Advent Devotional 2018 by Asbury First United Methodist Church

Advent Devotional 2018

From the Spiritual Life Committee

The Meaning of Advent It is good to remember that the word Advent in Latin, translates to COMING, and in this season of the church we ponder the COMING of Jesus. For four Sundays prior to the Christmas celebration, we prepare and anticipate the COMING of Jesus into our hearts anew and for the Love of Jesus to shine forth into our world. Jesus’ COMING is not a one-time event! Jesus COMES again and again and again. Yes, the season of Advent reminds us to remember and reflect on these significant times in our life of faith. This year’s Advent season begins on Monday, December 2 and proceeds through December 24. Interestingly, the first Sunday of Advent also begins the church calendar—so Happy New Year, church! Now you probably are not going to find many Advent greeting cards (if any) in our local stores; perhaps if you look carefully, you may discover an Advent calendar or wreath. Preparing for the coming of Jesus, our Savior, has become overwhelmingly commercialized. It seems gift giving has taken on a life of its own while the pace of the season’s events tempts us to fall into a frantic frenzy. Dear friends, Advent offers another option. It offers time for meaningful, reflective, thoughtful prayer as together we “make straight the paths” for the COMING of our Lord.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

Asbury First’s 2018 Advent Devotional Dear friends, The Spiritual Life Ministry team is pleased to offer the 2018 Advent Devotional. Beginning December 2, you will enjoy daily readings/personal reflections from our staff, children, youth, and adults. Their memories and experiences will be a light to the theme for that week. We know you will appreciate each of our writers. THANK YOU! Week One Hope Week Two Love Week Three Joy Week Four Peace We all recognize that the season of Advent can slip by with the business of preparing for our holiday celebrations. These celebrations are to be enjoyed, indeed; but not at the expense of preparing our hearts for the Coming of Jesus. You are invited to intentionally plan some reflection/prayer time— privately, with friends or your family—prior to December 25. Take time to REMEMBER (your memories will be rich as you picture in your mind’s eye how Jesus has come into your personal lives and into the world around us), to EXPERIENCE ( Jesus “up close and personal” as you and Jesus face each day. Invite Him in), and BE IN THANKSGIVING (take hold of God’s promise that Jesus will come again). Friends, prepare your heart to receive the coming of Jesus anew, anticipate the Joy of this promised gift for you and for all people, and consider how God’s Son is the source of your Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. During this Advent, being better together... Let us pray... -Karen Barner, Cindy Burkhartt, Charlotte Craig, David Crawford, Bill Freed, Linda Freed, Kathi Johnson, Cassandra Jordan, Bonnie Matthaidess, Lyn Saunders, Mary Scahill, Christine Shaw, Vicki Stankaitis, Jeanne Stickney, Jeanne VanVorst, Lois Wentis and Rev. Kathy Thiel

n Week 1

Theme: Hope

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December 2 Advent prepares us and then sets us on our way. We prepare our hearts and minds again for the Advent of Christ—not as a child (that already happened), but as a present reality in our world. We look for that day when we all live as Christ commanded, loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves, and then we commit to the journey it will take to get us there. This ground of our hope—that every day we might take another step closer to the kingdom of God, that each day we might more fully reveal the image of Christ within us. Christmas is a part of this hope—a season during which we celebrate God’s inbreaking into the world and then begin that humble walk together from nativity to cross. Hope in this sense, has an inward and outward expression. Lasting hope solicits the commitment of every person personally—each of us is asked, upon self-examination, to consider how we might move closer to our goal: perfect love of God and neighbor. Then, once we have discovered the area of our greatest weakness, to begin to address it in our lived experience. Fortunately, we do not journey alone. This devotional offers us a place to start on our journey of selfreflection. Like Advent itself, this devotional is offered by fellow sojourners as a means of preparing our hearts and minds for the Advent of Christ in our lives, and re-committing to the journey together in the year ahead. -Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady II

