Christmas devotions: Dec. 31, 2017

Sunday December 31

John 1:19-34 Preparing the Way for the Messiah

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord” ’, as the prophet Isaiah said.

 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

 The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

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All four gospels express that John the Baptist was a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3. He is a "voice crying in the wilderness, 'prepare the way for the Lord, make His paths straight,'" and John makes it clear that he understood this and claimed it himself (John 1:23). John, therefore, in some sense understood that he was preparing the way for the coming of God to His people. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance expressed in water baptism and bearing active fruit in one's life in preparation for the appearing of the Messiah, whose coming would represent a divine visitation; the very presence of God coming to His people. In other words, he preached the essential gospel message of repentance and faith in Jesus as the divine Messiah. Like many of the prophets before him, John was sent to call the people to an urgent repentance in light of what God would soon bring about.  Even unto death, John called the people high and low to turn their hearts and their lives from their sin unto God.

In John, we see a messenger before the coming of the Lord, and a warning about the day of the Lord's coming.

John did not leave the crowds guessing who this great one to come was. He was quite explicit. Matthew 3:14 tells us that when Jesus came to John to receive baptism, John already recognized something of the greatness of Jesus, insisting, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” However, it was what he saw afterward that confirmed for John that Jesus was indeed the promised one of God. The scene at Jesus' Baptism when heaven opened, God the Father spoke, and the Spirit descended upon Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17), this was what John had been anticipating. This was not the only time that John would call Jesus the "Lamb of God," (John 1:35). While John may not have yet fully grasped that Jesus would literally have to die on the cross to atone for sins and rise again thereafter, he certainly understood that Jesus had come to take away the sins of the people and that the comparison to a sin offering was appropriate. John saw his ministry as one preparing the way for Jesus, the Messiah who was greater than he. John was happy to fade into the background as people rightly began to turn to the one to whom he was pointing. John the Baptist not only spoke of a great and worthy one to come after him but he also widely made it clear precisely who it was. Jesus was the Messiah, and all were to believe and follow Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to recognize your voice and see the path you set before us that leads to the tremendous gift of your Son, our Lord, Jesus, Amen

Luke Wayne is a writer-researcher for Christian Apologetics Research ministry. He holds a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist College and a Masters in Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Christmas devotions: Dec. 30, 2017

Saturday December 30

Luke 1-67-80 Zechariah’s song

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
   in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

****

There are a couple of musicals written about Jesus’ life – Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell.  Yet, there is not a one (that I can think of) about Jesus’ birth – though many of people’s favorite hymns are also Christmas carols.  In preparation for the birth of Christ, we are given two different songs – Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) and today’s reading of Zechariah’s song (there is also the song of Simeon after Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:29-32).

Music has a way of expressing our faith that mere words by themselves cannot match.  There is a quote attributed to St. Augustine that states “he who sings, prays twice”. 

Zechariah cannot help but burst forth in song (much like in musicals) as his words just don’t suffice.  He and his wife, Elizabeth were barren and when the angel Gabriel appeared to him, he did not believe the message that they would have a child.  He was made mute until the birth of his son.  When he tongue was loosed, he proclaimed his son’s name – John (the Baptist) - and then burst forth in this song of praise.

As our own ears are filled with songs, what hymn, carol or song reflects your own words of praise of God?   How might you use that song as a reflection of your own life of faith?

Prayer: When in our music God is glorified, and adoration has no room for pride, it is as if the whole creation cried: alleluia.  How oft, in making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound alleluia.  So has the church, in liturgy and song, in faith and love, through centuries of wrong, borne witness to the truth in every tongue: alleluia.  And did not Jesus sing a psalm the night when utmost evil strove against the light?  Then let us sing, for whom we won the fight: alleluia.  Let every instrument be tuned for praise; let all rejoice who have a voice to raise and may God give us faith to sing always: alleluia.  Amen (Hymn #851, ELW)

Pastor Jen Boyd

Christmas devotions: Dec. 29, 2017

Friday December 29

 Luke 1:57-66 The birth of John the Baptist

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

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Today we reflect upon the birth and the naming of John the Baptist, and on the wonder of our own calling.

The opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel contains two birth narratives, those of Jesus and of John the Baptist. Both births are preceded by angelic announcements, one to Zechariah and one to Mary. Zechariah’s story is very different to that of the young, humble and accepting Mary in the Annunciation. He is an old man, a priest in Jerusalem, a privileged person at the center of power.

The angel meets him while he is officiating in the temple, tells him that he will have a son and that the child is to be named ‘John’. Zechariah is skeptical and asks for a sign. He is therefore made mute until the naming of the promised baby.

I wonder why he couldn’t name his son Zechariah? Zechariah means ‘the Lord remembers’ and John means ‘the Lord is gracious’. Both names seem appropriate for the prophet who was to announce the coming of the longed-for Messiah. In those days, children were understood as the way in which one achieved a kind of immortality –      

one lived on through one’s children. Everyone at the naming ceremony took for granted that the child would be named for his father. But the

old priest is insistent that the child not take his name. Zechariah has had a long time of silent reflection to think on the angel’s words and on the meaning of the arrival of this child. Maybe he is simply obeying the angel’s instructions, but I like to imagine that the old man has grasped the significance of the command. By giving him his own, non-family name, Zechariah is acknowledging the unique calling of this baby. This child will not live out the dreams and aspirations of his father, but will fulfil his own unique calling.

Prayer:  Lord you call each of us into service to share your love, peace, and justice in the world. Help us to fulfill that mission through the many gifts you give us and strengthen us to bring the voice of your Word to a noisy world. Amen

Jessie Rogers is lecturer in Sacred Scripture at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Ireland.

Christmas devotions: Dec. 28, 2017

Thursday December 28

Luke 1:5-25 Birth of John the Baptist foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

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When I read this Bible verse I think of how every new baby is both a blessing and a miracle. Miracles happen every day and we need to remember that all miracles are possible if we have faith in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for this precious blessing. There is no greater gift then a newborn, sent straight from you. Thank you Lord, for this new life. We praise and thank you for your perfect creation. Amen.

Jeanette Baldanza

Christmas devotions: Dec. 27, 2017

Wednesday December 27

Luke 2-41-52 The boy Jesus at the temple

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

****

This reading is so amazing! The words coming from the mouth of a young boy…Didn’t you know I was in my Father’s House? Can you imagine looking for your lost child and you are somehow directed to go to your church …and there he or she is and they say these same words to you! What would you do? What would you think? How would you react? Oh, I was just talking with some of our members, said Jesus! 

Prayer: Lord, we ask you to help us to be open minded and not ask Why? But, instead be amazed at what is actually happening! We are being called to him who leads us, so let’s follow our LORD and savior and not ask how, but yes, I will follow you! 

Ken Mongold

Christmas devotions: Dec. 26, 2017

Tuesday December 26

Luke 2:21-38 Jesus presented in the temple

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

****

Mary and Joseph were pious, observant Jews living according to the Law of the Lord. Simeon, a devout man led by the Holy Spirit, takes the infant into his arms to proclaim that Jesus is the means of salvation for all people, Jew and Gentile. He then tells Mary that the great honor bestowed on her as the mother of Jesus would entail suffering as well as joy “... and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” It has been written that Mary had a crown of joy as the mother of the Son of God and a cross of sorrow, seeing her son hanging on the cross. Being chosen by God may require sacrifice and suffering as well as joy.

A mother’s maternal instinct is to love and protect her child from all evil and harm. As Mary cradled her child, a child whose nature she could not fully understand, did she know her child’s destiny? In many statues and paintings of the Madonna and Child she is portrayed as looking fondly, yet wistfully, at her child. Yet Mary said “Yes” to the Lord: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord.”

