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FALLSTON UMC

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

2015

FUMC

ADVENT

DEVOTIONAL

2015

Introduction

Dear Friends,

The holy seasons of Advent and Christmas are reminders of

the great love God has for us. Sending his only Son as a

babe in a manger reflects his deep care and understanding of

the human spirit. And his promise to come again, "when the

lion shall lay down with the lamb...and a little child shall

lead them" keeps us hopeful in spite of the great pain and

suffering in the world. Join me this year in blessing our God

through our worship and study of His word. We hope that

this devotional will keep you filled with hope and joy as you

reflect on the Epiphany – God in flesh come to earth.

May your Christmas be filled with reminders of all God's

promises and may you bless others by your love for Jesus.

In Christ's love,

Karin

The Advent Devotion writers:

Cathy Bowden November 22-28

Kim Bradley November 29-December 3

Annabel Lusardi December 4-9

Danny Breidenbaugh December 10-15

Rev. Betty Megill December 16-21

Stephanie Shauck December 22-27

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ This devotional study or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without express written permission.

Date: November 22, 2015

Text from the Bible: Jeremiah 30: 19

19 There will be laughter and songs of thanks. I will add to

their numbers so they don’t dwindle away. I will honor them

so they aren’t humiliated.

Pondering and meditating:

This is the season of Thanksgiving – a time to pause and reflect

upon our blessings, yet, sometimes, that’s difficult. When we

see and experience heartache in this broken world, it’s easy to let

that vision crowd out of our minds, thoughts of sincerely praising

and thanking God. In 1 Thessalonians we are instructed: “In

everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.” It’s God’s will for us, in all circumstances.

Of course, we can’t understand evil and heartache in our world.

It’s incomprehensible. But we are told to trust and believe that

good will come of it – somehow and someday. Norman Vincent

Peale put it this way: “Hard times struggled with, in the name of

Jesus, become victories by and by, and we are stronger people

for the tussling therewith.”

Romans 8:28 states: “And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God, to them who are the called

according to his purpose. As Christians, we are called to Trust

and Obey, to Praise and be Thankful – in all times and in all

circumstances. The message is Give Thanks and, as we do,

greater things will come.”

Prayer:

Thanks be to you, Father God, for all of your blessings – in good

times and bad. Help us to be strong and faithful to you and to

remember that your word is steadfast and true. In Jesus’ name we

pray. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Psalm 96: 1-6

1 Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth!

2 Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Share the news of his saving

work every single day! 3 Declare God’s glory among the

nations; declare his wondrous works among all people 4 because

the LORD is great and so worthy of praise. He is awesome

beyond all other gods 5 because all the gods of the nations are

just idols, but it is the LORD who created heaven! 6 Greatness

and grandeur are in front of him; strength and beauty are in his

sanctuary.

Pondering and meditating: This Thanksgiving week I am reflecting on the many things I

have to be thankful for. Of course, I’m grateful for the

wonderful blessings of family, home, love and comforts, that I so

often take for granted. But, in a larger sense, when I think of our

God and all the mighty things He’s done for me, I wonder how I

can even deserve a tiny morsel of it all? And then, I realize, God

doesn’t think of us that way. He loves us, just as a parent loves

his child. In spite of our unworthiness, He remains faithful to

who we are and what He believes we can do and be. So… this

week as we all focus on our blessings, let’s see opportunities to

thank Him and Praise His name as another blessing in our lives.

How wonderful to be able to sing and declare God’s glory today

and every day.

Prayer: Dear God, I bless your Holy Name and thank you for the

manifold blessings you have bestowed upon me, even when I am

unworthy and not deserving. I thank you for your steadfast faith

in me to make the right choices and do the right things. And, I

thank you, even more, for understanding and for your

forgiveness when I fall short. Thank you for opportunities to

sing your praises and to bless your name. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Daniel 2: 23

23

I acknowledge and praise you, my fathers’ God! You’ve

given me wisdom and might, and now you’ve made known to

me what we asked of you: you’ve made known to us the

king’s demand.


God’s Wisdom Made Known Through the Bible

I am thankful for God’s Word and the guidance I receive

through studying it. I’m grateful, too, for the people I meet

and the conversations we have concerning the Bible. Prayer

and study can enrich our daily lives. Discussing God’s

Word with others and learning from their viewpoints is a

great way to examine our own thinking and to grow as

Christians. Truly, His word is “a lamp to our feet and a light

to our paths” if we will but use it.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Word and all of the ways it

enriches our existence. Your teachings and example guide

and inspire us each day to become the people you would

have us be. Help us to hunger for your word and guidance.

Help us to want to learn more and to be more… to your

glory and in your Holy Name. Amen.



