Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Sunday, December 24, Morning
By Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade, Retired Minister of Spiritual Enrichment
Come Into Our Hearts, Lord Jesus
Read: Revelation 3:20a
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him…
The phone rang in my childhood home. Lifting the receiver from its black molded cradle, the caller on the line greeted me warmly. With annoyance, however, I cupped my hand over the handset and shouted, It’s for you, Mama! Mother rushed from the kitchen, dishtowel in hand, listening to the voice of our Aunt Belle who lived in Nacogdoches, TX. Her speech was familiar: Flossie, I’m at the bus station and I wonder if you could pick me up. I’m staying a few days with you and the children.
The future was also predictable. Mama would pack one or two of her seven kids in her rattling Chevy and drive twelve miles downtown. All too soon, my older brother would lug an enormous suitcase up the front steps, depositing it in my bedroom. Sharing my space with the pudgy relative who never called ahead to schedule her visits, who snored, and slept with a hairnet over her graying bun, was not my pre-teen style.
Belle was, in fact, the sister of my Grandfather Bowers, Mama’s father, who had died tragically when she was an infant. All the unannounced visits Mama took in stride, treating our guest with kindness, while I endured them with resentment.
Recalling my inhospitality with much embarrassment, I think of the Christmas Eve pageant at a New York church some years ago. The innkeeper had only one line and the role was given to a developmentally challenged youngster. Russ’s parents worked with him for weeks until he mastered his sentence for the drama. The night of the pageant came, the costumed children took their places, with little Russ standing in the doorway of the makeshift cardboard inn.
His moment came after the weary Mary and Joseph approached from the center aisle and sought his help. Russ offered his statement boldly and perfectly: No, you can’t stay here – we have no room! As the disheartened couple turned to leave, they were startled to hear Russ call out after them: No, wait! You can stay at my house tonight! There was a stunned silence, then a massive round of applause from the churchgoers.
This is what this season is all about. The Messiah has come. I had grudgingly opened a bedroom door to my aging relative, but Russell opened his heart to strangers. Will we allow this Holy Child, our Savior, into our homes, into our hearts this very day?
Prayer
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart, I pray. I am weak and I am weary; come into my heart to stay. Amen.
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All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Make a Joyful Noise
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Sunday, December 24, Evening
By Rev. Tim Best, Senior Associate Pastor
Make a Joyful Noise
Read: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
I love time travel movies. Perhaps it is because I was born when the Back to the Future movies came out. It may also be because I like the idea of skipping over the boring parts of life and living, even reliving the “exciting” parts. There are various parts of scripture that address time, the future, the past, and how we humans experience all these things. The lesson for the day from 2 Peter 3 addresses the longing and impatience of humanity, and the faithful patience of God. The church has held several conversations this fall about justice and Christian social engagement. I believe that most people, especially disciples of Jesus, long for a just and peaceful world. Christians long for the justice and mercy of God. We are awaiting the fullness of the reign of Jesus to arrive in our midst. We may have different visions of how to achieve that justice. Sometimes, we may not agree with one another about what that justice will look like.
Second Peter is written to a people with many of these same issues and concerns. They long for Jesus to return and begin his full reign. They know heartache and disappointment. They are suffering and worn down by life. They turned to Jesus with joy and expectation. And now they wait. Their waiting has produced anxiety and uncertainty. Will Jesus return? Is the promised reign of God coming? YES! Peter tells any who wait and wish they could just fast forward, or hop in a time traveling DeLorean, that the delay is a sign of God’s love. God is at work to save and embrace ALL the world. As we continue to fill with energy and as we get closer to Christmas, let us also seek the patience of God. We will know the joy of God’s presence with us on December 25th, but also on the 26th, the 27th and on and on. As we wait, let us remember that in the waiting we see the patient love of God. Amen.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, fill our hearts with longing for your return and a desire for your justice and peace. Teach us patience as we wait and help us to trust in your mercy in all things. Amen.
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Come Into Our Hearts, Lord Jesus
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Sunday, December 24, Morning
By Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade, Retired Minister of Spiritual Enrichment
Come Into Our Hearts, Lord Jesus
Read: Revelation 3:20a
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him…
The phone rang in my childhood home. Lifting the receiver from its black molded cradle, the caller on the line greeted me warmly. With annoyance, however, I cupped my hand over the handset and shouted, It’s for you, Mama! Mother rushed from the kitchen, dishtowel in hand, listening to the voice of our Aunt Belle who lived in Nacogdoches, TX. Her speech was familiar: Flossie, I’m at the bus station and I wonder if you could pick me up. I’m staying a few days with you and the children.
