2023 Advent Devotional

Rejoices

A WEARY WORLD

AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL FOR 2023

Dear friend in Christ, It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yet, it often feels like a fast-paced, weary time of the year. Over the next few weeks, you juggle commitments with family and work and school and church and this gathering and that final thing to do, buy, order, or prepare. It’s hard to find even a moment to breathe during this season let alone some peace. What causes you to rejoice during the busy month of December? We pray it’s a baby in a manger in a stable where shepherds knelt after they heard angels sing. May this be a Christmas season when you, weary traveler, rejoice in the best gift of all. That gift is Jesus!

This small devotional book is written by staff members at Salem and is a collection of Advent thoughts centered on the theme “A Weary World Rejoices.” The theme comes from the popular Christmas carol “O Holy Night.” Our prayer is that these words point you to the reason for the season - celebrating the newborn King and anticipating His second coming, as well.

It is a weary world in which we live, but we still have much reason to rejoice! Commit to the five minutes a day needed to read these short devotions. It’s only five minutes. Those five minutes each day might be the small “catch your breath” peace you need to center your weary heart and mind during this season. May God encourage you as we journey again to the little town of Bethlehem.

O Holy Night!

The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Your Word like one who finds great spoil.

Dave Boldt | 8th Grade Teacher Recently, I was riding my bike around my subdivision and checking out the garage sales. Most of the houses had nothing interesting.

Most of the time it seems, one man’s trash is another man’s trash.

But then I saw them! Two bags of unused sewing fabric, and for only $5 each! My wife has recently taken up sewing and this would make a great gift. I even found some other patterns she would like, as well. My heart started pounding. I couldn’t concentrate on anything else they had to sell as I handed over my money. I balanced the heavy bags, evenly, on the handlebars of my bike. It was difficult to steer, but all the way home I could only think of two things: how would I present them to her and how would she react?

Has something similar ever happened to you?

Friends, we have a chance to experience this joy and excitement every day. We have the gift of Jesus to share with a weary world.

God’s grace, Word, forgiveness and gift of eternal life are better than anything we could find in any sale or store!

In case you were wondering how the story ended, before I shared my spoils with my wife I asked her, “Should I wait until Christmas, or do you want a gift now?” Neither of us could wait. I couldn’t hold back something I knew would bring her joy. Let’s all have the same eagerness to share Jesus this season. How can we hold back something we know will bring this weary world such great joy?

Jesus, thank You for being the greatest gift ever. Thank You for the joy we feel as your children. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire us to share this gift with all who need it this season. Give us the opportunity and the words to say. Help us, Lord Jesus. Amen.

- December 1 -

Isaiah 35:1-2 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Brendan Baker | Digital Media Manager If you look at our world today, there is a whole lot of parched land. The wilderness feels as though it is all around us. Between conflicts among nations and political turmoil and polarization here, it is easy to feel like you are in a desert. We are divided, tired, and discouraged.

I imagine this metaphorical desert is like the one that Isaiah was addressing here in this verse. What I like about this metaphor is that all nature itself is rejoicing. It is not just the people who live in the parched land that are rejoicing; it is the parched land itself that is glad. This Bible passage has a flower (crocus) singing in it! What a cool word picture is that!

That is the power of God. His splendor is not just for us. When God reveals His splendor, the bomb-torn countryside of Ukraine and Russia will sing. The trees outside of the capital will start dancing. The waves crashing on the shores of Israel and Gaza will begin praising the splendor of our God. While we may be scared, discouraged, and weary, let’s focus on joining the choir praising the glory of the Lord with the world. Let us strive to be a weary world rejoicing in our Creator. If the flowers and sand can do it, so can we.

Our Father in heaven, thank You so much for today. Thank You for all You have given us and the massive sacrifices that You willingly gave just for us. Today we ask that You help us to be a people who rejoice.

We want Your splendor to be sung from our hearts and lips. We want to be mirrors pointing people to You. Amen.

- December 2 -

Psalm 16:8-10 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Rachel Tally | Registrar & Office Manager Life is HARD and can be so overwhelming! Any given day, we could be dealing with stress at work, issues with children, busy schedules, chores that need to be done and more. Add internal emotional struggles to all of those and I sometimes wonder how we make it through each day! The feeling of weariness is real. There are times that I struggle more with handling daily life well and every single time (it often takes longer than it should), I realize that my eyes are not on the Lord. I have fallen away from time in His Word and even with being faithful in worship. The further away I fall, the more conflicted I feel inside.

In this Christmas season, when our focus should be on that babe in the manger, I find it so easy to lose focus. There is baking to do, presents to buy and wrap, countless events, traditions to keep up and the list goes on. Being faithful in my time with God often fails to make the top of the priority list.