December 3 hope is often thought of as the sun: all-encompassing, immoveable, larger-than-life. hope is portrayed as bright, colored lights, great melodious harmonies, fires of rejuvenation erupting from dry embers. sometimes that is how it feels in the moment. but hope would not be hope if rich, smooth orchestras graced our ears whenever we felt we would never hear again. hope would not be hope if vibrant, dazzling fireworks dance across the heavens whenever the dark sky held no stars. hope has its effect on us because it visits us in times devoid of love, joy, and peace. hope is neither boisterous nor lucid. it is instead the tiniest trickle of faith. hope is the sound of one small hum that lasts only one moment. it is the twinkle of four smiling eyes shared across a room. it is a candle that allows for only enough light to view oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own hands in front of them and nothing more. hope is living in a world so broken that we cannot even trust ourselves, let alone our neighbors, a world where information is up for debate, a world where it is easier to build walls than bridges, a world so eroded by ignorance, hatred and fear: hope is to choose love. hope is to become the better tomorrow that we so desperately long for today. hope is to make our neighbors our friends and enemies our neighbors. -Liz Roote, attends high school, enjoys listening to music and petting cats and dogs

December 4 I hope there will be a table at the restaurant when we get there. I hope that I will get the job. I hope there won’t be much traffic when we go home. I hope the team will score and we will win. We have all said similar expressions of hope. The Bible does not teach us that kind of hope. This kind of hope brings with it an element of uncertainty that it won’t come to pass. This is not Christian hope. It’s like crossing your fingers and wishing all will be ok. Hope shown in the Bible is desiring something good for the future with the expectations and a moral certainty that it will happen. Paul writes about Abraham in Romans 4:18, “Against all hope, Abraham believed and became the father of all nations just as it had been said to him.” Abraham spoke with the confidence in hope because God stood with him. Hope does not stand by itself as it is connected with faith. Faith is the larger idea and hope is a necessary part of faith. Faith is our confidence and belief in God. Faith focuses on the past and present while hope focuses on future. Without hope that God will be there for us in the future our faith is doubtful. I was in my hospital bed the night before my open heart surgery. Everyone had gone and left me hoping and praying for the best for my operation. I felt anxious as I began to consider what could happen. So, I put on my headphones and listened to Sunday Choral music over and over. Loving Hands, For the Beauty of the Earth, Be Thou My Vision, All Things Bright and Beautiful. I repeated the words as they were sung for each song. The longer I listened the greater a feeling of peace came over me. My anxiety about the surgery and the future washed away by God. The idea of hope came into my mind that whatever happened God would be there for me. I thank the Lord for hope and peace he provided me that night. As we turn to the Advent Season, let us focus on the hope that Jesus brings with his birth on Christmas Day. He came to bear all of our sins and relieve us from eternal darkness. His light provides us with the hope that we need each day of our life. -John Smalt, husband, papa to three grandkids, woodcarver, guitar player, loves working with kids with our beloved therapy dog, Rusty, and thankful to the Lord 7 for all their blessings.

December 5 Every Sunday after church, I go to the Liberty Diner on Winton Road for lunch. One Sunday, I was seated in a booth near two moppy-haired men covered with tattoos and in need of a shave. Their language was raw and they ate their lunch quickly leaving the restaurant with haste. After they left, the waitress told me that they paid for my lunch including tip and made her promise not to tell me until after they left the diner. Were these men my Jesus? Was God telling me not to judge my fellow man by their appearance? The Harvard Medical School issued a guide on strength and power training for adults of all ages. The guide lists many physical health benefits by raising confidence, brightening mood and fighting mild to moderate depression. So I decided to take the advice of the Harvard Medical School experts by finding a small private gym run by a thirty-year-old black gentleman who stands six foot five inches. He is so muscle bound that he could put me in my grave with just his little finger! I was surprised that he took me on as a student because of my age and that I never lifted weights before. He has enhanced my spiritual and physical life by his words of wisdom and expertise. Is he my Jesus? During the summer I like to sit in my garage with the door raised and read the newspaper. Wednesday is garbage day so I have the trash tote at the edge of the driveway. One day, the trash truck was followed by a young man who hooks the tote to the truck to empty the contents. The gentleman rolled the tote to me and with a big smile, said “see you next week.” His act lifted my spirit and I could not forget his words. The following week I made a special effort to greet him for another smile and words of encouragement. Is he my Jesus? I’m using the above examples of the many people that come into my life everyday. Are they my Jesus? This is the time of the year that we give praise to God for the birth of his son and the message that his son gave to us. I think of the baby being like a mustard seed planted by God into humanity, giving us many Jesus’s. Jesus birth and life was spectacular but the spirit of Jesus that is given to me by others is spectacular too. I try to be a Jesus to others, do I succeed? I will never know. -Karl Greenhagle, old enough to be called a senior without any reservation.

