UC 2014 Advent Booklet

Bells Ringing in Good Tidings of Joy, Peace, Hope and Love

The Department of Missions and Ministry of University of the Cumberlands invites you to

A Celebration of Advent 2014

"Silver Bells" Silver bells silver bells It's Christmas time in the city Hear the bells go ring-a-ling Soon it will be Christmas day City sidewalks busy sidewalks .

Dressed in holiday style In the air There's a feeling of Christmas Children laughing People passing Meeting smile after smile And on every street corner you'll hear Strings of street lights Even stop lights Blink a bright red and green As the shoppers rush home with their treasures Hear the snow crunch See the kids rush This is Santa's big scene And above all this bustle You'll hear Silver bells, silver bells It's Christmas time in the city Ring-a-ling, hear them ring Soon it will be Christmas day

Every year at Christmas time, without fail, bells will be ringing somewhere. You will hear them at Walmart, street corners, stores, door handles, and on Christmas trees. The most beautiful sound a bell makes however, is heard when a church is playing its beautiful call to assemble.

In Christianity, many Anglican, Catholic, and Lutheran churches ring their church bells from bell towers three times a day, at 6:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M., and 6:00 P.M., summoning the Christian faithful to recite the Lord’s Prayer. The primary purpose of ringing church bells today is to signify the time for worshippers to gather for a church service. This practice was inspired by Paulinus of Nola who introduced the church bells into the Christian Church in AD 400. In AD 604, Pope Sabinianus officially sanctioned their usage and by the early Middle Ages, church bells became common in Europe.

It is said that the bell’s dome represents the vault of heaven above. Its flat circular bottom represents the flat, circular horizon of the earth. The clapper represents the tongue, work, and voice of divinity; also known as the hermetic logos. The empty space within represents all that is contained between heaven and earth. So, this Christmas Season, listen for the beautiful sound of the bells ringing and let it help us remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Carrie Mattingly, editor

Writers for the week of Hope

Steve Halstead is an assistant professor of human services. He has been married to Pamela for 25 years. Together they have two adult children. He enjoys providing counseling services and inspiring others to help those who are in need.

Dennis Trickett is the Chair of Psychology Department. He is married to Paula Trickett and has three children, Sara, Christopher and Allison. He enjoys the outdoors (hunting, fishing, hiking), woodworking, traveling and reading.

He says it has been amazing to watch the transformation of the college from its “humble” state in the mid-70’s to the academically rigorous, beautifully maintained institution that it is today.

Bruce Hicks has been a professor in the History and Political Department since 1986.

Travis Freeman is an adjunct professor in the Missions and Ministry Department. His life story is told in the book Lights Out: Living in a Sightless World and is the inspiration for the movie 23 Blast.

Tom Frazier is the chair of the English Department. After graduating with the promise that “I shall return,” he spoke on Hemingway’s poetry at an International Hemingway Conference in Paris, France. He also spoke on John Steinbeck’s transition of Malory’s Le More D’Arthur at an International Popular Culture conference at Oxford University and taught five summers in Cumberland's London Program.

Eric Stephens is a Professor in the Psychology Department. He is married to Rebecca Stephens and they have three daughters, Hannah, Bethany, and Abigail. He enjoys UK basketball. An interesting thing about him is that he and his wife lived inside a funeral home for a year early in their marriage. He considers it a blessing to work with college students.

Anita Bowman is the chair of the Health, Exercise, and Sports Science Department. She has five furry kids (two dogs and three cats) and loves life.

Once a tumbleweed, she appreciates The University of the Cumberlands and Williamsburg because they gave her roots.

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Sunday, November 30

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Hope, a simple word with unlimited applications. It allows us to find the light at the end of the tunnel; it gives us the strength to keep pushing when we want to give up. Sometimes individuals become burdened in the mire of desolation, failing to realize where their strength comes from. Where do we find our hope?

Does hope start in our hearts, our minds, or does it come from another source? It differs for each person, hope is not uniform, just as our aspirations are not uniform. The hope for a mother might be finding the resources to provide her children with food and shelter, whereas the realization that there is a better tomorrow for a homeless man might simply be a dry place to sleep for the night.

No matter our circumstances, it is important to remember that hope abides in each of us, and that each of us can share that hope with others by being overcomers.

Yesterday, today, and for every day to come, I will be thankful that Hope was born in a lowly manger over two thousand years ago in a town called Bethlehem. Hope is not a respecter of persons. Hope perseveres. Hope is available to all. My hope is in Jesus.