These are the times when I find I really need a reset. I have to be cognizant of my choices and make sure that before all else, I’m spending time in His Word and in worship. The closer that I follow Him, the more equipped I am to deal with daily troubles. The way that I feel I can really rejoice is listening to Christian music. It fills my heart and soul and reminds me of God’s promises and faithfulness.

In the mornings, we listen to KSBJ as a time to set our hearts, minds and attitudes for the day. As we go throughout this Christmas season, find what helps your heart to be glad and your tongue to rejoice.

Dear Lord, thank You so much for never abandoning us and loving us even when we fail. Please remind us of opportunities to keep our eyes on You. We know that with You, we will not be shaken. During this season of Christmas, help our focus to be on you and not the busyness this season brings. We want to rejoice in You. We love You, Jesus.

Amen.

- December 3 -

Joel 2:19, 21 The Lord replied to them: “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully...” Do not be afraid, land of Judah; be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things!

Jason Schleicher | Spiritual Formation Pastor What would it take for you to wake up on December 26 and declare that you are fully satisfied? A good final month of the calendar year at work? A family gathering with no awkward moments of conflict? Singing your favorite Christmas carol with your loved ones in church on Christmas Eve? An unwrapped box that contained your most expensive Amazon wish list item?

These things might increase our satisfaction during December.

Would they fill us up to the core, however?

The second chapter of Joel’s Old Testament prophecy contains many troubling words and phrases—tremble, darkness, gloom, fire devours, desert waste, anguish, and dreadful. Woah. Nice choice, Jason. Great chapter to get us in the Christmas spirit, right?!

After these words of warning, the prophet calls God’s people back to Him. “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:13) Ask yourself today: how has God been gracious to me?

Then Joel records God’s beautiful words in verses 19 and 21: grain, new wine, olive oil, satisfy you fully, do not be afraid, be glad and rejoice.

No matter your circumstance, can you rejoice in God’s promises and presence this Advent season? I know you can, and I pray you will. It is most appropriate at Christmas that we rejoice in the words of John: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) May the light of the newborn Savior who was announced by angels and illuminated by a new star in the sky fill you with inner peace and joy this Advent and always.

Surely the Lord has done great things…now, at Jesus’ birth, and back when Joel wrote these seven words. Be glad and rejoice!

Savior Jesus, please give us joy and peace during this month of anticipation and celebration. Help us to rejoice in all of the great things You have done for us and our weary world. May Your love and presence satisfy us in ways we can’t imagine this Advent and Christmas season.

We love You, Lord! In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

- December 4 -

1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.”

Emily Garner | Director of Adult Ministry How do you react when faced with pain, anguish, or adversity?

Do you cry so hard your body shakes? Do you get angry? Frustrated?

Do you immediately turn to or away from God? In 1 Samuel 1-2, we meet Hannah, who so badly wanted a child.

She watched her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, have many children.

Yet year after year, Hannah tried and prayed, but nothing.

How often do we so desperately want something that we see the Lord giving someone else? We feel forgotten and ignored. We are left questioning, “Why them? Why not me?”

So, what do we do? We do what Hannah did, and we keep pressing in.

When infertility could have caused Hannah to lose faith, she refused to stop trusting in God. Her faith was not dependent on her circumstances but on what she knew to be true about our good and faithful God. Then, we see her weary cries give way to the cries of her newborn son, Samuel. Those cries came in God’s perfect timing. God didn’t make Hannah wait to punish her. He wasn’t ignoring her cries, and He isn’t ignoring ours either. God loves us too much to answer our prayers at any other time than the right time.

When we want to pull away, let’s keeping pressing in with all our heart, including the parts that are broken and hurting. God can handle our honesty, our cries, our anger, and our yelling. Let’s position ourselves where truth is. Listen to praise music. Read and memorize verses. Keep talking to God. Put yourself in the company of friends who speak truth into your life even when you’re tired of hearing it. When we are weary, we can rejoice that God is faithful and good in all circumstances.

Lord, my heart rejoices in You. Thank You for being good and faithful in all circumstances. Thank You for giving me what I need in Your perfect timing, and not my own. Give me peace and patience when I grow weary. Give me eyes to see You in all things. Thank You for sending your Son at the perfect time. Thank You for the joy and hope we have in Jesus. Amen.

- December 5 -

Psalm 33:20-22 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Peter Burroughs | Missional Engagement Coordinator Are you currently reading this devotion? Then God has seen you through some stuff. Let’s admit it, life has been really hard these past few years for many of us, and it sometimes feels like there is no hope on the horizon. But when I start to feel that way, I try and remind myself to look back AND to look forward. I look back and recount the ways God has faithfully helped me through every circumstance I’ve ever found myself in and how He continues to shield me and protect me daily. I also look forward with eager anticipation and HOPE to the day when He will come and make all things right again.

