DECEMBER 2
John 15:12-17 (New Revised Standard Version)
(Jesus said) “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Advent: A Season of Signs
Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.” The season of Advent begins with a look to the future coming of the Son of Man. Advent is Latin meaning “coming to.” The First Sunday in Advent, December 2, 2018, we focus on the future and the “reappearing” of Jesus in all of creation.
We know Jesus is present with us always through the gift of Word and Sacrament as well as in acts of love and service. Throughout my thirty years as pastor of Saint John’s, God’s faithfulness has surrounded this community of faith with seasonal signs of grace, mercy and peace in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Through the gift of his Spirit, Jesus is ever present to comfort the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind.
In this new year of life and ministry, Jesus promises to be with us in our suffering as well as our celebration. During this season of Advent, we pray, “Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus!”
“And this will be a sign unto you...”
Pastor Steve Misenheimer
(Jesus said) “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Advent: A Season of Signs
Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.” The season of Advent begins with a look to the future coming of the Son of Man. Advent is Latin meaning “coming to.” The First Sunday in Advent, December 2, 2018, we focus on the future and the “reappearing” of Jesus in all of creation.
We know Jesus is present with us always through the gift of Word and Sacrament as well as in acts of love and service. Throughout my thirty years as pastor of Saint John’s, God’s faithfulness has surrounded this community of faith with seasonal signs of grace, mercy and peace in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Through the gift of his Spirit, Jesus is ever present to comfort the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind.
In this new year of life and ministry, Jesus promises to be with us in our suffering as well as our celebration. During this season of Advent, we pray, “Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus!”
“And this will be a sign unto you...”
Pastor Steve Misenheimer
DECEMBER 3
John 17:20-23 (New Revised Standard Version)
(Jesus prayed): “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
In these verses in John, Jesus prays for us, for the unity that should be in and with all believers.
Growing up in Peru, we were members of the Union Church. This is an English-speaking interdenominational church which has members who are Presbyterians, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian and probably several other denominations. This church, because of its location, presented a unified witness to Jesus Christ in Lima, Peru. On communion Sunday, the sacrament is offered in three different ways. Yes, we are from different denominations, but except for communion, our differences were put aside and we worshiped as one.
In our world that currently seems so divided, we need to listen to the words of Jesus found in his prayer. He wants us to be one as He is one with the Father. Complete unity is the standard which Jesus upholds in verse 23. What would Advent be like if ALL Christians came together and worshipped our Lord together? Each and every living person is a child of God. What a witness we would bear!
Come, Lord Jesus, and cleanse us that we might truly be one with you and each other.
Thea Peterson
(Jesus prayed): “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
In these verses in John, Jesus prays for us, for the unity that should be in and with all believers.
Growing up in Peru, we were members of the Union Church. This is an English-speaking interdenominational church which has members who are Presbyterians, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian and probably several other denominations. This church, because of its location, presented a unified witness to Jesus Christ in Lima, Peru. On communion Sunday, the sacrament is offered in three different ways. Yes, we are from different denominations, but except for communion, our differences were put aside and we worshiped as one.
In our world that currently seems so divided, we need to listen to the words of Jesus found in his prayer. He wants us to be one as He is one with the Father. Complete unity is the standard which Jesus upholds in verse 23. What would Advent be like if ALL Christians came together and worshipped our Lord together? Each and every living person is a child of God. What a witness we would bear!
Come, Lord Jesus, and cleanse us that we might truly be one with you and each other.
Thea Peterson
DECEMBER 4
Luke 6:43-45 (New Revised Standard Version) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks."
Often this scripture can lead us to self-righteous thinking. We’ve heard about the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We go to church. We tithe. We give to the poor. We are good people. We get comfortable and then we hear: “It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” Religious belief and practice are no guarantee of spirituality. We know the story of Christ’s birth. But do we really know him? Have we taken him into our heart? Have we truly contemplated his mercy, his forgiveness, his love? And are they at the center of our beating heart? When we really know him, our spiritual roots deepen and grow, enabling us to bear much good fruit.