6 I wash my hands—they are innocent! I walk all around

your altar, LORD, 7 proclaiming out loud my thanks,

declaring all your wonderful deeds!


“God’s mercy and grace give me hope, for myself and for

the world.” - Billy Graham

It’s been said that “Grace is getting something you don’t

deserve and mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Then

we sin and repent of that sin, we are blessed to feel

compassion and forgiveness from our Heavenly Father.

Grace and mercy are given freely and generously by a God

that loves us and who will never stop loving us. He loved

enough to give his only son to redeem us of all sins. Belief

and trust in Jesus Christ promises each of us, not only

forgiveness of our sins, but also life eternal in His presence.

That’s a blessing that should never be forgotten or taken for

granted. We should think about it…and be thankful.

Prayer:

Thanks be to you, Father God, for all of your blessings –so

much to be thankful for. But, most of all, help us to always

remember to be grateful for your most precious gift –Love,

Grace and Salvation received through your son, Christ

Jesus. Amen.



1 Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth!

2 Serve the LORD

with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! 3 Know

that the LORD is God – he made us; we belong to him. We are

his people, the sheep of his own pasture. 4 Enter his gates with

thanks; enter his courtyards with praise! Thank him! Bless his

name!


The passage for this Thanksgiving Day 2015 is Psalm 100. It’s

one of my favorites. We read it in my sixth grade public school

classroom routinely enough that I had it memorized in no time. I

remember it as clearly today as I did back then – instructions for

leading an honorable life, acceptable to God. “Make a joyful

noise unto the Lord. Come into His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God... Thank Him and bless His name for

the Lord is good.”

As a child, I understood this Psalm plainly: to celebrate God for

his good works and be thankful. It seemed easier then. As

adults, so much gets in the way. We think too much. We get

sidetracked and forget how to truly worship, celebrate and

rejoice in Him. We need, as adults, to develop, what Joyce

Meyer calls an “attitude of gratitude.” She suggests God’s Word

can motivate us to discover and maintain a thankful spirit, which

will in turn, delight our Lord and enrich our lives – not just on

Thanksgiving Day – but EVERY day!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thanks you so much for the beauty of the

Psalms and the meaning they can bring to our lives. Help us to

become childlike in our approach to worshipping you –

celebrating and honoring your holy name, with joy and without

reservation. In Christ’s Holy name we pray. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Luke 17: 11-19

11 On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border

between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men

with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from

him, 13 they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us

mercy!” 14 When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to

the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when

he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a

loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He

was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where

are the other nine? 18 No one returned to praise God except this

foreigner?” 19 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith

has healed you.”

Pondering and meditating: What does this passage teach us? First, Jesus values gratitude. He

doesn’t commend the one leper, who returns to thank Him for his

healing. Instead, He chastises the nine, who don’t. Some believe

that the lesson here is that gratitude is crucial to wholeness of mind,

body and spirit. It’s more than just a physical cure. Jesus seems to

be saying, faith and gratitude are really more important. All the

lepers were “cleansed,” but the thankful one was “made whole.”

To be “whole” means that our souls and belief systems are in

alignment with God’s teachings. We have an unshakeable faith.

We believe all that He’s taught and promised us and we thankfully

profess it to others. I believe God wants each of us to have that

kind of faith.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, it’s been said that “Faith is taking the first step even

when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Please help us as we

strive for that kind of faith. Strengthen us and accept our gratitude

for your word that enlightens us and your love that sustains us.

Please help us to stand firm in our faith in you and to be strong and

grateful, always. In your holy name we pray. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Amos 4: 5

5 Offer a thanksgiving sacrifice of leavened bread, and publicize your

gifts to the LORD; for so you love to do, people of Israel! says the LORD

God.


Thanksgiving has come and gone. And after reflecting on our own

manifold blessings, now is a good time to move forward in our faith

journeys. But how? In today’s verse, God was speaking to the

Israelites in a way that recognized that their offerings and boastings

about their good works were wrong. Hollow sacrifices and showy

demonstrations are not what God wants from his children. In today’s

world we can translate these sentiments to bragging and glorifying

ourselves, when we give to others or do a good deed, instead of

glorifying God.

A meaningful way to advance in our own faith journeys is to examine

our daily living practices. Are we intentional about bible study, prayer

and leading a Christian life? Jesus said that we should “be doers of the

word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.” A good goal for

Christians wanting to strengthen their resolve to follow Jesus in a

meaningful way is to intentionally serve and care for others. It’s not

enough to profess your belief and love for Jesus. We must show it!

Get active in the missions of our church. Answer that letter requesting

funds for the needy. Give that encouraging word or dinner to someone

less fortunate. And always thank God – not only for our personal

blessings but for the wonderful opportunities to reflect His love and

teachings in this hurting world. It’s what we are meant to do.

