December 25, 2014 Devotional Blog - Celebrate

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Luke 2:21-38 -- the naming of Jesus and the Song of Simeon.

There are two parts to this story.  The first part is the Jewish ritual that Mary and Joseph followed by taking Jesus to the temple when he was 8 days old to have him circumcised and to name him.  And Mary and Jesus also had to be purified.  We already know that his name will be Jesus.  This part of the story speaks to the responsibilities of Mary and Joseph as parents to Jesus.  The second part of the story is the Song of Simeon.  Simeon was a devout man and was told that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.  Simeon had waited a long time for this day to come, and it had finally happened.  When Mary & Joseph brought Jesus into the Temple, Simeon took the child 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.”  Mary & Joseph marveled at what he said.  There are three applications that we can take from this part of this passage:  be faithful, be focused, and God's plans for us are good and will be revealed to us in His timing.

Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) 

by Alexander Gretchaninoff with English lyrics adapted by N. Lindsay Norden

sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

December 24, 2014, Advent Devotional - Light

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is John 1:4 -- In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

We can all probably remember as a child ourselves or our own children being afraid of their shadow.  We're afraid when someone steps on our shadow.  Even Peter Pan had a problem with his shadow.  Today's devotional writer reminds us that the light that John refers to is not just any light.  It's God's light.  And God's light can do what no other light can do -- God's light doesn't create shadows.  Tonight I am singing "I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" during our Christmas Eve service.  May the prayer from today's devotional be your prayer as you celebrate that wondrous event in a little town called Bethlehem so many years ago -- Dear God, thank you for the light of Jesus, which shines through my obstructions and gives me a hope that will not fade, a peace that will not be understood, a love that will not let me go, and a joy that will not create shadows. Amen.

I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light sung by the Concordia Choir

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#light #pictureadvent

Today I am sharing a picture of my daughter's.  Every year they bake a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" cake, light the candles, blow them out, and celebrate Jesus' birthday.  Today's devotional suggests that families bake a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake just like this one and remember who the real light of the world is -- and that's Jesus Christ.  So tonight as the Christ Candle is lit during your Christmas Eve service, say a silent "happy birthday, Jesus" and make a wish that the whole world will know the Light of the world.

December 23, 2014 Advent Devotional - Gifts

 

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Matthew 2:1-12 -- the story of the Magi.

On coming to the house, 

they saw the child with his mother Mary, 

and they bowed down and worshiped him. 

Then they opened their treasures and presented him 

with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Today's devotional is about gifts.  We know the symbolism of the three gifts that the Kings brought --  gold, a symbol for kingship on earth; frankincense, a symbol for deity; and myrrh, a symbol for death.  While we tend to focus on these physical gifts that the Kings brought, the real gift that they brought was the personal worship that they gave to the baby Jesus - giving of themselves, their time, their treasure, and their honor.

Their is a story by Frederick Thury, "The Last Straw," that I have used for a Children's Choir Christmas Program.  I just love this story!  It's about an old camel named Hoshmakaka.  Because he was old and wise, he was picked to accompany the wise men to follow the star and find the baby Jesus.  All along the trip, people stopped Hoshmakaka and asked him to bring a gift for them to the baby.  They loaded their gifts on Hoshmakaka's back, and it became harder and harder for him to travel.  As they approached their final destination, a little boy stopped the camel.  He told him that he didn't have much to give him but that he did have a piece of straw.  He asked Hoshmakaka if he would give the baby the piece of straw to soften his bed.  Even though Hoshmakaka was tired and his back was aching, he agreed.  When they finally arrived at the place where the baby was born, he was so tired by the burden on his back that he fell to his knees in exhaustion.  The kings that were traveling with him saw that Hoshmakaka had fallen to his knees and said "if the wise, old Hoshmakaka kneels before the baby, then we too must kneel before him and worship him."  During the entire trip, Hoshmakaka had grumbled and felt terribly imposed upon that these people were asking him to deliver their gifts.  But when they arrived and he had fallen to his knees from the weight of his burden, he looked up and saw the smiling face of the baby Jesus.  At that moment, Hoshmakaka realized how important his journey had been.  Even though that final piece of straw that the little boy gave Hosmakaka was the straw "that broke the camel's back," Hosmakaka learned a valuable lesson about humility.