Prayer: Help me to say “Yes” to the Lord. As Martin Luther stated: “Here the tender mother of Christ teaches us with her words and by the example of her experience, how to know, love and praise God.” Help me to follow the example set by Mary. In Jesus name, Amen

Joan Bradley

Advent devotions: Dec. 25, 2017

Monday December 25

Luke 2-1-20 The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Today as I celebrate the birth of Jesus it becomes in my family a triple celebration. Not only is it Jesus’ birthday but also my grandson and grandson-in-law who were born on this day. I always told Dan he was special because of this and now we acquired a new family member who is also special. To share a birthday is really a great honor but to have two family members share this day is even more special. When Dan was very young and had learned that twins were two children born on the same day he proudly announced that he and Jesus were twins and was very proud of that fact. Of course we explained to him this was not true but it made him feel important. God is still in his life and will be forever. Happy birthday to Jesus and all those special people born on this day.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we ask that you be with all who celebrate this day the birth of Your Son. As always keep watch over all Your children on earth and guide us to a peaceful world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Dorothy Kafalas   

Advent devotions: Dec. 24, 2017

Sunday December 24

John 1:1-18 God dwells among us

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

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If ever there were verses to reveal to us that Jesus is God and came to dwell among us, it is these. John’s poetic writing style grips us with the mystery of creation and spirit and God in the flesh as Jesus Christ.  God’s Word is Jesus is God. 

John foretold Jesus’s coming as a light that would overcome darkness.  Yet, God’s creation did not recognize him or know the light.  But some, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, did.  And in recognizing Jesus, we are no longer born of flesh but are born of God.  What a divine miracle if you really think about it.  Our acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ gives us God’s spirit.  The Word lives in us.  

Jesus came to dwell among us so that we would know God.  I believe that God came through Jesus Christ to know us better, too.  Read Philip Yancey’s book, The Jesus I Never Knew.

All of our struggles in faith, our back and forth relationship with Jesus are roadmaps to God, because Jesus was flesh and blood and showed us how to live in this world.  I can relate a lot easier to Jesus than I can to God, can’t you?

Prayer: In this season of Advent, let’s welcome Jesus to our world with song, quiet love prayers, celebrative gatherings, dancing for joy, fill-in the blank. 

Lynn Byrnes

Advent devotions: Dec. 23, 2017

Saturday December 23

Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s song

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’

****

Mary begins this song with praise for the Lord, who has favored her above all others to become the mother of Jesus. She acknowledges her special relationship with the Lord - an unearned honor for a poor, humble, young girl.

The remainder of the song reminds us that Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 7:22). The Lord chooses the lowly, the humble, and sends the rich away empty. As Christians we are instructed to reject the idols of today's society: power, prestige, and the accumulation of vast wealth - impediments to receiving God's love and serving the Lord. We are called to care for the oppressed, the hungry, the disenfranchised. Do we, as Christians, see the image of God in all people? Do we ask, "How can we help?"

Prayer: Help us to seek and honor your presence in all your people. Let us be aware and respond to the needs of the less fortunate, not only in the Christmas season, but daily in our lives. Open our hearts to the needs of others. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen 

Joan Bradley

Advent devotions: Dec. 22, 2017

Friday December 22

Luke 1:26-38 Birth of Jesus foretold

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

****

As many times as I have read and heard these verses over time, I am still amazed by it. Can you imagine being Mary? Being told you are going to bear a child, yet you are a virgin. The faith that she had, knowing what lay ahead of her. How she must have felt. Mary's faith had no bounds and she knew that anything was possible if you just have faith and trust in God's plan for you. We all need to trust that God's plan for us will work out fine. You just have to have faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as the Advent season approaches, help us all to remember Mary and her unwavering faith. May we all learn to trust that what lays ahead of us is part of God's plan and as long as we faith in Him, everything will work out fine.

