Christmas Day: December 25th

Great Love
Mark Jenkins

“Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.   Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.   Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.   Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”–Romans 12:9-13

The last few months have been a whirlwind, a roller coaster of emotions for our entire family.  We have seen God work in so many ways: Advances in medicine, doctors’ and nurses’ care, fellow Christians and friends, pastors, caringbridge.org, and others.  So many times a card, phone call, visit, or meal has made such a difference.  We cannot thank you enough for all of your acts of love!

Mother Teresa said, “In this life we cannot do great things.  We can only do small things with great love.”  She was saying that if things are worth doing, they are worth doing with all our heart.  God has given each of us so much.  I pray today that whatever you do, you will do it with all that you have.  Show “GREAT LOVE” to all of those you encounter today.

Lord, we ask today that you would show us ways to love.  Put people in our paths that need to be loved.  Help us always to serve you with all that we have.  Amen.

Christmas Eve: December 24th

Love is Patient
Candy Beggs

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”–1 Corinthians 13

I can remember that for my first apartment, I purchased a print which hung in my living room.  It had nine hearts and within each heart was written one of the verses from the scripture above: “Love is patient”, “Love is kind” and so on.  I read those verses on a daily basis and that scripture soon became a favorite of mine.  During my wedding ceremony, I can still hear the pastor reading this passage as Keith and I listened to each verse vowing to be patient, kind, not rude or easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs.  I think of how I fall short in so many ways and how I fail so miserably in these simple instructions from our Creator and Maker.

When I think of love, I think of my husband, my children, my family, and many other wonderful people I come in contact with on a daily basis.  God instructs us as Christians to love one another.  We teach our children daily to love, yet do we always show love?  Are we always patient and kind?  Do we not envy our neighbor?  The list goes on.  I read “the evidence of God’s unconditional love for all people… is the wonder and mercy of our Savior through his birth.”  In the hurriedness and busyness of everyday living, especially during this day and time, is it not an awesome revelation to know that no matter where we are or where we go, we have a God above that loves us so much that He sent His son to share “an unconditional love” like no other known with you and me. 

Dear God:  I pray this Christmas season that we show more patience and kindness and share your love with everyone we encounter, in the name of your son, our Precious Lord and Savior…Amen

December 23rd

Christmas Memories
David Walker

Christmas conjures memorable images for all of us.  Certain songs and certain smells, even certain tastes transport us to another time and place.  Our minds are filled with images of happy times with friends and family.  Close your eyes; you can see the tree and the lights even now.  For some the happy images are mingled with sadness as the realization comes that certain memories are only that…memories.  And as in all things, whether in times of abundance or loss, we should be reminded of our reason for Hope.

For me Christmas always highlights images that could not be more contrasted.  I see a frightened young couple, not yet married, expecting a baby, and traveling far from home.  They are worried as it becomes painfully clear that this baby will not wait to be born.  Tonight will be the night, but their town of destination is packed and there is no place to stay.  They uncertainly follow the inn keeper around the back of his establishment.  As they walk past the windows spilling warm yellow light onto the ground before them, they hear happy sounds and perhaps smell a hearty meal being served. But it is not for them tonight. Then they see where they are being led: a dark, bare stable.  Tonight they will share space with animals and fashion the most meager of beds for the baby that they believe- though now it seems so improbable- is not only their son, but the Son of God.

This image is shocking when I apply what Scripture teaches us about the Son of God.  “He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals; the Wall of Fire that defends; the Friend that comforts…He is seated at the right hand of the Throne of Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3,8:1); He is better than the Angels (Hebrews 1); better than Moses; better than Aaron; better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan (Luke 4); and stronger than death.”  And this is just a glimpse of His greatness!

But why? Why would the Son of God in the words of Philippians 2:7, “make himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness”? 

One word…

Love.

December 22nd

But the Greatest of These is Love
Mary Sherrer

 Love – a feeling or attitude we often think of as the best of the best.  I Corinthians 13 (NIV) defines love for us: 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

As the shepherds came on the night of Jesus’ birth, they were drawn by love:  Their love for God,  God’s love for them, and their love for this promised Messiah who would change the world.  This is the love we all want to experience.  We get a warm feeling inside when we think of love, but in actuality love is as painful as it is joyous.  Love brings grief as much as it brings happiness.  

This love began with the creation of Adam and Eve.  God loved His creation of the human race so much that He chose to give us freedom of choice even though He knew the pain and suffering He would experience through this love.  From the beginning of His creation, He was willing to have His Son experience the most extreme forms of hate and human suffering that sin creates on the face of this earth out of love for you and me.  He was willing to give His Son so that you and I could become His children even though we are so undeserving of that love.

