Advent Day 22, Christmas Eve

Written and read by Rev. Jessica Vaughan Lower

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.

We saw the glory with our own eyes,

    the one-of-a-kind glory,

    like Father, like Son,

Generous inside and out,

    true from start to finish.

Advent Day 21

Written and read by Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell

Luke 1:28

"And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.”

Advent Day 20

Written and read by Rev. Dr. Ron White.

Isaiah 35:10

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

Advent Day 19

Written and read by Victoria Smith, Director of Development & Communications.

Psalm 43:4

"Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God."

Advent Day 18

Written and read by Willow Stephens, Director of Contemporary Worship.

Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Advent Day 17

Written and read by Skip Ober Miller, Business Manager.

Psalm 81:1-2

"Sing aloud to God our strength; shot for joy to the God of Jacob. Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp."

Advent Day 16

Written by Jihan Massoud, SMCC Nursery School Director.

Read by Rev. Beth Putney, Pastoral Resident.

Luke 1:47-49

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name."

Advent Day 15

Written and read by Rev. Beth Putney, Pastoral Resident.

Psalm 4:6-7

"'More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day, Than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day's end, OI'm ready for sound sleep. For you, God, have put my life back together."

Advent Day 14

Written and read by Bong Bringas, Commissioned Pastor.

Matthew 5:9

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."

Advent Day 13

Written and read by Natalie MacMillan, Director of Children's Ministries.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concern. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."