Prayer:

Dear God, sometimes it’s easy to forget whose we are and how we

should be living. I want to be that person who thinks of others before

himself and who acts on his good impulses to help and to encourage

those in need. Please help me to be intentional in my efforts and

sincere in my devotion to you. In your name and to your glory, Amen.


Text from the Bible: Amos 9: 11-13

11 On that day I will raise up the meeting tent of David that

has fallen, and repair its broken places. I will raise up its

ruins, and I will rebuild it like a long time ago; 12

so that

they may possess what is left of Edom, as well as all the

nations who are called by my name, says the LORD who will

do this. 13

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when

the one who plows will overtake the one who gathers, when

the one who crushes grapes will overtake the one who sows

the seed. The mountains will drip wine, and all the hills will

flow with it.


These are words of hope from thousands of years ago. Can

you apply it to your life today? Do you still see broken

places and ruins calling out to be rebuilt? Peeking out from

the darkness, can you see glimmers of hope where God’s

work is being done? God is promising better things to

come, and asks us to be a part of making that change

happen. In what ways can you be part of that change?

Prayer:

Giver of hope, use us to repair the broken places that we see

in our lives today. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Amos 11: 14-15

14 I will improve the circumstances of my people Israel; they

will rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them. They will

plant vineyards and drink their wine; and they will make

gardens and eat their fruit. 15

I will plant them upon their

land, and they will never again be plucked up out of the land

that I have given them, says the LORD your God.


How has God improved your circumstances? How do you

feel when you give over control of your life to God? Amos

offers a metaphor of a garden, rooted in God’s goodness.

Think of extravagant life and wonderful creation that

explode in a well-tended garden. This is what God plans for

us.

Prayer:

Creator of life, enrich our lives as a farmer enriches soil in

his garden. Keep us rooted in your love for us so that we

will not be plucked away by the demands of the world.

Direct us in rebuilding the ruined cities in our lives. Amen.

Date: December 1, 2015

Text from the Bible: Haggai 1: 3-6

3 Then the LORD’s word came through Haggai the prophet:

4 Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses while

this house lies in ruins? 5 So now, this is what the LORD of

heavenly forces says: Take your ways to heart. 6 You have

sown much, but it has brought little. You eat, but there’s not

enough to satisfy. You drink, but not enough to get drunk.

There is clothing, but not enough to keep warm. Anyone

earning wages puts those wages into a bag with holes.


2015 has been the year of “Putting God First.” This verse

reminds us of what happens when we don’t. In what ways

have you put God first? What happens when you do that?

Try asking God what he would have you do, in every

situation you encounter today.

Prayer:

Constant and everlasting God, fill us with your presence and

remove from us the feeling of isolation and distance from

you. Show us that when we put you first, blessings abound!

Amen.



4 So now, be strong, Zerubbabel, says the LORD. Be strong,

High Priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and be strong, all you

people of the land, says the LORD. Work, for I am with you,

says the LORD of heavenly forces. 5 As with our agreement

when you came out of Egypt, my spirit stands in your midst.


Does the frenzy of this holiday season leave you sometimes

feeling exhausted? Pulled in 20 different directions? Turn

toward God for strength. He asks us to be strong and to

work for him. If we remember to focus on his spirit in our

midst, he will be with us and refresh us. When life is

difficult, God and his glorious love are a source of energy.

He desires abundant life for us.

Prayer:

Almighty God, show us your strength and spirit when we

are drained and defeated. Give us your hope and promise

that you are always with us. We know that it will not

always be easy, but that you will answer our prayers in ways

that are much more than we could ever expect. Amen.



Don’t fear. 6 This is what the LORD of heavenly forces says:

In just a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the

sea, and the dry land quake. 7 I will make all the nations

quake. The wealth of all the nations will come. I will fill

this house with glory, says the LORD of heavenly forces. 8 The silver and the gold belong to me, says the LORD of

heavenly forces. 9 This house will be more glorious than its

predecessor, says the LORD of heavenly forces. I will

provide prosperity in this place, says the LORD of heavenly

forces.


Do you worry about what is to come? About your family

and friends? Here, God tells us not to be afraid. When we

worry, does that mean that we don’t believe God’s promise?

God promises to bring more glorious prosperity that we can

imagine. Today, be fearless and trust in God in all that you

do.

Prayer:

Glorious God, fill our homes with your heavenly force.

Although we can’t see you, we can feel your spirit, guiding

and supporting us. Remind us that you are the ruler of this

world and that we can rely on your power. Amen.


Text from the Bible: 2 Peter 3: 8-10

8 Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the

Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand

years are like a single day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow to keep his

promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward

you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their

hearts and lives. 10

But the day of the Lord will come like a

thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a

dreadful noise, the elements will be consumed by fire, and

the earth and all the works done on it will be exposed.