Kat Devine

Advent devotions: Dec. 21, 2017

Thursday December 21

Isaiah 11:1-9 God created all

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
   and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
   the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
   the spirit of counsel and might,
   the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
   or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
   and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
   and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
   and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
   their young shall lie down together;
   and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
   and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
   as the waters cover the sea.

****

Today’s reading is Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming of Jesus. He describes this child who will be born in days to come, who will be part of a world in which everyone will be united and get along with each other. I can’t help but wonder if this is what we need now. There is so much dissention in the world we live in. Where is God? Will we be seeing a new Jesus in the near future? There has to be something or someone that will unite the people in this country and the rest of the world that will bring us peace and prosperity to all. I don’t think I will see that day but I certainly know and believe it will arrive.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, today and all days we pray for your guidance for our country and the whole word. We ask that you be with our leaders so that they will be able to secure the peace and let the lamb lie down with the lion. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

Dorothy Kafalas

Advent devotions: Dec. 20, 2017

Wednesday December 20

Psalm 8:1-9 Majestic earth

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
   Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

****

Recently I was talking with a friend about UFOʼs and the possibility of intelligent beings from outer space.  Are we all alone in the Universe? Why are we here on planet Earth? Questions we all ponder throughout life.  As Christians, we have a firm foundation in the belief that God created all and is above all, and it is God who put in place the laws that govern nature and science.  We are on a journey of discovery as we live our lives day to day, year to year, generation to generation and beyond.  I have heard it preached from the pulpit that we should “bloom where we are planted” and that we should be confident that God knows where we are in all situations and will provide for our needs.  Jesus showed us the way as he walked among us here on Earth, a living gospel and one in which we should strive to follow.  The Holy Spirit guides us all as we look to God for help in times of trouble and shout praises of Thanksgiving for the many blessings we share.  Why are we here?  God placed us here and we can be confident that we will always be in Godʼs loving care. “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” 

Prayer: Dear Lord...on this day may my worries and concerns in life be tempered by the knowledge that I am never alone; I trust that God always knows where I am and what I am in need of, even more than I may know myself. Amen.

Peter Donoghue

Advent devotions: Dec. 19, 2017

Tuesday December 19

Proverbs 8:27-31 Rejoicing in creation

When he established the heavens, I was there,
   when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
   when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
   so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
   then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,
   rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
   and delighting in the human race.

****

This reading should be read by reading all of Proverbs 8. Wisdom is what God created before he created everything else. This proverb talks about wisdom as if it is a person. Wisdom is with God throughout creation. Wisdom in the footnotes can be Jesus and theologians made a case for Jesus being with God from the beginning from verses 22-14. When we say in the Nicene Creed “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ… true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father, through him all things are made “ these verses are used  as one of the  explanations to justify  this .

Wisdom is speaking in verses 27-29 saying that he was there at creation and worked with God like a master worker and delighted in creation and the human race.

It was a difficult proverb to think about. Wisdom gives us the ability to distinguish what is right and is worth more than jewels according to Proverbs. Wisdom is one attribute I would like to have.

Prayer: We pray that God grants us wisdom so that we can be wise in how we choose to live our lives and how we how we treat the people we encounter daily.

Irene Germain

Advent devotions: Dec. 18, 2017

Monday December 18

Proverbs 8:1, 22-26 Wisdom’s call

Does not wisdom call,
   and does not understanding raise her voice?

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
   the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
   at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
   when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
   before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
   or the world’s first bits of soil.

****

Proverbs 8:1 asks “Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice”? (the word wisdom is feminine in both Greek & Hebrew, if you were wondering like me)

Verses 22-26 speaks of “Wisdom” always being present with God, “before the beginning of the earth” (Proverbs 8:22). Reflecting on this scripture reading I think that the reference to Wisdom is reference to Jesus. It speaks of always being present before anything on earth was made. If we, as Christians, believe that Jesus has always been present with God the Father and is part of the Holy Trinity, surely “Wisdom” is “Christ”! Wisdom, therefore, calls us this Advent season to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Father, make us receptive to the call of wisdom, which has come down from heaven that we all may be saved through Him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Kathie Ruhs

Advent devotions: Dec. 17, 2017

Sunday December 17

Isaiah 55:1-11 Seeking God’s presence

Ho, everyone who thirsts,
   come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
   and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
   and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
   listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
   my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
   a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
   and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
   for he has glorified you.

