Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 14

By Barry Christmas, in honor of Congregational Care

The Best Christmas Gift Ever!

Read: James 1:17 NKJV

Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

It will soon be that much-anticipated time of the year when we celebrate Christmas with family and friends. Can you sense the excitement already in the air? People are busy as can be, scurrying around, shopping until they “drop,” all in preparation for the “Big Day”. We are tasked with finding the perfect gift for that someone special in our lives and fulfilling the wishes of all our little ones. It’s a tall order, but we absolutely must be up to the task, or Christmas this year will be a bust!

Even under all of this pressure, some people miraculously transform into “nicer than usual” individuals! You might even overhear someone say … “Oh, excuse me, I did not mean to jump in line ahead of you … I suppose it’s a force of habit on my part … please, go ahead of me.” A lot of us tend to make a special effort this time of year to be more kind, polite, and forgiving.  If only we could behave this way all of the time! Actually, we can … IF we have Jesus in our hearts.

At some point in our lives, we all need to look honestly at ourselves and ask, “What can I do to be a better, more loving and accepting person? How can I transform my attitudes and prejudices against certain people, and instead, look at them through the eyes of Jesus?” It’s so easy. Just ask Jesus to come into your heart and transform you into a loving, kind, and accepting human being. If you do, this could be the very best Christmas gift you’ll ever receive, for it’s a gift that keeps on giving for the rest of your life … and for all eternity! This year I hope you invite Jesus into your heart and have your very best Christmas ever.

Prayer  

We pray for … 

  • A couple as they begin second trimester of pregnancy and for the wife as she looks for new employment
  • All of the Angel Tree families and children all across Knoxville who are struggling with so much (we gave gifts to 48 children!)
  • Success for friends who have endured infertility and finally have placement for their one viable embryo scheduled in the next couple of weeks. Thank you!
  • A friend, already disabled as a result of a plethora of medical and financial challenges, now suffers from gastroparesis and is unable to digest solid foods. Pray that his dietary changes can provide needed nutrients and strength.
  • A friend who was just diagnosed with Lymphoma
  • A dear son-in-law in the healing of his cancer
  • One who is depressed this season
  • One who is dealing with feelings of bitterness as Alzheimer’s takes its toll on parents; one who has the disease and one who is caregiver. Feelings of sadness that grandchild will not know his grandfather.
  • A mother who has started dialysis; prayers for daughter who is primary caregiver
  • A husband who has lung cancer
  • For caregivers who are watching their spouse or parent or loved one struggle with dementia, Parkinsons, or other chronic illnesses
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • For those who are struggling as the holidays approach
  • For a beloved aunt who is nearing her final days; and for the cousin who has cared so lovingly for her
  • A brother who has pneumonia and elevated liver enzymes
  • A daughter in the death of her father; prayers of thanksgiving for peace of mind and spirit
  • Peace throughout the world … safety in every school. Prayers for every teacher, student, and support staff. Praying for competent young people to take on leadership roles.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • A member’s brother who is doing so much better and is home from hospital!
  • Those who are recovering after surgery
  • The students who are learning music, art, and dance, here at the Community School of the Arts

Dear Jesus, please come into my heart and transform my behavior and ways of thinking to be a reflection of you. Help me to pour out your love onto all those I meet, so they too may know of  your everlasting love for them. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Wednesday, December 13

By Ann Reego

In the Bleak Midwinter

Read: Luke 2:1-20

This is my favorite Christmas carol. It moves me more than Silent Night, Hark the Herald, Joy to the World, or O Come, All Ye Faithful. It’s the last verse that gets me.

The carol is very English with Christina Rossetti, a literary great, as the lyricist and Gustav Holst, the composer, a musical great. The first verse is almost ludicrous describing the bleak midwinter as freezing and snowbound—not very credible since Jesus was born in the Middle East where it was warm, and most likely not in December, but April. The second and third verses describe the majesty of Christ in a stable, with angels hovering above. Shepherds and wise men arrive to adore him. His mother delivers a worshipful kiss … as only a mother can do.  

It’s the last verse that brings me to tears … the words that touch my heart.  

“What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part. 

What I can I give Him

Give my heart.”

This stanza humbles me. I don’t need to search the mall for gifts for my family. I don’t have to have the best dressed house for the season. I don’t need to bake and clean and prepare food for those dear to me. All I really need to give them is my love.  