December 6 “We all need HOPE. As souls, we journey in physical bodies, traversing a life that is dually lived. We experience safety through attachment to the physical world, but we are also comforted and cared for by a trust in the non-physical, spiritual part of our reality. Two different roads, available for us and from which we choose, moment by moment.” -Susan Barbara Apollon I am pleased to share this inspiring quote that sustained me often during a medical emergency and surgeries in 2008. Having fallen and hit my head, causing a hematoma; I needed 2 brain surgeries in the span of a month to finally relieve all the pressure and begin to regain strength and mobility in the year that followed. During this life-changing period, the Essence of Advent truly came home for me: When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate each day with gratitude. When life is bitter, also say thank you and do your best to be open to growth and learning, and a deeper faith journey. I realize that HOPE, the expectation of good in the future, surrounded me and our family during this time; from competent and reassuring medical professionals to family, friends, colleagues and neighbors offering their stories of resilience, encouragement, good food, and yes, humor. I am grateful that adopting a Yoga Practice was strongly encouraged after surgery and have found this inner/outer movement and shared community practice to be life sustaining and a source of daily Centering and Hope. Following a medical challenge and healing, many of us notice a definite shift in our lens on life and may revisit our reason for being. That has been true for me, striving to spend more mindful time in meditation and study and trying to more actively bring joy, love, and affirmation to others. Craig and I visited Corning Glass in January and again this summer with visitors and each time, as we watch the glassblower shape the glass with heat, bending inside before it hardens into a new shape or vessel, it is a powerful metaphor…through the darkness, life’s pressures, we too can be transformed from the inside out and reach for the transforming light of HOPE. -Susan Larson, has been blessed to learn and grow in the Asbury First Community over the last 20+ years. She and Craig have two grown sons, Brett and Brandon, and their growing families are a source of joy and hope for the future. Susan enjoys working with individuals, small groups on Life Planning +50 topics, and finds hope and stimulation at Chautauqua Institution in the summer.

December 7 My life’s journey to this point has been decorated with many wonderful blessings. On each path along my journey, I have tried to convert challenges into (some degree of ) opportunity—aided by prayer and enduring faith and hope; all elements borne from a foundation modeled by my parents and grandparents. There have been times, however, where it seemed there was “no light at the end of the tunnel” and finding the strength and courage to move forward was sometimes difficult. Losing my dad at a time in my life where arguably, I needed him most, rocked my world and caused me to dig deeper in search of that beacon of faith to help me maintain some degree of hope. So it is true for other trials and tribulations, victories and celebrations, where I have chosen to look back as a matter of perspective and course correction, and then chose to embrace the opportunity to look forward to what lies ahead. Today I stand, proudly, as a dad, not void of battle scars of parent-hood, but buoyed by an opportunity to see my two sons blossom in their own way during their own adulthood journey. I rejoice in my role as a son and the opportunity to be present in the life of my mom as we share special moments of reflection on the past as we anticipate the wonderful times that still lie ahead. I continue to strive to be the best brother/brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, and others Now, hope abounds as I am well-placed in varied ways to help those individuals who need it most; joining the many others who are willing to make a difference in a world that is becoming increasingly out of control; where I can help in some small way to bring a guiding light of hope and optimism for the young men and women who are our future. Hope buoys all. Let it be so. -Ike Jordan, Jr., loves football and still believes he can be the world’s oldest free agent wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. Ike also enjoys cooking and good Spanish cuisine and travel to faraway lands to explore different cultures.

December 8 At our recent Spiritual Life Meeting, our focus question was, “What is hope for you?” The discussion was lively, animated and named myriad thoughts and feelings. We found ourselves also talking about times of not feeling hope in what we named “living in troubled times.” We invite you to consider what brings you hope?

“Hope is the sweet sound of fluttering angel’s wings.”