-Steve Halstead Â

Monday, December 1

Titus 3:4-7

Christmas is a hopeful season, which is kind of ironic since it occurs in the middle of winter – the time when the earth’s life-cycle is somewhat dormant. It is cold, and gray, and the crops and flowers are mostly gone. And while snow brings joy to the hearts of children everywhere, for many adults it is a reminder that the sunny, warm days of summer are over… for awhile.

For those who have experienced the transforming work of God in their lives, the season of advent is a reminder that, when mankind was lost, the Father provided a way to be reunited with him. He found His way to us so we could find our way back to Him… and therein we have hope.

Hope is not dependent on the current situation. Hope looks to the future. Hope reminds us that even when we are by ourselves (or beside ourselves) we are not alone. In our isolation, our pain, our brokenness and despair there is the still, small voice that urges us to remember the things we have been promised – that we will not be left desolate, or broken or alone – that we have a future and a hope – if not in this life, surely in eternity.

This sense of presence is reflected in the words of Emily Dickinson: Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.

-Dennis Trickett

Tuesday, December 2

1 Corinthians 13:12

In November, I learned of the death of a close boyhood friend of mine. I hadn’t seen or heard from him in years. Even so, I’ve always felt close to him since we practically grew up together.

Our friendship flourished, in part, because he lived a short distance from my home. If we wanted to play together, we didn’t need to plead with busy parents to transport us back and forth. On my bike, I could arrive in his yard in five minutes if I rode hard, ten minutes at the most.

In the days since I learned of his death, I have thought often of the many hours we spent together as boys, mostly outdoors, rambling through the woods accompanied by a dog or two or wading in a creek nearby. Even as we aged and discovered girls, we managed to remain close. Our first girlfriends were sisters.

After we graduated from high school and I left my hometown to attend college, we drifted apart. I am not sure I understand why we lose the childhood innocence that makes friendship at that stage of life so dear. I am not sure I understand why death takes from us those that were, and are, so special. The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians acknowledges that “now we see in a mirror dimly” but he also promises us that, eventually, we “will know fully.” As I cope with the sadness that accompanies death and loss, I find comfort in that promise.

-Bruce Hicks

Wednesday, December 3

Galatians 2:20-21

When we think about hope, we think about a lot of things.

I hope Kentucky wins the national championship. I hope I can finish my homework. I hope I don’t fail. I hope I get a job. This type of hope is not certain, but biblical hope is absolutely certain.

It is an anticipation of certain things that are to come. And Christmas is full of this certain hope.

The hope of Christmas is found, not in a baby, but in the reason that baby came to Earth. Not in the birth of an innocent child, but in the perfect life that child would live. Not in a manger, but in a bloody cross and an empty tomb. The hope of Christmas is not in the birth of Christ, but in the death that his birth anticipates. So this Christmas, let us not focus only on the birth of the Messiah, but allow that birth to point us to the cross, and to the hope represented there.

-Travis Freeman

Thursday, December 4

John 3:30

Humans bring the loftiest ideas down to the lowest of levels. Such is the case with the concept of Hope. We freely throw around the word hope, never thinking what it means or what it indicates. “I hope I pass this test.” “I hope I win the lottery.” We have done nothing more that used hope to replace the word wish. Hope is more than immediate gratification. Hope is that which allows us to live our lives with an idea that there is more in the future than we might at first think. It’s not just a small town in Arkansas which was the home of President Bill Clinton.

Hope is an individual thing. We can have Hope or we can give up all Hope. Dante, when he enters the gates of hell in his Divine Comedy, is confronted with the most negative of admonitions, “Abandon hope, all who enter here.” Frightening, sad, and debilitating at best. Then, Alexander Pope tells us in his “An Essay on Man” that “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” Much more positive here, is it not? It’s nice to think that humans never really give up Hope.

Trees and gifts and pretty lights aside, Christmas is the quintessential season of Hope. The Hope that we celebrate is that our lives will permit us to enjoy the eternity He whose birth we celebrate promised. However, in our Hope, we must become secondary to that for which we Hope as instructed in John 3:30.

-Tom Frazier

Friday, December 5

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

As I ponder the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, I am reminded of the hope a new year brings. During the holiday season we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, but also look ahead to an even better life in the year ahead. According to a recent article in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, the top 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2014 were as follows: Lose weight Get better organized Spend less, save more Enjoy life to the fullest Stay fit and healthy

Learn something exciting Quit smoking Help others fulfill their dreams Fall in love Spend more time with family

As we ponder the hope that 2015 affords, let’s first count our many blessings. One of these blessings is the redemption we have through faith in Jesus Christ. Regardless of whether we make specific New Year’s resolutions, let’s consider how we can improve ourselves so we can continue to make a positive difference in the world. I think daily following the 7 life principles of John Wooden is one way to impact those around us. His principles are: Be true to yourself and help others Make each day your masterpiece Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible Make friendship a fine art Build a shelter against a rainy day by the life you live Pray for guidance and counsel, and give thanks for your many blessings each day -Eric Stephens

Saturday, December 6

Psalm 42:1-5

For many, New Year’s Day represents a fresh start or a new beginning. I’ve been trying to change my perspective over the years to shift my celebration of new beginnings to the Advent season. Shouldn’t this be the time for awakening or to begin anew?