It’s December 4th. For most of us that means three more

weeks of frantic preparation before the “big show” on the

25th. Today, try and spend a few minutes to reflect on the

following:

Advent is a time of peaceful preparation. A time of

hopeful expectation. A time of thoughtful reflection.

A time of joyful anticipation.

Prayer:

God of the timeless, to whom a thousand years is like a

single day, help me today to spend some time not moving.

Simply being. Peaceful. Hopeful. Thoughtful. Joyful.

Please join me in that space. Amen.


Text from the Bible: 2 Peter 3: 17-18

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been warned in

advance, be on guard so that you aren’t led off course into

the error of sinful people, and lose your own safe position. 18

Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and

savior Jesus Christ. To him belongs glory now and forever.


“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior

Jesus Christ.” On first reading that seems so easy and so

inviting. But on reflection it’s really quite a tall order and

it’s easy to see how we can be led off course and lose our

“safe position.” How about starting with one small step

today? Make one intention to “Be Like Jesus” – smile at the

harried cashier, let someone in ahead of you in line, go to

church, cook dinner for a friend… you may be amazed at

the results of extending a little grace…

Prayer:

God of endless grace, help me today to reach for you instead

of turning off course. Remind me that when I show love I

am reflecting the love that you have shown me. Use me as

an instrument of your peace. Amen.



5 Some people were talking about the temple, how it was

decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to

God. Jesus said, 6 “As for the things you are admiring, the

time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon

another. All will be demolished.” 7 They asked him,

“Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will

show that these things are about to happen?” 8 Jesus said,

“Watch out that you aren’t deceived. Many will come in my

name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ and ‘It’s time!’ Don’t follow

them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be

alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won’t

happen immediately.”


How many things deceive us every day that draw our

attention away from Jesus? What do we believe in or rely

on that makes us believe we don’t need God? Is it our

relationships, our “stuff,” our talents? Take a moment to

turn all of them over to Jesus and acknowledge that we owe

them all to him.

Prayer:

God of all, draw closer to me today as I look to you for my

strength, my inspiration and my truth. Amen.


Text from the Bible: John 4: 4-10

4 Jesus had to go through Samaria.

5 He came to a

Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land

Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there.

Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well.

It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to the well

to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to

drink.” 8 His disciples had gone into the city to buy him

some food. 9 The Samaritan woman asked, “Why do you, a

Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a

Samaritan woman?” (Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate

with each other.) 10

Jesus responded, “If you recognized

God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to

drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you

living water.”


This passage reminds me of how Jesus is constantly looking

for a relationship with me. He could easily draw himself his

own drink from the well, but instead he engages the

Samaritan woman in conversation and talks to her about the

living water that he embodies. So my question today is,

“what is Jesus asking of me?”

Prayer:

God of the living water, show me how I can serve you today.

Amen.



21

Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the time is coming

when you and your people will worship the Father neither

on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22

You and your people

worship what you don’t know; we worship what we know

because salvation is from the Jews. 23

But the time is

coming—and is here!—when true worshippers will worship

in spirit and truth. The Father looks for those who worship

him this way. 24

God is spirit, and it is necessary to worship

God in spirit and truth.” 25

The woman said, “I know that

the Messiah is coming, the one who is called the Christ.

When he comes, he will teach everything to us.” 26

Jesus

said to her, “I Am—the one who speaks with you.”


“I Am.” In Exodus 3:14 God tells Moses his name “I am

who I am” and here Jesus repeats it to the Samaritan

woman. It says it all. God is so huge and so all-

encompassing that we can’t even comprehend him, and to

try and give him a name is impossible except in his own

words – “I Am”. Think about that today…

Prayer:

God of no name and every name, help me today to simply

worship you. To be in awe of your outrageous, audacious,

magnificent creation. Amen.



1The LORD is my light and my salvation. Should I fear

anyone? The LORD is a fortress protecting my life. Should I

be frightened of anything? 2 When evildoers come at me

trying to eat me up – it’s they, my foes and my enemies, who

stumble and fall! 3 If an army camps against me, my heart

won’t be afraid. If war comes up against me, I will continue

to trust in this: 4I have asked one thing from the LORD – it’s

all I seek: to live in the LORD’s house all the days of my life.


The psalmist asks one thing from God – to live in His house

all the days of his life. What a wonderful thing to seek.

What can you do today to plan a life in the house of the

Lord? How does the knowledge that the Lord is your light

and salvation, your fortress, help with that plan?

Prayer:

God of my light and my salvation, I seek you today. Thank

you for your love and your protection. Help me to trust you

in all I do. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Micah 6: 6-8 6With what should I approach the LORD and bow down

before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely

burned offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Will the LORD be

pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil?

Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my

body for the sin of my spirit? 8 He has told you, human one,

what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do

justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your

God.


At multiple points in our Christian journey we often feel that

pull to do more for God because of all that God has done for

us, but how do we do this? What could we possibly offer to

the God who already has everything? This is something we

can’t simply donate some money to and expect God to be

content. No, instead we have these three simple steps to do

justice (stand up for the oppressed and those without a

voice), to embrace and love our neighbors (especially those

that are nothing like us), and to walk humbly (to set

ourselves below the power of God so that we might better

hear His voice). In what ways can we embrace these things

anew this advent season?

Prayer:

Work within me, Lord. Reveal new ways that I can do

justice, embrace love, and humble myself before you.

Amen.


Text from the Bible: Romans 6: 9-14

9 We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and he

will never die again. Death no longer has power over him. 10

He died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives

for God with his life. 11

In the same way, you also should

consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ

Jesus. 12

So then, don’t let sin rule your body, so that you do

what it wants. 13

Don’t offer parts of your body to sin, to be

used as weapons to do wrong. Instead, present yourselves to

God as people who have been brought back to life from the

dead, and offer all the parts of your body to God to be used

as weapons to do right. 14

Sin will have no power over you,

because you aren’t under Law but under grace.


Not too far in the distance, even as we embrace the joy of

the birth of Christ, we keep in mind the sorrow of His

coming death. But there is hope. God sent His son into the

world not to condemn the world, but so that through Him we

could be free from the control of sin. We are still at an

intersection and suffer the presence of sin, but when we ask

for forgiveness that burden is taken from us so that we may

more fully live out the message of hope, love, joy, and peace

found in the Gospel.

Prayer:

Lord, whatever sin has been present in my life and has been

holding me back from fully living my life for You, I offer it

now before your throne. Take this burden from me and open

me up all the more to your Gospel message. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Isaiah 11: 1-4

1A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will

sprout from his roots. 2 The LORD’s spirit will rest upon

him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of

planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the

LORD. 3 He will delight in fearing the LORD. He won’t judge

by appearances, nor decide by hearsay. 4 He will judge the

needy with righteousness, and decide with equity for those

who suffer in the land.


What aspect of God are you in need of this Christmas? Do

you need God’s strength or planning? His wisdom and

knowledge, or just His faithful understanding? Maybe it’s

all these things. Whatever it is, embrace the Spirit of God,

allow it to rest upon you and fill you so that God may build

you up with these things at your foundation. God is

prepared to give us all we need, we need only open

ourselves to Him.

Prayer:

“Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me, come wake

me from my sleep. Blow through the caverns of my soul,

pour in me to overflow.” Amen.


Text from the Bible: Matthew 1: 18-23

18

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When

Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were

married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19

Joseph

her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want

to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement

quietly. 20

As he was thinking about this, an angel from the

Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of

David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because

the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21

She

will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because

he will save his people from their sins.” 22

Now all of this

took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the

prophet would be fulfilled: 23

Look! A virgin will become

pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him,

Emmanuel.


What turned into 6 simple verses for us was a life altering

experience for Mary and Joseph. The trust and faithfulness

they placed in God was amazing, even amidst what would

be perceived by others as scandal and sin. What would it

look like in our lives today to have trust in God like Mary

and Joseph?

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to step out and have steadfast trust in

your plan for my life. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Matthew 1: 24-25

24

When Joseph woke up, he did just as the angel from God

commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25

But he didn’t have

sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son.

Joseph called him Jesus.


How quick are we to act when God calls us to do

something? Will we be like Jonah and run away out of fear

of stepping out of our comfort zone for God? Or will we be

like Joseph and Mary, hearing the voice of God and acting

immediately without question? God has placed His trust,

faith, and hope in us, why can it be so hard for us to do the

same back for Him?

Prayer:

Help me to remember, Lord, that my life is not my own.

Reveal in me new ways to give myself to You each and

every day and embrace the calling You have placed on my

life. Amen.



5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest

named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of

Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their

observance of all the Lord’s commandments and

regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was

unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God

because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the

customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go

into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10

All the people

who gathered to worship were praying outside during this

hour of incense offering. 11

An angel from the Lord appeared

to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12

When

Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with

fear.


Amid the monotony that sometimes comes from the

traditional Christmas services, music, shopping, chaos, etc.

year after year we are reminded that, even when we know

the true reason we celebrate this season, we can still be

startled when we feel that presence of God. Where can we

be looking to fully embrace God this Christmas?

Prayer:

Startle us, spark fear within us, do whatever it is you can,

Holy God, so that we might experience your presence this

advent. Amen.



