2023 Advent and Christmas Devotional Booklet

Peace on

Earth

Devotions for Advent and Christmas 2023 A gift from Children’s Ministries at Myers Park United Methodist Church

Cover Art: Heavenly Angel, Andie Woodley, age 8

Peace on Earth Devotions for Advent and Christmas 2023 A gift from Children’s Ministries at Myers Park United Methodist Church

The Star, Margaret Ries, age 6

The Christmas Miracle, Claire Mosby, age 9

Thank You to Our Contributors Lincoln Allison Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot Liv Bostic Betsy Brice Rev. Brian Childers Cooper Clair Charlotte Corrado Rev. Jessica Dayson Emily Fleck Hugh Floyd Lily Fogg Briggs Fulghum Charley Fulghum Crew Fulghum

Carol Greene

Alexander Hieronymus Henry Hodges Harper Hoidal Elizabeth Holland Dr. James C. Howell Ford Hurley

Hazel Hurley Davis Hutson Jackson Hutson Wyatt Jones Dr. Uiyeon Kim Carson Kloss Marin Lall Mary Helen Lockee Leslie Lowery Jonas Martin Jude Martin Susan Matz Claire Mosby Frances Mosby Tel Mosby Adriana Moses Annie Nannini Sofia Obando Wynn Poe Georgie Porter Lila Powell

Margaret Ries Ridge Ries Rev. Bill Roth Betsy Scott Grace Sheehy Lily Sheehy Evelyn Shute Meredith Starling Sarah Sumner Wendy Wallace-Wright Jackson Ward

Ann Weems

Julie Wentz Ella Wilson Maisie Witter Andie Woodley Barrett Wright Holston Wright Jack Yates Eva James Zoog

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” ~ Luke 2:14, NRSV Dear Friends, Our world is noisy. We are surrounded by traffic, music, television, news, crowds, and social media. It can all be a little much. Our minds are busy and distracted. It’s hard to focus and slow down. Oh, how we could use a little peace and quiet. Jesus came to bring peace to our world and our hearts.

I wonder what kind of peace we can bring to our world. To our own homes and families? What are the small ways we can open our hearts and invite the peace of Jesus in?

Peace on Earth is the title of Children’s Ministries’ 12th annual Advent and Christmas

devotional book. We have used thoughts from our clergy, church staff, Children’s Ministries staff, and other authors. The beautiful artwork is from the children of MPUMC, and what a gift that is! As you read through its pages, we pray your family will find ways to grow closer to one another and find glimpses of peace and joy during this Advent season.

Amy Jo Alspaugh, Leslie Lowery, Lisa Ross-Smit and Betsy Scott

The Stable, Jack Yates, age 6

Week 1 December 3 — December 9

Christmas Angels in Heaven, Wyatt Jones, age 6

Sunday, December 3 Today we light the first candle on the Advent Wreath – the candle of Hope. If you have a lot of readers in your family, make this ritual one where they can participate. Use it the way it works best for your family.

Reader:

God’s people waited for hundreds and thousands of years for the birth of God’s son. We still wait today. We wait and prepare our hearts during the season of Advent to celebrate once again the mystery of Christmas.

Reader:

Read Jeremiah 33:14.

Reader:

(Light the first candle.) We light the candle of Hope. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God will fulfil the promise that God made to Israel and Judah by giving them a Messiah.

Reader:

“Light the Advent candle, one: Now the waiting has begun; we have started on our way, time to think of Christmas day. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.”

Quietly enjoy the light of the Hope candle.

Sing “A Candle is Burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.”

A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright, A candle of HOPE in November’s dark night.

While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky, Our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

Prayer:

God of Hope, sometimes we find it very hard to wait. We want everything right now.

Help us to wait. Help us to know that because we have hope, we can wait. We know that something is about to happen!

Amen.

Church, Liv Bostic, age 6

Monday, December 4 So many of the songs we sing at Christmas ask the Lord to come: “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” “Come, thou long-expected Jesus,” and the final plea of “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “O come to us, abide with us.” God already came. How can God come when God is everywhere? The word come implies God might be gone and needs to return. If anyone needs to return, it would be us back toward God. Yet in the Bible, it is the Lord who comes. Ours is to wait. We sense somewhere deep in the marrow of our being that the Lord isn’t here but will come again. Perhaps this deep part of us feels empty; perhaps we don’t know how to fill the emptiness. As we look out our windows into the darkness, we plead desperately, “O come to us!”

The peculiarity of Christianity is that we know God is everywhere all the time, and yet we still celebrate the mystery of God embarking on the impossible: coming to us. God came not as a thunderstorm or an armed invasion but as one of us, a baby. God didn’t come to a sumptuous palace but to a ramshackle cold manger in the middle of nowhere, to a bunch of nobodies.

How good of God to love us enough to become one with our very life and to show us God’s tender heart by having a heart like ours. How would we have had Christmas Morning, Barrett Wright, age 6 any clue otherwise? We would always have thought God was invisible, omnipotent, infinite-everywhere.