Advent is a season to “Awake” to the source of our Hope—the “Hope that does not disappoint.” -Romans 5. The Hope that anchors us, no matter our circumstances. This hope is shown to us in and through Jesus, Immanuel, aka God with us! Thanks be to God.

“Hope is a quiet nod of encouragement from a stranger.”

We offer to you some of the Spiritual Life member’s responses to “What is hope for you?” “Hope is the moment you know God is with you and you feel a loving presence.” “Hope is looking into someone’s eyes, sharing a glance of knowing; a smile.” “Hope is going to sleep each night with the hope that tomorrow will really be different.”

“Hope is compassion in the human heart.” “Hope is the daffodil bursting through each spring.” “Hope is the promise of the future.”

“Hope is the wonder in a young child’s eyes as they experience something for the first time.” “Hope is the light in the dark, a warm caring voice, the reason to keep going.” “Hope is felt when a friend says, “I’m here for you for the long haul.” ”Hope is heard when I hear, ‘We’re better together.’” -The Spiritual Life Ministry, which gathers each month encouraging and supporting each other’s faith journey and offering the same to our Asbury First family and friends.

n Week 2

Theme: Love

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December 9 Make Love Louder Baruch 5:1–9

I set out to begin writing this Advent devotional numerous times over the past month, but I could never quite nail down what my focus should be. I even led a talk on “love” at a district youth event this past weekend, and still did not have any epiphanies for this devotional. But today, October 29, just two days after the shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh—a town I grew up in and still return to regularly—I am struck by one of the lectionary passages for this Sunday, December 9: Baruch 5:1–9. Most of us are likely unfamiliar with this biblical book; if for no other reason, because it’s not in most of our Bibles…. Baruch was a colleague of the prophet Jeremiah, but it was his name—not who he was—that resonated with me today. The word “baruch” in Hebrew means “blessed” and it is the word that opens the prelude to almost all Jewish prayers: baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam; Blessed are you, the lord our God, ruler of the universe. It is fitting that this preamble to Jewish prayers begins by calling out blessings and praises to the Lord our God. Our Jewish sisters and brothers have a rich tradition of blessedness, of thankfulness, of love. In the wake of this unfathomable tragedy where hate was spewed vocally and violently in “a place meant to bring people together” (the literal meaning of “synagogue”), I am encouraged by these Hebrew foundations of blessedness. Even in the Mourner’s Kaddish, all of the words point towards thanks and praise. The final line says this, “May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel.” This call for blessed peace and togetherness is echoed in the words from the lectionary passage for today, “Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.” Baruch is calling us to take off our garments of sorrow and affliction, and instead to adorn ourselves with love and peace.

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December 9 (Continued) This reminded me of the tongue-in-cheek #MakeLoveLouder campaign at the 2017 Chicago Pride Parade. This was a group that committed to standing in front of the protest areas and included in their basic guidelines, “We don’t just want to communicate love, we want to embody love.” But this risqué slogan coupled with this heartfelt commitment to stand up and be a voice for and embodiment of love is exactly what we are called to do as people of faith. As we continue our journey through Advent, may we be inspired and empowered to make love louder than hate, louder than anger, louder than our own doubts and anxieties, and so on. In this season—and in all seasons—may we remember that we are blessed; we are loved by God. The stresses of the Christmas season too often bring out the worst in us; may we take this week to truly seek out opportunities to share love, to express love, to embody love, to make love louder than all else. May it be so. -Mike Mullin, loves gyros, experiencing new faith traditions, his family (Nadia, Caleb, and Aurora), board games, and the absurd flexibility of the word love.

December 10

LOVE IS . . . Yummy Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast. Running through rows of Christmas trees to find the PERFECT one for our home. Decorating the Christmas tree with special ornaments while watching the Ohio State Football game. Waiting at the very tippy top of the stairs for my dad to turn on the lights of the Christmas tree so that we can go down and open our gifts on Christmas morning. Singing Christmas carols with my family and friends then drinking hot cocoa over an open fire. -Ellie Cady, youth at Asbury First.