13

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your

prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and

you are to call him John. 14

He will be a joy and delight to you, and

many will rejoice because of his birth, 15

for he will be great in the

sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,

and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16

He

will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17

And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah,

to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient

to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for

the Lord.” 18

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I

am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”


“God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in

ways we cannot see, he will make a way for me. He will be my guide,

hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way.” While meditating on these

verses the words from Don Moen’s song came to mind. Even after

this amazing prophetic message from God’s own angel, Zechariah was

not convinced that he and Elizabeth would be parents. I thought about

how I myself at times have not been convinced that there was a way

out of a particular situation. But, God is faithful even when we are

not.

Remember, what God has done in the past is the key to our confidence

that He controls the future. God says, “I know the plans I have for

you, they are to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you hope and a

future.” God will make a way!!

Prayer:

Faithful God, thank you that we can take you at your word. Help us to

see that you know the whole picture while we only see darkly as in a

mirror. Help us to live lives of astonishment over how You have

broken into human history for our benefit giving us a hope and a

future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of

God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good

news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the

day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will

come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were

waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the

temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They

realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs

to them but remained unable to speak.


Zechariah was a priest and this day it was his duty to burn incense

in the Temple. He was alone and the angel Gabriel appears beside

him. He has just given Zechariah some amazing news but

Zechariah’s unbelief gets in the way. The angel Gabriel only now

gives Zacharias his name, and he seems somewhat perturbed to

have to do so. In effect, Gabriel is saying, “Good grief, man, do

you not know who is telling you that you and your wife will have a

son? I am Gabriel, the angel who stands in God’s presence. When

I speak, I speak for God. To disbelieve my words is to doubt God

Himself.” With this rebuke, Zacharias was struck dumb. I have to

admit if an angel stood before me and said he was sent from God I

think I’d be speechless, too. However, I thank God for His grace to

me when I experience a questioning of God’s movement in my life.

When I sometimes fail to see that God will make a way when there

seems to be no way. God is ever faithful even when I am not.

Prayer: Faithful God, you who hung the moon, the sun and the stars. You

are Sovereign God and we bow before you in humble adoration.

Thank you for your faithfulness to us as we seek to be the persons

you created us to be. “Mold us, make us, fill us, use us. Spirit of

the Living God, fall afresh on us.” In Jesus Name, Amen.



26

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to

Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27

to a virgin who was engaged to a man named

Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28

When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is

with you!” 29

She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of

greeting this might be. 30

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is

honoring you. 31

Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will

name him Jesus. 32

He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most

High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33

He will

rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”


Gabriel is sure a busy angel! We believe Mary was also alone when Gabriel

visited her. Mary was full of humility; and God loves to honor the humble.

She was alarmed at the greeting of the angel; but she was told not to fear, and

was informed of the wonderful event about to happen. She was chosen to be

the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. I believe God had chosen her to be the

one because of her gifts, graces and humility. God also gives us an

opportunity to use our gifts and graces in service to God. They are for the

edifying and building up of others. They are not for our own personal gain.

God matches our gifts and graces to meet the needs of a hurting world and

we can obey or not. When we choose to disobey we lose out on the blessing

we might have received in trusting and obeying God. I believe that trusting

and obeying God go hand in hand. To quote that old familiar hymn, “Trust

and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”

Is God asking you to use your gifts and graces in an effort to reach out to a

hurting world? God maybe choosing you, because like Mary, you might be

the only person who can fulfill the task God’s calling you to do.

Prayer:

Surprising God, help us Lord to put aside our fear when you ask us to do

something we are not sure we can or want to do. May we have confidence in

You and in the gifts and graces you have bestowed upon us. Help us to reach

out in love to others. May what breaks your heart break ours as well. Use us

Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Luke 1: 34-38 34

Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t

had sexual relations with a man?” 35

The angel replied, “The Holy

Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will

overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He

will be called God’s Son. 36

Look, even in her old age, your relative

Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable

to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37

Nothing is impossible for

God.” 38

Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me

just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.


As I read the accounts of Gabriel’s visits to Zechariah and Mary I

wondered why Gabriel’s response was different for each of their

questions. After further study I realized that Zechariah’s question was

different from Mary’s. He asks by what sign he should know that the

words were true which told of a son in his old age. Conversely,

Mary’s question, while accepting Gabriel’s words in faith does not

demand a sign but reverently seeks to know the manner of their

accomplishment. Instead of reproof, therefore, her question is

answered in mysterious detail. Some would say that the difference

between her and Zechariah lay not in the words but in the spirit. Mary

says, “Let it be to me just as you have said.” A willingness to be

God’s servant in whatever was asked of her. In whatever may come

into our lives, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible.