I don’t know about you, but when I think about those things it makes me want to REJOICE. Weird right? What an unusual reaction in the face of a world that often feels hopeless - to rejoice.

My prayer is that you and I both would adopt that kind of attitude this season - that others might see the hope we have and desire that for themselves too. May God continue to sustain all of us through this season as we look forward to His coming again.

Come Lord Jesus. Make all things right, but in the meantime please fill our hearts so full with hope that we start to rejoice in the midst of a world full of trouble. Let others see that joy in our hearts and wonder “what’s that all about?” And then give us courage to share the reason for the hope we have: YOU King Jesus! Amen!

- December 6 -

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Amy Boatman | Head of School Have you ever been faced with a situation so challenging, that in the moment you could not see how anything good could come of it? Maybe it was devastating news from a doctor, loss of a job, financial problems, a failing marriage, or the death of a loved one. Life can throw circumstances at us that make it difficult to radiate joy. Our human weakness is what provides the ideal opportunity for us to embrace the power of Jesus and to share the hope we have.

Paul understood this well, as he endured incredible suffering and constant harassment, all for the sake of the Gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, he talks about delighting in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties for Christ’s sake. He suffered with joy for one reason, to preach the Gospel and the message of salvation to all people. Our witness, whether you are having a mountaintop experience or going through extreme challenges, is an opportunity for us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.” We are blessed to have a God who loves us, walks alongside us daily, and who uses our everyday situations to refine us as Christians and to help guide our witness to those around us.

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Jesus and the assurance of eternal life we have through His life, death, and resurrection.

Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we have hope that gives us a reason to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Amen.

- December 7 -

Psalm 104:33-34 I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

Steve Perkins | Director of Communications Runners often focus on the physical benefits of their chosen exercise - increased stamina, cardiovascular health and a sense of accomplishment. However, these verses encourage us to see running as more than just a physical activity; it can also be a spiritual experience.

“I will sing to the Lord all my life” suggests that my running journey is an ongoing, lifelong praise to God. Every step and every breath is an opportunity to offer thanks for the strength and health that enables me to run.

“May my meditation be pleasing to Him” reminds me to make my thoughts align with God’s will, even as I run. Running can become a form of moving meditation - a time to clear my mind, focus on my blessings and seek His guidance.

“As I rejoice in the Lord” encourages me to find joy in the act of running itself. When we run, we experience a sense of freedom, joy and accomplishment. It’s a chance to revel in the beauty of the world and the strength of our bodies.

By weaving these verses into my running practice, I can transform each run into a spiritual journey. With each step, I can sing my praises, meditate on my blessings and find joy in my Creator.

Running becomes not just a physical endeavor but a form of worship, deepening my connection to God with every stride.

Dear Heavenly Father, as I run this race of life, may my endurance be a reflection of Your strength. Let my meditation be pleasing in Your sight, as I contemplate Your goodness. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your presence, O Lord. Amen.

- December 8 -

Deuteronomy 12:7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Marilyn DeWulf | Art Teacher It is not often we take time to look back and reflect on our journey.

Looking back, I had the opportunity to be in awe of what God set in motion in my life in the last five months. It all started with a small bump that led to an ultrasound which led to a life-saving surgery.

A simple cabinet knob pointed to a problem that could have cost me my life. Then came a doctor who discovered and exposed the massive vernal hernia. With the discovery, I had to find the right doctor to do the delicate surgery. The first doctor felt sterile and cold, the second doctor would not return calls, but the last doctor was welcoming, inviting, and had a terrific team.

Before my life saving surgery, I had to work hard. First, I needed to lose weight - a minimum of 10 pounds. I lost 33 pounds. Second, I needed to increase the strength of my legs and core. I did with a wonderful physical therapist. Lastly, I had to have a sub in my art room. Enter my friend, Karen, and her 45 years of art expertise. All was in place.

On October 3, I had surgery. What was to be outpatient became inpatient. What was suppose to be a small surgery, became a full vertical scar and a hospital stay surrounded by kind, caring nurses and staff. I went home to recuperate on October 5 - just 2 days later.

My God! What a blessed journey this has been from the beginning.

You selected the right doctor, physical therapist, right surgeon, and all the supporting cast. What a beautiful production. You are my Jehovah Rapha - my healer and comforter in all things. MY LORD has blessed ME!

Lord, thank You for Your hand above all things. Let others take the time to look back and see Your hand in their journey. That even in the midst of the most dire storms, YOU are there to BLESS us. We just have to wait for the BLESSING to pour forth from YOU. And when it comes, it is abundant and sufficient for our needs. Amen.

- December 9 -

Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Erika Wegenke | Co-Director of Kids Ministry It’s been a particularly busy season in our household. I’m sure this year is no different than previous years, but it feels like we just can’t catch a break in our crazy schedules. Between work, school, multiple sports, events, family commitments and so forth, I am downright weary as I write this! I have the song “Carol of the Bells” on replay in my head with visions of Kevin McAllister (from the famous Christmas movie “Home Alone”) racing against the clock to protect his home from intruders. Like Kevin, I feel like I’m racing against the clock to squeeze absolutely everything possible into our schedules. Chaos is my intruder!