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ, but the season of Advent is the whole shebang, where we remember Christ’s birth, life, grace, and second coming. This is where we should be focusing with the sheer hope that Advent represents. Instead of looking forward to Advent at this time of year, we anticipate a popular secular holiday called Black Friday which leads us into Christmas.

Our spiritual life is a journey, and I continue to get caught up in the commercialization of the season too. This year, let’s try to keep each other accountable and teach our families, friends, and neighbors about the meaning of Advent and put the Christ back in X-mas.

May the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Advent surround you and yours.

-Anita Bowman

Writers for the week of Peace

Jane Whitaker is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and is hoping to finish her dissertation this summer on the topic of self-handicapping, then plans to have a big party to which you are all invited. She is married to Dean Whitaker and they have 3 children, Katherine (14), Caeden (12), and Gavin (10). She loves helping people move toward spiritual and emotional health.

Dean Whitaker Div/CE, has served for 17 years as UC's Director of Campus Ministries and as KBC's Campus Missionary. He is married to Jane Whitaker, assistant professor of psychology at UC. He is the father of Katherine Grace (14), Caeden Grant (12), and Gavin Cole (10). One of his fondest memories at UC was acting as the Ghost of Christmas Present alongside his children and UC students in the UC production of "A Christmas Carol".

Laura Dennis is an Assistant Professor of French and Spanish at The University of the Cumberlands. She has three children, Jessica, Lily, and Binny as well as three cats and one dog. She enjoys playing the piano for Pleasant View United Methodist Church. She loves horseback riding and was a translator at the World Equestrian Games in 2010. She was also nominated twice for CASE Professor of the Year

Kathy Fish and her husband Tom have been teaching for over 30 years at UC. Besides treasuring all of the great students, both past and present, that they have known and all of the great literature they have taught, they enjoy trying new restaurants, going to the movies, cheering on the Cumberlands Patriots and the UK Wildcats, and especially getting together with family including daughters Dana and Sally and granddaughter Julie.

Nick Harris works at University of the Cumberlands in the library and is an adjunct English Professor.

Beth Wooley is an administrative assistant at HESS & ART. She has a twin sister and an older sister along with 8 nieces and nephews. She enjoys photography, painting, nature, health, and fitness. She has special memories at UC of making some of the best lifelong friends.

Sunday, December 7

James 3:17-18

Where do we find peace today? One glimpse of the news suggests that there is not much peace in the world right now; ISIS, Ebola, threats of another cold war, a child abducted from her home, another random shooting. As my children say, the news starts with “Good Evening” and then proceeds to tell us all the reasons why it isn’t!

In the reading for today, James reminds us that among the qualities that are found in the wisdom of God, is peace. And, real wisdom is peaceable, sown in peace by those who make peace.

And yet, it doesn’t come easily. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lived a life framed by and punctuated with pain. Even in his birth, he was relegated to a cold, humble cave-barn. He was lonely, abandoned by friends, lied to, overworked and hungry, and finally murdered.

How could someone from this life become the Prince of Peace?

Jesus showed us that peace doesn’t come from our circumstances, but our identity. Jesus lived in the truth that he was the deeply loved son of God, and His strength was enough to overcome the world. He stood, palms open to the world, strong and undefensive. Jesus lived peace, and thus subverted peace into his wounded life and his world, and thus to our lives and world.

We are also the sons and daughters of God, deeply loved, and able to access peace. His gift, our identity, sowers of peace in one seed at a time.

-Jane Whitaker

Monday, December 8

Psalm 62:1-2

I recall spending Christmas Eve 1985 with no sleep, seeking peace, but not even knowing how to articulate my need.

Life had become miserable—fear-filled and grief-stricken through broken relationships. On the outside I was the same very involved, outgoing, “A” student, but on the inside I saw my life crumbling and slipping away. I spent that night crying for help— begging a God that I was not even sure existed to rescue me. The problem was that I had never heard the gospel, or good news, so I did not know that God had already rescued me and was ready to save me from hopelessness through the PEACE of Christ. I had never realized that while I was broken, sinful and hopeless, Jesus Christ could set me free. He was sinless, but willingly became sin to pay my sin-debt. He died a cruel death, was buried, and brought Himself back to life! And all of this was to rescue all who will receive Him, bringing them from death and separation from Creator God to life and peace. That night as I agonized over my situation, peace was nowhere to be found.