December 11 Jesus comes in many ways...in people, traditions, and so much more. Mom died in mid-fall. She loved people and entertaining. I bought her house and started a new tradition . . . to have a holiday party open to friends from different aspects of my life. At one party, my co-workers, Carl, Jon and his wife, Gil, came. I gave a few prizes—gift cards—and Gil said, “I have an idea for next year’s gifts.” That following spring, Carl and I visited our co-workers, Jon and Gil. Jon was in hospice care and he died shortly after our visit. The next year my Dad dies at the end of fall...at the House of John. That spring Gil started a tradition of her own. Gil came to my workplace and said, “I have an answer for your gifts.” She then brought her donated artwork for the prizes/gifts at my party. Gil is very creative and she told me that her drawing and painting helped her process Jon’s death. That year the party people were amazed at Gil’s art and loved their take-home gifts from Gil. I then started another tradition of donating the remaining party items to the House of John. The traditions continue...Gil creates and brings her gifts in the spring (when Jon died). The party happens in Advent—the guests and sometime Gil come. I feel the Love in Gil’s paintings and also the Hope, Joy, and Peace that she and others bring to the party. When the party finishes...there is a beautiful, quiet silence as I pack and then drive the food and gifts to the House of John. On the drive I reflect on the party and Mom and Dad. As I enter the House of John, I quietly say, “Hi Dad,” and then share the goodies and my time with the volunteers, family members, and residents...and I hear their stories and traditions. -Janda Hemming, loves to sit with family at a restaurant and hang spoons on their noses. They enjoy laughter and look to see if others are watching. Some want to be taught how to do this and others want to ignore them. Mom taught them how to 16 hang spoons on their noses...Tradition.

December 12

Love. Imagine how different our lives might be without the amazing story of Advent. On one of the longest and darkest nights of the year a miracle occurred that changed and brightened the world forever. The story of Jesus’ birth has been retold for centuries. A baby born in a simple manger. Loving parents swaddling Him from the cold, damp night. Sounds and smells of animals quietly filling the air. Shepherds nearing word of His birth from angels on high. Wise men following a bright star and bearing gifts. And all for a tiny baby. For many it was just another night. We know, however, it would be the beginning of a great journey. That tiny baby grew up and taught the world about peace, justice, mercy, caring, forgiveness, kindness and LOVE. His words brought new hope to the multitudes. Perhaps today our poor tired world needs His message of LOVE and hope more than ever. During this season of preparation remember the many lessons Jesus taught. ”LOVE thy neighbor as they self ” should become a cornerstone for daily living. Practice acts of kindness by reaching out with LOVE. Not just during the holidays, but every day make this your gift to others. -David Crawford, loves being with his family and church family, and is devoted to caring for Asbury First’s labyrinth and friends.

December 13 The year was 1991; it was a Christmas Eve that will be forever in my memory. I was just a few weeks away from giving birth to my first born. I knew it was going to be a boy and as I sat in the crowded 7:30 PM service at Asbury First, I felt so connected to the story of Mary and her precious boy. As the sanctuary dimmed and the Christ light was being passed John Rutter’s hauntingly beautiful arrangement of “Christmas Night” filled the air. I’m sure you all could hum that melody. To me it was a lullaby to Jesus and my unborn son. I cannot express the joy that filled me to the core of my being. As I sat there I couldn’t help but envision my son’s life ahead of him. I wondered what the future would hold? Who would he love, who would he be, and what adventures would he have? My son Jeffery is now twenty-seven. He is loved by his beautiful and caring wife, Haley. They have made Asbury their church home. They play in both the orchestra and hand bell choir. On that Christmas Eve so many years ago, I could not have imagined the love and joy that this child brought into our world. I am most pleased that Jeff and Haley are going to bring new life into this world with the birth of their child this coming Spring! -Paula Dugan, Director of Children’s ministry, loves when her extended family gets together on the front porch to play their ukuleles and sing their favorite tunes.