Seek the Lord while he may be found,
   call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way,
   and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
   and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
   and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
   giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
   it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
   and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

****

The verses I chose from this reading (2-10) are those that mean the most to me and probably to all of us. What we seek is what we get and puts us in God’s presence. What is money? Sure, we need it to live our lives, but without it GOD is still within US!  Snow is not what we need as a person, but our earth needs it! GOD’s presence is with us always.

Prayer: Forgive us LORD when we think of ourselves and not our neighbors!

Ken Mongold

Advent devotions: Dec. 16, 2017

Saturday December 16

Isaiah 54:1-10 Future glory of Zion

Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
   burst into song and shout,
   you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate woman will be more
   than the children of her that is married, says the Lord.
Enlarge the site of your tent,
   and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
   and strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left,
   and your descendants will possess the nations
   and will settle the desolate towns.

Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;
   do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
   and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
For your Maker is your husband,
   the Lord of hosts is his name;
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
   the God of the whole earth he is called.
For the Lord has called you
   like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off,
   says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
   but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing wrath for a moment
   I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
   says the Lord, your Redeemer.

This is like the days of Noah to me:
   Just as I swore that the waters of Noah
   would never again go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
   and will not rebuke you.
For the mountains may depart
   and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
   and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
   says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

****

In my understanding of this piece of scripture, God is proclaiming that women will reclaim their rightful place on this earthy by her descendants. The descendants will spread from nation to nation. Women will no longer fear or hide from shame but take their rightful place through the redemption of our Lord right up to the covenant of peace. For example, Ruth was widowed at a young age, but she trusted in her God to help her through the most difficult time in her life; her faith brought her to a better place and she prospered. Mary the mother of Jesus Christ was betrothed to Joseph, who was a descendent of David, and was expecting a child. She put her faith in our Lord and declared her undying love for the Lord. Mary the mother of God did all that was asked of her without any hesitation, Mary Magdalene was despised by the townspeople who considered her nothing but a common prostitute. She too became a devoted followers of Christ, and helped spread the good news of Jesus.

I myself found this piece of scripture very comforting, especially with what is happening in my life now. Whether it is walls obstructing my view or obstacles disrupting my path, all I do is say a prayer of faith and give it up to the Lord. For example I was not able to keep up with my bills for a while. I took it to the Lord in prayer. Two days later I was notified by e-mail from the Carmel Central School District offering me a position as a school nurse. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: My dear heavenly Father your infinite love and compassion never cease to amaze me. You have given me the strength and the wisdom that I did not know I had in me through your redeeming hand. You have given me great support through my children, family, and friends. For that my Lord I am and will always be eternally grateful Amen.

Joanne Halbekath

Advent devotions: Dec. 15, 2017

Friday December 15

Isaiah 52:3-10 Israel is redeemed

For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. For thus says the Lord God: Long ago, my people went down into Egypt to reside there as aliens; the Assyrian, too, has oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what am I doing here, says the Lord, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the Lord, and continually, all day long, my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore on that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.

How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God.

****

The prophet Isaiah reminds us in these verses of how God heard the cries of his people and led them out of exile in Egypt. Then later he redeemed Jerusalem and eventually “bared his holy arm before the eyes of all nations.”

Today the good news for us comes in the form of the birth of God’s son Jesus. As we prepare to celebrate this great event let us be aware of the gift of salvation given to us because of his birth. God is still hearing our cries and is still leading the way as he did with the Israelites. He fully gives his love and promise of salvation “to all the ends of the earth.”