BUT, God, who lovingly drew me toward Himself, came to my rescue just 4 weeks later as I heard the gospel and prayed to receive Jesus as Savior and LORD. On January 28, 1986, PEACE came to my heart, soul, mind, and body with the Advent of Jesus’ forgiveness!

-Dean Whitaker

Tuesday, December 9

Matthew 5:14-15

“Think about it. You can write. And this is something people need to hear.”

I like helping people, sure, but these words from my child’s therapist caught me completely off guard. Who was she to talk to me about writing? That was just a secret dream, something I’d shared with very few people. Besides, even if I were to write something beyond my usual academic fare, why would I choose such a personal, painful subject as a child’s mental illness?

In spite of my misgivings, a seed must have been planted that cold January day, because the suggestion nagged at me all through the long, dark nights of that awful winter. Finally, I listened. I signed up for a writing class and later, a writing workshop. The first lesson in my new adventure was called “The Story Only You Can Tell.” The accuracy of that phrase stunned me. However long it takes, this is my story to tell and tell it I will, whether it reaches one person or one hundred. As today’s scripture says, we are called to share our lives with the world.

This is both my challenge and my wish for you this Advent season. What is the story only you can tell? Before you reply that you don’t have one, remember a virgin named Mary and a carpenter called Joseph, two ordinary people without whom we might never have had the greatest story ever told.

-Laura Dennis

Wednesday, December 10

Romans 5:1-2

Carol of the Bells Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells All seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Christmas is here, bringing good cheer To young and old, meek and the bold Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song, With joyful ring, all caroling One seems to hear words of good cheer From everywhere, filling the air Oh!, how they pound, raising the sound O'er hill and dale, telling their tale Gaily they ring, while people sing Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

On, on they send, on without end Their joyful tone to every home Ding dong ding dong...

Carol of the bells, composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1904 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky.

Thursday, December 11

Psalm 103:11-12

The hottest I have ever been is in church!

No, I wasn’t hearing an impassioned sermon about “the bad place,” as Huck Finn would say, and human sinfulness. I was standing in a church at midweek in Yantai, China, with my husband, Dr. Tom Fish, my friend Dr. Bob Dunston, and other special friends of Cumberlands when we all went to China in 2007 to teach English. The church was so hot because it was midweek, and the church was only cooled for Sunday services, illustrating just one difference between East and West.

But what I really remember is the peaceful if glistening face of the pastor as he told us about his ministry, his marathon of many Sunday services because there were so many people wanting to attend a church and so few churches and ministers in that part of the world to meet demand. God had touched this pastor with both a “fear” or respect for Him yet also a “steadfast love” so that he as just another person in that crowded (and hot!) city could reach out to so many.

On every Sunday, not just during Advent, when I leave my church of Corbin Presbyterian, I feel a sense of leaving behind my “transgressions” (Psalm 103:12) and of gaining peace to sustain me through the week. Those are the same feelings of my fellow Christians in Yantai, China, so far away and, indeed, in every place “as far as the east is from the west.” We all have the peace of being loved and forgiven – today and every day.

- Kathy Fish

Friday, December 12

Zechariah 9:9-12

My favorite Christmas story is from the mystical world of medieval English literature. In this foggy non-time, centuries past, the Green Knight visits the Hall of Arthur at the time of the Winter Solstice feast and causes general mayhem. Gawain defiantly overreacts, and is required to search for the supernatural knight, only to be bewitched by a devious lady.

Something about this lusty, caustic, bloody, invigorating tale of “Gawain and the Green Knight” gets the heart boiling in the Christmas season. The Pearl Poet presents Christmas as a time of adventure and risk-taking, full of perils of the unknown.

This strange mix of folklore in the early Celtic Christian era has, perhaps, extraneous characters hovering around Gawain in the form of seasonal Biblical images, the humility of the stable and the foal, the earthiness of a King who gently commands from the back of a donkey. In my strange brew of images approaching the birth of Christ, I can imagine Gawain’s adventures on his bizarre quest interrupted by a messenger in coarse leather clothing, living on locusts and wild honey, proclaiming that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Such an angel to have on one’s shoulder creates as much comfort in the hectic, mall-shopping mania of contemporary life as it may have to the impulsive Gawain. I know I feel like Arthur’s over-zealous knight as I battle the crowds and fight the urban agitations of the contemporary world at “X-mastime.” Our angel reminds us of the Proclamation of peace for the nations.

