Today is December 23rd in the final week of Advent.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1. 


28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 


In this passage, we witness a profound moment of divine intervention. The angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary is both startling and reassuring. Mary, a young woman from a humble background, is told that she is highly favored and that the Lord is with her. This greeting, while comforting, also brings a sense of awe and fear. As you reflect on this passage, consider how Mary must have felt. She was greatly troubled and wondered about the meaning of this extraordinary message. Consider a time in your life where you felt both startled by life’s circumstances yet reassured by the presence of God with you.  
  
The angel's words, "Do not be afraid," offer a powerful reminder of God's presence and favor. Mary's response to the angel's message is a testament to her faith and trust in God. Despite her initial fear and confusion, she embraces her role in God's plan with humility and courage. This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives and how we respond to God's call. Is there something happening your life where God is inviting you to trust him in the midst of fear or confusion?  
 
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
 
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

LOVE Fourth Sunday of Advent Today, this final Advent Sunday, we reflect on the love of Christ.

Paul exhorts the Colossian church… 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Above all these, put on love.

Reflect now, on How God demonstrated His love To you. Consider the act of God becoming human. Taking on flesh. Not just becoming human, but becoming an infant. A vulnerable, needy, dependent infant. The birth of Jesus is a love story – God demonstrating to us His desire to create a way for us to be near to Him. Just like a loving parent desires nearness with a child… or a loving friend desires togetherness. God Himself chose nearness to us. Because He loves us. God loves you.

Consider this love – love that is of God, and love that IS God. For you. For the whole world. For all the ordinary people, in all of their ordinariness. Take a moment to reflect on the ways you have experienced the love of God toward yourself?

In the beginning, the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? For God so loved the world that He gave his only son. Because God IS love. As we consider the fourth Advent candle, let’s reflect on the love of God toward us, and how the light of His love is meant to overflow from our lives toward others.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Amen

This is the Saturday examen for the season of Advent. 

I’m glad you’ve joined us for a time of reflection and prayer. Pray along with me.


Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things… look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.


Now take a moment to quiet yourself, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit!


Look back over this past week and ask God to draw your attention to moments where you’ve felt dissonant, agitated, or where you’ve lacked the fruit of the spirit toward others. Where have you experienced the darkness of your own heart? Or of the world around you?


Now offer those moments to the Lord. Invite Him to lead you toward engaging in a way that might bring relational repair or reconciliation. Ask God to help move you into action in whatever way He leads.


Consider the week ahead: What are you feeling joyful about as we approach Christmastime? Who do you want to pay special attention to this week? What do you want to be particularly present to? Ask God to help draw your attention to these things. If people came to mind, pray over them by name.


Behold… the psalmist tells us… God is our helper… he is our sustainer… he does not merely bring good news, Luke says… he IS good news…

Behold… he stands at the door of our heart and knocks… he will pour out His spirit on you…

Behold… we read in 1 John… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

As we end our examen, ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent and to give you a heart that longs for Him.

Ask God for grace to behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!


Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Amen.

Music: "Emmanuel" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)

Today is December 20th in the 3rd week of Advent.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.  
 

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 
 

Like Simeon, Anna was faithful . Anna saw Simeon’s embrace of Jesus, and joined this prophetic welcome. Both Simeon and Anna are described by Luke as faithful, patient, and expectant worshippers. Both are old. This Christmas, who in your life is a model of this sort of sage-like faith? Thank God for them… 
 
Consider your own longing for consolation. For redemption. Do you find yourself distracted by the business of this season? Of course! Can you now interrupt that business and ask God to give you the grace to experience real spiritual expectation? That your heart and your soul might come alive with anticipation for Christ, the way a child might anticipate Christmas morning?   
 
As you enter Christmas weekend, you will shift from anticipation to fulfillment. From waiting for consolation, to the presence of consolation Himself. You will not just have your eyes on the horizon, you will BEHOLD the savior of the world Himself. Pray now for a stirring up of faith in you, and in your faith community, and in the global church, as we together hold our open arms out to welcoming this infant savior.  
 