But I find I don’t need God to be everywhere; I need God to be here. I don’t need an infinite, ineffable God. I need a God with a heart who loves, a God who will come to us and abide with us.

The saddest words I remember from my childhood holidays came in my grandparents’ living room when all the presents were unwrapped, the cleanup nearly done. My dad tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Son, let’s go. Christmas is over.” But we know better. We sing not only “O come to us” but also “Abide with us.” Linger a bit longer after the presents and food when we’re back in our routines, work or school – “abide with us.”

After all, Jesus’ name is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” Some of John Wesley‘s last words before his death were “The best of all is, God is with us.”

~ Dr. James Howell, Senior Pastor, from Why This Jubilee? Advent Reflections on Songs of the Season

Tuesday, December 5 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” ~ Matthew 5:9 Peace is an elusive concept - now more than ever these days! We long for peace in the world and in our hearts.

When I was growing up a family car trip was anything but peaceful, thanks to the antics of my brother and me. Traveling from Columbia, Maryland to visit my grandmothers involved a 13-hour car ride. Our family car was a Volkswagen Rabbit, complete with an AM radio.

(Notice how I did not reference FM radio or air conditioning, as these were features our car did not possess.) I can remember sticking to the hot seats, begging for a rest stop, asking loudly and far too early into the trip, “How much farther?” To create some peace on these trips, my parents separated us in the backseat and deemed the middle seat an imaginary wall between my brother and me. Having lived overseas in Germany for part of our childhood, we referred to the middle seat as the Berlin Wall. My brother loved to antagonize me by tiptoeing his fingers over that line, causing me to yell, “He’s defecting!”

To ease the burden of these long car trips and attempt some peace in the backseat, my parents encouraged us Baby Jesus in the Manger, Lincoln Allison, age 3 to play games like the Alphabet game, license plate game and Botticelli. As you travel through Advent, I wish you peace – in your home, your heart and especially your car. Take time to be playful. Play the alphabet game but make it Advent themed. Pray the peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi that begins, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Take time to be still. Children of God, look for big and small ways to create moments of peace this Advent season.

~ Betsy Scott, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries Prayer: Loving God, thank you for being with us as we journey through Advent and life.

You call us to be peacemakers. Be at work in each of us to spread peace and joy to all whom we encounter. Amen.

Wednesday, December 6 Today is a day many people celebrate as St. Nicholas Day. Nicholas was born in what is now called Turkey. His parents died when he was young. They left him a lot of money.

One day he heard about a man with three daughters who had lost all his money.

Although the daughters were old enough to get married, they could not because the family had no money. They would be sold as slaves.

The night before the oldest daughter was to be sold, she washed her stockings and put them in front of the fire to dry. Then all of them went to sleep – the father and the three daughters.

In the morning, the daughter saw a lump in her stocking. Reaching in, she found a small, heavy bag with gold inside – enough gold to provide food for the family and money for her dowry!

The next morning, another bag with gold was found. Imagine! Two of the daughters would now be saved. Such joy!

The next night, the father planned to stay awake to find out who was helping his daughters. He dozed off but heard a small “clink” as another bag landed in the room.

Quickly he jumped up and ran out the door. Who did he catch ducking around the corner?

“Nicholas, it is you! Thank you for helping us – I hardly know what to say!” Nicholas asked the father to thank God and then to tell no one what Nicholas had done.

Nicholas continued helping people. He always tried to help secretly. He didn’t want any attention or thanks. Years passed and he was chosen to be a bishop. Bishops look after their people as shepherds look after their sheep. And that is what Nicholas did.

Everyone loved Nicholas. After he died, they told stories of the good and kind things Nicholas had done. He is an example of how we should live. And that is why he became a saint.

Our tradition of hanging stockings goes back to this story about St. Nicholas. Many of us also have the tradition of setting out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk to welcome Santa as he sneaks into our houses to leave gifts, much like St. Nicholas.

This year when you welcome Santa with cookies and milk, think about this: What would you do for Jesus if you knew he was coming to your house in the middle of the night?

Would you provide food or a blanket? How would you prepare a place for him near a fire or at the kitchen table?

Prayer of St. Nicholas: God of joy and cheer, we thank you for your servant, the good

bishop Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness; in caring for children, he revealed your love. Make us thoughtful without the need for reward so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, December 7 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in all ways. The Lord be with you all.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 I am writing this Advent devotional in late October. War has once again broken out in the Middle East. It feels overwhelming when I think of all the places where discord and violence occur. And much like the proverbial Miss America candidate, I wish for “world peace.”

But perhaps instead of wishing for world peace, I should practice personal peace. Maybe showing up in this sometimes chaotic world in a calm body and as a non-anxious presence is the best contribution to world peace any of us can make.

Peace on Earth, Henry Hodges, age 6

An old song from the mid-1950s that has made it into the United Methodist Hymnal is entitled “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. The first line says it all: Let there be peace on earth,

and let it begin with me.