And paradoxically, he calms our frenzy.

-Nick Harris

Saturday, December 13

Peter 3:10-11

One of the hardest things that I have ever had to do was be truthful with myself. It was a hard realization that I was not happy and was only living to please others and make them happy.

I did this for many years; I began to lose my faith in Christ as well as my relationships. I was a person who knew that if you centered your life on Christ, there wasn’t anything you could not do. When I got lost in pleasing others, I lost my love for Christ and my faith. When I finally found the courage to ask for help, I was guided to prayer, pray for strength and guidance. At the time when I did not believe it would help and had no other direction to go, I prayed whenever I could, “Please Lord, guide me and give me strength to…”. It took a little time to feel an answer, but finally I was led to make some hard decisions that I knew would hurt many people, some being my family and friends.

These were some of the hardest things I ever had to do but knew that it was what was going to help lead me in the direction that I needed to go. I found myself back in church and building so many relationships that I had lost, including finding myself. If it were not for finding my faith again, I don’t know that I would be as happy as I am. Therefore I am grateful.

-Beth Wooley

Writers for the week of Joy Bob Dunston is a professor and chair of the Missions and Ministry department. He is married to Norma Dunston and they have three children, Beth, Emily, and Daniel. He loves to bake bread and his special memory at UC is when he was hired. He loves working with all his students and all of his colleagues.

Jennifer Knuckles is the department chair and assistant professor of the Human Services Department. She has been married to Trent Knuckles, editor for the News Journal, for 11 years. They have a 7 year old daughter named Rachel Grace. She currently serves on Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education’s Advisory council and is involved with Central Baptist Church in Corbin.

Diane Jamison is an Associate Professor of Mathematics . She has two children, Kellye Grimes, married to Donnie Grimes, and Mike Jamison, married to Melynda. She has one granddaughter named Hailey. She was the recipient of SGA Honored Professor for 2014, Global Day of Prayer, Committee Member in Cork, Ireland, 2012, Miles Community Service Award 2011, and volunteered at Lifeway College in New Zealand in 2004.

Kim Miller is an Associate Professor in Theatre.

Fred Cummings is an Associate Professor at UC. He lives in Pineville, KY with his wife Marge of 44 years. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

He enjoys bass fishing and flying.

Kirby Clark is a Professor of Missions and Ministry as well as Director of Supervised Ministry. He and wife Debby, who is a retired chemistry, physics and math teacher, have three grown children and two teenaged grandchildren.

Dr. Clark enjoys genealogy, photography, and traveling. He recently took a photography class and learned how to mount his photos.

Jolly Sharp is a Professor of English at UC. She is a collector of peacock memorabilia because of Flannery O’Connor’s passion for unusual peafowl.

One of her best memories of UC was being yearbook editor her senior year and the Mission trips and weekend praise groups with Baptist Student Union.

Sunday, December 14

Psalm 100

What brings me joy? Well, first of all – chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Then there is opening presents followed by giving presents. Then there is more chocolate followed by being with family and friends – especially when there is chocolate being served.

Chocolate does bring me joy, but not a very lasting joy. In a few hours or minutes I am wanting chocolate again. Family members and special times with them do, however, bring lasting joy.

Christmas memories create lasting joy for me. Each Christmas I make new memories while recalling old memories that still bring a smile and warm feeling.

One particular source of joy is the memory of what God did on that first Christmas. The One who made us and our universe entered our world as one of us. The Creator became part of His creation. The One who is our Shepherd became an infant worshiped by shepherds. The One who is steadfast love entered a world that, then and now, does not often practice steadfast love.

God has brought great joy to me through His Son Jesus.

How can I bring great joy to Him? Maybe I can maintain a joyous disposition in celebration of His goodness. Maybe I can be satisfied and pleased with exactly who He made me to be instead of wanting to be like someone else.

Maybe I can follow Him. Maybe I can be more faithful and more loving. Those actions might bring Him and me joy.

- Bob Dunston

Monday, December 15

Matthew 25:34-40

I have the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. Where?

Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart.

This is a song many children sing in children’s church at a young age. I remember singing it loudly thinking I am going to show everyone just how much joy I have. As I have settled into adulthood I have realized that I did not really know the definition of true joy when I was singing “I have the joy joy joy joy down in my heart” as a young child.

