Advent Devotional 2022

Thankyoutoallmemberscurrentandpast,pastorsandstaffwho contributedtoEastminster’sAdventDevotionalin2022.Thiscollection ofthoughts,Christmasmemories,prayers,andhopefulresolutionsof faithisanticipatedandcherishedeachyear. Wehopeyou’llfindcomfortandwarmthinthesepages,agifttoyou fromtheEastminsterfamily,andwewishyouandyours ahopefulandhappyAdventSeason.

Asmanyofyouknow,EllenScoville’sChristmasTreeHatwasseenfor manyyearsatEastminsterontheSundaymorningnearestChristmasDay, butdoyouknowthestorybehindtheicon?Accordingtoherdaughter, LucyScoville(LucyVernerScoville),afterspeakingwithEllen (EllenDouglasVernerScoville)in2018togetthe“exacthistory,”Lucytells usthathergrandmother,Eliza(ElizaBellamyDuffieVerner),diedsuddenly inJulyof1964....LikeotherVernerfemalesthatyoumayknow,Elizawasa warm,colorfullady,whowasloveddearlyandinturnmissedgreatly.

“Tohelpthefamilyandfriendsfightthroughtheirsorrowaftermother’s deathandwiththeChristmasseasonapproaching,”Ellenrecalls,“Ifound thisunusualhatatthedowntownLourie’sDepartmentStoreanddecidedto wearittochurchontheSundaybeforeChristmasthatyearhopingtobring joytotheheartsofgrievingfamilymembersandfriends....”Anditworked andstilldoesbecausenow,58yearslater,Lucycontinuesthismuch-loved Eastminstertradition.LookfortheChristmasTreeHatagainthisAdvent!

OntheFrontCover:PhotographofAdairLong, daughterofLinda&JimmyLong,2013LivingNativity

AdventMeditation

"Asadeerlongsforflowingstreams,solongsmyheartforyou,OGod.My soulthirstsforGod,forthelivingGod"-Psalm42:1-2

AdventisthetimewhentheChurchlooksforwardeagerlytothecoming ofGod.ThepsalmistcomparestheimmensityofthatyearningforGodto adeer,standingoveradrywaterholepantingwiththirstinatimeof drought.AgenuinehungerforthepresenceofGodinourlife...howrareis that?

Atthistimeoftendingtoallthefeathersandfussoftheonrushingseason, IlovethewordsofthegreatBishopofHippolongago:

"Givemethosewhoyearn;givemethosewhoarehungry;givemethosewho arefarawayinthedesertandthirsty;givemethosewhosighforthesprings oftheeternalcountry.Givemethosekindsofpeople.TheyknowwhatI mean.WhenIspeaktosomepeopletheyjustdonotknowwhatIamtalking about."

-St.Augustine

Augustinewasright!WithoutathirstforthepresenceofGod,peoplejust don'tgetitatAdventoranyothertime!HowelsecouldthoseMagisof longagohavekeptatthatsearchfortheirMessiah?Theyhadnomiracles, noteachings,noevidencetobuildupon.Alltheyhadwasahungerfor God'spresence,astar,andoneanother.Sotheyweredrivenon;theylet nothingdistractthem;theyletnodiversionleadthemastray;theyresisted thetemptationtoabandonthesearch;andtheyrefusedtobedrivenfrom theirquest.Theirspiritualthirstdrovethemonuntilatlasttheycameto thatlonelystable.

AdventisthetimewhenwelookforwardtothecomingofGod,butifwe donothungerandthirstforGod,wewillnotlookverylong,orveryhard, orverythoroughly.Achildwhohungerstobewithmomordadwillnot besatisfiedwithsubstitutesfortheirparents'personalpresence.Justso, whenwehungerfortherealpresence,wewillnotbesatisfiedwithempty deity.AgenuinethirstforGod...onlyquenchedbythelivingpresence. ThatisthegiftofAdvent.

Prayer:"Lord,quickenwithinmysoulayearningforyourpresence.Give meaholyrestlessnessthatonlyyoucanfill.Then,lettheawarenessofyour cominggladdenmysoulandthepeaceofAdventquenchmythirst.Inthe nameofJesus,ourLivingWater.Amen.

SubmittedbyDr.JoeDonaho,2008

WaitingWithPurpose

"ForuntousaChildisborn,UntousaSonisgiven;Andthegovernmentwill beuponhisshoulder.AndhisnamewillbecalledWonderfulCounselor, MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.Oftheincreaseofhis governmentandpeacetherewillbenoend..."-Isaiah9:6-7

Doyouhaveahardtimewaiting?IknowIdo-nearlyeveryday.Everything inlifethesedaysseemstorequiresomewaiting,doesn'tit?Wewaitinline ataredlight,atthegrocerystore,whenwegotovote,topickupdry cleaning,tobuygas,anddon'tevengetmestartedontheDMVlines.

TheChristmas/Adventseasonisalsoaboutwaiting waitingforthebirth ofChrist,theSonofGod.Butsomehow,everyyearwhenAdventarrives,I remember-thiswaitingiswithapurpose,isn'tit?

Wearewillingtowaitbecauseputtingasideallthehustleandbustleofthe secularholidaywhatwearewaitingforisourSavior,theWonderful Counselor,thePrinceofPeace.Andforthatreason,thewaitingisalways worthitbecauseweareremindedofthismostpreciousgiftfromGod,his Son,whogavehislifeforusthatwemighthaveeverlastinglife.

Haveyouevergivenanyoneagiftandfeltlikeperhapsthegiftwasn'tall thatspecialtotheperson?Likemaybetherecipientdidn'treallyappreciate it?Wellisn'tthathowGodmustfeelwhenwedon'tproperlyshowour appreciationforthewonderfulgiftofthebirthofGod'sSon,JesusChrist?

ThisAdventSeason,whilewe'rewaitinginlinefortheeveryday,mundane thingsthatfaceus,let'salltrytoremembertoproperlythankGodforthe best,ultimategiftofall thatofsalvationthroughChrist!

Prayer:HeavenlyFather,helpusrememberthatwhilewe'rewaitingfor Christmas,we'renotjustinsomelinesomewhere.We'rewaitingwitha purpose!

SubmittedbySusiMcWilliams,2012

ItWasaDamascusRoadMoment

"ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoever believethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife."-John3:16

ItwasNovemberof1993,andThanksgivinghadjustpassedwithits wonderfulfamilygatherings.Weenjoyedgreatandplentifulfoodand conversationswithfamilymemberswholivedindistantplaces.This particularThanksgivingwasveryspecialasmywife,Lisa,wasverypregnant withourfirstchild.

Thelastthingherdoctortoldherwas,"Don'tcallmeonThanksgiving nightandtellmeyouareinlabor."Butsureenough,offtothehospitalwe wentjustbeforemidnightonThanksgivingDay.Ourphysicianisagreat friendandlaughedwhenhewassummonedtothehospital.Heeven delayedhisvacationtostayanddeliverthebaby,ourpreciouschild,Jamey, thatFriday.

Itwasjustaweeklater,andwewerehomeenjoyingourlittlebundleofjoy. TheChristmasdecorationshadlongbeenup,asLisawantedtobeprepared forournewaddition.AsIsatholdingmynewsonlookingattheChristmas ornamentsandlisteningtothebeautifulseasonalmusic,itsuddenlyhitme inaveryrealway:ourLordhadgiventheworldaSontosaveusfrom ourselves.

ItwasaDamascusroadmoment,anditisoneIshallneverforget.Thebirth ofmyownsongavemetheperspectiveofwhatJosephandMarywere feeling.IthasbeenamostbeautifulfeelingeverytimeIstoptoreflectonit.

DuringthisChristmasseason,IprayyouwillfindthegreatjoyofJesus’ birthandthegreatblessingsofchildren.