Dianne Eichenberg
Often this scripture can lead us to self-righteous thinking. We’ve heard about the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We go to church. We tithe. We give to the poor. We are good people. We get comfortable and then we hear: “It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” Religious belief and practice are no guarantee of spirituality. We know the story of Christ’s birth. But do we really know him? Have we taken him into our heart? Have we truly contemplated his mercy, his forgiveness, his love? And are they at the center of our beating heart? When we really know him, our spiritual roots deepen and grow, enabling us to bear much good fruit.
Dianne Eichenberg
DECEMBER 5
1 John 4:9-10 (New Revised Standard Version)
"God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
This Bible verse reminds us that we are God’s children too. He loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us so that we could live free through the light of Christ. In that it was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
God’s love is not hidden; it is revealed through Jesus’s life and sacrifice, and it is the ultimate proof that God truly loves his people.
God sent Jesus—and he is the only son of God... Jesus came to our world and this implies more than the fact that he was born as a man... It also includes the idea that he existed before he came to Earth. Jesus wasn’t created, Jesus was in the beginning with God and IS God.
Jesus came to give us life. This includes eternal life (John 3:16) and an abundant life, “abiding life” now. In John 10:10, Jesus taught, “I came so that they may have life and live it abundantly.”
One experiences life at its fullest only by believing in Christ and living through him!
Peace!
Clarke Hinkle
"God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
This Bible verse reminds us that we are God’s children too. He loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us so that we could live free through the light of Christ. In that it was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
God’s love is not hidden; it is revealed through Jesus’s life and sacrifice, and it is the ultimate proof that God truly loves his people.
God sent Jesus—and he is the only son of God... Jesus came to our world and this implies more than the fact that he was born as a man... It also includes the idea that he existed before he came to Earth. Jesus wasn’t created, Jesus was in the beginning with God and IS God.
Jesus came to give us life. This includes eternal life (John 3:16) and an abundant life, “abiding life” now. In John 10:10, Jesus taught, “I came so that they may have life and live it abundantly.”
One experiences life at its fullest only by believing in Christ and living through him!
Peace!
Clarke Hinkle
DECEMBER 6
I John 1:5-9 (New Revised Standard Version)
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is
true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Henri Nouwen penned this prayer in anticipation of Advent and celebration of Jesus’s birth:
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
As we bid Jesus to enter our preparations, we also open ourselves to the gift of community, where there is much to celebrate where there might also be an opportunity to forgive and grow deeper in relationship. May we intentionally reflect on the spirit of the season;may we understand God’s gift this season looks like Love.
Pastor Amy Figg
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is
true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Henri Nouwen penned this prayer in anticipation of Advent and celebration of Jesus’s birth:
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
As we bid Jesus to enter our preparations, we also open ourselves to the gift of community, where there is much to celebrate where there might also be an opportunity to forgive and grow deeper in relationship. May we intentionally reflect on the spirit of the season;may we understand God’s gift this season looks like Love.
Pastor Amy Figg
DECEMBER 7
John 7:37-38 (New Revised Standard Version)
"On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, hecried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes inme drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.' "
When Jesus says, “Let the thirsty come and drink and let the believer drink and out of his heart will come living rivers,” I think he means “Those who need help, come to me and the believer will show Jesus’s power (that he is the Son of God and all that goes along withthat) and that the believer will lead the non-believers to Jesus.” This to me means that we, the believers, should lead the other children to God through Christ, by being examples of His love and offering help to the needy.
Water is help. It is used for baptism, cleansing the body and to drink. The river of living water is us sharing ourselves and the blessings of God with everyone.
[Joe Ley, Dresden’s father, worked with Dresden to betterunderstand the context for this scripture. Here is what he shared:“Dresden and I have read the passage over several times. I tried todescribe the context: the festival ‘of booths’ and the Pharisees’efforts to entrap and even arrest Jesus as he went among the Jews performing good works, teaching and bringing hope to the crowdsin uncertain times.” Thanks, Joe, for helping Dresden discover God’s Word on a newlevel!]