Prayer: Thank you Father for the good news and gift of the birth of your son Jesus. Be with us as we celebrate his birth and all that it means for our lives. Amen

Dee Lockshiss

Advent devotions: Dec. 14, 2017

Thursday December 14

Ezra 3:8-13 Celebration of the altar

In the second year after their arrival at the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their people, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upwards, to have the oversight of the work on the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his kin, and Kadmiel and his sons, Binnui and Hodaviah along with the sons of Henadad, the Levites, their sons and kin, together took charge of the workers in the house of God.

 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever towards Israel.’

And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.

****

Ezra is one of those books of the Old Testament that we don’t often read and in fact, we can almost miss as it and its’ companions, Nehemiah and Esther, are sandwiched between Chronicles and Job.  It tells of the time after the Babylonian exile when the Persian king, Cyrus allows the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple that the Babylonians had destroyed.

The verses before today’s reading (3:1-7) recall the first worship service that is held before work has even begun.  Today’s reading recalls the foundation being laid.  More than just a construction site, it becomes a place of witness as people’s voices praised God as the foundation was built.  They sing of God’s faithfulness: “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel” (3:11)

This event in their life of faith was about much more than the rebuilding of the temple.  It recalled God’s presence in the midst of exile and God’s promises being fulfilled as they returned from exile.  It all pointed to God and God’s steadfast love.

In the midst of our preparation for another event – the birth of Christ – how do we lift up our praises for all that God has done for us?  Where is Christ amidst our own celebrations?

Prayer: God from whom all blessings flow, keep us every mindful of your steadfast love as we go about our daily lives.  We pray that we may live our lives in praise of you today and always.  Amen.

Pastor Jen Boyd

Advent devotions: Dec. 13, 2017

Wednesday December 13

Ezra 3:1-7 Rebuilding the altar

When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were in the towns, the people gathered together in Jerusalem. Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his kin set out to build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings on it, as prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God. They set up the altar on its foundation, because they were in dread of the neighboring peoples, and they offered burnt-offerings upon it to the Lord, morning and evening. And they kept the festival of booths, as prescribed, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number according to the ordinance, as required for each day, and after that the regular burnt-offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the sacred festivals of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill-offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt-offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from King Cyrus of Persia.

****

After seventy years of exile, the Israelites return to Jerusalem and set out to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar II. Earlier in the book of Ezra it describes the gold and silver vessels and other materials that had been gathered for the reconstruction.

But first the priests gather to erect the altar so that they can begin to make their offerings to the Lord, even before the temple is started. Even if it is not the perfect and complete location, the most important thing was to be able to give thanks and praise to God.

Maybe sometimes we feel like our worship has to wait because our “temple” isn’t perfect and ready. Perhaps we’ve been away from church for a while, or our relationships with others haven’t been as good as we know they should be, or the path we’ve been following hasn’t taken us as close to God as we would wish. But we shouldn’t let anything keep us from “rebuilding our altar” and turning to God, no matter how incomplete or imperfect or unready we might feel. Our Lord is always ready to accept us as we are and he rejoices whenever we turn to him.

Prayer: Dear Father, we know we are incomplete and imperfect and need your help to rebuild from that brokenness. Help us keep our hearts and eyes open to see all the ways you show us that you are always welcoming us to you. Help us always to carry an altar of thanksgiving to you in our hearts as we face every day. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Mary Beth Commisso

Advent devotions: Dec. 12, 2017

Tuesday December 12

Ezra 1:1-11 Cyrus helps exiled to return

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared:

 ‘Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill-offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.’

 The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered. King Cyrus himself brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. King Cyrus of Persia had them released into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. And this was the inventory: gold basins, thirty; silver basins, one thousand; knives, twenty-nine; gold bowls, thirty; other silver bowls, four hundred and ten; other vessels, one thousand; the total of the gold and silver vessels was five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.