What’s wrong with that picture? This is my favorite time of the year, the time when we get to celebrate God’s ultimate gift in sending His Son to us. Psalm 9 was written by King David with the overarching theme that God never ignores our cries for help.

He is faithful! He knew we would be sinful and this world would be chaotic. He sent His one and only Son down to us anyway. We have the incredible gift of eternal life, and it all started that very first Christmas. This truth flips a switch in my head and makes me pause and really think through the beauty of this season. This world is chaotic, but He is faithful. How can I not choose to sing praises to Him? This Advent season, I will choose joy and gladness.

I will rejoice in our newborn King and the promise that this weary world is only temporary.

Dear Jesus, this is the day that You have made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it today and throughout this Christmas season. In Your name we pray, Amen.

- December 10 -

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Tyler Tollefson | Director of Student Ministry The argument is over. Both sides have pleaded their case, and the differences have been settled. But sometimes the hurt remains.

The pain of what was said, who was right versus who was wrong, or even the agreement to disagree doesn’t always remove the hurt. Sin has a way of leaving a lasting imprint. It entangles the healthy relationship, pulls apart what God has joined, blurs the clear, and exhausts the strong. But, the light has pierced through the darkness.

The Hero stands as a victor over the defeated, and the weak have been given new strength. The Apostle Paul gives us a clear reminder in 2 Corinthians that the God of peace is present. He is with you and gives us the power to restore, comfort, agree, and rejoice. Despite what happens in this world with the people around us, we are encouraged to rejoice, to look up, and to look beyond what our current situation tells us about who or what we are. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, called to make peace with one another and to forgive one another. In the midst of our brokenness, suffering, and weariness, we and the rest of the world can rejoice! The God of peace will be with you.

Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to fully restore our relationship back with You and bring peace on earth. You are the God of comfort so that we can comfort those who are in any trouble.

You are the God of peace so that we can bring peace to those who desperately need it. Give us Your Spirit to rejoice in our suffering and have peace in our sorrows. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

- December 11 -

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Robin Strayer | Graphic Designer This passage is a beautiful illustration of the heart of God and how powerful and personal He is. Zephaniah was frustrated with the people of Judah for their complacency. Their lives had become a fiasco. Just as God promised restoration to the people of Judah, He promises you and me the same.

I have disappointed God many times. One example is a time when my life was a challenging fiasco. I was working on my Bible lesson one evening. I was tired and wanted to check off the “lesson box” and go to bed. Had God become a box to check off? Was I going through the motions to make my life look perfect and in order? Yes. Was this Zephaniah passage true for me? Could God forgive me for my complacency? Yes. He is the one who gives value. He is the one who helps guide my decisions as I raise my boys. He delights in me. He will quiet me with His love when I trust in Him. He rejoices and sings over me. I rested in that promise. I knew even late at night—when I didn’t give God my best—He gave me HIS best. His Word is His voice.

He wasn’t disappointed in me, and I knew that my process of healing and restoration was beginning. Isn’t that a powerful thing about God’s Word? God comforted me with the same words that He gave Zephaniah to encourage the people of Judah. His song and message of hope filled my quiet, dimly lit, little room.

In this weary world, we can rejoice! Why? Because we have a God, a Mighty Warrior, who saves us, delights in us, quiets us with His love and rejoices over us with singing! Now that is a promise worth resting in!

Precious Lord, Mighty Warrior and Savior, thank You for Your Word. Your voice to Your people many years ago brings joy, peace and restoration today! We praise You, Lord, and seek You for all things. Keep us close to You in this weary world. Thank You for Your song of Hope. We love You, and are so thankful for all You have done and continue to do in and through us. Amen.

- December 12 -

Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!

Vince Parks | Executive Pastor Advent can be a confusing time. We reflect on the birth of Christ a past event - while looking forward with anticipation to when the Son of God will come again. We see this duality in Jeremiah 31, “The days are surely coming…when I will fulfill the promise I made. I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” In Matthew 24, Jesus points to the future: “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.”

It’s easier to gaze backward with nostalgia than to scan the unknown.

Baby Jesus is cute and cuddly, while the Son of God descending in power amidst troubling signs in the heavens and distress among the nations doesn’t bolster our hopes for holiday cheer. But the true hope of Advent is found in our thankfulness for the gift of the incarnation while we prepare for the second coming of our Savior.

My favorite Advent hymn, “Lo, He comes with clouds descending ,” uses events of history to remind us of who we are in our faith and provide a vision for our future. Then, Christ will come in majesty, radiant resplendence, and triumph, bringing all the faithful together in a new heaven and a new earth! (Tip: try Cambridge Singers recording.)