The future was also predictable. Mama would pack one or two of her seven kids in her rattling Chevy and drive twelve miles downtown. All too soon, my older brother would lug an enormous suitcase up the front steps, depositing it in my bedroom. Sharing my space with the pudgy relative who never called ahead to schedule her visits, who snored, and slept with a hairnet over her graying bun, was not my pre-teen style.
Belle was, in fact, the sister of my Grandfather Bowers, Mama’s father, who had died tragically when she was an infant. All the unannounced visits Mama took in stride, treating our guest with kindness, while I endured them with resentment.
Recalling my inhospitality with much embarrassment, I think of the Christmas Eve pageant at a New York church some years ago. The innkeeper had only one line and the role was given to a developmentally challenged youngster. Russ’s parents worked with him for weeks until he mastered his sentence for the drama. The night of the pageant came, the costumed children took their places, with little Russ standing in the doorway of the makeshift cardboard inn.
His moment came after the weary Mary and Joseph approached from the center aisle and sought his help. Russ offered his statement boldly and perfectly: No, you can’t stay here – we have no room! As the disheartened couple turned to leave, they were startled to hear Russ call out after them: No, wait! You can stay at my house tonight! There was a stunned silence, then a massive round of applause from the churchgoers.
This is what this season is all about. The Messiah has come. I had grudgingly opened a bedroom door to my aging relative, but Russell opened his heart to strangers. Will we allow this Holy Child, our Savior, into our homes, into our hearts this very day?
Prayer
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart, I pray. I am weak and I am weary; come into my heart to stay. Amen.
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Remaining Vigilant
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Saturday, December 23
By Matt Mobley
Remaining Vigilant
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:6
The Christmas of 2008 I found myself in the mountains of Afghanistan serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader. We had already been in the country eleven months and the men were tired and combat-weary. For this mission, we inserted several weeks earlier into inhospitable terrain and experienced some of our heaviest fighting yet. After clearing yet another village, we were given orders to set up a secure outpost where we might get some rest and a few meals under our belts before our next set of clearing operations.
It was the 23rd of December and we welcomed our little Christmas vacation. We cleaned our gear. We ate. We slept. Much needed resupply arrived via helicopter. It was shaping up to be a wonderful Christmas. And then, in the early morning hours of Christmas Day, we were ambushed. Completely surprised and unprepared, we barely managed to fight off the well-coordinated assault.
As Christians, let us not forget that the life of the spirit is a constant battle of watching and remaining vigilant in our fervor for the Advent of Christ, even when we feel spiritually depleted and tired. As Paul says, “let us not fall asleep, as others do, but let us keep awake” (1 These. 5:6).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray that we may be filled with the spirit of watchfulness, that we may never be caught off guard in our spiritual lives, and that we would always be ready for you to be born spiritually in our souls.
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What is Christmas?
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Friday, December 22
By Martha Pierce
What is Christmas?
Read: John 14:27
Peace I leave with you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Christmas is not just toy trains, dolls, and magnificent food. What is it? It can be just another awakening day. But most of us plan carefully for a day filled with family time and abundant, favorite foods.
My memory as a child included one year when I knew my brother was getting a bike, but I was totally surprised when I got a handmade cedar chest. Most of all I remember the wonderful food made by my mother: country ham cured by my father and boiled custard.
Growing up on a farm in a rural area offered open spaces with nature all around you. It also gave sounds of cattle mooing and dogs barking. There was peace at times … and also disorder! Christmas morning was always a special meaning.
But Christmas is more than gifts and beautifully decorated trees. The phrase “Christ is in man” has more meaning. We recognize that a tiny baby was born to bring joy and light to us. The word Christmas gives us the opportunity to be overjoyed and feel the presence of God more than any other time. We realize what Christ has done for us. We think of all the times we could have been more thoughtful in caring for others with a forgiving spirit.
To sum it up, Christmas is much more than gifting and holiday decorating. It’s what is in the heart and our electric connection to our Master’s presence. The sounds in music, the candlelight service, and this Advent time together prepare us for abundant blessings.
Prayer
Open our eyes that we may see what you have revealed to us, so we might know what is your will to be done. Help us be an example of hope and not fear as we abide in your word. We ask this in Christ’s name, amen.
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I See Jesus!
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Thursday, December 21
By Beth Cooper-Libby, Director of CSUMC Preschool
I See Jesus!
Read: Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
It’s a familiar sight here at CSUMC. Although most people call it the “Jesus statue,” the name of it is The Teaching Christ. It was created by Jim Gray, and I have seen the outreached hand holding balloons and flowers. The children in the preschool love to touch the statue as they go to and from the gym. I use the statue as a landmark to help parents find the gym to pick up their children at the end of the day.
Recently, it was very rainy and a father who had never been to the gym needed direction. He is a rather quiet person, not prone to lots of chitchat in the mornings. I learned later that he just isn’t a “morning person.” He’s always polite, but I didn’t have a clue if he had a sense of humor. However, I like him and try to get him to smile.
