those traditions (tinsel, twinkle lights, sleigh bells, children dressed as shepherds and angels as well as our annual visit to the Nativity Scene in Centennial Park). The ingredients all came together to produce a day (or two or three) when the best of human cheer was presented. It still is a beautiful time – visually and relationally.

Sometimes, though, I think we try to do too much to make Christmas happen. On this day, two days before Christmas, our list of things to do may be fairly lengthy. Many of us reach a stressful and frantic pace, thinking that we have to “get it all done” before December 25. It’s a relief to hear the voice of the ages piercing through our “to do list.”  Peace…be still…remember the prophetic message that is the focus of these days. There is a center that beckons us “like a lamp shining in a dark place.”

Remember, if all that we do to perpetuate our family traditions had to be left undone, the miracle which is Christmas would abide. The joy of Christ’s birth would be given! Pause … set your list of final tasks aside for a moment. Linger with the unfolding of this miracle which is God’s gift to all people. A new day is dawning and the morning star will rise in your heart.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the light of the world. You are the giver of the light that brightens the darkest places. May we find you this day as the center of our hope…our dreams…and our expectations. Amen.

Submitted by: Jerry Armour

Advent Devotion for Saturday December 22: Micah 4:1-5

Micah 4:1-5

This passage speaks of the time when we will turn weapons to tools of peace. We will sit together and walk in His name, forever. With Christ, we can turn our weapons into productive tools. The weapons may be something we can actually hold in our hands. The weapons can be words or deeds that attack our hearts. With a focus on Him, the weapons can be turned into tools to build His kingdom.  Tools of peace…..His Word, His Heart, and His Love.

It is Advent. The Day is coming soon. The Hope that is born with the birth of Jesus is palpable. The waiting is over as the prophesy is fulfilled.

Come, Lord Jesus, come! We are desperate for you. We long for peace in our World….peace of mind and spirit, peace for our nation’s protectors, peace with our families and friends, peace at work, peace at worship…the peace that only You can give.

Prayer:

Dear, Holy Lord,

Please help me to keep my hope completely in You. Please help me to convey Your love and peace to those around me. I love You. I praise Your Holy Name!

Amen

Submitted by:  Janet Pasinger

Advent Devotion for Friday December 21: Psalm 80:1-7

Psalm 80:1-7

⁴ How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
⁶ You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.

⁷ Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

 In the discourse of the news today, I can only imagine that Israel may be crying out this same prayer on a daily basis.  Sometimes we get to the point in our own trials that we shake our fist at God and cry, “How long, Lord?!”  And that is okay.  We don’t hurt God’s feelings by crying out in anger to Him.  We don’t take a chance of losing His love for us either.  He relishes in the relationship we allow ourselves to have with Him.  All parts of that relationship are important and precious.  Even the most difficult times.  Sometimes, especially the difficult times.  We just have to hold fast to the knowledge of God’s promises that He will carry us through it all and love us just the same, now and forever.

 

Prayer:  Father, I ask that You help me remember that even in my darkest days when I lash out at You that You still love me.  That You will carry me through whatever valley I am travelling.  Your Son’s birth, suffering and sacrifice have covered all sin, even mine.  And that an eternity with You is the light at the end of the journey that I must keep my eyes focused on through it all.  Amen.

 

 

Submitted by:  Pam Buck

Advent Devotion for Thursday December 20: Luke 11:29-32

Luke 11:29-32

Crowds are one of the realities of the Christmas season.  Christmas crowds, like all crowds, are always mixed in character.  On one hand, going out to find gifts for and to spend time with the people we love is a very good thing.  But as anyone who has fought through the mall near Christmas knows, crowds can also reveal to us a great deal about human self-centeredness.

The crowd that gathered around Jesus that day also had good and bad elements.  There were likely many there clamoring for a sign because they had seen something special in this man.  Perhaps he would be the one to relieve them of all their suffering, personal and public!  But the crowd’s request for a sign means that they’re missing something.  They should need no sign, because Jesus himself is the sign.  They see that there is something about Jesus, but they don’t see what that thing is—that Jesus himself is Israel’s true Messiah.

Jesus’ response to the crowd is a powerful reminder to us at Advent.  As it turns out, it is unexpected people who will see who Jesus really is.  It’s outsiders like the Gentiles of Nineveh (who repented while the crowd did not) and the Queen of the South (who saw Solomon’s wisdom while the crowd fails to see Jesus’ wisdom).   Advent reminds us that Jesus’ life upturns all our expectations about who should be in or out of the crowd.  Who are we reaching out to today with this message of radical inclusion?

Prayer:  God, we praise you for always upending our expectations of what your Kingdom may look like.  Allow us new vision and new understanding of how we might view the crowd that clings to Jesus.  Amen.

 

Submitted by:  Smith Lilley

Advent Devotion for Wednesday December 19: Micah 4:8-13

Micah 4:8-13 

The day started out as a usual day of war along the German and British lines in Belgium during World War I.  Both sides dug deep into their foxholes as they exchanged fire.  As night approached, British troops noticed German soldiers placing candles on pine trees and a German soldier started singing Silent Night.  Then the British soldiers started singing Silent Night in English.  Soon all the soldiers were out of their foxholes sharing food and drink and singing Christmas carols together.  This Christmas truce lasted throughout Christmas Day as the soldiers played soccer and other games together.  Peace surely reigned down on Christmas.

The prophet Micah is giving God’s people a message of hope, comfort, and peace in this passage.  The coming of the Messiah’s Kingdom will lead to an increase in spiritual influence.  There will be restoration and future prosperity, and the character of this Kingdom will be one of peace.

Christians are the Easter people.  However, this story validates that we are also the Advent people.  Peace has a prominent place in the Christian life and its doctrine.  Our Lord and Savior is the “Prince of Peace.”  The ancient greeting of the church was “Peace be with you.”  Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give.”

As we light the candle of Peace and Hope during Advent, we can pray for peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Prayer:  May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace.  Amen

 

Submitted by:  Mark Sadler