And that is what I need to give to the Christ child also — my heart. All year long.

Prayer  

Baby Jesus, thank you for your humble beginning. Help us to join you in becoming humble during the Christmas season. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Tuesday, December 12

By Verna Mclain

What Gifts Can We Bring?

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love.

Christmas is a time of gift giving. We spend time, energy and money to buy that special gift for special people. Since Christmas is Jesus’s birthday, what gifts can we bring to celebrate the birthday of the Christ child?

  1. LOVE: The first commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. And the second is to love our neighbor as yourself. This is the greatest gift we have been given and can give to others.
  2. GRATITUDE: Thanksgiving for life itself, for family and friends, for all the good things that God has given us. A grateful heart comes rejoicing and remembering. 
  3. JOY: We come singing, ”Joy to the World the Lord has come. Let every heart prepare him room.”
  4. AN OPEN HEART: With this gift comes an openness to life; a willingness to love and serve others; to learn and grow; to go from where we are to where there is a need.
  5. KINDNESS: “If you cannot be anything else, you can be kind.” This gift could change someone’s life.
  6. PEACE: Calm within and with others and the world.
  7. HOPE: Absence of fear and the reassurance that we will never be forsaken.

This Advent can be a new beginning for each of us. As we leave our gifts for Christ, we can turn down new paths. We can greet all of our fellow travelers who are celebrating the birthday of the Christ child with Love, Gratitude, Joy, an Open Heart, Kindness, Peace and Hope.

Prayer  

May the love of Christ be with you now and forever more. Amen.

Have a Prayer Request?

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 11

By David Lineberger

The Only True Way

Read: Psalm 25:8-10

Living in the 21st century is tough. It seems that many things we considered rock steady in life are falling apart. People are attacking other people just because they perceive them to be inadequate role models. Some want to ignore whole groups of people that they consider undesirable in hopes that they will all disappear. You can’t listen to the news on TV without first determining if the network agrees with your political views. National and state leaders can’t seem to agree on anything! Even neighbors treat each other with suspicion. Sometimes it seems just staying at home is the only safe option. Even church attendance is falling, and some bodies are splitting up because even they can’t agree on doctrine and theology. 

In the midst of all this, God’s word speaks clearly through the quagmire. In Psalm 25, He speaks to people of every era and age saying, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” 

Here’s a radical thought: what would happen if we lived life solely through the lens of God’s teaching and His example of the way, His Way? As we prepare to once again celebrate the birth of our Savior, God made flesh, can we also start living our lives focused on the One who’s truth, real truth, is the only genuine path to help us wade through anything the world can try to do to lead us astray. This is the “reason for the season” after all. Let’s make that the central truth in our daily life. 

Prayer  

Gracious Father, to whom all glory and honor are due, help us focus on You and Your ways during our daily walk, and help our faithfulness never stray from what is right according to Your Word. Amen.  

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 10, Evening

By Dr. Edie Johnson, Organist and Music Associate

People, Look East

Read: Isaiah 40:4

Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), daughter of a British novelist and granddaughter of an American actor, penned this Advent hymn replete with vivid seasonal imagery. Though a shy girl who grew up in London with three brothers (one of whom became a composer), Farjeon became a well-known writer of children’s books, nursery rhymes, and another very popular poem/hymn, Morning Has Broken. At only 16 years old, she wrote the libretto for an opera which her composer brother later set to music!

This beautiful hymn text begins with an exhortation for all of us to “look East,” the direction of the rising sun. She continues with the metaphor of preparing one’s home and hearth for how we might prepare our hearts for “Love, the Guest.” Next, we are reminded of the parable of the sower — earth is bare and seeds are planted. How will this flower flourish in our hearts as we prepare for “Love, the Rose?” In stanza 3, “Stars, keep the watch,” referencing the guiding star over the stable in Bethlehem that the wise men followed. The light from this star brings brightness even when we are experiencing darkness and difficult times in our own lives. It shines brighter than “sun and moon together” as we prepare for “Love, the Star.” Finally, Angels announce with great joy the birth of the Messiah that brings new life to us all. Farjeon refers to Isaiah 40:4: 

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.

“People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.”