****

Cyrus II, King of Persia? Another in a long line of mid-eastern potentates including Nebuchadnezzar and Darius known in the Bible as abusers of the Jewish people? Actually, no. Cyrus is set apart, called by the Lord as savior of His chosen people. Cyrus was indeed a great conqueror, but he was famed for supporting the social and religious beliefs of his subjects. Like Moses, called to free the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt, Cyrus is called to free Israel from captivity in Babylon. Isaiah foretells this in chapter 45. Then the words of Cyrus are quoted in Chronicles:

Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD, the God of heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all His people – the LORD, his God, be with him – let him go there. — (2 Chronicles 36:23)

A few weeks ago we heard of David chosen as king because the Lord looked upon his heart, not upon his appearance. God chose Moses to free the people by looking upon his heart, not upon his faulty speech. He chose Joseph to feed his people during famine. He chose Elijah to defend his worship against Jezebel and the worshippers of Baal. Now He calls on Cyrus, most likely a follower of Zoroaster, religious prophet of the monotheistic worship of Ahura Mazda, the god of light and all good. He respects the Jews and returns them to their homeland. He restores to them the goods stolen from the temple of Solomon and allows the Jews to rebuild and restore the worship of Yaweh.

Isaiah calls Cyrus “the anointed” or the Messiah in chapter 45:1. He is the only non-Jew to receive this title. God chooses those needed at essential times and for expedient solutions, Gandhi in India at the time of independence, Washington for the 13 colonies in their time of need, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior that we might be redeemed, freed from sin, and by grace, made worthy of the Glory of God. In this blessed season, we reflect on the glorious wisdom of Almighty God to bring us His only Son as a child, born in our minds and hearts, that we might be made free.

Prayer: Blessed Lord Jesus, we await with bated breath and open hearts to receive you, God’s greatest gift, the gift of divine Love. Amen

Franklyn Commisso

Advent devotions: Dec. 11, 2017

Monday December 11

Ezekiel 39:25-29 God’s Promise to the Israelites

Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame, and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have displayed my holiness in the sight of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God because I sent them into exile among the nations, and then gathered them into their own land. I will leave none of them behind; and I will never again hide my face from them, when I pour out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.

****

In 605, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem, and in 597, after a revolt in the captured city, large deportations began of Israelites to Babylon.  Ezekiel, a prophet, was in the first group forced to leave.  Ezekiel describes the reason God allowed Israel to be overrun, the Israelites punishment and their promised return.

In a nutshell, the usual sequence occurred wherein the Israelites turned away from God, God decides to punish them, and after their suffering God repents and allows them to return.  In this passage, after the Israelites have been in exile for about 60 years, Ezekiel describes God’s forgiving the Israelites, allowing them to return to Israel, safety in their homeland and promising them good fortune. 

How often have we heard this story?  God gives man a good deal.  Man doesn’t listen.  God punishes man.  God forgives man.  God gives man a second/third/fourth chance.  You get the idea.  All God wants is for you to be faithful to Him.  Is that too much to ask?  In return you get all the gifts that God can bestow.  Yet we repeatedly fail to heed what God says, turn to sin, suffers sin’s trials and tribulations, and only are restored to God by His good Grace.

Would that we had the fortitude to not sin again.  But we don’t.  It is only through God’s good Grace and Jesus’ sacrifice that we are saved from our own frailty.  We don’t have the power on our own to resist Satan’s call.  But with true repentance and belief we can ask for and receive forgiveness for our sins.

There is very little we can accomplish on our own, but with the Gospel to guide us, Jesus’s sacrifice to take away our sins, God’s Grace to strengthen us, and God’s never ending mercy, there is nothing we can’t do in His name.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, you show us undeserved mercy throughout the ages.  We once again beseech you to let your Grace shine upon us, even though we have done little to merit it.  We all too often stop listening to you and turn away, following our own paths instead of your will.  For this, we ask for your forgiveness as we turn back to your Word.  We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Joanne Icken