Advent is filled with hope and expectation - but it is not sentimental.

It moves us out of the manger into a world which continues to suffer from injustice, want and need. It calls us to prepare for the birth of a baby in a manger while we anticipate the second coming of Christ - who will right all wrongs - inspiring us to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks to His holy name!

Holy and righteous Father, I praise Your name and give thanks for Your grace. You are more marvelous than my mind can comprehend and more generous than I can understand. Help me to welcome You as You came into our world through the birth of Jesus, to recognize Your present coming in Word and Sacrament, and to look forward with expectation to Your coming again - in glory. Amen.

- December 13 -

John 16:22 Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Kimberly Chaisson | Kindergarten Teacher In John 16, Jesus discloses to His disciples the upcoming sorrow they will soon feel at His impending death and the joy that would later follow. At the beginning of the chapter, He shares that soon they wouldn’t see Him anymore, but after a little while they would see Him again. The disciples were confused and full of questions, but rather than asking Jesus, they discussed among themselves what they thought He meant. Jesus overhears them (I can only imagine Jesus smacking himself on the forehead and thinking here we go again), and He patiently explains what He meant. How often do we go to others questioning things that have happened in our own lives? How often do we try to figure it all out only to keep worrying? Rather than going to Jesus through prayer and Bible study, we try to figure it all out on our own.

I love that Jesus acknowledges the human emotion of grief.

He knows the pain and sorrow His disciples will feel when He dies. Remember when His friend Lazarus died, and He wept?

Thankfully, our God is a God of hope! Jesus says, “I will see you again and you will rejoice.” But Jesus doesn’t just leave it there.

He takes it further and says, “…no one will take away your joy.”

How often have we allowed a bad situation or worry steal our joy?

As Christians we have the same assurance Jesus leaves with His disciples. There will be times of grief, but we will see Jesus again in heaven. Join me in rejoicing because nothing can steal that joy!

Dear God, we know that in life there will be times of sorrow and grief, but we rejoice in the promise that one day we will be reunited with You in heaven. Thank You for sending your Son as our Savior. Help us to lean on You in times of trouble and not let anything steal that joy.

Amen.

- December 14 -

Deuteronomy 26:11 Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.

Mary Jo Forner | Office Assistant Advent is a great time to open our eyes to all the suffering around us and not look the other way. We must engage if we are going to make a real difference in the lives of others. I believe that’s why we are all here in the first place.

The secret of making such an impact is to truly know there is hope after pain and a good life after bad things happen. The best way to get to that hopeful place is to learn the stories of those who have overcome. Feeling their pain, seeing their survival, and witnessing their beautiful lives after the tragedies they have endured gives us all a reason to rejoice.

For those of us armed with hope, it is important that we move into the world and share that hope with others. For me, as a Christian, my hope is in Christ. Because of God’s love, I am fully convinced we can overcome even the darkest moments or seasons.

Father, thank You for intervening in my life and allowing me to have a personal relationship with You. Thank You for Your love for me today and always. Thank You for the blessings You have given me and my family. Help us use those blessings to bless others.

May I live a life of true joy as I see You at work around me today!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

- December 15 -

1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Dana Bahn | Administrative Assistant I don’t know why, but I once sharpened the end of my father’s favorite pen with my pencil sharpener. I hid the mangled pen and pile of plastic shavings under a stack of towels in my bathroom linen closet. My father was upset for misplacing “the perfect pen” and searched for it for nearly a week before my secret was found.

As his frustration grew so did my inner guilt and fear. My eightyear-old brain (and heart) felt that I could never admit I did such a horrible thing to something my father cherished so much.

Even after the evidence of my crime was found on a Saturday morning, I didn’t stop lying. I lived the next two days in a world of denial as my mother and sister interrogated me. I knew lying to my family was wrong, but the cost, I felt, was too high for me to speak the truth. My father sat back silently and never accused me during that time. He didn’t even ask if I committed the act.

My guilt was unbearable by the second afternoon. I quickly found my father and unleashed my truth through sobbing tears. I braced for his anger and disappointment, but I was met with calmness.

He knew my truth the entire time, but wanted to hear it from my mouth so he could forgive me.

His uniquely ruined pen remained his favorite even after the ink was emptied. I found it over thirty years later while cleaning out his desk after he lost his battle with cancer. It reminded me not only of his love for that pen but for me.

Speaking truth can be hard, and we’re guilty and lost without God’s grace. Paul reminds us that love rejoices in the truth, though. We can, too.

Lord, thank You for Your amazing love that sees and continues to rejoice in our truth. Thank You for meeting our iniquities with Your gift of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

- December 16 -

Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced.