Dresden Ley
"On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, hecried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes inme drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.' "
When Jesus says, “Let the thirsty come and drink and let the believer drink and out of his heart will come living rivers,” I think he means “Those who need help, come to me and the believer will show Jesus’s power (that he is the Son of God and all that goes along withthat) and that the believer will lead the non-believers to Jesus.” This to me means that we, the believers, should lead the other children to God through Christ, by being examples of His love and offering help to the needy.
Water is help. It is used for baptism, cleansing the body and to drink. The river of living water is us sharing ourselves and the blessings of God with everyone.
[Joe Ley, Dresden’s father, worked with Dresden to betterunderstand the context for this scripture. Here is what he shared:“Dresden and I have read the passage over several times. I tried todescribe the context: the festival ‘of booths’ and the Pharisees’efforts to entrap and even arrest Jesus as he went among the Jews performing good works, teaching and bringing hope to the crowdsin uncertain times.” Thanks, Joe, for helping Dresden discover God’s Word on a newlevel!]
Dresden Ley
DECEMBER 8
Isaiah 40:3-5 (New Revised Standard Version) A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
God, prepare your Way in me.
What valleys in me need to be lifted up?
Raise those low places.
What mountains in me need to be brought low?
Dismantle those mighty things.
What rough places in me need to be made smooth?
Smooth them out.
How might your glory be revealed in me?
Let it shine.
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
God, prepare your Way in me.
What valleys in me need to be lifted up?
Raise those low places.
What mountains in me need to be brought low?
Dismantle those mighty things.
What rough places in me need to be made smooth?
Smooth them out.
How might your glory be revealed in me?
Let it shine.
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
DECEMBER 9
II Corinthians 1:3-5 (New Revised Standard Version)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ."
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ."
DECEMBER 10
Romans 12:1-2 (New Revised Standard Version)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Religion and my relationship with God is usually a messy experience. So often I oversimplify Biblical thoughts and words andthen realize God’s requests are really complicated. Romans 12:1-2 is no different for me.
Viewing my body as a living sacrifice seems to be to commit my lifeto God’s will on Sunday in church but more importantly throughmy thoughts, actions, and words throughout the week. That seems straightforward and reasonable.
Where it gets messy for me is Romans 12:2. How do I test God’swill? It is easy to mold God into my own thinking, my own opinions. For an example, do I assume that God endorses liberals over conservatives, the Vols over Kentucky, one denomination over another, one tribe over another, and on and on? As I form an opinion--or take a side--am I limiting my ability to listen, understand, forgive? As I sort through right and wrong, am I trying to remake God into my image and asking God to conform to my beliefs? Or am I able to allow God to gently lead my thought? Somany questions...
Perhaps Steve Myrvang helps put it in perspective:
A golden light is in our midst.
It burns as peace, as hope, as God.
Feel its healing presence pass through you.
Send it to another with a kind and loving thought. Know this: As it heals the inside,
so can it heal the outside--
for the world is but a reflection
of what lies within.
Nancy Maland
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Religion and my relationship with God is usually a messy experience. So often I oversimplify Biblical thoughts and words andthen realize God’s requests are really complicated. Romans 12:1-2 is no different for me.
Viewing my body as a living sacrifice seems to be to commit my lifeto God’s will on Sunday in church but more importantly throughmy thoughts, actions, and words throughout the week. That seems straightforward and reasonable.
Where it gets messy for me is Romans 12:2. How do I test God’swill? It is easy to mold God into my own thinking, my own opinions. For an example, do I assume that God endorses liberals over conservatives, the Vols over Kentucky, one denomination over another, one tribe over another, and on and on? As I form an opinion--or take a side--am I limiting my ability to listen, understand, forgive? As I sort through right and wrong, am I trying to remake God into my image and asking God to conform to my beliefs? Or am I able to allow God to gently lead my thought? Somany questions...