Our God is bigger than any problem that we might face. And this

season, as we read and hear of God’s promises let us turn them into

prayers. Can you say with Mary, “Behold the willing servant of the

Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word?”

Prayer:

All-knowing and Ever-Present God, we thank you that you give us the

assurance that all things are possible with you. Help us Lord as we

seek to continue to deepen our relationship with you. May we always

be ready and willing to answer your call in our lives. In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.



39 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. 40 She

entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth

heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth

was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she blurted out,

“God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the

child you carry. 43 Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my

Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, the

baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 Happy is she who believed that

the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”


It must have been a stressful time for Mary when her pregnancy

became apparent. The scripture says she “hurried” to Elizabeth.

Mary may have felt the human need for the wisdom and comfort of

an older woman who was also with child who would not judge her

but understand and receive her with open arms. But what is the

spiritual significance of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before

the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized

the Messiah in Mary's womb they were filled with the Holy Spirit

and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfilment of God's promise to

give a Savior. Even John jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. Do

you recognize the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus in your

life? Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling

presence with you through his Holy Spirit? Like Mary and

Elizabeth do you believe that the Lord will fulfill the promises he

has made to us in his Holy Word?

Prayer: Holy God, fill us to overflowing with Your presence and Your joy.

And may we not hoard Your joy to ourselves but may Your joy

flow in us and through us and out of us so that all may know of

your precious indwelling presence. May our hearts leap for joy as

we open them to the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.



46

Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! 47

In the depths of who I

am I rejoice in God my savior. 48

He has looked with favor on the low status

of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly

favored 49

because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his

name. 50

He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who

honors him as God. 51

He has shown strength with his arm. He has

scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. 52

He has

pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53

He

has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55

just

as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants

forever.”


After Elizabeth calls her blessed among women Mary breaks forth with

praise for her God. When Mary says that her spirit has rejoiced in God, she

is saying that she has understood who God is. She knows what He has said in

His Word. She believes in the truths He has revealed. She is steeped in the

Word of God. We see that by the words she uses in the Magnificat and how

she responds to Gabriel. In these 10 verses there are fifteen discernible

scriptural quotations. These truths are rich and inspiring truths. When we

allow God to speak to us through his Word, there are times when we want to

break out in song for the magnificence of what God has revealed to us.

How do you respond to the truths of God? For Mary, worshipping God was

the greatest and most exciting thing she could do. The truths and promises

she learned about God from Scripture caused her to rejoice in her whole

being. What about you? Can you rejoice like Mary and sing your praises to

God?

My soul magnifies the Lord, My soul magnifies the Lord,

My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Prayer:

Magnificent God, You are our God and King and we are your people. Help

us to stand up and sing our praises to you. Give us a hunger to feed on your

Word so that when difficult times come we will have your Word engraved on

our hearts to sustain us. Thank you Lord for a voice to sing your praises.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Text from the Bible: Luke 1: 56-60 56

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then

returned to her home. 57

When the time came for Elizabeth to

have her child, she gave birth to a boy. 58

Her neighbors and

relatives celebrated with her because they had heard that the

Lord had shown her great mercy. 59

On the eighth day, it came

time to circumcise the child. They wanted to name him Zechariah

because that was his father’s name. 60

But his mother replied,

“No, his name will be John.”


Do you recall times when your dreams, expectations and wishes

seemed beyond their “best when used by” dates? Elizabeth and

Zachariah were well past years of being parents. They had spent

their lives in devout service to the Lord.

The angel Gabriel visited each with news that God would send

them a son to be named John. Even this joy would involve a test

of faith. Elizabeth, attended by women who include the pregnant

Mary, fulfills God’s plan and her newborn is called John

although it challenged tradition.

In life what have you considered past attempting, achieving or

attaining? How have you built your life to move past

disappointments? If you reflect on these experiences how has

God provided for you to use these challenges to accept the

richness of life He has to offer?

Prayer:

Lord at this season of anticipation and expectation help me

remember that my desires may not coincide with your plan and

timing for me. Let me more fully experience this advent season

as one of preparation for a life that exceeds my human vision.

Amen.



61

They said to her, “None of your relatives have that name.” 62

Then they began gesturing to his father to see what he wanted

to call him. 63

After asking for a tablet, he surprised everyone by

writing, “His name is John.” 64

At that moment, Zechariah was

able to speak again, and he began praising God. 65

All their

neighbors were filled with awe, and everyone throughout the

Judean highlands talked about what had happened. 66

All who

heard about this considered it carefully. They said, “What then

will this child be?” Indeed, the Lord’s power was with him.


Elizabeth told those gathered that the baby was to be named

John, then the group turned to the father, Zachariah, for

confirmation. He was mute because he had not shown a depth of

faith about the coming child. Zachariah wrote the name, John,

and regained his ability to speak by praising God.