Prayer  

Dear God, we pray for your presence in our lives as we prepare for the coming of your Son this Advent season. Please let your Word take root and blossom in our hearts so that we may show the light and love of your Son Jesus Christ to the world. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 10, Morning

Rev. Tim Best, Senior Associate Pastor

Patience

Read: Psalm 98

I am not particularly musical. I played in the band in middle school but quit to pursue other interests. I always liked the idea of singing, but I didn’t take voice lessons nor did my church have children’s or youth choirs. Yet, I cannot imagine Christmas Eve without music. One of my best memories is driving home from church at midnight loudly playing hymns like “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. Psalm 98 bursts with the same energy and joy as those hymns. The Psalm invites us to join in praise and jubilation along with all of creation. 

“O Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things” Our praise and singing is for what God has done. In Jesus God has done wonderful things. Our hearts burst with joy as we consider all the things God has done for us. Today we are filled with joy because we know that even in the midst of the cold and dark moments of our lives, God is with us. We sing out in praise because all the rest has been handled. 

As you prepare to worship or rest this evening, may you allow your heart to sing out in praise. Perhaps you can blast your favorite Christmas Carol as you drive home from church or from gathering with family or friends. Maybe you can play a piece on a piano, or clap out the beat to a favorite song. God’s love has drawn close to us at Christmas. To quote a well-known poem, which has been turned into a hymn, “Love Came Down at Christmas,” ‘When the love of God draws so close to us, what else can we do but burst into songs of praise?’” May you sleep this night comforted by the peace and joy of God’s love. 

Prayer  

Almighty God, fill our hearts with praise and help us to always sing of your mercies and grace. As we prepare to rest this evening help each of us to always know that we can find our fullest rest in you. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Saturday, December 9

By Dan Kelley

Who Are You?

Read: 1 Peter 3:3-4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Julia and I often visited her parents in Lexington, Kentucky. One time when we were there, they wanted us to visit the Art Museum at the College of Fine Arts on the UK campus. It was a fine little museum with 19th century French paintings, some 16th century Italian and German engravings, and some 20th century American paintings. It also had some student drawings and Kentucky artist’s works. Excellent horses, cows, and landscapes.

What caught my attention was a large, tall painting of a woman. It was hung very high on the wall and she looked down on us with power and authority. She was posed in the full portrait style of Dutch Masters of Frans Hal, Jan Steen, or Rembrandt. She looked like the wife of a wealthy Dutch merchant except that she was dressed in early 20th century clothes. Very expensive clothes and adornments.

She wore a full length, deep blue velvet gown. At her throat was a large silver necklace set with bright, deep blue sapphires. A white sable fur stole draped her shoulders and a large wedding diamond shown from her hand.

The artist was a master. You could see the depth of the velvet, every hair of the sable, and the sparkle of the sapphires. Even the fine white lace at her wrist was perfectly painted. The painting must have cost a fortune.

She had obviously come from wealth and had married well.  She had been a pillar of society in her time and place. Unfortunately, no one knew who she was. The provenance of the painting had been lost. The museum did not know what master had painted the women, who had owned it or what collection it had been in. It was unknown. No one could identify her.

As we enter the Advent Season, let us remember who we are and whose we are. The tree, the lights, the gifts, and the music are exciting but they are adornment. The coming of the gentle and quiet spirit who is Christ, Our Lord, in the form of a baby is the reason for our celebration.

Prayer  

Dear Lord of Mercy Divine, help us to keep our eyes on the prize: the birth of our Savior. Help us to remember that our wealth is in who we love and who loves us. Help us to share the love you have given us with the whole world and all the people in it. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Friday, December 8

By Jim Lantrip

Behold, Your God!

Read: Zechariah 6:12-13

“The king shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes.

And let the endless bliss begin by weary saints foretold,

When right shall triumph over wrong and truth shall be extolled.”

This stirring hymn, formerly included in our Methodist hymnal, was translated by Scottish Presbyterian minister John Brownlee from scripture in Acts 1:11 and Matthew 24:27; to me, it expresses the essence of Advent’s meaning.

Advent is a time for drawing closer to our Christian faith. How does one do this? On a practical level the living out of Christian virtues in our personal lives can be demonstrated in many ways. We can show more loving kindness to other people. We can show more empathy and less self-centeredness. We can ask Almighty God for more understanding of His will in our lives.