Perhaps Steve Myrvang helps put it in perspective:
A golden light is in our midst.
It burns as peace, as hope, as God.
Feel its healing presence pass through you.
Send it to another with a kind and loving thought. Know this: As it heals the inside,
so can it heal the outside--
for the world is but a reflection
of what lies within.
Nancy Maland
DECEMBER 11
Isaiah 11: 1-9 (New Revised Standard Version)
"A shoot shall come out from the stump 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 theadder’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.
I have two very young children. Fortunately for them (and for me), their mother is home with them every day of their lives. She feeds them, bathes them, plays with them, kisses their boo boos, and basically spends every waking moment of her life trying to make their experience on this earth perfect.
On the rare occasion that she does leave and I get the “privilege”of watching them on my own, there are naturally major meltdowns and cries for “Mama!” I try my best to do what she does, but I always fall short. I am not Mama. If I get lucky, sometimes they will forget that Mama is gone, and the tears will subside for a few minutes. However, when Mama comes through the door, all of us drop what we are doing and run to the door yelling “Mama!” and take turns hugging her. We are elated and everything again is right in the world. Peace is restored.
I think we all feel like babies without their mom at various times throughout our lives or even throughout the day. When we are frustrated, depressed, anxious, or in pain, it is easy to wonder where God is--or worse, totally forget about Him. However, Isaiah reminds us that someday the Lord will walk through the door again. And peace will be restored.
Mason Bucklin
"A shoot shall come out from the stump 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 theadder’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.
I have two very young children. Fortunately for them (and for me), their mother is home with them every day of their lives. She feeds them, bathes them, plays with them, kisses their boo boos, and basically spends every waking moment of her life trying to make their experience on this earth perfect.
On the rare occasion that she does leave and I get the “privilege”of watching them on my own, there are naturally major meltdowns and cries for “Mama!” I try my best to do what she does, but I always fall short. I am not Mama. If I get lucky, sometimes they will forget that Mama is gone, and the tears will subside for a few minutes. However, when Mama comes through the door, all of us drop what we are doing and run to the door yelling “Mama!” and take turns hugging her. We are elated and everything again is right in the world. Peace is restored.
I think we all feel like babies without their mom at various times throughout our lives or even throughout the day. When we are frustrated, depressed, anxious, or in pain, it is easy to wonder where God is--or worse, totally forget about Him. However, Isaiah reminds us that someday the Lord will walk through the door again. And peace will be restored.
Mason Bucklin
DECEMBER 12
Romans 15:12-13 (New Revised Standard Version)
“Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you withall joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power ofthe Holy Spirit.”
In Romans 15, we hear about hope. Hope, that incredible feeling in our soul the defies logic and reason, and seems to actively infuse us with energy. Isaiah points out that God is the source of hope, working through the Holy Spirit. This seems to be the case based on the power of the feelings and the direct connection it seems to have to our hearts.
May the hope of the birth of Christ and his presence in the world fill your heart!
Caleb Warren
“Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you withall joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power ofthe Holy Spirit.”
In Romans 15, we hear about hope. Hope, that incredible feeling in our soul the defies logic and reason, and seems to actively infuse us with energy. Isaiah points out that God is the source of hope, working through the Holy Spirit. This seems to be the case based on the power of the feelings and the direct connection it seems to have to our hearts.
May the hope of the birth of Christ and his presence in the world fill your heart!
Caleb Warren
DECEMBER 13
I Thessalonians 5:23-24 (New Revised Standard Version)
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this."
Mary and Joseph, the Magi, the Shepherds, how many irritations must they have met as they traveled to Bethlehem? The lack of room in the inn, being lied to by Herod, shepherding sheep to lands unknown. The pebble in the sandal, the clumsy word from an over-tired partner, missing sleep, missing a meal. Yet all were marching toward the birth of Peace. Also, they were not alone. They had the promise of angels, a guiding star, and each other.