So, I sang him my little ditty, “Down the hall, ‘round the corner, past the bend. Through the door and see Jesus, to the end! Take a left at Jesus and you can’t go wrong! Take a left at Jesus and I’ll end this song!” I guess he was either amazed by my clever tune (doubt it) or didn’t understand it, because he didn’t go through the door, instead turning to try to open the door to the lower level. I directed him to the correct door and he opened it, stepping into the darkness. Then I heard him bellow in a huge fake TV pastor voice, “I see JESUS!!” I started to giggle and he popped his head back through the door so I could see him. He shouted smiling, “Can I have an AMEN?”
Since then I have felt much more comfortable with this man. We shared a laugh because we both understood that it’s a beautiful statue, but it’s not really Jesus. Jesus isn’t in a statue. Jesus doesn’t stay in one place. He isn’t that little plastic baby we put in our nativity scene this time of year. Jesus isn’t here alone in the dark when the building closes. So where is Jesus? Where do YOU see Jesus?
Prayer
We pray for …
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us Jesus and that he is always near me. Amen.
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The Loss of Innocents
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Wednesday, December 20
By Pat Freeland, Chair of Church Council
The Loss of Innocents
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Christmas is supposed to be happy. Most of us carry a picture of how life should go. The assumptions about life held by children and parents of Nashville’s Covenant School were shattered last March. After terror hit that Nashville school, I was reminded of a column Ross Douthat published in the New York Times after the 2012 massacre of 20 children in Sandy Hook elementary school. The slaughter of children may make Ivan Karamazovs out of even the most devout, Douthat writes in an article called “The Loss of the Innocents.” In Dostoyevsky’s novel, Ivan is the Karamazov brother who raged about the terrible things people do to children – the innocents. Ivan questions why a loving God would allow such horrors.
Dostoyevsky didn’t try to answer the question of why God allows such terrible cruelty. Instead, he created characters in the Brothers Karamazov who demonstrated how actions of Christian love transcend suffering. The novelist, Douthat writes, was providing a true reflection of the New Testament, which portrays God’s goodness through a narrative rather than an argument. Jesus reveals to us his solidarity with us rather than a philosophical explanation of his care.
We want the sweet baby Jesus, stars, and angels. But the Bible tells us that suffering was present back then also. King Herod had innocent babies in Bethlehem slaughtered; an adult Jesus will face the cross. What can we offer those who are not experiencing the sentimental Hallmark version of Christmas? The hope that comes from Christ.
Prayer
We pray to create the Christian community that will bring compassion to those who suffer and wisdom and resolve to prevent the needless loss of precious life. Amen
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The Mystery of Incarnation
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Tuesday, December 19
By Suzanne Matheny
The Mystery of Incarnation
Read: Luke 9:46-48
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest. (Luke 9:46-48)
The disciples were in a power struggle, not unlike what we observe in society today or in ourselves. From earliest days, this “lust for power has entrapped and corrupted the human spirit” (Henri J.M. Nouwen*). Often God intervened omnipotently, but eventually made a covenant, giving more responsibility to humans. Ultimately, God would offer healing through baby Jesus who later taught that in welcoming himself, we welcomed the One who sent him. But why through a weak, sweet, adorable and powerless baby did God choose to come?
Nouwen suggested the mystery of the incarnation is that God became so powerless to be dependent on humans to welcome, feed and nurture him, and to proclaim the Good News – thus, ironically through powerlessness disrupting the walls of power and desires to be always first or in control. When our quest for power and superiority causes our lives (socially, politically or religiously) to become divisive and diabolic, surely God must still weep.
Prayer
Omnipotent God, You came in powerlessness with powerful news of healing. We, too, live in troubling and divisive times when it seems the lust for power is evident all around and in us. We and this world need your healing and hope. May we in this Advent season, welcome again this sweet, adorable baby, and may we humbly and joyfully receive and proclaim Your Good News of love and redemption. Amen.
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*J.M. Nouwen. Power, Powerlessness, and Power. Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life. (Nashville: The Upper Room, January/February, 1995), pg.34-44.
Finding Joy in the Morning
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Monday, December 18
By Laine Thomas
Finding Joy in the Morning
Read: Psalm 30:5
…Weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
It’s been a tough year in my family. Last July, we said goodbye to my amazing grandmother. At the end of June this year, we said our goodbyes to my Pop, one of the greatest men I have ever known. It’s been incredibly tough. Coming into this Advent season, there have been many days that it has been hard to picture what Christmas will look like without my grandparents. Many reading may feel this with your own losses throughout the past year.