So how does one “let it (peace) begin with me”? Perhaps with small steps such as:  Don’t engage in violence of any kind  Embrace diversity and get to know other cultures  Think about other people’s intentions vs. their outcome  Never honk your car horn unless you’re unsafe  When you see someone who is in trouble, help them  Create a safe space/sanctuary in your home  Engage in random acts of kindness regularly  Try hard not to judge others  Forgive others, even long-standing enemies  Develop meaningful relationships outside your own race  Be patient in all aspects of life  Practice self-love and care so you can radiate goodness to others  Say you’re sorry when necessary, even if it is belated  Treat all people with kindness, regardless of race, gender orientation,

sexual orientation, or religion Maybe peace is more possible than we think.

~ Rev. Bill Roth, Pastor of Congregational Care

Friday, December 8 Read Luke 1:39-45 Have you ever had one of those moments where something stirred inside of you? Maybe it was just as John Wesley describes - your heart is strangely warmed. Or perhaps you’ve had one of those times where your breath quickens with a mix of excitement and fear. Or perhaps you have felt butterflies in your stomach and something rising up in you, and words spill out of your mouth before you can stop to keep them in. Our bodies have so much wisdom. The season of Advent reminds us of the power that dwells in this flesh. God in the flesh reminds us that the same spirit now resides within us. This story of Elizabeth and Mary is such a physical story. Conception, labor, birth, incarnation…this story of Advent is a story of embodiment.

Throughout our scriptures, we have heard of the miraculous healings of physical ailments.

We know of God using individuals despite whatever physical limitations they feel they may have (too old, a stutter, too small, etc.) I want to challenge you this Advent to spend time thinking about what it means for you to have this body, this vessel, that is created

by God, in God’s likeness, and The Gift of God’s Son, Charlotte Corrado, age 9 image. God has reminded us again that nothing is impossible with God. How do you treat your body with kindness and compassion? In what ways might the spirit be nudging you or speaking to you in small, subtle ways, to speak, to reach out, to act? The spirit of God dwells within you, animating you to live for God. But are we paying attention, or are we critiquing, criticizing, shaming, and hiding too much to notice the stirrings within us? How might God be calling us to dwell in God’s presence by staying attuned to our bodies so that we can feel the leaps, the flutters, and the pulls, to do God’s will in our lives? How might Christ be born in our lives anew this season?

~ Rev. Jessica Dayson, Pastor of Lay Involvement

Saturday, December 9 When my children were growing up, on their birthdays I would tell them the story of the day they were born. I described the weather, what I was doing when I realized that they might be on their way, what we did to get ready to go to the hospital, and some of the funny things that happened before they were born. And I would end the story by trying to describe how it felt to see them for the first time. For a while, they enjoyed the story; but, as they got older, their response upon hearing those familiar words “on the day you were born” was, “Mom, I already know that. You’ve told me a hundred times!”

I have often wondered if Mary ever told Jesus the story of his birth. I bet she did. I wonder how he responded to hearing that he was born away from home, in a place where most babies were not born, that visitors included shepherds, various animals, Jesus is Born, Tel Mosby, age 7 some very smart and wealthy strangers, and probably some family members. I wonder how Mary described her feelings for Jesus as she held him in her arms for the first time. I wonder how she shared the news with Jesus that he was God’s son – God came to earth to live with us.

In his book Birth, James Howell says: “Consider God’s options. God could have rained down brimstone or floated down bags of gold or pretty flowers. God could have remained aloof in heaven, ineffable, invisible, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent – the list of omnis could go on and on. But God’s love could not be contained by all those omnis, not even by the limitless expanse of heaven. God had to make it personal to be God... What God wanted from us was love, tenderness, and compassion...We don’t have to defy gravity and ascend to God; God has descended to us. He reigns, not from a palace but from a manger...”

During this Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany season, let’s listen to the story again. I know, we have heard it a lot – maybe even more than the number of times my own children have heard about their birth. And we don’t need a lot of big words when we tell it. I think the little carol says it best, “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign.” Thanks be to God.

~ Sarah Sumner

Week 2 December 10 – December 16

Baby Jesus, Maisie Witter, age 7

Sunday, December 10 Today we light two candles on the Advent Wreath – the candle of Hope and the candle of Peace. If you have a lot of readers in your family, make this ritual one where they can participate. Use it the way it works best for your family.

Reader:

Today we mark the second Sunday of Advent and as God’s people we continue to wait. We wait and prepare our hearts during the season of Advent to celebrate once again the mystery of Christmas. (Light the first candle.) The prophets told us to hope.

Reader:

Read Isaiah 40:9.

Reader:

(Light the second candle.) We light the candle of Peace. The prophet Isaiah says to lift up your voice with good tidings – the good news of peace.

Reader:

“Light the Advent candle, two: Think of humble shepherds, who filled with wonder at the sight of the child of Christmas night. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.”

Quietly enjoy the light of the Hope and Peace candles.