The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Sara Larrazolo | Co-Director of Kids Ministry In the book of Nehemiah, we read the beautifully written words from chapter 12, verse 43: “…rejoicing because God had given them great joy!” When I read those words, it creates such a majestic and peaceful image of God. But reading the previous chapters, I have to wonder, was there rejoicing and great joy when Nehemiah encountered a journey of hardship, danger, and personal attacks? We know God led, protected, and gave him the endurance to restore the wall of Jerusalem. But was Nehemiah full of great joy during those difficult times? In our lives, we may encounter dark days, schedules consumed with non-joyous activities, and little time to always rejoice over our daily details.

In this weary world, how do we demonstrate great joy?

Maybe you’re like my family in that Christmas music is the only music that continuously plays starting the day after Thanksgiving.

Each of us in our family have favorite songs that we put on repeat, sing at the top of our lungs, and keep humming well after the song ends. “What a Glorious Night” is one of those songs for us, as it instantly generates a loud, exuberant, joyful sound! We join together to belt out the beautiful lyrics: “Jesus Christ is born!”

What joy a song can bring! I know our singing as a family of five does not compare to the ultimate surround sound of the two choirs, musical instruments, rejoicing shouts, and dancing by all of God’s people in the book of Nehemiah. But I would like to think that if God gave them great joy for the restoration of a wall and of their people, how much more should we rejoice for the joy we find in Christ!

Lord God, I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus. May we be joyful people who rejoice in Him. We thank You for the joy You give. We pray that people who don’t know You will see joy in our lives, as You are life-giving. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

- December 17 -

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Lauren Eickemeyer | Athletic Director “Yet” is a powerful word in the Bible and can also be a powerful word in our lives today. Habakkuk’s use of the word “yet” lets us know that something is not going right, but amidst these struggles, Habakkuk continued to rejoice and be joyful in the Lord.

Throughout the book of Habakkuk, we read his laments about the injustice and suffering in the world and his cries to God to intervene. Habakkuk had faith that God had a plan and that He would redeem and save His people.

The marvelous thing about the time of Advent is that we get to see God’s plan come to life in the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

God did not abandon Habakkuk and the Isrealites, and He has not abandoned us in a world filled with sin and darkness.

Instead, God sent His Son to become man and save us. Jesus came into a weary world. He preached, taught, and healed the world around Him. It doesn’t seem like much has changed in the world. Today, our world is still filled with injustices and suffering, and we cry out to God for Him to come rescue and restore. We can be comforted and rejoice knowing that we have a Savior who has come to save us and has promised to come again.

“Yet” is a simple, three-letter word that allows us the opportunity to pause and turn our focus on God, His promises, and His goodness. As we continue in this Advent season, amidst the weariness in our lives and in the world around us, I pray we can yet rejoice in the Lord and be joyful in God our Savior.

Heavenly Father, as we live in a weary world, we rejoice knowing that You have always had a plan for our salvation. Throughout this season of Advent, we pray that we can yet rejoice and be glad in the assurance of Your goodness and Your promises. Amen.

- December 18 -

Psalm 96:11, 13 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it…Let all creation rejoice before the Lord.

Paul Cheney | Director of Missions & Outreach Psalm 96 has such a strong connection to our Creator-God and speaks to the day when His intended creation comes full circle. In Genesis 1, God created and said it was “very good.” Then sin entered the world, and fear, weariness, and death became part of the broken creation.

We are reminded in Job 12 that even amidst the brokenness, all creation still knows that “In His (Jesus’) hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

In Romans 8, we read that: “creation waits in eager expectation...to be liberated,” even while it still “groans.”

Psalm 96 describes that day when the weary world is redeemed, just as we are, as Jesus returns. It seems strange to rejoice over judgment, but the Psalmist (and all creation) know that the judgment Jesus brings to the world is connected to righteousness and faithfulness.

And on that day, those who put their trust in Him will be redeemed and restored along with His created world, and it will once again be “very good.”

Can you imagine that new creation, where we may literally be able to ask the animals (as God told Job to do) and listen to the trees of the forest sing for joy because of His goodnes? But did you notice that the weary world will rejoices even before it is no longer weary? We can do that, too! We know what is coming with Jesus! That’s why we can rejoice this Christmas season and every other season, even when we are weary. Hope will always be under our Christmas tree!

God of all creation, as we groan under the weight of sin in this world, we are people of hope. We hope for the new creation You promised and wait expectantly for our own redemption and restoration. We trust Your Word from the beginning to the end and rejoice in spite of our weariness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to the works of Your hands. Amen.

- December 19 -

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Michele Snow | Kindergarten Teacher At Christmas, we celebrate Immanuel—God with us. We are humbled and thankful that our amazing, perfect God chose to leave heaven to be our Savior. The songs, the decorations and the festive gatherings fill us with joy. The sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas bring excitement.

But what if someone is experiencing the loss of a loved one this year?