Love hurts.  But the sacrificial love of Jesus is the greatest love of all.

December 21st

Unconditional Love
Kaye Anderson

For the last several months, I pondered what I would like to write about if asked to write a devotional for the Advent Calendar this year.  Every time I thought about it, I leaned toward writing about Peace.

As usual, I waited until the last minute to volunteer. I learned that there were two slots left, and two possible authors. I asked what the other person was leaning toward writing.  When Paige said “Peace”, I automatically said, “Then I’ll take love.”

When I hung up the phone, my mind began racing.  Love is such a broad topic.  Years of Bible Drill began to flow through my thoughts. “…..but the greatest of these is love” 2 Corinthians 13:13, “ Love your enemies…” Matthew 5:44, “Greater love hath no man…”,John 15:13, “For God so loved….” John 3:16, and the list goes on and on.

“What does the Lord want me to say?”  “This certainly is not the topic I was thinking about.” Finally, after praying and pondering the topic, and all the wonderful scriptures, God’s unconditional love began to repeat itself as a theme in my thought process.

Unconditional love is what God Himself showed each of us when He sent His only Son to earth as a babe. Unconditional love is what God showed each of us when that same Son was allowed to die for every man, woman or child who walked the earth, and then be resurrected to conquer death and the grave for each of us. 

Why is this type of love so hard for us?  Why do we judge others by their dress, or social status, or behaviors?  Why do we not trust people who do not think or act like us? Why do we treat our families like second class citizens, when other than our Lord, they should be the most important people in our lives? Why is our world in such a mess?

If we practiced the principle of unconditional love in these situations, perhaps, the outcomes would be different.  Unconditional love is not easy.  It is a God-sized task that requires us to “deny [ourselves] (our sinful human nature), and take up our cross daily and follow [him]”. Luke 9:23.   Unconditional love requires us to trust Him for the outcome, even when in our own eyes, we can see no resolution.

As we approach the Christmas season, I keep remembering a childhood song that goes, “Praise Him! Praise Him! All ye little Children, God is Love.  God is Love.” This is not a Christmas Carol, but it seems to remind me of the child like approach to God’s love that we need to remember during this special season.

As we deal with others during the Christmas season, and in times to come, I wonder could we start affirming others in the spirit of unconditional love, and maybe we could add a second verse to this song that goes, “Praise THEM! Praise THEM! All GOD’S LITTLE CHILDREN, God is Love. God is Love.”

Perhaps we might one by one start changing our little corner of the world, and maybe- just maybe- others would see what’s happening and want the same change for their world.

December 20th

Love…God’s Way
Chase Beggs; Student at Amp’d

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”–1 John 4:7-12 

When I think about love I think about sports such as golf and soccer; hobbies like fishing and hunting; and I also think about my Family. Why do we love things? You could probably say you love someone because they care for you and help you when you are struggling and they are there for you in times of joy AND sadness. It’s quite easy to say why we love God: He is Love. When we’re sad we pray, when we’re stressed we pray and when we’re in TROUBLE we pray. Why should God love us? What do we do for him? We are ALL sinners and there is no good reason to love a disastrous world that is sinful, but God is so great that He forgives us all the time and loves us dearly. After all, He created each and every one of us in His image and desires a personal relationship with each person. My challenge for you this Christmas season is to show the love God has shown us to others around you.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

December 19th

The Joys of Sharing
Beverly Raburn

When my children were young, I taught them that the giving of gifts at Christmas was symbolic of giving as God gave to us by giving His Son, Jesus, on that very first Christmas.  Whether that is how the tradition of gift giving really started, I have not a clue.   I do know for sure, however, that we honor God and share His love when we remember those less fortunate at Christmas by giving our time, talents and resources to make sure others experience the joys of the Christmas season.  

Along with giving to each other, Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on what we have to give to Christ or what gifts Jesus most wants from us this Christmas.  My list of things I should commit to Christ this Christmas seems endless and overwhelming.  Where do I start and how do I accomplish so great a task?  I believe as Christians we all are dealing with similar thoughts and desires as we strive to give to Christ.  The common thread we have in all our gifts we give to Christ this Christmas is our Heavenly Father’s greatest commands – “. . . ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ . . . ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” as found in Matthew 22:37-39.

Please join me in recommitting today to sharing the love of Jesus Christ, so others can rejoice with us as we celebrate our Lord and Savior’s birth.

December 18th

Joy
Frank Locklear

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”–Psalm 95:1-2. NIV

As a part of the church’s sesquicentennial celebration some of us recently had the opportunity to share the joy of our youth with the Student Choir reunion.  It was two full days of renewing friendships, telling old stories and singing wonderful songs.  The feelings of love for each other, our director and others that made that time in our lives so meaningful, was as strong now, or stronger, than it was so many years ago.  It is wonderful to know that a loving Lord is the author of such joy.