We too are traveling to Bethlehem, toward Christmas and every next moment Christ will be revealed among us. We too have the promise of angels, the light of Christ, and each other. As we travel, as we experience tribulations large and small, may we offer those moments to God in prayer and care for each other as fellow travelers, that we may receive and share Peace.
John Tirro
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this."
Mary and Joseph, the Magi, the Shepherds, how many irritations must they have met as they traveled to Bethlehem? The lack of room in the inn, being lied to by Herod, shepherding sheep to lands unknown. The pebble in the sandal, the clumsy word from an over-tired partner, missing sleep, missing a meal. Yet all were marching toward the birth of Peace. Also, they were not alone. They had the promise of angels, a guiding star, and each other.
We too are traveling to Bethlehem, toward Christmas and every next moment Christ will be revealed among us. We too have the promise of angels, the light of Christ, and each other. As we travel, as we experience tribulations large and small, may we offer those moments to God in prayer and care for each other as fellow travelers, that we may receive and share Peace.
John Tirro
DECEMBER 14
II Corinthians 5:16-21 (New Revised Standard Version)
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
When we hear an unkind comment, we are usually quick to condemn. I am incredibly guilty of this, and I always have been. While admitting this, I am constantly trying to steer away from such an unfair tactic. Regretfully, I look back to when I was in my middle school science class. Sitting next to me was an incrediblyintelligent kid. He’d make hurtful remarks about my own intellect. According to him, I wasn’t smart enough on numerous occasions. Iheld a strong resentment toward him for years, even when he moved out of state.
Eventually, he returned to Knoxville. I overheard him talking with his friends, saying that his family moved frequently and that he could never maintain stable friendships. A few weeks later, a mutual friend of ours invited us to attend a church service. He offered to give me a ride, and I immediately accepted his offer.
By God’s grace, we were given the “ministry of reconciliation.” Hearing someone’s own story allows us to look at them withforgiveness and love, and it compels us to reach back out.
Claire Blankenship
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
When we hear an unkind comment, we are usually quick to condemn. I am incredibly guilty of this, and I always have been. While admitting this, I am constantly trying to steer away from such an unfair tactic. Regretfully, I look back to when I was in my middle school science class. Sitting next to me was an incrediblyintelligent kid. He’d make hurtful remarks about my own intellect. According to him, I wasn’t smart enough on numerous occasions. Iheld a strong resentment toward him for years, even when he moved out of state.
Eventually, he returned to Knoxville. I overheard him talking with his friends, saying that his family moved frequently and that he could never maintain stable friendships. A few weeks later, a mutual friend of ours invited us to attend a church service. He offered to give me a ride, and I immediately accepted his offer.
By God’s grace, we were given the “ministry of reconciliation.” Hearing someone’s own story allows us to look at them withforgiveness and love, and it compels us to reach back out.
Claire Blankenship
DECEMBER 15
Hebrews 9:27-28 (New Revised Standard Version)
And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
The end of our earthly life is not something we may think about very often. As followers of Christ, we acknowledge the finality of life, but know that a new life awaits us after death. In this season of Advent, we wait with hope for the birth of Jesus, who promises us a new life in him.
Jesus taught with metaphors when he said things like, “I am the bread of life,” and “I am the light of the world,” and “I am the vine; you are the branches.” We understand the Kingdom of Godis unlike any bread, or light, or vine and branches we know. Whenhe told the Samaritan woman at the well about “Living water,”Jesus reminded us that he has the last word. Heaven is ours because of his love and mercy.
Jesus helps us recognize there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. But because we are justified by faith, we are free toaffirm God’s grace. We are saved because he is the “I Am.”