Prayer:DearLord,wegivethanksforthebirthofourSavior,Jesusthe Christ.HelpustorememberduringthisseasonthatJesusiswhywecelebrate. Thankyouforlovingusdespiteourmanyflaws.Helpustoknowthatweare trulyblessedtobeablessingtoothers.HelpustospreadthejoyofChristmasto otherslessfortunateandloveourneighborsasweloveourselves.Weprayin thenameofJesus.Amen.

SubmittedbyMadisonDye,2014

YouWillBeWithChild...

"Buttheangelsaidtoher,'Donotbeafraid,Mary,youhavefoundfavor withGod.Youwillbewithchildandgivebirthtoason,andyouaretogive himthenameJesus.'"-Luke1:30-31

Beingpregnantwasawesome,nauseating,thrilling,andexhausting allat thesametime.Youworryabouteverything.AmIeatingtherightthings, willthebabybehealthy,willwehaveenoughmoney?Arewereallyready forthisresponsibility?

Today'stechnologyenablesustoknowsomanythingsaboutababybefore birth.Weknowpinkorblue,healthyornot,approximatebirthweight,and withanultrasoundyoucangetapicture.Notenough?Getan amniocentesis,andyoucangetafullgeneticprofile.

Mymother-in-law,born81yearsago,wasatwin.Theydidnotknowthere wouldbetwountilthereweretwo.Theywerebothpreemiesandwent homeandsleptinadresserdrawerwithalightbulboverhead.Wow,how farwehavecome.

ThinkaboutMary.Asapureteenagegirl,sheisvisitedbyanangel."Youare withchild,andGod'stheDad."''Hello?Youmusthavethewrong number,"Marysaid."Noreally,”Gabrielsaid,"Youaretheholy,chosen one.You’regoingtohaveaboy,hisnameisJesus”(ThatwasB.C.We didn'tknowthiskindofstuffyet)."Trustme,”Gabrielsays,"Ihave connections.”

"Ohgreat!"Marythinks,"HowamIgoingtotellmyparents,andwhat aboutJoseph,myboyfriend,thenicecarpenterboy?”MarytellsJoseph, andhesays,"Yeahright,God'sSon,youexpectmetobelievethat?"Gabriel comesbackandsays,“Trustme.lhaveconnections.”

Then,asifthingsweren'thardenough,someguynamedCaesarAugustus issuesadecree."Youmustgotoyourbirthplacetobecounted.”Marysays toJoseph,“Youwantmetogowhere?Ridingawhat?Lookatme,Joseph. I'masbigasNoah'sArk.”

WhenIhadmybabies,Igottotakeaclassinthehospitalaswellashave trainednursesanddoctorshelpmedeliver.Therewassoothingmusic,clean sheets,andaroomlikethe"Ritz".Andyes,mypersonalfavorite,Ihadan

epidural.Myhusbandwasholdingmyhand,andmymotherwasinthe hall.Mybabieswenthomefromthehospitalinsmockednewborn outfits.

Ninemonthspregnant,Maryhadtorideadonkey,proponahaybale, deliverwithoutdrugs,andsleepinabarn.Thedonkeysandsheepwere hercompanions,andhermotherwasfaraway.Beforeshecouldget herselftogether,Gabriel,thebearerofscarynews,andabunchofhis wingedfriendsshowupsingingsongstoattractattention.Theshepherds camerumblingoverthehillwithstaffsflyingandkickingupdust.All Marywantedwasalittlepeaceandquiet.

Peaceandquiet.Iknowthatthisisabusyseasonthatcanmakeusall anxious.ButtakeamomenttothinkaboutMary,Joseph,andtheirbaby, Jesus.Jesus,thePrinceofPeace,Godwithus,"Emmanuel".Thisisa seasonforgratefulreflectionandjoy.ThankGodforthelifechanging andlifegivinggiftofhisSon,Jesus.

Prayer:DearGod,thankyouforthisholyseason.Helpustonotmissthe truepowerofyourmostamazinggift-yourSon,Jesus,thePrinceofPeace. Amen.

SubmittedbyNancySmith2005

CarpeDiem,ButCarefully!

"BeholdtheLordourGodisdoinganewthingandwondersshallbreak forth.Canyouseethem?"-Isaiah43:19

InthemovieDeadPoetsSociety,thementor-teacher'slifeadvicetohis studentswasalways"Carpediem,"whichtranslates"seizetheday."Itisa goodthingtoliveeachdayfullyasitcomes.Butwhenwegettoocaughtupinthemoment,itissometimesdifficulttoseethebigpicture.(Both themicroscopeandthetelescopeareusefultoolseventhoughtheview fromeachisradicallydifferentfromtheother.)

Inlife,wecannotavoidtherealitythatoftentimesarrogantandwicked peopleprosper,whilegoodandrighteousfolksappeartobestuntedin despair.Thatbothersourhumansensibilitiesandourunderstandingof "fairness."Scripturecallsustoseemoreclearlythatlifeisnotmerelya snapshotcaughtinagivenmomentbut,likeavideo,isaconstantly evolvingscene.Thevisionofallourtomorrowsoffersafardifferent picturethanthestaticstill-shotoftodayonly.

Worldlytreasuresandpleasuresarefickleandtemporary.Yet,weseem overlyconcernedaboutourimmediateappetitesforgratificationand contentment.It'snotnew.EsauenviedJacob'spotofredstewsomuch thathetradedhiswholebirthrightinheritanceforasinglebowlofit (Genesis25:29-34).Scripture'sadvicetous:don'tdothat!

FaithtellsusthatGod's"newthing"isJesusChrist.Hisbirthamongus, asoneofus,changedeverythingelse.DuringAdvent,weprepareto celebratethathemakesallthingsnewagain.Despiteanyappearancesor feelingstothecontrary,becauseofJesus,ourpresentcircumstanceisnot ourultimatecondition.Hallelujah!

Prayer:Lord,helpmetotrustthatyourloveformeisnotmerelyfortoday, butitisforalleternityincludingtoday.Amen.

SubmittedbyBobFuller,2014

AdventBlessing

"FornothingisimpossiblewithGod"-Luke1:37

ItwasaweekbeforeChristmas,Iwas12yearsold,andmycuriositygot thebetterofme.

TraditioninmyfamilywastoopenallpresentsonChristmasDay.Yet,as IsatnexttotheChristmastreesurveyingallthebrightlycoveredpackages withmynameonthem,IreasonedthatifIwasverycareful,Icouldsneak apeekatoneandthenre-securethewrappingwithoutanyonenoticing.I gentlyunwrappedmyselection.Oh,itwasabeautifulpewterband braceletwithmyinitialsengravedinblockstyle…verypopularbackthen. Ilikeditverymuch.Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,AuntKathieand UncleBuddy!Icarefullypiecedthewrappingandtapetogetherand returnedthepackageunderthetree.

Hum…maybeI'lljustopenonemore,Ithought.Ispiedanotherpackage ofsimilarsizetotheonejustopened.Asbefore,Ipulledapartthe wrappingandslippedtheboxfromthepaper.AnticipationmountedasI liftedthetoptosee...Ohno,anotherpewterbandbraceletwithengraved initials,identicaltotheother!Isaidtomyself,asIre-assembledthe wrapping,Well,that'sjustwhatIdeserved.Youknow,I'veneverbeen temptedtocheatthisChristmasDaytraditionagain.

Seriouslyandthankfully,theenduringtruththatI'vetakenfrommy childishexperienceandmostespeciallyfromthecountlessexperiences withfamily,churches,andBiblestudyisthatAdventseasonisa wondroustimeofanticipationandexpectationofthemostperfectgiftof all,Jesus.

AsJesusrevealedtoNicodemusfaithfullyrecordedforusinJohn3:16, "ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisoneandonlySonthat whoeverbelievesinhimshallnotperishbuthaveeternallife.”

MyhopeandprayeristhatyourAdventseasonisfilledwithjoyous expectationofthemostperfectgift,ourLordandSavior,JesusChrist.

Prayer:Lord,helpmedosomethingworthwhileforsomeoneelsetoday.I wanttobringasmiletothefaceofmyneighbor.Loveafriendthroughme, andhelpmesucceedinbringingjoytohisorherlife.Amen.