December 14 Step 1: Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. Slowly, slowly. Think about it. Step 2: “Breathe on me. (inhale) Breath of God. (exhale) Breathe on me. Breath of God. Breathe on me. Breath of God.” (remember the hymn?) Or sometimes...“God is great. (inhale) I am grateful. (exhale) God is Great. I am grateful. Step 3: Repeat many times walking briskly!! Ideally somewhere along the canal path!! But I have also practiced these “breath prayers” in my car and when first waking up in the quiet of the morning...and almost anywhere and everywhere. I have just let you in on my super secret technique of attempting to take better care of myself. Self-love if you will. I had begun to recognize that while I am quite good at taking care of everyone else, I sometimes fall short when it comes to taking care of me. And I think, no, I know that God loves me so much that I MUST treat my own life experience and being with reverence and kindness and love. And so about a year ago I decided to embrace “mindfulness.” I haven’t taken a class or an online course on mindfulness and I haven’t read a pile of books on meditation. But mostly I have thought about what the term means to me and how I can use intentional ideas, thoughts, exercises, practices and prayer to be more attentive. Without fail it helps me feel closer to God. These simple “breath prayers” have become a routine part of my daily life. Breath prayers for the good days. And for the bad. This Advent, I may think of new breath prayers that remind me specifically of the season, and the baby, and the promise. Breathing is usually such an automatic unconscious act, but in each breath there can be a prayer, and in each prayer there is the remembrance of God’s love for you and for me and for us to extend to one another. Breathe in. Breathe out. Amen. -Vickie Stankaitis, mother to five 20-something daughters, loves to walk, do anything outside, volunteer, play in the hand bell choir, road trip or air trip to see those daughters, and cook and share food with family and friends.

December 15

There are so many things that make me feel love at Christmas time. On my first Christmas, when I was 10 months old, I got my favorite â&#x20AC;&#x153;lovieâ&#x20AC;? named Kitty and he was so soft and white. Cats bring me so much LOVE! Some other things that make me feel love at Christmas time are Christmas cookies, the smell of bacon and biscuits on Christmas morning, free time during Christmas break, sledding with my friends, seeing the gingerbread houses at the George Eastman House, decorating the tree, sitting on top of the warm radiator while reading a book, seeing my cat, Rella, sleeping curled up underneath the Christmas tree and of course getting presents! -Harper Temming, a 3rd grader at Indian Landing Elementary School who loves cats and Jurassic Park movies.

n Week 3 Theme: Joy

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December 16

Tevya, in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, sings a song of mild lament, listing all of the things he would do if he were a rich man. I think of this song as I sit to write about joyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for if I had a million dollars I would buy each of you a copy of The Book of Joy. This book chronicles a week that Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu spent together sharing their individual and collective experiences of joy. It is delightfully entertaining and uplifting. I encourage you to read it. Joy is contagious, as are love and compassion. When we share ourselves with the world, when we truly live a compassionate life by reaching out to others, then we know joy. The Dalai Lama wakes up each morning remembering kindness and compassion; he wishes for others to know goodness in their lives and wishes for an end to their suffering. This brings him joy. Joy is our human expression of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for us. When King David danced before the ark, he did so because he could not contain the joy in his heart. He had to let it out! He had to share it! We are grateful for the ways in which God works in our lives to fill our hearts with joy so that they burst to overflowing! In this joy we dance and sing and share the love of God! During this Advent season, may you experience joy in your life, and may you know the wondrous feeling of sharing this joy with another. -Rev. Kathy Thiel, Minister for Congregational Care.

December 17

When I learned that I would be writing about JOY, the first quote that came to mind was “Joy is a decision. A really brave one—about how you are going to respond to life.” To me this quote brings the idea that we all have joy, even if it doesn’t always show. Deep down it’s sitting there waiting to be discovered. Many times I let stress get the best of me and when I do, it almost seems like joy disappears. But in reality I just need to realize that I need to look at the good in life and not get caught up in the moment. To go along with this, in the spirit of Christmas it is easy to get caught up in the stress of the holiday—so this year, instead I think we should take a moment and cherish the joy that comes along with it and celebrate the joy all around us. -Madison White, an 11th grader at Rush Henrietta High School. She is involved in both golf and tennis at school. Madison is also currently involved in the 5th musical here at Asbury First. Madison also has a brother named Keegan and is the daughter of Joanne and Brian White.