Joy is something that makes us excited, happy and fills our hearts with love. Joy happens inside of us when we spend time with the ones that we love, when we look into the faces of small children and see them smile. Joy occurs when we give to others as God has given to us. Yes, God gave us his son Jesus so we may have joy in our lives. God gave us Jesus so we may know how to give to others and share our blessings of joy. The Bible teaches in Matthew 25: 34-40 that when you feed someone you are feeding God, when you clothe someone you are clothing God, when you give someone something to drink you are giving a drink to God. As we begin to celebrate the Christmas season I encourage you to share your joy with those in need. Christmas is the season of giving, give joy this year because God has given joy to you.

-Jennifer Knuckles

Tuesday, December 16

Habakkuk 3:17-19

A child is happy because he got an ice cream cone. Yet his happiness flees when he accidentally drops the treasure onto the sidewalk. As a child, I was thrilled with a new Christmas outfit until I tore the skirt on a protruding nail. Recently I was excited about an upcoming trip to Israel only to have the trip postponed due to lack of participants. Happiness is the ever elusive emotion the world continually seeks. Yet happiness seems hard to grasp and even more difficult to maintain.

In contrast, joy is a fruit of the Spirit – not simply an elusive emotion dependent on circumstances or possessions. In fact, James 1:2 speaks of joy in the midst of trials. Hebrews 12:2 speaks of Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. Again it is hard to imagine such a sustaining joy. Where is such joy found? As a piece of fruit develops from a seed, similarly the spiritual fruit of joy comes from His seed – His Word planted within us.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, let us joyfully anticipate the second coming of our Savior – the reason for the joy of our salvation.

Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

-Diane Jamison

Wednesday, December 17

Thessalonians 5:16-18

In theatre, we play games to help us warm-up for work, to

foster community, and to expel the frustrations of the day. One of my favorite games is Whoosh. To play Whoosh, actors in a circle send the Whoosh to one another by waving their arms and saying, “Whoosh!” In certain circumstances, the Whoosh can change directions or jump across the circle to someone new. The Whoosh is not tangible. It can be big or little, fast or slow, depending on the actor and on the day they are having. Not every player gets the Whoosh as often as they would like, and sometimes, the group returns the Whoosh to the same person over and over. Like all games, the rules of Whoosh never change, but the playing of it is never repeated exactly. I find security in the game’s rules and excitement in experiencing its constant variations. To play this simple game brings me joy.

The events of the Christmas story do not change from one year to the next, but the period of preparation beforehand can feel like a game of Whoosh to me. Advent races by and I am left feeling caught off guard by the Christmas celebration.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us that preparation for Christmas is a daily activity, regardless of the season of the year.

Whether we are rushing through or in a period of waiting, we are participants in a gift of life and salvation, and this is a reason to be joyful.

-Kim Miller

Thursday, December 18

Isaiah 61:1-3

There is no joy in Mudville. Stolen. Loss of what had been.

Loss of hope. Loss of the taken. Forfeiture of expectation.

Fraudulently taken in the dark of the night. Freedom embezzled, health pilfered, imprisoned in one’s own jail. Hope a distant memory.

Mighty Casey, how could you fail us so?

Abandonment. Addictions. Abortion. Unwanted children.

Illiteracy. Poverty. Disease. Racism. Hatred. Captivity. Prejudice.

Anarchy. Dysfunctional government. Terrorism. Jihad. Failure.

Fear. Hopelessness. Sorrow. Absence of joy. Enemies overrunning, kingdoms falling. Breaking of covenants, position lost.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, clearly into the hopelessness of evil situations a word is spoken. Good news for the afflicted, the mending of broken hearts, freedom for the enslaved and the favorable year of the Lord. Abundant joy.

Birth of hope, delivery of joy. Inextricably linked. No hope – no joy. Some six hundred years before the Word becomes flesh a promise is given. There is good news! There will be healing, wholeness, freedom and joy. What has been a joyless situation will become joyful. The Messiah is sent and has now arrived.

Hope to be given. Joy to be found. Hidden. Settled deep in the recesses of the sanctuary guarded by the properly initiated. The hopeless – hungry, searching, seeking, straining boundaries, breaking convention - march sullenly by great vaults; caching, hoarding, guarding joy as if sharing its source will diminish the supply.

Jesus. Reading in the synagogue. “Today this day this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4:21 NIV). Joy for the discovery – needing open display. Mighty Casey once again striding to the plate.

-Fred Cummings

Friday, December 19

Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 isn’t a verse we usually associate with Christmas.

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the arrival of Christ, coming from the Father – Acts 1:8 comes in a passage that speaks of the departure of Christ, returning to the Father. Arrivals usually are times of joyous celebrations; departures usually are times of sad farewells, with the hope of seeing one another again.