Meditate this weekend on the word: BEHOLD. Allow it to remind you when you are distracted by many good things. Ask God to give you ‘good eyes’ with which to see Him, and the gift of faith, that you might experience Him, this Christmastime.  
 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome in… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today is December 19th in the 3rd week of Advent.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.  
 

“When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 
 
 
Simeon, scripture tells us, had been waiting his whole life ‘for the consolation of Israel’. To be consoled means to be comforted in grief. We might think of the Greek word paraclete – the word we use to describe the Holy Spirit. Paraclete literally means ‘one called alongside’. Or comforter. Israel was waiting, as was Simeon, for that comfort that only a savior would bring. In what ways are you waiting for the comfort of Christ today? In what ways do you see the world longing? 
 
Somehow – Simeon recognizes that the Christ child was God, come alongside of humanity. Luke tells us that “Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God”. Take time to prayerfully imagine this scene: they’re at the temple courts, fulfilling the standard duty of all Jewish parents to consecrate their child to the Lord. All of a sudden, and old man comes toward them. I imagine tears in his eyes. I imagine his praise coming out like a hushed and holy whisper. I imagine Simeon, holding the Christ child close, maybe resting forehead to forehead, feeling some sort of unexplainable relief: GOD IS WITH US. 
 
Take time now in personal prayer and imagine this scene. What is the Lord drawing your attention to? 

Our world remains desperate for consolation. We have in Christ the coming of the kingdom of God, and yet… we remain in between the now and the not yet of the kingdom. Intercede now for those who are desperate for consolation. Pray that the holy spirit – would draw near to those who live in shadows, that they might know the light of Christ.  This is how I pray: God of all comfort, please come alongside the brokenhearted, and rescue those who are crushed in spirit. And make me not only watchful and prayerful, but also faithful in my call to be your body in this world. 
 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today is December 18th in the 3rd week of Advent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.  
 

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” 
 

We find two responses in this bit of Luke’s story: the shepherds are busy – they head to Bethlehem, they find Jesus and everything just like the angels had spoken of… and they start talking about it to everyone they know. And then we have Mary… who treasured up and pondered ‘these things’ in her heart. Who do you feel more connected to today, in this final week of Advent? The excitement and joy and evangelistic fervor of the shepherds? Or the interior -and I’d guess probably tired! - contemplation of Mary? 
 
Where might God be inviting you to lean, then? If you are by nature contemplative, might it be good to lean towards evangelistic joy? On the other hand, if you are more excited and busy this week, might it be sweet to lean toward a bit of quiet consideration?  
 
Pray now for God to grow you more fully into the person He made you to be. Pray that He would grow you into a mature worship and followership of Him, marked by both joy, evangelism, and the thrill of Christmas… and by an ability to be very quiet, treasuring up and abiding with Christ in stillness. 
 
Faith in Christ is a gift of revelation, not an intellectual pursuit. Pray as we end for God’s spirit to stir up in you the gift of faith. Pray also for the world around you – filled with darkness and longing – to receive a revelation of Christ this Christmas. 
 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Today is December 17th in the 3rd week of Advent.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you. 
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit. 
  
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. 
  

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 
  
  
The Christ story is likely very familiar to you who are listening. Perhaps, too familiar. How familiar is this story to you? How familiar is this advent season? 
  
But what a strange and unfamiliar thing we find in this story. I don’t mean the angel, not the heavenly choir, not even the glory of the Lord! Unexpected perhaps, but not strange if one believes in God. What is strange is the thing that all of this supernatural and majestic grandeur is pointing to: a baby, wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger. Think about that for a moment, and allow the absurdity of it to interrupt you. A baby. All of heaven opens for a baby. The savior is a poor, refugee baby… not born in a palace, but in a barn! Consider for a moment how the hiddenness of God is obscured, except for those who have been given eyes to see. 
  
Take a moment and ask yourself, “Where might Christ be showing up in unexpected places in my life?” Talk to God now, and pray for fresh eyes, fresh ears, and a fresh understanding of his entrance into the world. Ask Him to show you “this thing that has happened” in a way that is full of new life. 
  