December 18 When I was little my mom told me that I was her reason for living. I looked at her and asked, “I’m your raisin?” She also told me that she never knew love until she had her daughters. I always responded, “yeah, yeah, yeah” with an eye roll. My little sister was eight years younger than me, and I had a glimpse of how much work and sacrifice having children was, especially as mothers are the default parents. For this reason, I put off being a parent—I worked and went to school and then found that chasing degrees and additional responsibility at work was not as fulfilling as I had imagined it would be. My husband and I welcomed our daughter, Cora Grace this past April. It was a hard pregnancy and traumatic delivery. Adjusting to new life as a mother has been exhausting—but one morning when I stumbled into my daughter’s room after a sleepless night, I leaned over the crib to pick her up and saw her smile up at me; absolute joy swept over me. Motherhood is just as difficult as I had thought it would be and even more so. Life has completely changed, but seeing the world through Cora’s new eyes and watching every tiny milestone brings me joy that I never thought was possible. I now have my own little “raisin.” -Kristie Pfaff, lives in Walworth with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, she enjoys telling bad jokes and hiking.

December 19 Joy—what an elusive and temporary presence! In contrast, hope, love, and peace, the other subjects of our Advent reflection, can be cultivated and sustained. We can be intentional, even thoughtful, in our pursuit of hope, love, and peace. Joy is different. True joy punctuates and interrupts our lives in the most unexpected moments. The experience of joy surrenders our attention to the present. In joy we are inescapably in the moment, fully feeling and free from past and future. These moments are rare in our daily lives. Our minds—soaked in thought—project our past. Joy holds us in the presence of the divine. Joy is the thoughtless recognition of the presence of God. It is a moment when we acknowledge the sacred in ourselves, another, creation, or creativity. For a moment we abandon our illusions of control and embrace the mysterious wonder of life. Although we cannot rest in joy, as we can with hope, love, and peace, we can open ourselves to experience joy in all we do. When we still our thoughts, empty our egos, and open our hearts we prepare room for the spirit in our lives. In this Advent season, as we anticipate the birth of Jesus, prepare him room. -Brennon Thompson, a lifelong member of Asbury First who finds joy in our vibrant and dynamic community.

December 20 The Prophet by Kahil Gibran Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. John Wesley â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet it cannot be denied that many times joy is withheld even from them that walk uprightly.â&#x20AC;? Martha Stuart Giving to others is joyful AND often trapped in the despair of too little too late. Opening our hearts to others creates the reality that our hearts will be broken. Self-sacrifice surfaces feelings of selfishness. We struggle to center our trust in GOD to lead us through our broken relationships. JOY: elusive, fleeting, liberating, intoxicating, exhausting and often overshadowed with unrelenting grief. Asbury First United Methodist Church Not a perfect place however more perfect when we are able to embrace AND witness to the countless gifts of joy-filled love we receive throughout our Advent season. -Stuart Mitchell and Martha Neubert, sojourners who love and support each other, and with humility and thanksgiving, work diligently to live their faith one day and a time.

December 21 In the past five years there has been a joyful expansion to our family. Our children have presented us with six beautiful grandchildren. The feeling within my heart and soul can only be described as joy. Joy witnessing the love and joy of our children as they welcome their new babies. Joy when this tiny gift from God wraps his fingers around my pinky. Joy seeing the twinkle in his eyes as he runs full speed into my arms. Joy when she climbs into my lap, snuggles and sleeps. My experiences are special, joyful, and endearing. Experiencing joy is about connection with God and all his creation. In this Advent season, take time to notice, take time to listen, take time to join others, take time to show the loving spirit of Christ in your heart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.â&#x20AC;? -Galatians 5:22 -Barb Castle, enjoys spending time with her family, sailing with her husband, volunteering, and a good book.

December 22 The Christmas memory that brings me the most joy is of my family going to visit my grandparents in the Catskill Mountains. We stay at Mountain Brook Inn and every Christmas Eve we have a big dinner in the lodge. In the mornings the owner, Gary, always brings us warm muffins and coffee. Gary owns a German Shepherd named Otis and he always lays at our feet underneath the tables while we eat. Sometimes we take a walk by the creek and it is so quiet, that when you sleep, you can hear the brook babbling. There is a barn that has chickens and every morning when you wake up you hear the rooster crowing. We have been going to Mountain Brook Inn for as long as I can remember and it always feels like a second home to me. -Sophia Temming, a 7th grader at Bay Trail Middle School who loves hanging out with her friends and family.