Sing “A Candle is Burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.”

A candle is burning, a candle of PEACE, A candle to signal that conflict must cease, For Jesus is coming to show us the way, A message of peace humbly laid in the hay.

Prayer:

God of Peace, help us during the season of Advent, to be peacemakers in your name.

Amen.

Reader:

(Extinguish the candle.) We extinguish the light of the candle of Hope and the candle of Peace, knowing that the light of Jesus lives in our hearts always.

The Scared Shepherds, Jude Martin, age 10

Monday, December 11 ”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13 Pope Francis once said that Advent is a time to “wake from our slumber” and recognize God’s presence in our daily lives. What a wonderful way to approach Advent!

Let’s slow down, be mindful, and be still enough to notice God’s presence in the moments of each day. We could keep a journal of each time we notice God each day. Or simply give a prayer of thanksgiving each time God reveals himself. Let this be the season that we shift our attention from the world to Him. Noticing small God moments is a powerful way to build our connection with our Creator.

St. Augustine said, “ I fear that Jesus will pass by me unnoticed.”

He is always present. He constantly reveals Himself to us. Maybe Advent is a good time to notice Him in our daily lives so we will recognize Him in the manger, on the cross, risen, and everywhere in between.

~ Susan Matz, Director of The Children’s Circle at MPUMC

All Are Welcome, Cooper Clair, age 7

Baby Jesus, Ford Hurley, age 7

Tuesday, December 12 Peace on Earth “Peace on earth, goodwill to all”… The song came out like one loud hosanna hurled through the earth’s darkness, lighting the Bethlehem sky.

Sometimes I hear it now, but it means a baby in a manger; it means a time of year, a cozy feeling, a few coins in the Salvation Army bucket.

It doesn’t mean much— and then it’s gone, lost in the tinsel.

Where did the angels’ song go?

Who hushed the alleluias?

Was it death and war and disease and poverty?

Was it darkness and chaos and famine and plague?

Who brought violence and took away the sweet plucking of heavenly harps?

Who brought despair and took away hope?

Who brought barrenness and crushed the flowers?

Who stole the music and brought the silence?

What Herods lurk within our world seeking to kill our children?

Are there still those who listen for the brush of angel wings and look for stars above some godforsaken little stable?

Christmas Angel, Crew Fulghum, age 3

Are there still those who long to hear an angel’s song and touch a star?

To kneel beside some other shepherd in the hope of catching a glimpse of eternity in a baby’s smile?

Are there still those who sing “Peace on earth, goodwill to all”?

If there are – then, O Lord, keep ablaze their flickering candle in the darkness of this world!

~ Ann Weems, Kneeling in Bethlehem

Shepherd Hears the Good News, Hazel Hurley, age 6

Wednesday, December 13 “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2

In early 1986, when I was nine years old, Halley’s Comet was due to pass by Earth. My family and I went to my grandparents’ farm to get the best possible view. Granddaddy and Grandma lived about 30 minutes away from us, which at the time felt like the middle of nowhere. Escaping the light pollution of the city to see this once, or if you are lucky, twicein-a-lifetime occurrence was a must. My third-grade class had been discussing the comet at school for weeks and I was anxious to see it in its full glory. We stood in the field beside my grandparents’ house and gazed up at the night sky. On that cold, dark night, I remember staring upward, not uttering a sound, awestruck at the enormity of what I was seeing. Knowing that this was something different. Bigger than anything I had ever witnessed.

This memory makes me wonder about the wise men studying the sky after Jesus’s birth. How beautiful the star must have been with no artificial light polluting its brilliance, beckoning them to follow it to the newborn king.

What pollution is clouding your focus this Christmas season? How can you escape the bright lights of things that are not important so you can instead focus on what God wants you to see?

~ Leslie Lowery, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries Wiseman Follows the Star, Grace Sheehy, age 9

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to this season full of anticipation and excitement.

Help us to enter into a space of peace, where we can focus on what is truly important. In your name, we pray, Amen.

Thursday, December 14 Read Luke 2:14.

A quick Internet search reveals goodwill as friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitudes. This year’s class of youth would classify that as good vibes only. The

truth is our world is full of many tough moments that bring anything but what feels good. As we collect devotionals we are watching two major wars take the world stage, many in our church are dealing with unimaginable loss, and major life changes seem to be at every turn. This feels like anything but peace on earth and goodwill toward all.

The beauty of our faith is we can be peace-bringers, and good-vibe senders in some tough moments. We can show up in life’s messy spaces – just like Jesus did, in a messy manger/stable – and be the peace someone may need this Christmas season. Though it may look different for each family, consider a few of the following options:

All Colors Are Equal in an Angel’s Eyes, Georgie Porter, age 9



Bake cookies for a neighbor – just because! Bonus points if you decorate them as a family. Peace can look like an unexpected surprise, much like that first Christmas night.



Plan a family Christmas Movie Night, complete with your best PJs and snacks. Peace can be memory-making; we celebrate the memory of Christmas each year.