WhoIsWatchingYou?

“Letyourlightshinebeforeothers,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsand glorifyyourFatherinheaven.”-Matthew5:16

YouandIknowwhomwewatchintheworld,beitacelebrity,a neighbor,orsomeonewhoalwayssitsinacertainpewonSunday morning.Butwhoiswatchingyou?Haveyouwonderedifsomeonehas observedyourpatternsandyourbehaviorsfordays,maybeformonths, orperhapsforyears?Ifyoustopandthinkaboutit,itcanbefrightening torealizetheimpactyoumaybehaving.

Sowhoiswatchingyou?Andwhataretheyobserving?Duringthis seasonofAdvent,areyouusingthistimetoprepareyourheartforthe birthofChristinamanger?

Areyoucomplainingaboutgiftstobuy,mealstoprepare,andvisitstobe made?OristhisaseasonwhentheHolySpiritfillsyourheartinjoyous anticipationofanamazingstoryofbeingsolovedthatGodbecameflesh sothatwemightknowhowtoliveourlives?

Considerhowwelive.Dowejudge,criticize,gossip,andcondemnthose whoaredifferent?Or,dowefollowJesus’steachingsofloving,forgiving, healing,sharing,andopeningourheartstooneanother?

IknowwhomIamwatching.IknowIhavebeenblessedtoseemanyof you,myfellowmembersofEastminster,worshipinginthepewsofour churcheachSunday,leadingSundaySchoolclasses,journeyingon missiontrips,visitingthesick,andsharingthegriefofalostone.Foreach ofyou,Ithankyouforthelessonsyouprovideofloving,caring,listening, andsharing.Iamremindedthatwecanencourageeachotherinour journeyoffaithfullyfollowingourLord.

Now,weturnoureyestogethertoourLordwhoteachesushowtolive fully,joyfully,abundantly.Whoiswatchingus?

Prayer:GraciousandheavenlyFather,remindustoshinetheLightof Christtoallwhoseeusthisseason.Amen.

SubmittedbyKappyHubbard,2007

“Oncomingtothehouse,theysawtheChildwithhismotherMary,andthey boweddownandworshipedhim.”-Matthew2:11

ThefirstChristmasmyhusbandandIweremarried,wereceived,asagift,the firstpiecesofabeautifulNativityset.Itwasastarterkit,sotospeak,with Mary,Joseph,andTheBabeinamanger.

ThenextChristmas,Ipurchasedthestableenclosureatanafter-Christmas sale.Yearshavepassed,andmanymorepieceshavebeenadded.Wehavea littlebitofeverything:shepherds,sheep,variousangels,WiseMenwith camels,donkeys,andevenaninnkeeperwhoholdsalanterntoshowJoseph theway.Eachpieceisboxedseparately,andeachboxhasadescriptionofhow thepiecefitsintothestoryofJesus'birth.

Sincehegrewtallenoughtoreachthedisplaytable,mysonJeffhasassisted mewithsettinguptheNativity.Yearsago,ItoldthestoryofJesus’birth whileIunboxedthepieces,andJeffarrangedthemonthetable.Attimes,I wouldwalkbyandnoticethatthebabyJesuswasplayingwiththesheepor theWiseMenwereheadedawayfromBethlehemwithMary'sdonkeyintow.

AsJeffgrewolder,hewasabletounboxthepieceshimself.Wewouldspeak ofthatmostHolyNightwhilewequietlyworkedtogetherarrangingthe shepherdsandtheirflock.Inmorerecentyears,I'velethimdoallthe unboxingandarranging,andIjustwatchandlisten.

Lastyear,inthefranticrealizationthatChristmaswasnear,Ibroketradition. Imadealistofallthatneededtobeaccomplished,andby4:00p.m.,Ihad finished.Thetreewasupandstrungwithlights,amenuplanned,andthe guestroomwasreadyformydadandstepmom.ChristmasCDswereplaying, andtheNativityhadbeencompletelyunboxedandarranged.

AfterschoolwhenJeffwalkedinside,hisfacelitupashesawthetree,buthis smilequicklyfaded."MOM,whydidn'tyouwaitonme?"Hisquestion stoppedmeinmytracks.TheNativityshouldneverhavebeenonmy"todo" listtobehurriedthroughandcheckedoff.Hisquestionmademepauseand recognizewhatittrulywas:asimpleactofworship.Thisyearwe'rebackto sharingthestoryofJesus'miraculousbirthquietlyandreverentlyby arrangingthosepreciouslittlefigures...together.

Prayer:Father,whenatearisshed,younotice.Impressuponuswhatbreaks yourheartaswellaswhatgladdensit.Amen.

SubmittedbyMelanieDaVega,2010

SeasonofLight

“IamtheLightoftheWorld.Whoeverfollowsmewillneverwalkindarkness, butwillhaveLightofLife.”-John8:12

TheAdventseasonisoneofthebrightesttimesoftheyear.Lightsseemtobe everywhere--candlesinwindows,Adventcandles,spotlightsonChristmas scenesofallkinds,RiverbanksZoolights,andlightsonChristmastrees ranginginsizefromthe40foottreeinourNation’scapitoltoatinytabletree visiblethroughasmallwindow.

ButthetruelightoftheseasonisJesuswhowasbornonthatstarlitnightin Bethlehem.Weareawarethat,inthisworld,allisNOTcalmandallisNOT bright,butweknowthatGod'sloveissteadfast.Weknowthatsomedaywhat isnowdarknesswillbecomeclear.John1:5states,"TheLightshinesinthe darkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit." Maywe,thisyear,turntotheLightoftheWorldandbefilledwithhis radiance,andthenreflectsomethingofhisgreatloveandlighttoaworldin needofhisGoodNews.

Prayer:DearLord,yourloveislikeafire.Itbringswarmth,light,andpeaceto mydarkplaces.Yourfirebothenergizesandsettlesmyspirit.Byitsglow,I snuggleclosertoyou.ThankyouforyourChristmasgift.Amen.

SubmittedbyVirginiaMcCracken,2001

AwaitingaNewBeginning

“FortousaChildisborn,tousaChildisgiven;andthegovernmentwillbe uponhisshoulder,andhisnamewillbecalledWonderfulCounselor,Mighty God,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.”-Isaiah9:6

OneofmyfavoriteChristmasmemoriesfromchildhoodwasgoingtoa cousin'shouseandhearingherhusbandreadfromLuke'sgospelaboutthe birthofJesus.

Itwasmanyyearslater,maybewhilelisteningtoHandel's"Messiah,"whenI discoveredthispassagefromIsaiah.Moreyearswentby,then"Princeof Peace"stuckinmymind.Now,IdiscoverthattheotherthreenamesJesus willbecalledarejustasimportant.Whiletherearefournameslisted,theyem bodyourtriuneGod.Father,Son,andHolySpirit.

ThisisAdvent,andwearewaitingforChristmasDay.Wewillwatchchildren explodewithgleeoveranewtoy.Maybewewillgatherwithfamilyand friendstoenjoyabigmealandwatchfootball.Hopefully,achurchservice willbeattended.

AllaretobecelebratedbecauseJesuswasborninastable.Hecamebecause GodlovesussomuchthathesenthisonlySontosaveus.MerryChristmas!

Prayer:DearGod,thankyouforJesustheChristandforlovinguswithoutend. Amen.

“Inthesixthmonth,GodsenttheangelGabrieltoNazareth….”-Luke1:26

IamalwaysstruckbyMary’swordstoGabrielattheendoftheirencounter: “HereamI,theservantoftheLord;letitbewithmeaccordingtoyourword” (v.38).

Howcouldshepossiblysaythat?Andhoweasilythatphraserollsoffour tonguesaswereadtheChristmasstoryyearafteryear.Yet,thereinliesthe greateststruggleofourlives:thestruggletosurrenderourwillstothewillof God.