n Week 4

Theme: Peace

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December 23 I long for peace. My mom, Mildred, was a peacemaker. This was one of her gifts to our family and friends. She was always a realist and faced life’s challenges, of which there were many, standing strong relying on her Faith. She also faced the tensions and chaos of life knowing she was never alone and...passed this gift on to my sister Barbara, Beverly, and me. For my mom and her mother, Anna, my grandmother, their faith was deep and they knew Jesus their whole lives. They brought us to Sunday School and spoke of Jesus in their lives. Because of their lived faith, my sisters and I always had Jesus in our lives. They knew they were never alone and so did we girls. Jesus was the source of their peace in all circumstances and we desired the same. I find myself longing for conversations with my mom and grandmother...and peace. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my Mildred and Anna...and Jesus. It is the season of Advent and Christmas is just around the corner. Our world is chaotic. My family is (and I know there are many others) facing challenges while longing for peace. I hear mom and grandma’s voices assuring me Jesus’ peace is with me/us no matter the circumstance. I hear this promise week after week from our pulpit, and in this Advent season I hear that Jesus is coming again and is drawing near—peace in the chaos. Jesus, Immanuel, come be my/our peace. -Bonnie Matthaidess, loves long walks in the trees, gazing at the stars, and sitting quietly by Keuka Lake with family and friends.

December 24 The Peace of God in Difficult Times Holidays can be difficult after the loss of a loved one. For those like myself who approach this holiday season with the realization that it is the first holiday without your precious loved one, we carry into this season of joy much grief and uncertainty. We carry with us joyous memories of past holidays and now moments of deep sadness that often leave us wondering if we are even going to celebrate the holiday season at all. I get it, and I’m there. With all of the emotions that come with learning how to live without someone, especially around the holidays, I write this with a very personal connection to the pain, disappointment, and perhaps anger that many of us face. I also write this with a renewed understanding of the peace of God. Often times we think about the peace of God as something that suddenly replaces all other emotions, causes us to forget our feelings, and makes our problems appear small. After enduring the loss of a loved one though, this is not the peace I’ve felt. The emotions, feelings, and problems, remain. The questions, doubts, and paralyzing moments, remain. But I’ve also come to realize that the peace of God also remains. This peace, however, appears in

the most unexpected moments and encounters of any given day: In the way the sun shines through my closed blinds reminding me of the light on the other side of this dark space; in the way moments of intentional silence allow me to recognize my breathing amidst moments of panic reminding me of life in my own body; in the way people surround me and offer a hug without ever saying a word allowing me to appreciate the ways in which words don’t always have the most to say; in the way one phone call from a family member or friend reminds me that while I have endured loss, I still have reason to believe I am not alone. The peace of God is revealed to us in the daily and sometimes random experiences that we endure. Our task, friends, is to recognize them. Beloved, God’s peace can be felt in myriad ways—I pray this holiday season grants you an opportunity to recognize them, and find your smile even as the tears continue to fall. May God’s Peace Be with You! -The Rev. Jackie Nelson, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and friend, who is inspired daily by the ability to share God’s love with everyone she meets.

December 25 My favorite worship time of all the year is worship service on Christmas Day. No matter how I anticipate the holidays in general, or what my expectations are—Christmas morning at church is the BEST part of the holiday. There is no tree in our home. No traditional gift exchange centers our activity on the eve or morning. Christmas day starts with a thankful prayer as my eyes open. Then a whoop and a Merry Christmas holler for Roy and the world. I open the must-have discussion of “how special can we make breakfast?” I move toward choosing a colorful outfit with red or green. Then it’s off to church with the joy of knowing Christ is alive in my life. Our route passes lots of lights strung on trees and porches along quiet snowy streets. I sense hope, and love, and peace all at once; and they’re growing stronger. I have confidence in my heart. In church I bathe in the air of faithfulness. Every decoration and symbol reflects the spirit of the day. I see the face of the present Christ. He is so alive in the world this morning. Every wrapped present I ever gave or received, has led me here: I understand the gifts of life and faith I share in Christ. Merry Christmas -Sally Wood Winslow, surrounds herself with books, art, art supplies, daily adventures, and optimism.

Notes, Prayers, and Meditations

Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave. Rochester, NY (585) 271-1050 | info@asburyfirst.org | asburyfirst.org