Connect with a pastor to see if there is anyone in our congregation who may not have family in town and need a little Christmas magic sent their way. After all, Mary and Joseph were a long way from home on their first Christmas!

When we act in good will toward our neighbors we become the conduits of peace on earth. Perhaps you’re the one who needs that reminder of peace; reach out to a friend for you are not alone. As we sprint, walk, dance, and sing our way into the Christmas season may we be peace on earth and a people who bring goodwill toward all.

~ Mary Helen Lockee, Assistant Director of Youth Ministries Prayer: Holy God, give us a tangible reminder of your peace with us today, so that we may

be peace and goodwill for those in our lives. Help us to bring goodwill and ask bravely for goodwill when we need it, too. Thank you for being with us, for being peace, and for being the ultimate goodwill. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Friday, December 15 “Do you remember when?” It’s a game we still play at the holidays. We sit around the

Christmas table giggling and laughing so hard our stomachs hurt. “Remember the time your sister...?” “I can’t believe your mom dressed you alike in those photos!” “What about the time it snowed?”

But this year it will be different. My dad and father-in-law are suffering from dementia. These are stories they cannot remember. We mourn the loss of a bright mind and easy spirit, but we tell the stories to celebrate lives well lived with purpose and joy.

God’s Son, Lila Powell, age 8

What I find the most fascinating about both of them is that since they were constantly surrounded by music and faithfully sang in church each Sunday, their memory for music hasn’t faltered. Each can sing easily from memory all six stanzas of many church hymns, and still harmonize in their tenor or baritone voices. It’s the music that is still there.

It reminds me that it matters what type of music you listen to. Will it comfort you in a time of need? Will it bring you happiness and a smile? Will it bring God joy when that music is all you have to give? Maybe it can?

So this season, listen and sing some Christmas hymns. Enjoy a sing-along with Bing Crosby or Taylor Swift with “Silent Night” before bedtime, boldly join Josh Groban’s “O Holy Night” while driving in the car, or re-watch the MPUMC Christmas Concert and joyfully sing with them while you cook dinner. You will only sing these songs in December, but it may bring you comfort and joy for a lifetime.

~ Meredith Starling

Manger Sheeps, Lily Fogg, age 8

Saturday, December 16 The people were waiting and wondering about his delay.” ~ Luke 1: 21 John the Baptist is the forerunner of Jesus Christ and heralds the arrival of the Prince of Peace. In Luke, this wonderful biblical story of an angelic visit to Zacharias is what we might today call a “prequel” to the Annunciation to Mary. It echoes the Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah and presents John the Baptist as a messenger of God similar to Elijah, firmly placing Jesus within his Jewish heritage.

Old Zacharias is doing everything right. It says he is righteous and blameless, and we meet him in the middle of his priestly duties “in the appointed order of his division according to the custom.” In other words, doing what he should be doing on a normal day of service in the temple – he was just doing his job. Of course, the sudden appearance of an angel was a surprise!

As someone who helps lead worship in the sanctuary, I am always struck by the line, “The people were waiting for Zacharias and were wondering Fear Not, Davis Hutson, age 6 at his delay...” The normal flow of activity was interrupted and the people were wondering what was going on. I know this happens sometimes in our services when things don’t flow exactly as planned. You can see people slowly looking up and around and then down at the bulletin trying to sort out what is happening. Sometimes though, God speaks during the disruptions in our plans.

During this Advent, I am thinking not just about Christmas coming, but also about the second Advent when Christ will come again. And with so many challenges and worries in our world, I have to admit to being a little like the crowd in our story looking around confused about what is happening – I am waiting and wondering at His delay. This year, though, while I wait, I will hold to the words of the angel, “Do not be afraid.”

~ Hugh Floyd, Director of Music

Week 3 December 17 – December 23

Baby Jesus & Mary, Adriana Moses, age 8

Sunday, December 17 Today we light three candles on the Advent Wreath – the candle of Hope, the candle of Peace, and the candle of Joy, which is often called Mary’s candle. If you have a lot of readers in your family, make this ritual one where they can participate. Use it the way it works best for your family.

Reader:

Today we mark the third Sunday of Advent and as God’s people we continue to wait. We wait and prepare our hearts during the season of Advent to celebrate once again the mystery of Christmas. (Light the first candle.) The first candle reminds us of Hope – God keeps promises. (Light the second candle.) The second candle reminds us of Peace and Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Reader:

Read Isaiah 12:2-6.

Reader:

(Light the third candle.) We light the candle of Joy and remember that the Lord has done glorious things.

Reader:

“Light the Advent candle three: Think of heavenly harmony; angels singing ‘Peace on earth’ at the blessed Savior’s birth. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.”

Quietly enjoy the light of the Hope, Peace, and Joy candles. Sing “A Candle is Burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.”

Jesus, Frances Mosby, age 5

A candle is burning, a candle of JOY, A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.