LetitbewithmeaccordingtoGod’splan;notmywillformylifebutGod’s will.Essentially,MarypledgesobediencetoaGodwhomayverywellmake herlooklikeaharlot,awomanpregnantoutsideofmarriageinanagewhere suchathingcouldruinayounggirl’slife.ManypledgeobediencetoaGod whosaysthattheimpossiblewillhappen.MarypledgesobediencetoaGod whosaysthatGodistobemostclearlyrevealedtotheworldinthis unexpectedandimplausible(ifnotimpossible)baby.Letitbetome accordingtoyourword!Amazingwords!

WeareoftenunwillingtopledgeobediencetoGodifitwillbeinconvenient. Howmuchlessarewereadytopledgeobedienceifthereisadangerof ruiningourreputation?Godpledgesthattheimpossiblewillhappen,and,in fact,thattheimpossiblewillbecomethemeansofsalvationfortheworld. AndMarysubmitstothisrealitywithoutcountingthecosttoherownplans, dreams,orhopes.Letitbewithmeaccordingtoyourword.

Prayer:OpowerfulGod,grantthatwemayserveyouwithoutreservationand withoutdelay.Teachushowtosubmitourplansandhopestoyourwillinorder thatyourSonmightbeknownthroughus.Letitbewithusaccordingtoyour Word!Amen.

SubmittedbyDr.EllenFowlerSkidmore,2001

“When[theWiseMen]sawthestar,theywereoverjoyed.Oncomingtothe house,theysawtheChildwithhismotherMary,andtheyboweddownand worshipedhim.Thentheyopenedtheirtreasuresandpresentedhimwithgiftsof gold,frankincenseandmyrrh.”-Matthew2:10-11

Onemorningasayoungadult,Iwassittinginmyofficeandreceiveda telephonecallfrommydaddy.Mychildhoodchurch,EasleyPresbyterian, hadburneddown.DaddyandIheldourtelephonereceiversandcried.So manymemories,somuchhistory,somuchapartofourfamily'slives. OutofsadnesscameoneofmydearestChristmastreasures.Intheyear followingthefire,manymembersinthechurchdecidedtosalvagethe amethystglasswindowsandcreateornamentsandNativityscenes.The womencollectedtheircostumejewelry;themenowningsolderingtools pulledthemoutofstorage.Together,thiscongregationtooktheglassfrom theashesandformednewlife.

IamblessedtohavebeengivenaNativityscenecreatedfromthewindows. ThethreeWiseMenhaveheadsofbeadsandcarrybaublesofgold, frankincense,andmyrrh.Thetwoangelshavezirconiumheads.Mary, Joseph,andbabyJesussittogetheronabaseofamethystglass.It'snothing ornate,butit'sloadedwithloveandemotion.

EarlierthisyearasIwascarefullyputtingtheNativityawayuntilthis Christmas,theJesusfigurebrokeawayfromMaryandJoseph.Itriedto repairthecrechebutcouldn't.Afterseveralweeks,Idecidedtofindastainedglassartist.Icarefullytookthecrecheinhisshopandsaid,“Jesusbroke!" Hegentlytooktheitemsfrommyhand,wentbacktohisworktable,and solderedJesusbacktothebase.Hehandeditbacktomeandsaid,“Jesusis aliveoncemore."

AsJeffandIunpacktheNativityscenethisyear,Iwillthinkofthesaintswho moldedmylifeatEasleyPresbyterianChurch.Iwillthinkofthehoursittook tocreatemyChristmastreasure.AndIwillrememberthewordsofthe artisan--“Jesusisalive.”

MaythisAdventseasonbeatimeofpreparationforthenewlifewecelebrate inChrist'sbirth.

Prayer:OpowerfulGod,grantthatwemayserveyouwithoutreservationand withoutdelay.Teachushowtosubmitourplansandhopestoyourwillinorder thatyourSonmightbeknownthroughus.Letitbewithusaccordingtoyour Word!Amen.

“ThanksbetoGodforhisindescribablegift.”-2Corinthians9:15

Severalmonthsago,Ireadamostinspiringanddelightfulbook,*Becoming Odyssa.WrittenbyJenniferPharrDavisfromHendersonville,NC,ittellsthe storyofthefirsttimeshehikedtheentireAppalachianTrailwhenshewas justoutofcollege.JenniferhasbeenfeaturedinGuidepostsmagazineandisa committedChristian.

HardshipswereenduredwhileJenniferhikedthetrailthatfirsttime,but therewerealsosomeserendipitousmoments,betterknownas"trailmagic,"or thetimeswhenahikeronthetrailencounterssomeone(a"trailangel")just sittingandwaitingforanyhikerswhocometheirwayandreadytoofferthem sodas,juice,andalargeassortmentofsnacks--justtobrightenthedayofany hikerswhomighthappenbyawelcomesighttoonewhohasbeenlivingon PopTartsandRamennoodlesfordaysonend!

WhilehikingthroughVirginia,Jenniferencounteredamaninapickuptruck whoaskedherifshewouldlikesome"trailmagic"atthelocalchurch.They rodealongabumpyroadtoaquaintwhitechapelwheretheladieshad preparedbreakfastforanyhikerswhowouldcome.Jenniferimmediately noticedthatabout15gray-hairedladiescircledthetableseagertorefillplates. Thehikerswereconstantlycoaxedwithcommentssuchas,"Here,trymy marmalade,"or,"You'redoingsowellonthattrail!"Theyevenlovingly packedto-gobagsforthehikerstotakebacktothetrail.

Iwasstruckbythesetrailangelsandtheiractsofkindness,andIwas immediatelyremindedofHebrews13:2,whichtellsus,"Benotforgetfulto entertainstrangers,fortherebysomehaveentertainedangelsunaware."

Onamuchgranderscale,IwasalsoremindedofourGod'sgreatestgifttous allhisSon,Jesuswhosebirthdaywearepreparingtocelebrate.Inthemidst ofallthepreparations,trimmings,andtrappings,howmeaningfulitwould beifeachofuscouldcelebrateGod’swonderfulgifttousbyshowingspecial kindnesstostrangersweencounter.JustastheseAppalachiantrailangelsdo onanongoingbasis,wecanhelptomakesomeone'sjourney,onaparticular dayinthisparticularChristmasseason,abitmorepleasant.

Prayer:DearHeavenlyFather,inthisseasonofAdvent,helpustobeawareof theneedsofothersandespeciallyofyourindescribablegifttous--oursalvation throughyourSon,JesusChrist.Amen.

ATimeofRecollection

“Andhesaithuntothem,benotafraid:yeseekJesusofNazareth,whichwas crucified:heisrisen,heisnothere….”-Mark16:6

AsChristmasapproachesin2003,weareagainremindedofthebirthofJesus. Formanyofus,theAdventseasonisatimeofreflection,worship,andprayer. Forothers,itisatimeofhassle,frustration,andanxiety.Tryingtodecide whattogivethispersonorthat.Standinginlonglinesatcheckoutcounters. Strugglingwithheavyautomobiletrafficand,lastbutnotleast,tryingtobeat thatshoppingdeadline.It'senoughtomakeonethinkthatoldGrinchreally hasstolenChristmas.

Inthemidstofallthis,wearedelugedwith24hoursofmusic,from"OLittle TownofBethlehem"to"HereComesSantaClaus,"withSantaClausgetting topbilling.Dependingonhowyouviewit,Christmasiseitheradisasteror themostwonderfultimeoftheyear.

Butaswonderfulasitistomostofus,itisonlyhalfofthestory.Withoutthe crucifixionandtheresurrection,theChristmasstorywouldlikelybejusta charmingstorylikeAmahlandtheNightVisitorsorO'Henry's TheGiftoftheMagi.

AswereflectonthisseasonofAdvent,letusalsoreflectontheSavior'sdeath andresurrectionwithoutwhichthefirsthalfofthestorywouldbegreatly diminished.

Prayer:“Breatheonme,BreathofGod.Fillmewithlifeanew….Breatheon me,BreathofGod,untilmyheartispure….Breatheonme,BreathofGod, untilIamwhollythine.”*Amen.