The prophet Zechariah, writing hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, was seen by many Christians to forsee the Advent season in this scripture:

“Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says, ‘There is the man whose name is the Branch and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who builds the temple of the Lord and he will be clothed and will sit and rule on the throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’” – Zechariah 6:12-13

One of the themes of Zechariah is that God is at work in our world and His deeds are accomplished “not by might nor power but by My spirit,” meaning the Lord’s spirit. Advent inspires a deepening of our faith through prayer and meditation. We seek God’s answers for the challenges in our lives.

Prayer  

Tree of life, help us feel rooted in our understanding of your will in our lives so that we may branch out into your world to spread the good news of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Thursday, December 7

By Jenny Cross, Director of Youth Ministries

Pleased to Dwell

Read: Colossians 1:15-20

There is a familiarity to the Christmas story that often distracts me from the magnitude of it all. The poor mother and father traveling to the small town. The farm animals surrounding the tiny baby. The heavenly host singing to the shepherds. The wise foreigners seeking something special in the stars. I know all about it. But do I know it?

We remind ourselves regularly in the youth department, “There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.”  And I think that must be true for the season of Advent and me. I know about Advent. But am I actually making room for it deep in my soul?  Has the miracle of the Incarnation taken root in my life?

As I read this passage from Colossians, a line stuck out to me like never before. “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” It doesn’t say he was obligated to dwell or expected to dwell or assigned to dwell. The fullness of God in Jesus was pleased to dwell. Jesus was pleased to walk on the Earth. Was pleased to be a light to the nations. Was pleased to make a way for you and for me. And that changes Advent. Because it goes from a story I know about to something I know deep down. Jesus didn’t just come because it was his job. He came because he wanted to. He wanted us to know him – as our redeemer and our friend.

Advent isn’t a season of obligation. It is a season of anticipation – holding fast to the knowledge that Jesus came for us all. And it pleased him to do it.

Prayer  

Holy Lord, thank you for coming to earth – for loving us enough to leave the heavens and walk among your people here.  Give us hearts that yearn to know you more fully.  Help us to experience the joy that comes from knowing that you came for us because you wanted to. We love you, Lord. Show us how to share that love with the world. Amen.

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of December 6, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

Tonight’s prayer is adapted from one I found written by Christine Sine on the Godspace website. I like the refrain, “Come down, come in, and, come among us.” That could be a simple and inviting breath prayer to offer during these hectic days. God bless you this evening! 

-Pastor Catherine 

Into our troubles and weaknesses,
Into the barren places of our souls, Come Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the war torn and the refugee,
Into those who live in conflict, Come Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the homeless and the unemployed,
Into those who feel abandoned, Come Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the sick and the disabled,
Into those with AIDS, dementia, cancer, and depression, Come, Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the poor and the starving,
Into those who are oppressed or abused, Come Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

Into the lives of loved ones,
Into those from whom we are estranged, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole. 

 Into our joys and celebrations, 

Into our work and our achievements, Come, Lord;
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole. 

Thank you, O God of Advent, for having come, for coming now, and for coming again! May we open ourselves to your presence as you turn towards us. 

Thank you for all of the activities and programs and missions of this church. In all of the movement, may we sense your spirit guiding us. May those who enter for special worship services or for a hot meal tomorrow at Soup Kitchen know that they are loved by you.  

We lift up the prayers of our church family ….. 

We pray for … 

  • A couple in the church who both have covid
  • A member’s brother in the hospital who is battling infection
  • A mother who has started dialysis; prayers for daughter who is primary caregiver
  • A husband who is in hospital with blood clots in legs and lungs due to stage 4 cancer; prayers that surgery this afternoon will be beneficial; prayers for his wife
  • A neighbor’s family and the strife they are experiencing
  • For caregivers who are watching their spouse or parent or loved one struggle with dementia, Parkinsons, or other chronic illnesses
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • For those who are struggling as the holidays approach
  • For a beloved aunt who is nearing her final days; and for the cousin who has cared so lovingly for her
  • For a wife’s medical testing; also for grandson’s daycare situation
  • A brother who has pneumonia and elevated liver enzymes
  • A member who is in the active stages of dying; thanksgiving for her church friends who bring her comfort
  • A daughter in the death of her father; prayers of thanksgiving for peace of mind and spirit

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • Those who are recovering after surgery
  • A couple getting married; blessings on their new life together!
  • One who was able to go home from hospital
  • All those angel tree gifts! Prayers for the parents.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.