Our hearts fill with wonder and eyes light and glow As joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.

Prayer:

God of Joy, you love us and take care of us. You pay special attention to the people others ignore and overlook. You came to live among us as a tiny baby.

We are filled with joy when we say thanks be to God. Amen.

Reader:

(Extinguish the candle.) We extinguish the light of the candle of Hope, the candle of Peace, and the candle of Joy, knowing that the light of Jesus lives in our hearts always.

Monday, December 18 Blessed Assurance ...God loves us and God is with us.

“I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!” ~ John 16:33, NRSV I worried a lot as a child...A LOT! I worried about my grades, my dad’s church, my parent’s health, how I looked, and other countless things not listed here. Subsequently, I did not sleep well as a child. I carried the responsibility to make everything happen around me and forge a particular path all on my own. Unsurprisingly, such stress and pressure led to profound loneliness at different stages of my life.

Eventually and thankfully, through wonderful family, friends, and mentors, I woke up and realized the errors of my path and the ills of my perception. Helpful and loving presence surrounded me if I only chose to ask and receive. Mother Teresa advises, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” So I started to ask for help, like all the time! I reached out to my parents, my family, and my friends. Most importantly, I laid all of my troubles before God. I know that God knows all of my worries...of course, God knows...but there waited liberation and freedom when I openly confessed before Jesus and invited Him to share in my burdens.

I still worry from time to time as an adult but I now know to stop. I know that Jesus is with me, present through all of my worries. I believe that, in the end, God’s purpose and God’s plans will prevail precisely because Jesus has “conquered the world.”

~ Dr. Uiyeon Kim, Pastor of Discipleship Prayer: Spirit of the Living God, we thank you for

your never-ending love and everlasting presence with us. May we freely come before you to receive peace and assurance in the promises of God. And in due time, all of us will see the fullness of your goodness, glory, and victory here on earth as it already is in heaven. Thanks be to God. A-men.

Christmas Poinsettia, Charley Fulghum, age 9

Tuesday, December 19 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2, The Message The wise men were a group of scholars from the far east, Babylonia, known today as Iraq.

They were well-educated in astrology (people who study the movements of the heavens, planets, and stars and their influence on events in our natural world). They observed an unusually bright star rising in the sky and followed it to find Jesus, the newborn King of the Jews. They traveled hundreds of miles on camels over the course of a couple of years to reach the place where the star shone brightly over the house of Jesus. By the time they reached the star, Jesus was about two years old. The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and worshipped him.

The gifts the wise men brought give us clues about Jesus’ future. Gold was a gift for royalty; they knew him to be the next King of the Jews. Frankincense was used in the temple by priests for praying and interceding, Jesus would become our High Priest and pray for us.

Myrrh was an ointment used for burying loved ones who had died, pointing us to his future death on the cross for our salvation, wrapped in myrrh and linens for burial in the tomb before he rose from the grave.

As an act of worship, the wise men humbled themselves and adored Jesus, they worshipped him and perhaps sang something like this, “Oh come let

us adore him, oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.”

Wise Men Worshipped Jesus, Alexander Hieronymus, age 8

How can you take time today during this Advent season to adore and worship Jesus?

Maybe you sing aloud your favorite worship song to Jesus. Maybe you utter a word of gratitude to Jesus. Maybe you light a candle and sit in silence for a minute and as you watch the flame flicker allow God to speak to you in the stillness of your mind.

~ Wendy Wallace-Wright

Wednesday, December 20 Read Ephesians 3:16-21 and Philippians 2:9-11.

In the English language, there are a variety of connotations to the word “love.” Think about the ways you might hear the word in a typical week: “I LOVE ice cream!”, “Mommy, I LOVE you!”, “You are the LOVE of my life.”, “The tennis score is 40-LOVE.”, “I LOVE to ring handbells!”

Each of these expressions are meaningful. However, the ultimate expression of love was in the tiniest of packages. In the birth of Bethlehem, we were given the greatest gift of love the world has ever known: God with us! In that gift, God has come to us, became one of us, and ultimately has saved us. What a gift! What a sacrifice! What LOVE!

~ Rev. Brian Childers, Director of Handbells and Children’s and Youth Music, from Ringing Deeply: A Devotional Book for Handbell Ringers, Directors, and Fans

Prayer: Father, God, Creator of all things great and small, we acknowledge in these moments that we are lacking love. We have witnessed opportunities placed in our paths to reach out, to share a cup of water, to console, to cheer. Alas, afraid to engage, strangled by our insecurities, we have done nothing, choosing to look away, to pass by on the other side, uninterested or ashamed. We must admit to just how love-starved we are for You.