SubmittedbyJackScoville,2003

*Hatch,Edwin,“BreatheonMe,BreathofGod,”1878.

KeepingSilence

“Bestill,andknowthatIamGod.”-Psalm46:10

Iamalistmaker.Notjustapersonthatkeepsalistinmyheadoronmy phone,butagrab-a-piece-of-paperandwrite-a-daily"todo"listperson.Iama listmakertothepointthatifldocompleteataskthatwasnotonthelist,I willaddittothelistsoIcancrossitoff.AsChristmasapproaches,Ialways findthatmylistgetslongerandlonger,andthepressureofcrossingoffitems grows.

AsIenteredEastminster’ssanctuarylastSundaytryingtorememberwhatI wasgoingtoaddtomylistafterIcrossedoff“worshipserviceandSunday school,”Ireadthewordsatthetopofourbulletin:"GodisinhisHoly Temple,letalltheearthkeepsilentbeforehim"(Habakkuk2:20).

IadmitIstoppedshort.TheversefromHabakkukisthereeveryweek.ButI mustjustskipoverittoreadtheannouncementsandcheckthehymns.That day,Godletmeknowthatmessagewasthereforme.AndnotjustasI enteredthesanctuaryforservice,butinmyeverydaywalkwithGod.

MyprayerforallofusthisAdventseasonisthatwemaketimeforsilence beforeGod.Rememberthemostimportantpreparationisnotfromalistora "todo."ItisatimetobestillinthepresenceofGod.Itisatimeforustobein aweofthewonderofGod.AswearewaitingtocelebrateJesus,nowisthe timetofeelandknowthatGod’sloveissogreatthathesenthisSonasour Redeemer.Thereisnogreaterlove.

Thistimeofyearisfullofwonderfulmoments:enjoyingbeautiful decorationsanddelicioustreats,sharingtimewithfamilyandfriends, spendingtimeinservicetoourneighbors.Butthisyear,atthetopofmydaily lististo"bestill,"to"keepsilent,"andtoknowGod.

Prayer:DearGod,inthisoftenhectictimeofyear,showushowtocometoyou instillnessandsilence.Helpusunderstandyourwonderandloveloveso amazingthatyousentusyourSon.Inoursilence,showusyourway.Leadusin thepathyouhaveforeachofourlives,andfillourheartswiththejoyinyou. Amen.

SubmittedbyBillieMuthig,2017

TheStocking

“ForuntousaChildisborn,untousaSonisgiven:andthegovernmentshallbe uponhisshoulders:andhisnameshallbecalledWonderfulCounselor,Mighty God,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace.”-Isaiah9:6

Thestockingswerehungfromthemantelwithcare.Daddy'ssilksocks overflowingwithfruits,candy,andnuts.Thearomaofthefreshlycutcedar treegavetheroomthefeelingofChristmas.Thegiftsunderthetreewere smallandforgettable,butlovesurroundedoursmallfamilyjustmysister Jean,mymother,myfather,andme.

Agenerationlaterthereweresevenstockingshangingfromthemanteland overflowingwithgoodies.Fourchildrenandtheirspousesandsevenprecious grandchildren.Thegiftswerebiggerandstillforgettable,butloveabounded inthislargefamily.

Twothousandyearsagoastockinghungfromthemanteloftheuniverse overflowingwiththeloveofGodforallmankind.TheGiftspokeofthe unforgettable,unspeakablerichesofGod….

"ForuntousaChildisborn,untousaSonisgiven:andthegovernmentshall beuponhisshoulders:andhisnameshallbecalledWonderfulCounselor, MightyGod,EverlastingFather,PrinceofPeace"(Isaiah9:6).

Prayer:HeavenlyFather,wearegratefulforyourgreatestGift,overflowing withloveforallmankind.Amen.

SubmittedbyWinnieDew,2009

“AnangeloftheLordstoodbeforethem,andthegloryoftheLordshonearound them….”-Luke2:9

Light-yearsagowhenIwasveryyoung,welivedinahotelforafairlylong time.ItwasmyversionofwhatlittleEloiseofchildren'sfictionexperienced. ButmyhotelwasnottheposhPlazainNewYorkCity,wewerenotonthe topfloor,andIsurelydidn'thaveanannyasdidEloise.

WehadmovedintotheHotelduPontinDelaware.Thechemical corporationwhereDadworkedhadtransferredhimtoWilmington,and whilewewereintransition,thefiveofussettledinforanextendedstay.It wasamarvelous,grandplace,theHotelduPont.Itstillis.

Irememberuschildrendrivingtheelevatoroperatorscrazyaswerodeupand downmultipletimeseachhour.Ialsovividlyrecallbeingfascinatedbythe maildropchutes,andconfesstodroppingmorethanmaildownsomeof them!

AsChristmasdrewcloser,itwasapparentthatwewouldcontinueoninthe HotelduPont.Carol,Bobby,andIwereworried.Howcouldanyone possiblyexperiencetherichnessandwonderofChristmastimeinahotel? Well,wefoundout.

DadarrangedforaChristmastreetobebroughtupstairsandset-upinoneof therooms.HighaboveMarketStreet,thelightsandtinsel-iciclesaddeddrama toourcelebrationoftheLord'sbirth.AndonChristmasmorning,thearray ofgiftsunderthetreecaughtusbysurprise.ThegiftthatIremembersowell wastheincredibleLioneltrainset.WhatagloriousChristmasmorningthat was!

LingeringmemoriesofourhotelChristmasremindmethatChristmasitself trulyismarvelouswhereverwemightexperienceit.Thatyear,whileMom andDadreadLuke'saccountofChrist'sbirthtous,God'sincrediblepresence overshadowedanythingawkwardandtemporaryaboutChristmasatthe HotelduPont.WewereonewithourLord.Andinourholidayhotelwe wereallsohappysharingGod'sblessings!

Prayer:GraciousGod,surroundyourpeoplewithyourloveandwiththehope wealldiscoverinChrist'sbirth.Whereverwemightfindourselves--Iraq, Columbia,Campinas,Afghanistan,NewOrleansletusalwaysfeelthe wonderandthepowerandthegloryoftheholybirthofJesus.InourSavior's preciousname,wepray.Amen.

SubmittedbyDr.JimSt.John,2010

Faith,ForgivenessandHealing

"Thensomepeoplecame,bringingtohimaparalyzedman,carriedbyfourof them.AndwhentheycouldnotbringhimtoJesusbecauseofthecrowd,they removedtheroofabovehim,andafterhavingdugthroughit,theyletdownthe matonwhichtheparalyticlay.WhenJesussawtheirfaith,hesaidtothe paralytic,‘Child,yoursinsareforgiven.’…Andhestoodupandimmediately tookthematandwentoutbeforeallofthem,sothattheywereallamazedand glorifiedGod,saying,‘Wehaveneverseenanythinglikethis!'"-Mark2:2-5,12

WhenIponderedEastminster’sthemefor2021,"Return,Rejoice,Respond,"I thoughtofanOfficers'Retreatinthe1990s,whereDr.BenJohnsonof ColumbiaTheologicalSeminaryledusinencounteringscripture.First,he transportedusmentallytoawarmafternooninCapernaumwhereacrowd gatheredaroundJesus.Then,hereadthestoryofhowfourmenbroughta paralytictoJesusastoryoffaith,forgiveness,andhealing.Aswelistenedto thestory,weweretodecidewhichcharacterwewere.

Nodoubtaboutit,Iwastheparalytic,forIwasnurturedbylovedoneswhose faithbroughtmetoJesus.Iwasovercomewithgratitude.

BenJohnsonthensetanotherscene."ItislaterthatafternooninCapernaum. Everyoneelsehasgonehome,andyoufindyourselfalonewithJesus.Youget toaskhimonequestion.Whatdoyouwanttoask?"

Givensuchanopportunity,whatmightyouaskJesus?