Today my daughter had the following conversation with my granddaughter:

My daughter: "St. Nicholas was the first Santa Claus."
My Granddaughter: "No, Jesus was."
My daughter: "You're right, he gives the best gifts."
My Granddaughter: "Yes, love."

During these last few days before Christmas, we often feel overwhelmed by what we have left to do.  Maybe you feel as far away from Christmas as those Magi had to travel to see the child.  As my granddaughter reminded us all, the important thing to remember is that we have already received the best gift -- and that gift is Jesus Christ and His love.  Just as the wise men fell to their knees and worshiped the child, may this be your prayer:  "I will answer God's call to fall on my knees in humility and seek His face in repentance so that He might forgive my sins."

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#gifts #pictureadvent

This is a picture of a stained glass window at St. Nicholas' Cathedral in Galway, Ireland.  It depicts the wise men visiting the baby Jesus.

December 23, 2014 - O Antiphon - Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the nations and their Savior.  Come and save us, O Lord our God.

 

Today marks the last antiphon.  Our expectation now finds joy in the fulfillment of the prophesy that is now at hand.  By calling Jesus "Emmanuel," we use one of the most personal and intimate titles -- God with us.  His birth reminds us that he came to earth in flesh and human nature.  But he is also our king, our judge, and the one we honor and obey.  He is our Savior -- long-expected by all of creation.  The final cry of today's antiphon shows us the urgency of our need for salvation and forgiveness of our sins.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.

December 22, 2014 - O Antiphon - King of Nations

O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one.  Come, and save man whom you fashioned out of clay.

This sixth antiphon clearly addresses the savior as the king of the gentiles and the desired one of the nations.  The messiah is the cornerstone and this cornerstone unites Jews and gentiles into one, making peace between them.  The final plea is that God save all of humanity, all of his creations that he formed from the clay of the earth and to breathe new life into them.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.

December 22, 2014 - Advent Devotional - Good News

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Luke 2:8-20 -- the story of the Shepherds keeping watch over their sheep.

Who can ever forget the iconic scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" where Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas and quotes the story of the shepherds.  The shepherds play a unique part in the Christmas story.  For you see, the hills of Bethlehem were the only place in Israel that shepherds could tend their flocks.  And these shepherds were tending Passover lambs that would be used for sacrifice later that year.  And now they are about to visit this baby who has just been born who will one day be their sacrificial Lamb.  Shepherds were unwanted, left out, pushed aside, poor, and a part of the lowest rung of society.  They smelled bad, slept on the ground with their sheep, and didn't live in big cities.  Perhaps the reason that God chose the shepherds as the first evangelists was to let us know that Jesus came for us.  We are not too low, insignificant, or unimportant for God to love us, search for us, find us, and bring us home.

"Hurry, Shepherds, Run" by Douglas Wagner

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#goodnews #pictureadvent

Today's devotional suggest that we share the good news of Jesus with a friend by sharing a candy cane -- remembering that the white represents the purity of Christ, the stripes are for His sacrifice, and the color red for His blood.

December 21, 2014 - O Antiphon - Dayspring

O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Light shatters the darkness of night, of sin and death, of sickness and despair, with its brightness bringing healing and warmth to cold hearts.  Jesus is indeed the true light, the radiance of his Father's splendor.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel has come to Thee, O Israel.

December 21, 2014 Advent Devotional - Love

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is John 3:16 --  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of love.  Today's devotional writer reminds us that when most people read John 3:16, they look at it as how we should believe in God.  But the first verb in this passage is "love."  Yes, the first thing God did was to love the world.  He created the heavens and the earth and everything in it.  He's guided and loved us through life as a father would.  And if it wasn't for the love that God has for us, he wouldn't have sent His son to earth in human form, to live among us, and save us from our sins. 