In Acts 1, the disciples’ joy was mingled with questions – what would happen next? Was the kingdom to be restored to Israel? How their hopes and joy must have been dashed when Jesus told them not to focus on that – rather, they were to get ready for something much more important and lasting. They would receive power to tell others about Jesus and invite people to come into a personal relationship with Him. They were to invite others to experience the joy and power for living they had experienced – and continued to experience – because they were Jesus’ followers.

Perhaps this Christmas – and from now on – we can read Acts 1:8 in a new light. As we daily celebrate the joy we have because of our salvation in Jesus, we can also celebrate – and boldly use – the power we have through the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of this salvation. The Holy Spirit keeps the Christmas joy alive in us each day of the year. He also daily gives us the power we need to invite others to experience that same Christmas joy that comes only through Christ.

- Kirby Clark

Saturday, December 20

Psalm 150

Psalm 150 is a clear reminder that everything that has breath should take time to praise the Lord. Ultimately, God is our true source of joy, a joy of both earthly and eternal worth.

As I was contemplating this advent devotion, I remembered a poem of praise and thankfulness that my mother wrote in 1944. May these lines guide our thoughts of praise today.

A Thank You to Jesus Thank you Jesus for your love displayed In accordance with God’s plan you willingly obeyed.

From Glory and the portals of heaven you came.

From the cradle to the cross, salvation was your aim.

From an infant boy here on earth, You became a man after your human birth.

Led to slaughter like a little lamb, You, the only Begotten Son of the Great God, I Am. Nailed to a cruel cross for all to see, You took our sins to set us free.

Freedom from sin you died to give To all who would for you live.

With tenderhearted compassion for others that day, You died on the cross to provide our way.

As prophesized, you arose on the third day, To live and guide us the heavenly way.

Thank you for being the key to prayer and power.

It’s true we need you every hour.

‐ Emma Olive Patrick

Let us all take time today to thank God for his love, his plan of salvation, and all of our blessings. Let us find joy in praising and honoring him with our words and with our lives.

-Jolly Kay Sharp

Writers for the week of Love

Al Pilant is a professor in the History and Political Science Department. He and his wife, Melva Jean have two sons names Jed and Nate. For thirty-two years, he has been a father and a professor. His favorite times on campus are the basketball games in the intramural gym and international girls coming to get his son, Jed from his wife, Jean and bringing him back just before the games ended.

Stephanie Taylor is an Administrative Assistant in Alumni Services. She will complete her MBA in December of 2014. She attends church at First Baptist Church of Somerset, KY and her first mission trip was in June 2013 to Haiti. Her favorite times on campus are Homecoming weekend and the Christmas season.

Julie Deyrup is an instructor of Spanish, and English for international students at Cumberlands. She hopes to continue encouraging Cumberlands’ students to open their lives to new languages, ideas and cultures with genuine curiosity and insight. She and her husband Leif Deyrup have been a part of the Cumberlands community now for seven years.

Cristy Hall is a 2001 graduate of UC. She is in her fourth year of teaching in the English Department and is the faculty sponsor of Sigma Tau Delta. In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her three nephews.

Susan Rose - is currently the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at UC. She is also the NCATE Coordinator for the Director of School Counseling within the School of Education.. She is a licensed School counselor and Teacher in both Kentucky and Indiana. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, a M.Ed. In School Counseling , and a B.S. in Education. She lives with her husband of 31 years, Robert Rose, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sunday, December 21

1 John 4:15-17

We always hear and read that God is Love and that he showed us this love through sacrificing his only begotten son for a remission of our sins. Yet, do we really take the time to meditate on this wonderful gift? Reread 1 John 4:17; “Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” As we go through this period, headed for Christmas, remember that the perfect gift of love is the result. We are to be BOLD in showing this love to the world.

Jean and I lost our youngest son four days before Christmas and it utterly changed how we celebrate Christmas.

We now focus on the reason for Christmas; love made manifest and given by God to us. We as Christians need to be bold in proclaiming the Love God has toward us and that is in us through Christ Jesus every day, but, more particularly at this time of year!

- Al Pilant

Monday, December 22

Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

It seems Christmas comes earlier every year. Decorations go up after Halloween and Black Friday sales start before Thanksgiving. There is a sense of urgency as we make lists and race to complete them in record time. It can be difficult not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose the true meaning. We must remember that first Christmas, with Mary and Joseph and the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. There were no decorations, presents or lists, but it was all a fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. Jesus arrived in the quietest, humblest of circumstances. This CHRISTmas and always, let us remember it is not about things, but sharing the love of CHRIST.