Thinking through what might be a modern metaphor for God’s loveand abundant grace, I remembered a family vacation to DisneyWorld. We were able to use “Fast Passes” to skip the long lines andenjoy the attractions or ride the rides sooner, by simply claiming those fast passes, and showing up when the pass indicated it was our turn. My skeptical young daughter was nervous to ride the roller coaster, but the rest of the family wanted to ride, so we got the fast passes, hoping she would change her mind, bolster her courage, and ride with us. Little did we know, she did not understand that the pass had no cost. Even though she was anxious, she felt obligated to ride because she thought we had spent money on a pass for her togo, and she didn’t want to be wasteful. We all had a laugh when werealized how she convinced herself to ride the roller coaster. (She did enjoy it, too!)
In a way, we are all like my daughter when it comes to God’s grace.It is free and available for us, but instead, we choose to fret and feel anxious, and we put off riding the ride because it is so hard to understand that all we need to do is accept it and enjoy it. The Living Water, the Vine, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, and a free Fast Pass are all at our disposal, and God would like nothing more than to see us joyfully ride the roller coaster.
Ruth Crowley
And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
The end of our earthly life is not something we may think about very often. As followers of Christ, we acknowledge the finality of life, but know that a new life awaits us after death. In this season of Advent, we wait with hope for the birth of Jesus, who promises us a new life in him.
Jesus taught with metaphors when he said things like, “I am the bread of life,” and “I am the light of the world,” and “I am the vine; you are the branches.” We understand the Kingdom of Godis unlike any bread, or light, or vine and branches we know. Whenhe told the Samaritan woman at the well about “Living water,”Jesus reminded us that he has the last word. Heaven is ours because of his love and mercy.
Jesus helps us recognize there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. But because we are justified by faith, we are free toaffirm God’s grace. We are saved because he is the “I Am.”
Thinking through what might be a modern metaphor for God’s loveand abundant grace, I remembered a family vacation to DisneyWorld. We were able to use “Fast Passes” to skip the long lines andenjoy the attractions or ride the rides sooner, by simply claiming those fast passes, and showing up when the pass indicated it was our turn. My skeptical young daughter was nervous to ride the roller coaster, but the rest of the family wanted to ride, so we got the fast passes, hoping she would change her mind, bolster her courage, and ride with us. Little did we know, she did not understand that the pass had no cost. Even though she was anxious, she felt obligated to ride because she thought we had spent money on a pass for her togo, and she didn’t want to be wasteful. We all had a laugh when werealized how she convinced herself to ride the roller coaster. (She did enjoy it, too!)
In a way, we are all like my daughter when it comes to God’s grace.It is free and available for us, but instead, we choose to fret and feel anxious, and we put off riding the ride because it is so hard to understand that all we need to do is accept it and enjoy it. The Living Water, the Vine, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, and a free Fast Pass are all at our disposal, and God would like nothing more than to see us joyfully ride the roller coaster.
Ruth Crowley
DECEMBER 16
John 1:1-5, 14 (New Revised Standard Version)
"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. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of afather’s only son, full of grace and truth."
This scripture reading is both a history lesson and a promise. It shares the revolutionary truth that Jesus is and always has been God--from the very beginning of time. It reminds us that everything that exists does so because of and through Christ. Itteaches us that Christ’s light shines throughout the entire world,throughout all of history. But this scripture also encourages that Christ is for and with us. Christ always has been and always will be for and with us. As a result, the very presence of God is in our midst. Knowing our creator, redeemer, and sustainer and that Godis with us always is central to who we are as God’s beloved. Evenin the constant and pervasive chaos, confusion, and crisis that life throws our way, Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. Thanks be to God!
John Rice
"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. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of afather’s only son, full of grace and truth."
This scripture reading is both a history lesson and a promise. It shares the revolutionary truth that Jesus is and always has been God--from the very beginning of time. It reminds us that everything that exists does so because of and through Christ. Itteaches us that Christ’s light shines throughout the entire world,throughout all of history. But this scripture also encourages that Christ is for and with us. Christ always has been and always will be for and with us. As a result, the very presence of God is in our midst. Knowing our creator, redeemer, and sustainer and that Godis with us always is central to who we are as God’s beloved. Evenin the constant and pervasive chaos, confusion, and crisis that life throws our way, Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. Thanks be to God!
John Rice