 

God So Loved the World by John Stainer 

 

Holy One, be the light in our darkness tonight.
As we have lit the candle of hope,
we pray for those who feel hopeless . . .
As we have lit the candle of peace,
we pray for all victims of violence . . .
As we have lit the candle of joy,
we pray for those whose hearts are weighed down by sorrow . . .
As we have lit the candle of love,
we pray for those who do not feel loved,
for those who struggle to love others . . .
Holy One, be the light in our darkness tonight,
that we might reflect your light into the dark corners of our world. Amen.

--- Advent Bidding Prayer

 

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#love #pictureadvent

Because God loves the world and he sent his son Jesus to save me from my sins, I know that He hold my heart forever.

December 20, 2014 - O Antiphon - Key of David

O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no man closes; you close and no man opens.  Come, and deliver from the chains of prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

 

The key and scepter are symbols of kingly power and authority.  All power and authority was given to Jesus after the resurrection, and he gave this authority to Peter and the ministers of the church.  In the closing of this antiphon, we look to Jesus to deliver us from our sins and free us from our captivity.  

 

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.

December 20, 2014 Advent Devotional - Emmanuel

 Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Matthew 1:18-25 -- the story of the angel appearing to Joseph, Joseph accepting Jesus as his son, and the announcement by the angel that the world will refer to Jesus as Emmanuel -- God with us.

Joseph is the forgotten character in the Christmas story.  We love to depict Mary and the beautiful song that she sang during our Christmas programs.  Our Christmas memories are of angels, shepherds, kings, the animals, and the innkeeper.  And yes, we remember Joseph walking with Mary on a donkey to Bethlehem and then in the manger after the birth of Jesus welcoming the shepherds.  But Joseph is usually a figure standing off to the side while our focus is on Mary and the baby Jesus.  And only in Matthew are we reminded of the difficult decision that Joseph had to make.  His fiance was with child!  He had every right to break off their engagement and, or even worse, stone her for what appeared to be a betrayal of their promised betrothal.  But God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to tell him that he was chosen to be the father of Jesus.  He did what the angel told him and he took Mary as his wife.

So today as you think about the special role that Joseph was chosen to be in this story, I hope you'll listen to the following songs that are about Joseph's story:

I Am a Carpenter (Joseph's Song) by Cherolyn Klosner-Lane

Joseph's Song by Michael Card

And my favorite... A Strange Way to Save the World by 4Him

These concluding thoughts that I found in a blog by Dr. David Winkle sums up so well the special role that Joseph played in the life of Jesus:  "At Christmas let us at least remember the faithfulness of Joseph.  He was the second person to be let in on the secret of what God was doing, and he committed his life to it.  He was faithful, and he was the only person there to welcome Emmanuel into our world.  Like him, may we be faithful and commit our lives to this unfolding story.  May we, like him journey to Bethlehem to welcome Emmanuel into our world."

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#emmanuel #pictureadvent

This is a photo of a cooper's shop.  It reminds me of many of the tools that a carpenter uses and of the vocation that Joseph taught his son, Jesus.  The ironic thing about this trade is that the tools of a carpenter were the same tools that were used to construct the cross on which Jesus would hang.

December 19, 2014 - O Antiphon - Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse.  Come, save us, and do not delay.

Isaiah prophesied the restoration of David's throne.  Christ is the root of Jesse in two ways:  he is the descendant of Jesse and he inherited the royal throne.  This antiphon ends with the urgent cry "come, save us, and do not delay."

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

December 19, 2014 Advent Devotional Blog - Blessed

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Luke 1:26-56 - the story of Mary's visit by the angel foretelling the birth of Jesus, Mary's visit to Elizabeth, and Mary's Song.