Family and neighbors were filled with awe at the Lord’s power

and wondered about the future of a baby touched so closely by

His spirit. Our doubts may not cause us to actually be struck

mute but often silences our voice to show support of others in

their hard times. What do we require before we accept that God

is with us and among us as we prepare for the miracle of coming

days?

Prayer:

God prepare my heart and mind to make a place in the center of

life for the awesome experience that is the fulfillment of your

prophecy. Let me give thanks for your constancy in the gift of

John who baptizes all who seek a closer knowledge of You.

Amen.



1In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the

empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred

when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be

enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he

went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called

Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who

was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they

were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to

her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger,

because there was no place for them in the guestroom.


Christmas has singular power for our recollection of past holidays, the

intensity of activity around us this year and knowledge of changes that

await us in the future. Its strength lies in the weaving of all three

elements. How many times have we heard the story, shared the verses

and prepared a place for the Christmas events to be honored in our

homes? As in the Biblical retelling it is people who lock in important

markers in our life story. God provided.

This year in particular it is impossible not to make connections to the

similarities with the millions - travelling in ways not much more modern

– trying to find security from tyrants whether Roman or of our time.

Within that group news media focus on young couples seeking a safe

place to deliver their first born. God provides and we have the ability to

help Him help them. We pray that Christmas in coming years will

continue to allow us to retell the joyous story of this gift as it begins anew

– our earthly knowledge of God in human form. Advent continues into

the new year with each day a chance to prepare a ready room in our

hearts.

Prayer:

Most merciful Father, thank you for providing for the needs of Mary,

Joseph and your Son, Jesus, long ago. I ask that you support families,

especially those still seeking basic security, during this Christmas season

and into the years ahead. Let me remember to share the gift of kindness in

giving and receiving. Amen.



8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their

sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the

Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. 10

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good

news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11

Your

savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12

This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby

wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13

Suddenly a great

assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising

God. They said, 14

“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth

peace among those whom he favors.”


Close your eyes and let yourself be taken to a place that

connected your soul to the power of God’s majestic power.

Were you in an ordinary situation or had you travelled to a

place of natural grandeur when it happened? While you are

reliving this experience surround it by the sight and sound of

the Lord’s glory commanding you to experience something

even greater.

God’s messengers are very explicit in the who, what, when,

where, why and how. They leave no question about what

those who experience this good news are to do.

We have received this same news. What are we waiting for?

Prayer:

Thank you almighty Lord for sharing the glorious news of

heaven come to Earth. You have sent us a way to peace. Let

us begin to live our gratitude. Amen.



1In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God

and the Word was God. 2 The Word was with God in the

beginning. 3 Everything came into being through the Word,

and without the Word nothing came into being. What came

into being 4 through the Word was life, and the life was the

light for all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and

the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.


As we waken to the day after the birth of your Son among us

let us consider the circle of faith that is without end. This

circle brings light, hope, knowledge and wisdom. Let us use

them to expand the reach of your light and love as far as

possible beginning in our own homes.

Contemplation seems to be a luxury. We have spent the past

weeks in great action let us give ourselves at least a cup of

cocoa, coffee or tea to return to the sustaining illumination

of your Word.

Prayer:

Generous God who has given us the words, reasoning and

faith to use your love for good we remember our blessings

and trust in your enduring, shining light. Amen.



15

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each

other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened.

Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16

They went quickly

and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17

When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this

child. 18

Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told

them. 19

Mary committed these things to memory and considered them

carefully. 20

The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising

God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they

had been told.


Did the sheep recognize the Good Shepherd when they arrived in

Bethlehem? After a life altering experience how long do we focus on

logistics rather than following the call to action? The angels didn’t

leave any ambiguity about the joy in their message or where to meet

the child born Son of God. The shepherds, relieved of fear, hurried to

the manger sharing what they had heard along the way – the ultimate

good news that couldn’t wait.

Travelling home they continued to spread their experience. When the

news was good enough they didn’t need media beyond the human

voice to let others share in their glorifying and praise. Think how

quickly those in power learned what had happened in Bethlehem.

Mary is at the center of these verses but her feelings were not

committed to earthly words. Anyone who has spent time with even a

human begotten newborn knows there is a connection to the eternally

good that exceeds our ability to express. Mary, as new parents today,

places these treasured moments into her heart, mind and soul.

Prayer:

Generous Shepherd who knows my deepest thoughts support my

desire to share your good news, follow your example as you cared for

your flock and particularly help new parents nourish their infants as

they grow in body and faith. Amen.

FUMC ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2015 - fallstonumc.org · ... somehow and someday. Norman Vincent Peale put...

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