We know that one day, in the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

You have come to us in the form of a baby to show us what love is. We are in awe of You. Jesus Loves Me!, Eva James Zoog, age 6

Come to us in these moments, Great Three-In-One. Give us ten thousand more opportunities to love You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to worship You in Spirit and Truth. Hear the songs we ring to You. Today, may we bow, casting our crowns, our gifts, our bells before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Thursday, December 21 “Be still, and know that I am God." ~ Psalm 46:10 “‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

I have memories as a child of Christmas feeling still and peaceful and even silent. Growing up in Michigan, I would often experience a large snowfall as part of the Advent season. There is something so magical about an evening snow. When the snow has settled, it seems to absorb all the sounds of the world. People are home so even the sound of traffic is gone. The quietest memories I have are surrounded by a winter snowfall.

The New King is Born, Evelyn Shute, age 9

As an adult the weeks leading up to Christmas feel far from silent, whether it’s the incessant stream of Christmas songs, the Hallmark movies in the background, or my own internal checklist of Christmas preparations. Stillness, peace and quiet feel far from words I would use to describe December.

Advent is a season of waiting, a time of seeking stillness and peace as we await the birth of Jesus. How can we find stillness in such a chaotic season?

For me, the best chance I have at bringing stillness into my day is to set five minute timers on my phone where I just stop whatever I am doing. I usually try to do this when I’m about to scroll or check social media. Instead of picking up my phone to scroll, I open up my timer, set it for five minutes, and just sit.

Often, my head is filled with a to-do list or I replay my day, but sometimes in those five minutes everything gets still and quiet and I can grasp onto the magic of a peaceful winter night even if just for a moment.

~ Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot, Pastor of Emerging Ministries Prayer:

God meet me in this chaos.

Quiet my mind.

Here I am. Still. Seeking Peace. Seeking You. Amen.

Baby Jesus in the Manger, Wynn Poe, age 9

Friday, December 22 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13 As I read this verse when l was preparing for this devotional, I thought how perfect it was for this time of Advent. It is a short but powerful verse. One of the commentaries I read refers to God as the God of hope. He is the foundation on which our hope is built, he is both the object of our hope and the author of it. I love that! If ever we needed HOPE, I think it is now. Our world is in a place of sorrow, unrest, pain, and fear. As we enter into this season of Advent, I hope that all God's children feel the joy, love, and peace that our God of Hope has for them.

~ Julie Wentz, School Partnership and Local Outreach Coordinator Prayer: Loving and gracious God, thank you for this gift of Advent; for a time to pray,

love, and listen to your words. We thank you for the gift of Jesus and your eternal love.

We pray that our world begins to heal and that all your children find joy and peace. Amen.

The Manger, Elizabeth Holland, age 8

Saturday, December 23 The Child Is Born Again Each year the Child is born again.

Each year some new heart finally hears finally sees finally knows love.

And in heaven there is great rejoicing!

There is a festival of stars!

There is celebration among the angels!

For in the finding of one lost sheep, the heart of the Shepherd is glad, and Christmas has happened once more.

The Child is born anew and one more knee is bowed!

~ Ann Weems, Kneeling in Bethlehem

Mary and Joseph and the Sweet Little Baby Boy, Sofia Obando, age 5

Week 4 December 24 – December 25

Christmas Wreath, Briggs Fulghum, age 5

Sunday, December 24 Today we light four candles on the Advent Wreath – the candle of Hope, the candle of Peace, the candle of Joy, and the candle of Love. If you have a lot of readers in your family, make this ritual one where they can participate. Use it the way it works best for your family.

Reader:

Today we mark the fourth Sunday of Advent and as God’s people we continue to wait. We wait and prepare our hearts during the season of Advent to celebrate once again the mystery of Christmas. (Light the first candle.)

The first candle is the candle of Hope. (Light the second candle.)

The second candle is the candle of Peace. (Light the third candle.) The third candle is the candle of Joy.

Reader:

Read Micah 5:2-5a.

Reader:

(Light the fourth candle.) Today we light the candle of Love and remember that Love was born at Christmas.

Reader:

Advent Wreath, Betsy Brice, age 6

“Light the Advent candle four: Think of joy forevermore; Christ Child in a stable born, gift of love that Christmas morn. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.”

Quietly enjoy the light of the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love candles.

Sing “A Candle is Burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.”

A candle is burning, a candle of LOVE, A candle to point us to heaven above.

A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth, For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.

Prayer:

God of Love, the waiting is almost over. Come and be born in our hearts.

Amen.

Reader:

(Extinguish the candle.) We extinguish the light of the candle of Hope, the candle of Peace, the candle of Joy, and the candle of Love, knowing that the light of Jesus lives in our hearts always.

Christmas Eve Reader:

Tonight marks the time known as Christmas Eve. Tonight marks the end of our waiting for the birth of God’s son. Tonight all those who have waited gather at the manger.

Reader:

(Light the first candle.) The people who hope gather there. (Light the second candle.) The people who pray for peace gather there.

Reader:

(Light the third candle.) The people who search for joy gather there. (Light the fourth candle.) The people who long for love gather there.

All:

We gather there.

Reader:

Read the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20.

Reader:

To help us celebrate the gift of God’s son, Jesus, we light the Christ candle. (Light the white Christ candle in the center of the wreath.)