I found this image an interesting way to think about the blessing that Mary received.  Yes, Mary was blessed and would become the mother of Jesus.  She gave him human life.  But the more important blessing is that she is integral in fulfilling God's promise that he would send his son to save us from our sins through his death upon the cross and his resurrection.  Mary had no way to know the pain and suffering that her child would encounter and the pain that she would experience as a parent watching her child die on the cross.  Yet still she said, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

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. 

Psalm 33:20-21

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#blessed #pictureadvent

This picture represents the blessings in my life.  The top of the picture represents people and events in my life that have blessed me -- my wedding ring symbolizes the blessing of marriage and a shared life that my husband and I have together, my father's wedding ring and my mother's engagement ring joined together to symbolize the blessing of life that they gave to me, a "mom" charm that symbolizes the two children that God blessed me with, and a charm in Chinese that symbolizes "grandmother" and represents the joy and blessings of my grandchildren Bethany and Caleb (who was adopted from China).  The bottom of the picture was taken just a few weeks ago and represents four generations of our family.

December 18, 2014 - O Antiphon - Lord or Adonai

O Adonai and Ruler of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him your law.  Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.

Adonai is the Hebrew for "my Lord."  With the second Antiphon, we move from the Creation to God revealing himself to Moses and revealing the ten Commandments to Israel.  We are also reminded of how God delivered the Israelites from bondage which is a foreshadowing of our redemption from sin.  The image of outstretched arms reminds us how Jesus' arms will be outstretched upon the cross as he saves us from our sins.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

December 18, 2014 Advent Devotional - Silence

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Luke 1:19-20, which is the story of Zechariah's encounter with the angel Gabriel, his unbelief that he and Elizabeth would finally become parents, and his becoming mute until the day of the birth of his son John because he did not believe what the angel Gabriel told him. 

Most reflections on this passage see it as a time when Zechariah's silence was used as a time to reflect and think about the circumstance he was in.  Some, however, look at it as a warning that silence -- non action -- can mean that our words and actions are meaningless.  Believing means we have something to say.  How sad that Zechariah's silence caused by his unbelief kept him from say what he did finally believe.  As Christians we are called to believe that God answers prayers and to speak about what we have seen and heard because he has given us a voice to speak.

The key to believing and hearing God's voice is to be ready to listen and to want to hear him.

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#silence #pictureadvent

This is a picture of the ruins of St. Kevin's Church at St. Kevin's Monastery in Glendalough, Ireland.  Several years ago, I visited this site with a choral tour group.  When we went inside this church, you could only imagine the silence that must have occurred in there -- the monks going about their business, copying ancient manuscripts in the quiet of the room as they honored their vows of silence and the daily vespers where they joined together to worship.  One of the songs that we sang during our choir tour was a simple "Alleluia" that our director had composed.  In the solemn, quiet space of this ancient church, we sang this "Alleluia."  It still gives me chill bumps when I think about that wonderful experience of worship that we shared.

December 17, 2014 - O Antiphon - Wisdom

O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and, reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly.  Come, and teach us the way of prudence.

 

Today's O Antiphon starts at the beginning - at Creation - where Wisdom was present with God.  Wisdom is the foundation of fear of the Lord and holiness or right living.  Wisdom comes to teach us prudence.

 

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Antiphons - Introduction

During the final week of Advent, one Christian tradition across many denominations revolves around the "O" Antiphons.  The antiphons are a collage of Old Testament types of Christ.  Their predominant theme is messianic,  stressing the hope of the Savior's coming.  The sequence progresses historically, from the beginning, before creation, to the very gates of Bethlehem.  Each of the seven antiphons follows the same pattern, resembling a traditional liturgical prayer.  Each O Antiphon begins with an invocation of the expected Messiah, followed by praise of him under one of his particular titles.  Each ends with a petition for God's people, relevant to the title by which he is addressed, and the cry for him to "Come".