-Stephanie Taylor

Tuesday, December 23

Philippians 1:9

This verse speaks wonderfully to us in the academic community as Paul encourages the Philippians to never cease in their quest for knowledge, and discernment. These two words correspond perfectly to our goals at Cumberlands to educate each other as critical thinkers. I believe part of being a responsible Christian is being a critical thinker: not just of God’s word in the Bible, but in the application of his lessons in the world around us.

Sometimes it is difficult to see things objectively in our lives when we become emotionally invested in something, but many times emotions lead us to make hasty and misguided decisions or assumptions. Yet the more we take the time to calmly gather facts and see how most things in this world cannot be squeezed into a neat little box, the more we are able to discern truth through well-sought knowledge. At this “depth of insight,” we are most ready to be serving, humble and loving Christians.

I hope during this Advent season to catch myself when I am making assumptions, and before judging, find the facts and act in love, not haste.

- Julie Deyrup

Wednesday, December 24

Luke 2:6-7

During my teenage years, at Camp Nathanael, I stumbled upon a hidden talent for "team leading" (a duty that involves coaching the kids through sports activities, and most importantly, helping them memorize scripture passages). In this capacity, my undefeated record stands firm and strong, enduring the test of time and remaining unchallenged by the many "novices" who have followed suit behind me! But, my favorite part of team leading was always the gospel message I had to offer to the kids, who went back to home and school following their one-week camping adventure (many of them to hostile climates where they daily faced circumstances that are incomprehensible to the average person). The parting advice that every camp kid left with- regardless of whose team came out on top- is that all who have trusted Christ as savior are members of the "victory side," for though pain and suffering are inevitable, through the sacrificial love he offered on the cross— the battle is already won.

As I look toward my thirty-sixth birthday this coming week, I realize that, in many ways, my life is unconventional. In a world where romantic love is the all-consuming drive of most everyone’s heart, I remain single. Yet, how can any of us be unhappy, knowing that with out-stretched arms, Christ’s love reaches out and embraces us all? This Christmas, let’s take joy in knowing that, as part of the family of God, we are all on the winning side.

-Cristy Hall

Thursday, December 25

Romans 12:9

Let love be from the center of who you are! The usage of the verb “cleave” in this passage brings to mind the idea of the love in marriage. And, that’s what we are to God. We are his bride. As Christmas marks the beginning of Christ, so marriage marks the beginning of a new life - a celebration of new love.

And, love stretches us. We’re much more willing to get out of our comfort zone when we’re with somebody we deeply love.

And, as Christians, we’re with somebody we deeply love each and every minute of our life. We need to remember that.

Let’s ponder that idea for a moment. I find it interesting that we as humans become so enthralled with celebrity. If our favorite musician or actor suddenly comes into view for us, we get all excited – taking pictures, screaming, yelling, etc. But, just think. The biggest celebrity of all time greets us each morning and tucks us into bed each night. Yet, this usually goes without notice. I challenge you to greet Christ, the love of your life, with a renewed spirit each morning. Greet Him with the same passion that you greet your spouse, the same enthusiasm that you would greet celebrity, the same fervor that you greet your human loved ones. Begin anew today to love God as He loves you. And, that love will allow you to not only love Christ honestly, but all that cross your path.

- Susan Rose

Christmas Eve CHRISTMAS hath darkness Brighter than the blazing noon, Christmas hath a chillness Warmer than the heat of June, Christmas hath a beauty Lovelier than the world can show: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low.

Earth, strike up your music, Birds that sing and bells that ring; Heaven hath answering music For all Angels soon to sing: Earth, put on your whitest Bridal robe of spotless snow: For Christmas bringeth Jesus, Brought for us so low.

(Written by Christina Rossetti)

Acknowledgments Thank you to University of the Cumberlands’ faculty and staff who contributed to this year’s Advent booklet. Their willingness to write made this booklet possible and I hope that their words are blessings to all who read.

Thank you, Carolyn Reaves, for your inspiring and uplifting art. Dr. Reaves was able to help tell the story of “Bells Ringing” through her work. Carolyn is encouraging, and a great artist who lets God shine through her work.

Furthermore, I would like to thank Dr. Bob Dunston, Chair of the Department of Missions and Ministry, and his wife Norma. This booklet could not have been completed without their help and guidance. I also would like to thank my Pastor Ande and student worker, Jessica Noe for their help and time. In addition, many thanks must go to Media Relations and to the Campus Supply Center for printing and distributing the 2014 Advent booklet.

Blessings!

-Carrie Mattingly, editor

We wish you a blessed Chrismas season.

Department of Missions and Ministry University of the Cumberlands 7989 College Station Drive Williamsburg, KY 40769 (606) 539-4156