What if someone finds themselves alone or apart from their family for a variety of reasons during this season?

As true man, Jesus felt our human emotions and experienced the joys and heartaches of living in this fallen, sinful world. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus eating meals and spending time in the homes of friends and followers. Over and over, we see how Jesus actively demonstrated His love and compassion by healing, spending time with and talking to the marginalized people of his day—the sick, poor, children, women, and outcasts. Even while on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24). What compassion! Jesus was the ultimate expression of the Father’s love for us on the earth. As His followers, the Holy Spirit can help us express Jesus’ love to others this Christmas and throughout the new year.

This year we can unwrap the gift of Christ by sharing Him through our kindness. We can look for those who need the gift of our time, an encouraging word or card. We can share an invitation to join a meal, a party, or a Christmas Eve service with us. Another idea is to drop off cookies at our local fire or police stations for the first responders who are working on Christmas. By sharing the love of Christ with others, we find the joy and peace that is Immanuel.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, as our Savior.

Help us to make Him the focus of all of our celebrations this year. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to see those around us who need to hear the hopeful words of the Christmas story, who need the gift of our time, and inspire us to find ways to express Christ’s love through acts of kindness. Amen.

- December 20 -

Psalm 13:5-6 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Arleah Lorenz | Associate Director of Student Ministry For the better part of the last decade, I’ve entered into the Christmas season waiting for the other shoe to drop. I found myself asking “What will ruin Christmas this year?” Finances? Family drama?

Sickness? Loss? Depression? Anxiety? It felt silly, naive, and even careless to think that I could rejoice in this season while endless afflictions lurked around the corner.

However, the last several years I’ve seen myself become more and more eager for Christmas. I’m excited by the lights and decorations.

I find joy in shopping for loved ones, and I cried like a baby at every Christmas service I attended last year - 7 in total! This softening of my heart towards the season has been warmly welcomed.

So what changed? The truth is, not much. There are still finances to worry about. Family drama still happens. There are people I love who are sick or who aren’t here anymore. And all of this can very well cause depression and anxiety to sneak in.

What has changed is my expectations. My expectations are no longer to be worry-free in order to be joyful. My expectations aren’t for my problems and pain to go away. Instead, I’ve become increasingly more grateful for a baby in a manger who came to save the world, heal the hurt, and bind up the broken things. I’m hopeful again. And the amazing part is, we don’t have to wait thousands of years for a prophecy to unfold. Jesus has already fulfilled His promise. Every broken thing is restored. We have been rescued. His unfailing love meets us in all our afflictions and gives us hope and a future today. Now we get to rejoice in it! The King has come, and He is good!

Jesus, thank You for meeting us where we are in every season. You see every pain, problem, and affliction we face. Thank You for Your birth, death, and resurrection that has ultimately restored and rescued us yesterday, today, and forevermore. Your love for us is endless and unfailing.

Remind us in this season to have hope and rejoice in You for You have been good to us. Amen!

- December 21 -

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always!

And again, I say, rejoice!

Mary Pieper | Worship Creative Director It was Christmas Day and I was sitting on my closet floor sobbing silently.

Life seemed to be spiraling and taking turns I’d never anticipated. Dreams I’d nurtured and carried for our family were quickly evaporating. Looking at everyone’s “perfect” family photos on social media had filled me with self pity and frustration. Joy was the last thing on my heart and mind.

Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”

Paul penned these words from the last place you’d ever expect to find a joyous person-a prison cell in Rome. Reread them. How does a guy facing probable death write so passionately about being joyful always?

The joy Paul writes about is available to all who place their faith in Jesus as their Savior. It’s a joy that’s not dependent on feelings or circumstances. Nor is it a mindset that can be attained on our own.

The joy Paul writes about comes as a result of connection with and dependence on God’s Spirit. Allowing God’s Spirit to fill us with His power and presence enables us to live supernaturally in a world filled with heartache and disappointment.

Reflecting on my life, I can see that the times I’ve felt the most desperate, most depressed, most defeated and joyless are the times I’ve lost focus on Jesus and His love for me. What about you? Focusing on Jesus resets and recharges us so that we’re able to find a joy and peace even in the darkest of circumstances.

The more we rely on God’s Spirit, the more we realize that circumstances don’t make or break joy. Joy is the by-product of experiencing God’s sovereign grace even in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances. Therefore, rejoice always, and again, I say, rejoice!

God, today I hand You all of my hopes, plans, and dreams remembering the boundless love, grace, and care You have for me. Your plans and ways are perfect. Fill me with Your Spirit, and keep my eyes on You. Fill me with a joy that transcends my worldly circumstances, and may others see that joy and come to know You. In Your name I pray, Amen.