Inmycase,overcomeoncemore,IaskedJesusthisquestion:"WhatdoIdo withthisamazingforgiveness?"ForJesushadforgiventheparalyticbefore tellinghimtogetupandwalk.

InthisseasonofAdvent,maywerememberthatthebabyJesusdidnotstayin themanger,thecrucifiedJesusdidnotstayinthetomb,andtheparalyticdid notstayonthepallet.Forgivenandhealed,theparalyticgotupandfollowed Jesusintothefullnessoflife.Maywedothesame.

Prayer:Ourgracious,heavenlyFather,inthismemoryladenseason,we rememberwithgratitudethosewhofirstbroughtustoyou.Whenwestumblein ourownjourneysoffaith,paralyzedbydoubtandfear,strengthenustocarry yourhealingforgivenesstoawaitingworld.HopeoftheWorld,wefervently pray,"LetearthreceiveherKing;leteveryheartpreparehimroom."Amen.

ThanksgivingtoGod

“Iwillpraiseyou,Lord,withallmyheart;Iwilltellofallthewonderfulthings youhavedone.Iwillsingwithjoybecauseofyou.Iwillsingpraisetoyou, AlmightyGod."-Psalm9:1-2

IlovelisteningtoChristmasmusic.Itremindsmeofsomanywonderful memoriesandpromptsmetolookforwardtospendingtimewithmyfamily.

Acoupleofyearsago,mywifestartedlisteningtothelocalChristianradio channel,WMHK89.7FM.Afteralittlewhile,itbecameapre-setstationon mycar 'sradiotoo.

AsItransitionedtothenewsongs,oneofthethingsthatfirstcaughtmy attentionwasaboutoneoutof10songswasacoversongwithdifferentlyrics. ThetunewasthesameasthesongsIalreadyknewfromtheotherstations,but thelyricswereaboutGod,Jesus,andfaith.

Forfun,whenIlistentotheoldstations,Inowtrytomakeuplyricsthatpraise God.Therewasamovieacoupleofyearsagocalled“SisterAct”thatdidthe samethingwiththesong“MyGuy,”whichtheychangedto“MyGod.” “NothingyoucansaythatcantearmeawayfrommyGod....”

I'mgladthatnowIdon'tfeellikeIhavetowaituntilChristmasseasontoenjoy songsaboutGod,Jesus,andfaith.Tryit;testyourcreativity.It'saball.

Whilehappilylisteningtomusic,IconsiderhowmuchGodhasblessedme, andIcan'thelpbutwanttorespondandsay,"Thankyou,thankyou,God. YouaretrulyagraciousGod.”

Prayer:Lord,thankyouthatIcandependonyoutobewithmeandguidemein thechoicesIneedtomaketoday.Amen.

SubmittedbyGeorgeMcCutchenIII,2002

AndtheKingWillAnswerThem

“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme." Philippians4:13

WhenIwasinsecondgrade,mymotherwasinahorriblecaraccidentthatleft herinacomaforfourweeks.Shealmostlostherrightfootandwasintraction forthenextsixmonths.

Motherwasabeautifulwomanoffaith.ThisBibleversewasherfavoriteand onethatshelivedbyasshefacedsomanyhardships.Shelovedtocookand wouldconstantlytakefoodtothosewhoweresickorneededhelp.Assoonas shewasfinallyabletowalkagain,shewasoutdeliveringfoodforothersand bringingjoytoeveryone.

Shediedwhenshewasonly61,andthepastoratherserviceusedMatthew 25:3536,40:"ForIwashungryandyougavemefood.Iwasthirstyandyou gavemedrink.Iwasastrangerandyouwelcomedme.Iwassickandyou visitedme.’…AndtheKingwillanswerthemsaying,'TrulyIsaytoyou,asyou didittooneoftheleastofthesemybrothers,youdidittome.'"

MaywecelebratewithjoythebirthofourSavior,andshareourblessingswith othersduringtheChristmasseasonandbeyond!

Prayer:DearFather,howblessedIamtohavehadamotherwhotaughtme yourWordandwasafaithfulexampleformeandmyfamily.Thankyou, Father.Inyourname,Ipray.Amen.

TimesWhenWeNeedaLittleChristmas

"ForuntoyouisbornthisdayintheCityofDavidaSavior,whichisChristthe Lord."-Luke2:11

EarlyintheBroadwaymusical"Mame"(oneofmyfavorites),AuntieMame (AnnMiller)reachedalowpointinherlife.Mamerespondedbysinging, "Bringouttheholly,putupthetreebeforemyspiritslagagain,"leadingupto thetheme,"WeneedalittleChristmas"(rightthisveryminute,candlesinthe window,carolsatthespinet).*

Ofcourse,Christmaswasnowherenear,andMame'sneedsmighthavehad moretodowithrecreationthanreligion.ShewasmoretheNewYear'sEve type.Regardless,Mamefeltthatshe"neededalittleChristmas"atthatpointin herlife.

Allofusfacetimeswhenstormcloudsgatherinreallife,andwe"needalittle Christmas"toshelterusrightthatveryminute.

Whenwefacethedeathofalovedone,Christmastellsus,"Blessedaretheythat mourn,fortheyshallbecomforted"(Matthew5:4).Whenthepressuresand problemsoflifeseemtobemounting,Christmasbeckons,"Comeuntomeall whoarewearyandheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest"(Matthew11:28).

Perhapswesometimesworrytoomuchaboutthefuture,butChristmas entreats,"Donotbeanxiousabouttomorrow.Tomorrowwilltakecareof itself"(Matthew6:34).

Whenwearetraumatizedbythosewhodonotactinwaysthatweapprove, Christmassays,"Judgenotandyoushallnotbejudged.Forgiveandyoushall beforgiven"(Luke6:37).

Attimeswhenweareoffendedbythosewhowoulddousharminsomeway, Christmastellsus,"Donotbeovercomewithevil,butovercomeevilwith good"(Romans12:21).

Weoftendonotunderstandwhybadthingshappentosomanygoodpeople, butChristmasremindsusthattheultimategoodisours,because"Godsoloved theworldthathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinhim shallnotperishbuthavelifeeverlasting"(John3:16).

Christmashasawayofsoothingthewoundsthatareapartoflife,ifwewill onlytaketimetolistenandtoaccept.

Mame"neededalittleChristmas,"andsheseemedtohavefounditbythetime thefinalcurtainwaspulled.Ultimately,ChristmaspromisesChristians that,atourfinalcurtaincall,wewillbe,asthehymnistwrites,"changedfrom gloryintoglory,tillinHeavenwetakeourplace."**Thatiswhat"alittle Christmas"isallabout.

Prayer:Lord,thankyouthatChristmasiswithuseverydayoftheyear.Amen.

UnrecognizedGifts

“Thiswillbeasigntoyou:YouwillfindaBabywrappedinswaddlingclothes andlyinginamanger.” Luke2:12

Traditionally,giftsarewrappedineye-catchingpaperandbeautifully decoratedwithribbonsandbows.Thisfancypackaginggivestherecipientof thegiftassurancethatsurelyatreasurelieswithin.ItisduringthisAdvent timeofyearthatwetaketimetorememberthegreatestGiftofall,theKingof kings,ourSavior,didnotarrivedressedinfinery,buthecameasamerebaby lyinginamanger.

TheworlddidnotrecognizehimasthegreatgiftfromGodthathewas becausetheyexpectedakingtobebig,mighty,andonewhodressedthepart. Howoftenduringourdailylivesdowemissgiftsthatarehiddeninside unexpected,unassuming,andsometimesevenunflatteringpackages?

Whetheritisskillslearnedandfriendshipsmadefromsteppingoutofour comfortzonesandsaying"yes"tonewopportunitiestoserve,thekindness andlovefromneighborsduringatimeofsuffering,ortheforgivenessand gracebestoweduponusafteraconflictinarelationship,weshouldtakethe timetolookforGod'sgiftsinallsituations.

Whenwekeepoureyesonhimandsearchwholeheartedlyforthetreasures thathehasforus,wewillfindthattheyoftencomeinthemost unrecognizablepackages.