Almost eleven years ago Kathy and I experienced another kind of joy at the birth of our daughter, Jennah.   After years of marriage we were blessed with a new member of our family that has brought us joy in so many, many ways.  Once again, it is our most gracious Lord that makes this joy possible in our lives.

Throughout this year and especially in the last months we have experienced the sadness at the departure of so many of our saints who have gone home to their heavenly Father.  Yet, in the midst of this sadness there is the joy that comes from knowing that those who die in Christ have left the troubles of this world behind and entered into the presence of Jesus to experience all that He promised.

Thousands of years ago when Mary visited her relative, Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice.  What kind of miraculous joy is this that makes even the not-yet born respond in such a manner?  It is the joy of knowing Jesus is the Messiah, and knowing Him as our personal Lord and Savior.  It is this Joy that we focus on at this special time of year, knowing that God has sent His Son, to do for us what no one else can do. 

As we go through this season of Advent take time to enjoy all that this season has to offer: the anticipation and realization that Jesus has come and is coming again, the time of fellowship with family and friends during the holidays, the thankfulness for the salvation that came with the birth of Jesus, just to name a few.  And remember, it is Jesus that is the reason we celebrate this season, too.

“Thank you, Father, for your most precious gift, your Son that gives us Joy in everything that we do.  We pray that others who don’t know Him will be led to Him during this special time of year and come to know the joy that only you can bring. Amen.”

December 17th

Joy
David Lambert

On September 18^th, I became an uncle!  My younger brother and his wife gave birth to the first Lambert boy in 16 years!  Suffice it to say, he WILL be appropriately spoiled!  It was such a privilege to be there in the hour after his birth, to meet him, to celebrate with my family, to witness and feel the immense JOY that a new baby brings to a family.

While it could be said that every birth is a miracle, it made me think about the truly supernatural births recorded in the Bible.  Husbands and wives who had tried for years, for decades, to have children but could not—like Abram and Sarai, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Elkanah and Hannah (the parents of Samuel), and of course Zechariah and Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s parents).  In reading the stories of how God intervened and miraculously enabled them to have children, you can’t help but feel their incredible overflow of joy!  Joy coming from an act of God’s grace, an impossible gift being received, a lifelong hope slowly abandoned finding itself suddenly realized!  This is joy in its purest, most raw form—a gut-level joy.

But then we read of the most miraculous, most supernatural birth of all…the one that would bring joy to the whole world.  But we don’t find a couple desperately seeking to have a child.  Instead, we find an engaged young woman—a mere teenager—just dreaming about the perfect wedding and her new life with Joseph.  How different her feelings must have been when God’s angel announced to her that, like so many others throughout her faith’s history, she would miraculously give birth to a son!  Was it joy welling up inside her? Or dread, worry, fear, maybe even anger?  Maybe she felt that this wasn’t fair…why her, why now?  Where is Mary’s joy?

That’s the mystery and beauty of God’s grace.  He gives us what we do not deserve, what we cannot earn or accomplish on our own…even if it’s the last thing we’d ever want or expect.  Joy is easy when it follows a hope fulfilled, a dream realized, hard work rewarded.  But it’s a different kind of joy that comes when God works mysteriously in our lives, unexpectedly interrupting our comfortable lives to turn everything on its ear.  But joy will come when we trust God’s plan, receive God’s grace, and that joy will remain.  It is itself miraculous and supernatural, and eternal.

Father, thank you for all your gifts of grace, both longed for and unexpected.  Thank you for those moments of joy that are born of happy occasions.  But help me to also welcome your gifts that often ask more of me than they seem to give to me.  Help me to have the joy that comes from faithful trust, patient obedience, and sacrificial service.  Help me to experience the Mary and Joseph kind of joy this Christmas season.  Amen.

December 16th

“Having a JOYful life”
Becky Bowers

 ”I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much JOY and peace while you trust in Him.  Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.”–Romans 15:13, NCV

 Joy…now that is a fruit that I believe everyone longs to have.  In the midst of a troublesome world, with a shaky economy and unpredictable society, finding and realizing true inner joy can be very difficult.  We must turn to the only constant source of joy…Jesus Christ.  It is during this season of Advent that we anticipate the coming of the Holy Babe, who is in Himself the very essence of joy.  Let us, then, focus our thoughts on this very precious, gracious, and blessed Gift to us…the Son of God, Jesus the Christ-child, who loves us so much.  He IS the best gift to us…for this season and for eternity! 

Hallelujah and praise to the One who embodies the JOY that we seek.  And may we seek Him today with all of our hearts!  Amen.