Quietly enjoy the light of the Christ candle as we think about that holy night.

Sing “A Candle is Burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger.”

The Star Shines on Jesus, Emily Fleck, age 6 We honor Messiah with Christ’s candle flame, Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim, O come, all you faithful, rejoice in this night As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.

Prayer:

God of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, we give thanks for the gift of your son, Jesus. Through Jesus, you gifted us with your great love. May our giving and receiving of Christmas gifts reflect your love. Amen.

Reader:

(Extinguish the blue candles.) We extinguish the light of all those gathered at the manger.

Reader:

Watch while we change the light of Jesus. (Extinguish the Christ candle.) Now the light lives in all of God’s creations. Now the light lives in our hearts and the hearts of all God’s people.

Christmas Day December 25

Jesus in the Manger, Ridge Ries, age 8

Christmas Day “The Christmas Story” Waiting for Christmas by Carol Greene “Mighty me,” said Caesar. “I’m ruler of the world. Let’s count how many people I rule.”

And so the counting began.

“We must go to Bethlehem,” said Joseph. “We must be counted in my hometown.”

“But the baby will soon be born,” said Mary. “I know,” said Joseph. “I know.”

They got to Bethlehem late. The inn was already full. “You can stay in the stable,” said the innkeeper.

“I’m afraid that’s all that’s left.”

“I understand,” sighed Joseph.

“Thank you.”

Christmas Day, Carson Kloss, age 8

They settled themselves in the stable and there Mary’s baby was born. She wrapped him in strips of cloth, as mothers did back then, and laid him in a manger full of straw.

“Rest now, Mary,” said Joseph. “I will watch the child.” So Mary closed her eyes and the dark night folded itself like a blanket around the stable.

Close by, shepherds were tending their sheep. Suddenly the sky filled with light and an angel appeared. The shepherds trembled and shook in their sandals.

“Fear not,” said the angel. “I bring good news, news to make the whole world joyful.

Today, in Bethlehem, your Savior is born! He is the Lord, the one God promised, and you will find him in a manger.”

Then a great throng of angels appeared. “Glory to God in heaven!” they sang, “And peace to his people on earth.”

“Let’s go!” said the shepherds, and they ran as fast as they could to Bethlehem. There in the stable they found baby Jesus and told what the angel had said. Mary listened quietly and kept their words like a treasure, deep in her heart.

And baby Jesus slept in the manger, lost in the dreams that babies dream, the small, helpless ruler of the world.

The Rest of the Twelve Days of Christmas

Star Angel, Marin Lall, age 8

Tuesday, December 26 - Friday, January 5 What happens after Christmas Day? If you look around at the world, you decide that Christmas is over. It’s time to pack away ornaments and candles and move on. But Christmas is just beginning on Christmas Day. And it continues for twelve days! What a delight to know that we do not have to be frantic any more. We can just enjoy Christmas!

Here are suggestions for how your family can enjoy the twelve days of Christmas! 

Have 1 family sleepover under the Christmas tree.



Visit 2 friends you have not seen in a while.



Send 3 notes/cards/ pictures to people who could use a smile.



Play 4 games (cards, board games, etc.)



Share 5 good memories with someone.



Name 6 things you are grateful for.



Give 7 cans of food to a food pantry.



Try to watch a family movie as close as possible to 8 AM with breakfast in bed or 8 PM with popcorn.



Gather the family and read 9 pages in a new book aloud.



Find 10 items of clothing in your house to donate.



Stop whatever you are doing at 11:11 and pray for those who are sick or may be in the hospital.



Make 12 cookies and take them to someone who is lonely or alone this Christmas.

Prince of Peace, Jackson Hutson, age 7

Saturday, January 6 Epiphany Epiphany means “shining forth.” It is the season of the year when we recognize the significance of Jesus and when his identity as the Christ will begin to manifest itself beyond the boundaries of a small town in a small country.

When we think of Epiphany, we think of stars and kings. To celebrate this day, read the story of the wise men’s journey to visit and worship the new king – Matthew 2:1-12.

Move the wise men and their camels to the crèche. They arrive to worship the Christ child, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even after you pack up the crèche, let the The Three Wise Men, Holston Wright, age 8 kings and camels hang around for a few weeks!

Send them in different directions away from the crèche around the house. Let them be the first bearers of the Good News to faraway places beyond the borders of Israel.

You know what gold is, but what are frankincense and myrrh? Go online to see what you can learn.

Prayer: God of light, just as the wise men were “overwhelmed with joy” to meet the Christ child, may we also be overwhelmed with joy to know Jesus. Our light has come and shines in us this day and always. Amen.

The Three Wise Men, Jackson Ward, age 9

Angel and Wise Men, Jonas Martin, age 10

The Star and the Barn, Annie Nannini, age 7

Happy Birthday, Jesus!, Harper Hoidal, age 8, and Ella Wilson, age 8

Merry Christmas!

Jesus is Born, Lily Sheehy, age 9