Prayer:DearLord,thankyouforthewonderfulgiftsoflove,grace,peace,and hopethatyouleaveforusinthemostunexpectedplaces.Pleasehelpmetokeep myeyesonyou,sothatIwillcontinuetosearchforandrecognizetheseblessings. Amen. SubmittedbyElizabethBalthazor,2014

It'stheCandlesThatMaketheDifference

“YearetheLightoftheworld.”-Matthew5:14

AsIviewedtheauditoriumtobesurethatallwasinorderforthewedding,I noticedthatitlookedverydarkinside.Upontellingthebridemythoughts, sheaskedifthecandleshadbeenlit.WhenItoldherno,shethenaskedthat wewaituntiltheylitthecandles.

Ireturnedtotheauditoriumastwousherswentdowntheaislelightingthe candles.Theremusthavebeenahundredcandles.Whentheyhadfinished,I stoodthereamazed,forbeforemewasthemostbeautifulweddingsceneI hadeverseen.

Someonesaid,“Itisthecandlesthatmakethedifference.”Ithoughtabout whattheysaid.ItcametomindthatJesusisacandlelighter.Heisthe world’sgreatestcandlelighter.

Thinkofthemanylivesthatheinfluencedjustbylightingthecandleintheir hearts.Therewereallthedisciples,theblind,thecrippled,andthesinners.

Andevenyouandme.TrulynootherworddescribesChristmoreaccurately thantheword“light.”Whatadarkworldthiswouldbeifwehadneverhad Christtolightourway.

Eachday,weshouldlookforawaytohelpsomeonewhoislessfortunate thanweare.Manytimes,justaphonecall,avisit,asmile,acard,orjustsome littlesomethingshowslovetoanotherperson.

Prayer:GraciousGod,weknowthatyouarealwayswithus,evenintimes whenweseemtoforgetyou.Thankyouforyourguidinglightandyourever presenceinourlives.Amen.

SubmittedbyJoeTaylor,2002

ReadyorNot!

“ForeveryonebornofGodovercomestheworld.Thisisthevictorythathas overcometheworld,evenourfaith.”-1John5:4

Mydearlittlegranddaughter(appleofmyeye!)hasbeenajoytoalleversince her“advent”intothisworld.Shehasanenthusiasmforlifeandreadinessto jumpinandpartakeofeverythingthat’sgoingon.Whenshewasthreeyears old,shethrewherselfintoChristmaspreparations,elbowingintowhatever washappeningsoshecouldbepartofit.Shewantedto“help”family memberswraptheirgiftsliterallyinsertingherselfbetweenthegift-wrapper andthepackage.Then,toeveryone’ssatisfaction,sheannouncedfirmly, “HereIcome,readyornot!”asshesaileddownthehalltoplaceitatthebig Christmastree.

She’snow19andamaturingcollegestudent,butshehasnotlostthejoiede vivrethatmarkedthoseearlyyears.Shestilltackleslifewithboundless optimismandzest,confidentthatwhateverhappensnextwillbeevenbetter thanallthathascomebefore.

Theword“advent,”describingourpreparationsforthecelebrationof Christmas,alwaysremindsmeofmygranddaughter’sexemplaryattitude towardlifeandwhatAdventshoulddoforusall.Isn’tthatwhatitmeans anyway:“Readyornot,hereIcome”?

WastheworldreadyforChrist’sarrival2,000yearsago?Isitreadynowfor theobservanceofthatcoming?Whatcanwedotoprepareourselves thoughtfullyandprayerfullyfortheAdventseason?

WhatcanweanswerwhenChristsaystous,“HereIcome,readyornot!” Adventprovidestheseasonforustoprepareourheartsashewouldhaveus do.

Prayer:DearGod,givemestrengthenoughnotonlytodealwithmyown issues,butalsotoreachoutandhelpsomeoneelsewiththeirs.Amen.

SubmittedbyJackiePerrone,2001

“ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlybegottenSon…."-John3:16 ItisourturnthisyeartohosttheHalliganFamilyChristmasgathering.It rotatesamongColumbia,Charlotte,andSpartanburgwithafourthfamily comingfromVirginia.Forthepast22years,ourfamilyhasjoinedmy husband'ssideofthefamilytocombinethree(nowfour!)generations--his parents,threesiblings,andtheirchildren foraholidaygatheringtosharea mealandopengifts,usuallysomeSaturdaybeforeChristmas.

Overtheyears,ournumbershavegrownfromabout16in1990to25this yearwithbirthsofmoregrandchildren,marriagesoftwooftheoldest,and nowthefirstgreatgrandchild.Inspiteofcrazylivesfilledwithworking, servingchurchandcommunity,raisingchildren,andgettingchildren throughhighschool,collegeandgraduateschool,thefamiliesmanagetofind timeeachyeartostop,travel,gathertogether,touchbase,andtoreconnect duringtheChristmasseason.Itwouldhavebeensoeasytochooseotherwise.

Itwillchangethisyear.Wewillgather,butnowrappedgiftswillbe exchanged.Yousee,wehavecometorealizethat"beingtogether"overthe yearsistherealgift,themostpreciousgiftwegiveoneanothereachyear. Thatcommittedefforttogatherovertimehascausedourextendedfamily relationshipstobecomestronger,ourloveforoneanothertodeepen,our livestobecomemoreintertwinedandrichbecausewemadetimetobe togetherrepeatedlytosharelifestories,tolaughandcrytogetherand,yes, consumealotoffood.Allbecauseweintentionallymadeaneffortto connectyearafteryear.Priceless!

Goddidthattoo,whenoutofincredibleloveheintentionallymadethe efforttoconnectwithusinanextraordinarywaybygivingusthegiftofhis Sonthat,bygraceandthroughfaith,wemighthavetheopportunityto knowandtodeepenourrelationshipwithhim.Priceless!

Prayer:HeavenlyFather,thisChristmasasweallhaveachancetoagain connectandnurturewithloveourrelationshipswithothers,helpusremember firstthemostpricelessrelationship thatwithyouthroughJesus,thegreatest andmostlovinggiftofall!ThanksbetoGod!Amen.

SubmittedbyPamHalligan,2012

“WhatIsaytoyou,saytoeveryone:‘Watch!’"-Mark13:35-37

Therearemanycircumstancesinlifewheneithertheexcitementorgravityor thesituationprecludessleep.Howmanyofusrecollectlyingawakeas childrenonChristmasEvewhilestrugglingtofallasleep?Howmanytimes havewekeptvigilforalovedoneenduringillnessorawaitingdeath?How oftenhavewewaitedupforaphonecallthatbringsnewsofsomeonewe loveandasafearrivalaftertravel?Theseoccasionsdemandourvigilance becauseoftheirmeaning.

Marksuggeststhesamesortofexpectancyshouldaccompanyourwaiting forGod.

Theword“anticipation”comesfromtheLatin“antecapare,”meaningto claimsomethingaheadofitstime.FortheChristianChurch,ourdisposition duringtheAdventseasonrevolvesaroundclaimingGod’spromisetocome inpowertodeliverhispeopleasareliablebet.

InthemovieFieldofDreams,thecharacterplayedbyKevinCostnerdoes theunusualandeccentricwhenhebuildsalightedbaseballfieldinthe middleofanIowacornfield.Hehasreceivedamysticalmessagethat,“Ifyou buildit,hewillcome.”Withoutknowingwho“he”is,thesimple,debtriddenfarmerstepsoutinfaithtobuildthefield.

Adventisaboutlivingourliveswiththesamesortofworld-defying confidencethatourLordwillcome.Asthepsalmistproclaimsin announcingthecelebration,“...forheiscomingtojudgetheearth,hewill judgetheworldwithrighteousnessandthepeoplewithequity” (Psalm98:9).

Prayer:Lordofourhopefulness,makeusexpectantpeople.Filluswiththe excitementthatyouareaLordwhocares,aLordwhocorrects,aLordwho completes,andaLordwhocomes.Keepussafeandfaithfuluntilyourcoming asweprayinChrist’sname.Amen.