Yet, through all these moments, this season brings a promise of joy to my family. While some of my hardest moments were saying goodbye to people I love, I have also had the profound joy of welcoming two nieces into my family in this same tough year. They are these precious lights that constantly remind me that even when days are hard, joy is still present. I picture the joy candle in the Advent wreath. It’s the different candle of the four, a beautiful pink surrounded by the deep purples representing hope, peace, and love. It is a bright reminder that even when life is hard – when life brings us to the very edge – when you are surrounded by hope, love, and peace, joy will stand out and guide you through it.
My family’s Christmas will be different this year. My Pop won’t be ringing the doorbell 10 times at 7 am to make sure my brother and I are awake. But, joyfully, and with all the wonderful memories of my grandparents, I will be ringing the doorbell at my brother’s house to make sure his girls are awake and ready for Christmas. Moments like that are what this season is all about. Mary and Joseph knew without a doubt that life was going to be hard for their sweet baby. It had already been tough just getting to his arrival. This season is the best reminder that we all must keep fighting and keep pushing through life’s challenges, because there is unending hope, unending love, unending peace, and unending joy in the life our Savior brought to us. It may be dark now, but rejoice. The light is coming.
Prayer
Lord, guide us through these days with the joy of this season. Winter can be dark, but each dawn is a new beginning where we celebrate you and find joy, love, peace, and hope in all you give us. Let the anticipation and atmosphere bring comfort and happiness to every person celebrating your arrival in the world. Let each person know joy in whatever form it takes and let us all praise your name. Amen.
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Any Day but Today
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Sunday, December 17, Evening
By Katie Strangis, Director of Communications
Any Day but Today
Read: Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Any day but today, I thought, when my water broke at 4 am.
I knew she would arrive earlier than her due date, but I had tried to negotiate with God that it would be any day except September 11. So you can imagine my horror, surprise, and anger when my water unexpectedly broke five weeks before her due date and I had a big, beautiful baby girl during the morning rush hour, right around the time that first plane crashed into the World Trade Center 17 years earlier.
But – as kids do – Evie has surprised me in so many ways since she was born and has made September 11 a day of hope. She knows nothing of the weight that day carries for so many, and thanks to the pure joy with which she moves through the world, she brings light and love on her birthday to everyone who knows her. September 11 has a new joyful – hopeful – feeling, and I don’t think of “where I was on September 11” in the same way anymore (my first-year college Poli Sci class in Decatur, Georgia, missing my family and scared). I think of what a difference her birth and her life are making and transforming how I view that particular day each year.
I wonder if Mary got to the stable and thought, Any day but today, or Anywhere but here. Perhaps. But – as kids do – Jesus went out and changed the world – her world – and filled it with love, joy and hope. All Mary had to do was watch with love and wonder.
My favorite thing about Advent is this “thrill of hope” that we experience as parents of young kids, and I give thanks for the many ways our children thrill us with their hope. Kids don’t let us live in the past — they experience it all right now and cause us to hope for a better future because of their hope and wonder. Jesus’s birth should give all of us so much hope during Advent. We hope for his life, anticipate his death, and rejoice in his resurrection. And I’m grateful to feel that thrill each holiday season.
Prayer
God of Hope, thank you for how you surprise us with your goodness and joy this Advent season. Let us look to our children for that thrill and the hope and love your birth ignited in the world. Amen.
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Expect the Unexpected this Advent
advent, Featured, prayer for todayDaily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Sunday, December 17, Morning
By Rev. Rick Isbell, Retired Minister of Discipleship
Expect the Unexpected this Advent
Read: Luke 1:5-55
For nearly 30 years one of my neighbors and I hardly spoke to one another. It was not because anything had happened between us. Our lives just never crossed paths, and there was a high wooden fence between our yards.
Then the recent storm and tornado caused two big limbs in my yard to come crashing down on my neighbor’s wooden fence. That’s when the unexpected happened. We had to start talking to one another. I arranged for all tree debris to be cleaned up in his yard. He started to rebuild the fence as we talked to one another. I learned so much about my neighbor I never knew before. His name is Wilhelm; he was born in Holland, learned and speaks three languages and has a younger brother. From an unexpected storm, a tree falling down, and the rebuilding of a fence, we became better neighbors.
As we read and think about the scripture passage from Luke, Mary never expected to become pregnant as a virgin. Elizabeth and Zechariah never expected to have a child due to their old age. And Joseph and Mary never expected for their son to be born in a place reserved for animals and to be visited by lowly shepherds as well as aristocracy from Persia.
God’s Holy Spirit has a way of changing lives through the unexpected. God did it with Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, and God did it with Wilhelm and me. This Advent I hope you will be open to and see God acting through those events you did not expect.
Prayer
Oh God, may I never limit the ways you can act in my life. Open my eyes and ears to the work of the Holy Spirit in ways I least expect.
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