As we end our time of prayer, and as we approach the celebration of Christmas, take time to think about someone you know who might find this story terribly UNfamilar. Someone who might even be surprised to hear the claim of Jesus: that He came not to judge the world, but to save it. Intercede today, by name if you can, for someone to be interrupted by the Christ-child this Christmas. 
  
Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
  
Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 
  
In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today is December 16th in the 3rd week of Advent.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.  
 

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” 
 

This is a very subtle record of the coming of Christ into the world, don’t you think. One verse! As we begin our time of prayer, consider Mary. She’d traveled to Bethlehem late in her first pregnancy. She gave birth in a stable. Her firstborn was laid in a food trough. And then we read: there was no guest room available for them. Here we have the Son of God, and the hope of the world. And the world already has no room for him. Take some time to contemplate whatever this brings up in you. 
 
We are in the last week of Advent-time now. How much room in your mind, your heart, your schedule… is open, for you to abide with God this week? How difficult is it for you to slow down and quiet yourself today? 
 
Take time now in prayer – perhaps, even pause this devotional. Welcome God into your week. Try to still you to-do lists, and instead prayerfully imagine Mary – in the midst of a chaotic mess – beholding her newborn son, Jesus. Try to organize the scene in your mind, and take time to wander through it. 
 
Make room in your heart today, for Christ’s presence to enliven you. And make room in your day today to be His body in this world, where there is all too often no room made for Him. 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee.
 
Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

JOY | Third Sunday of Advent Today is the third Sunday of Advent.

Today, we’re being reminded that some of the most ordinary things can also be the most holy: the laughter of kids, a filled room at the food pantry, and a busy kitchen. It’s through things like the laughter of children and the sharing of a meal that we discover a deeper joy that can transform the mundane into the miraculous.

Psalm 30:11 declares, You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Consider, this advent, what it means to be ‘clothed’ with joy. The psalmist isn’t speaking of a joy that is denial of the hardships of life. Rather, it’s a joy that is transformational. A joy that takes something ordinary, or even something difficult… and transcends the momentary with the eternal. Take a moment to reflect on the sources of joy in your life: Where have you experienced unexpected joy? How has God used ordinary moments to bring extraordinary happiness to your heart? Who, this week, has brought you joy? (pause) The world around us is filled with lots of things, but not often with joy. How can we be bringers of joy in a world that is often overshadowed by sorrow and hardship

Consider the words from the prophet Zephaniah, chapter 3: Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.[a] 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.

The psalmist writes: I will change their shame into praise. In faith, ask God to draw near to those who are brokenhearted, or ashamed, or who are in mourning, or for whom this time of year feels weighty or sad.

Pray the grace and goodness and joy of the Lord over all those who are lighting candles tonight. Like the prophet writes: ‘the lord our god is in our midst, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, and quiet you by his love…” Amen

This is the Saturday examen for the season of Advent.

I’m glad you’ve joined us for a time of reflection and prayer. Pray along with me.


Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things… look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.


Now take a moment to quiet yourself, and pray: Come, Holy Spirit!


Look back over this past week and ask God to draw your attention to moments where you’ve felt dissonant, agitated, or where you’ve lacked the fruit of the spirit toward others. Where have you experienced the darkness of your own heart? Or of the world around you?


Now offer those moments to the Lord. Invite Him to lead you toward engaging in a way that might bring relational repair or reconciliation. Ask God to help move you into action in whatever way He leads.


Consider the week ahead: What are you feeling joyful about as we approach Christmastime? Who do you want to pay special attention to this week? What do you want to be particularly present to? Ask God to help draw your attention to these things. If people came to mind, pray over them by name.


Behold… the psalmist tells us… God is our helper… he is our sustainer… he does not merely bring good news, Luke says… he IS good news…

Behold… he stands at the door of our heart and knocks… he will pour out His spirit on you…

Behold… we read in 1 John… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

As we end our examen, ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent and to give you a heart that longs for Him.

Ask God for grace to behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!


Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Amen.

Music: "Emmanuel" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)