- December 22 -

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of even greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Hanah Singer | 1st Grade Teacher My past year has been filled with unexplained illness and pain. In my frustration and confusion, I wonder if Mary felt this way, too. Pregnant virgin - a walking paradox - isolated, frightened, carrying an inexplicable reality in a stone-cold world. Regardless, Mary had a spark that many in our world don’t have: faith that her present trial would later bring fulfillment of the Promised Light for the dark, dreary world. She probably experienced doubt in the process; maybe she prayed her own version of Jesus’ “take this cup from me” prayer at times.

“Breath of Heaven, hold me together.”

In my present suffering, I LONG for God’s peaceful exhale of redemption to cover me. I hope for healing with the same confidence as the woman who bled for 12 years. In genuine faith, she touched Jesus’ robe and was healed. I’ve been desperate for healing after just 1 year, but suffering for 12… can you imagine? How long must I suffer, Lord? How can I rejoice in this? The song “Breath of Heaven”exemplifies Mary’s firm faith in a weary world: “I am waiting in a silent prayer. I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone? Be with me now.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 says: expect to suffer trials of many kinds even more because we have faith; but the testing of faith is refinement! It’s preparation for the better future. God works ALL things for good!

He sent His only Son, a baby, to suffer. Jesus endured hardship, homelessness, temptation, isolation, and sinners. Jesus’ sacrificial life and suffering in death resulted in our free victory. We can rejoice in our present suffering, knowing a day is coming where He will wipe away every tear, and suffering will cease.

Hey God! You are the Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals! Thanks for giving us reasons to rejoice by sending Your Son to suffer in our place.

Jesus, you modeled faithful rejoicing despite unjust suffering…all for God’s glory and our salvation! We praise You for the healing that is yet to come.

Use us as beacons of light in a dark, dreary world so that this weary world can all rejoice in Your holy name! Amen!

- December 23 -

Psalm 105:1-4 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Jordan Miller | Director of Worship Sing? What if I don’t have a good voice?

Why is the Bible telling me to sing?

Whether or not you are “good” at singing, there is something different about singing than simply talking to God. When we lift our voices up in song (or joyful noise) others will notice. It sounds different and draws attention. I believe that is the point of the Psalm. In our songs, we get to make our God known among the nations and to tell of all the wonderful things that He has done.

A famous line from the Christmas move “Elf” says: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” This movie quote and the beginning of Psalm 105 are fantastic reminders of why we sing.

Our joy is in Jesus! God has sent His Son to free us from sin and death.

He has given us the greatest gift of salvation! Therefore, let us give God the glory. As we look forward to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and to when Jesus will come back again to free us from pain and suffering, let us rejoice! Let those around us hear about the joy that we have in Jesus. Even if we are timid to sing, we can also look to our God for strength because He is the provider of our voices and created the very breath we breathe.

Today, let’s sing out knowing God will give us strength, so others hear of the joy that we have because of what Jesus has done.

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing!”

Good and gracious God, You are worthy of all our praise. Thank You for the gift of Your Son and the wonderful saving work He did for us. Give us strength as we go to a weary world and help us rejoice in Your love and Your promise that You are always with us. Give us voices to sing Your praise and to share Jesus’ love loudly for all to hear. Amen.

- December 24 -

Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name.”

Tim Niekerk | Senior Pastor Hard to imagine all the thoughts that must have been going through Mary’s mind after she was informed by an angel she would be having a baby, and not just any baby, but the promised Messiah. What did she do next? She left town to clear her head and spend some time with her cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. I’m sure the two of them enjoyed some great conversations as they dreamed about being moms and as Mary freaked out a little about the fact that she was engaged and now pregnant with a rather difficult story for others to believe.

But when she first arrived at Elizabeth’s house, Mary demonstrated incredible faith and joy about what was happening to her. I am always amazed by that as I’m not sure that would have been my initial response to God deciding to blow up my world without any discussion with or input from me.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I am reminded of Mary’s response to the fact that God chose her to be the one who brought Jesus into the world. Her response was to rejoice in God her Savior. Rather than focus on how God’s decision was affecting her personally, Mary chose to focus on how God’s decision would impact the world! I love that.

As Mary noted, all generations have called her blessed and the Mighty One has done great things. Mary’s response is a wonderful reminder to me to rejoice when God uses my life in any way He chooses to bring hope and peace and salvation to our broken and hurting world. Today, we rejoice like Mary because God sent Jesus to be our Savior! And like the shepherds, we can’t wait to share such incredible news with others. Merry Christmas!

Heavenly Father, we rejoice like Mary today in humble amazement over the fact that the God of the universe was willing to leave His celestial home to be born as a baby in a stable in Bethlehem. We find ourselves inspired by Mary’s response to Your call on her life. Use us as You see fit so generations may be blessed and our weary world rejoices because Jesus, our Savior, has come. Amen.

- December 25 -

Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born Oh night divine Oh night divine

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