SubmittedbyDr.JohnFrye,2001

ChristmasfortheHeart

“Andsuddenlytherewaswiththeangelamultitudeoftheheavenlyhost praisingGod"-Luke2:13

AsIsitinmylivingroomsurroundedbyemptyboxes,crumpledredand greengiftwrap,wonderfulchildren,andhappilyplayinggrandchildren,I mentallyrevisitthehillsideinBethlehem.

There,Iseegrownmengazingskywardandleaningonshepherds’crooks, theirfacesbrightwithanunearthlylight.Presentlytheyfalltotheirknees seeingandhearingaspiritedrealitynowrevealedintimeandspace.Asky filledwithamultitudeoftheheavenlyhostsingingpraisestothenewborn king.

Coulditbethatrighthereinmyhomeandrightthereinyourhomesatthis holyseason,youandIarealsointhepresenceofanotherworldthatisjustas realandunseenandunheardastheonetheshepherdsknewthatglorious nightinBethlehem?

CoulditbethattheChildborninthatmangeristhelinkbetweenthat realityandthis?Coulditbethatatthisverymoment,youandIare surroundedbysingingangelsandarchangelsandallthecompanyof Heaven?

Ibelieveitisso,forGod,whocommandedthelighttoshineoutofdarkness, hathshinedinourheartstogivethelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryof GodinthefaceofJesusChrist.

Prayer:GlorytoGodinthehighestandonearthpeace,goodwillamongall people.InChrist'sname,Amen.

SubmittedbyEstherPearman,2002

IfIHadBeeninBethlehem

"UntoyouisbornthisdayintheCityofDavid,aSavior,whoisChristthe Lord.”-Luke2:11

IfIhadbeeninBethlehemonthefirstChristmas,wouldIhavebeen sensitiveenoughtobeawareofthestrangevibrationsofexcitementinthe air?

IfIhadbeenMary,couldIhaveturneddeafearsandblindeyestothe whisperedcommentsandthecondemningstaresofmyneighborsduringthe monthsofmybetrothal?WouldIhavehadthefaithtobelievewhatthe angelhadsaidthatGodwoulduseme,asimpleteenagepeasant,tobring hisMessiahintotheworld?

IfIhadbeenJoseph,wouldIhavehadthepatienceandfortitudetoendure thegossipthatwouldhavemademewelcomethechancetoleaveNazareth, evenforalittlewhile,tobefreetoponderalltheimplicationsofwhatGod's messengerhadtoldme?

IfIhadbeentheinnkeeper,wouldIhaveassessedtheobviouslypoorcouple andquicklydecidedtorentmyroomstosomeoneelse,soeveryonestaying intheinnwouldnotbeinconveniencedbyhavingtogothrough purificationritualsifthewomangavebirth?WouldI,then,withatwingeof conscience,allowthemtobeddowninthecavethatservedasastablefor freeeven?

IfIhadbeentheWiseMen,wouldIhaveperseveredforovertwoyears followingthestar,stayingoncourseeventhoughoftentemptedtogiveup andreturnhome,riskingmyverylifeinsearchofthefulfillmentthatawaited meattheendofmyjourney?

IfIhadbeenGod,wouldIhavesentmyonlySontothissinfulearthasa defenselessbabe,borntopoor,humbleparents,exposedfromthebeginning tothecrueltyandjealousyofhumanity.

IfIhadbeenGod,wouldIhaveexposedmybelovedChildto33yearsoflife onearthuncertain,hard,andpainful?WouldIhaveledhimthroughthree yearsofstrugglingministrysurroundedbyjeeringskeptics,insensitive,and self-righteous,religiousleaders?WouldIhavesubjectedhimtothedoubtsof evenhisearthlyfamily?

IfIhadbeenGod,wouldI couldIthinkhumankindwasworththeprice mySonwouldpayfortheirredemption?CouldIhavelovedtheworldthe wayGoddid...enoughtogivehisonlySon?

Prayer:Whatanightitmusthavebeen,Lord!Maywerealizethesacrifice youmade.Guideeachofustodailyrenewourrelationshipwithyou,our CreatorandtheAuthorofoursalvation.Amen.

SubmittedbyLibFoster,2003

ChristmasisHere!

“InthosedaysadecreewentoutfromEmperorAugustusthatalltheworld shouldberegistered.Thiswasthefirstregistrationandwastakenwhile QuiriniuswasgovernorofSyria.Allwenttotheirowntownstoberegistered. JosephalsowentfromthetownofNazarethinGalileetoJudea,totheCityof DavidcalledBethlehem,becausehewasdescendedfromthehouseandfamily ofDavid.HewenttoberegisteredwithMary,towhomhewasengagedand whowasexpectingachild.”-Luke2:1-5

Christmasishere!Thus,wearesupposedtobeinsuchanexaltedstatethat ourspiritsandourfeetshouldbarelytouchtheground.Itisasifateamof angelsis,bywayofthosethinwiresusedinChristmasplays,seemingly liftingusbyourshoulders.

Butlifedoesn'talwaysworkthatway.Sometimes,itfeelslikethosethin, littlewiresaretwistedaroundourhandsandfeetmakingithardtomoveat all.Therearecardstowrite,giftstopurchase,anddecorationstounpack. Therearealsomemoriesthatstir,lostlovedonestogrieve,andstressesfrom unseenoriginsthatpressfromalldirections.

Thewordsandimagesof"SilentNight,HolyNight"haveawayofquieting oursouls,permittingustoexperiencethemiracleofGodwithusinJesus.

Butmakenomistake,itwasnotaquiettimeforMaryandJoseph.Packing thefamilyminivanisahassle,butitsurebeatsa60milerideonthefamily donkey.Sleepinginanotherbedisalwaysanadjustment,butatleastyou've gotabed.Andsure,youmaythinkyourin-lawsareanimals,butforMary andJoseph,well,youknow.

Ifyouhearchoirsofangels,smellsweetincense,andhaveaclearviewofthe Bethlehemstar,enjoyit.If,ontheotherhand,youfeelpulledinmore directionsthananoctopushasarms,youfindmemory-filledtearsuponyour cheeksandyoufeeljustbarelyincontrol,don'tworry.Afterall,itwasintoa chaoticlifejustlikeyoursthatourLordcametousfacetoface.

Prayer:OMessiahborninamanger,weworshipyou!Magnificentareyou andwonderfulareyourways.Thankyouforyourmatchlessgrace!Thankyou formercifullyseeingusfromthevantagepointofheaven'sthroneand Calvary'stree!Amen.

SubmittedbyDr.BradSmith,2009

JoinusforAdvent!

November27th-Advent1:Prepareyourheartsand mindsforthecomingofChrist.

December4th-Advent2:Experienceapreviewofthe December6thChristmasConcert.

December6th-SpaghettiDinnerat5:30pmin ThompsonHall(beforeCarolsandKeyboards). December6th-CarolsandKeyboardsat7pmintheEPC Sanctuary.Usherintheseasonwith4pianos,8hands,the ChancelChoir,andtheSandlapperSingers.

December11th-Advent3:LessonsandCarolsJubilee Styleat11:15aminThompsonHall. December11th-LongestNightPeaceService

at4pmintheAdultReceptionHall. at5pm,7pm&9pmintheSanctuary. at10amintheSanctuary. at10amintheSanctuary. from Eastminster's Worship & Music Ministry

December18th-Advent4:LessonsandCarolsatboth Traditionalworshipservices at9am&11:15amwiththe ChancelChoirandorchestra. December18th-LivingNativityat5pm,6pm&7pmin theCourtyard. December24th-ChristmasEveWorshipatEastminster December25th-ChristmasDayWorshipatEastminster January1st-NewYear'sDayWorshipatEastminster

haveseenagreatLight." -Isaiah9:2

EastminsterPresbyterianChurch 3200TrenholmRd. Columbia,SC29204 (803)256-1654 www.eastminsterpres.org