 
The seven titles attributed to Jesus in the antiphons are Wisdom (Sapientia in Latin), Ruler of the House of Israel (Adonai), Root of Jesse (Radix), Key of David (Clavis), Rising Dawn (Oriens), King of the Gentiles (Rex). and Emmanuel.  In Latin the initials of the titles make an acrostic which, when read backwards. means: "Tomorrow I will be there" ("Ero cras"). 

Today the O Antiphons are most familiar to us in the hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel".  Each verse of the hymn parallels one of the antiphons.  During this last week of Advent, in addition to our regular devotional, we'll look at the "O" Antiphon for each day as well as the appropriate verse from "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."

 

December 17, 2014 Advent Devotional - Child

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Isaiah 9:6 -- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This passage is very familiar to all of us.  We hear it sung in Handel's "Messiah."  I've also seen the names of Jesus depicted in a church stained glass window.  And I have a list that I keep in my Bible that gives the names of Jesus found in each book of the Bible.  When we read this verse, we are reminded that Jesus came to us as a child, and we often reflect on how Jesus might have been as a child.  What was his relationship with his parents?  What did he learn as he grew up?  And how did the experiences he went through as a young Jewish boy reflect in his adult years?  I came upon an interesting interpretation of this verse from a Hebrew perspective and found the following things very interesting in how we should interpret this verse.  First of all, a child is born and a son is given is Hebrew for humanity and divinity.  So literally, the beginning of this verse is telling us that Jesus came in human form but was given to us by God.  Also the Hebrew for given is "nuntawnun," which is a palindrome.  Perhaps it's no coincidence that given or giving means that when you give, it comes back to you to give once again.  A circle also expresses eternity -- never-ending.  "To us a son is given" tells us that this son of God, Jesus, existed long before us and will continue to exist -- he will be God.  "The government will be on his shoulders," in Hebrew, simply means "he will rule."   All governments are on his shoulders, and he is in control of world affairs and guiding all governments to his conclusion.  And finally, the last part of this verse gives the names of Jesus -- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  In many translations, we hear the words "and his name shall be called."  "Name," in this instance, means "reputation" instead of "identification."  Names can change the reputation of a person.  We've seen this illustrated many times in the Bible -- Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sara, Simon "Peter," the Rock; Saul to Paul.  When we pray, we usually say "dear Father" or "dear Lord."  Perhaps we should be using these different names for Jesus when we pray -- "dear Wonderful Counselor," "dear Mighty God," "dear Everlasting Father." 

Yes, "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" and his name is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Emmanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father!

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#child #pictureadvent

I am a child of God!

  

existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God. - See more at: http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2013/06/devotional-isaiah-96/#sthash.84aVskrX.dpuf

existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God. - See more at: http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2013/06/devotional-isaiah-96/#sthash.84aVskrX.dpuf

existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God. - See more at: http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2013/06/devotional-isaiah-96/#sthash.84aVskrX.dpuf

existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God. - See more at: http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2013/06/devotional-isaiah-96/#sthash.84aVskrX.dpuf

existed before you and I and will continue to exist, hence he will be God. - See more at: http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2013/06/devotional-isaiah-96/#sthash.84aVskrX.dpuf

 

 

December 16, 2014 Advent Devotional - Shine

Today's reading for the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Isaiah 9:2 -- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

 

In several days, it will be the longest day of the year, and we will have the shortest amount of daylight for the year.  And for many people this is a reminder that Christmas is not always a happy time of the year.  Many churches minister to those who are mourning during this time of the year that most of us view as a happy time of celebration with friends and family.  At once church that I served at, we had a Blue Christmas service.  One of my fellow staff members had had a devastating family loss and every year she mourned this lost but celebrated the life of this family member during a Blue Christmas service.  And so that year we mourned the losses in our lives but also celebrated the light that they had left and the promise of the coming of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.  We all brought a Christmas ornament that represented the person we had lost & decorated a tree.  During the short service of remembrance we all lit a candle and said something about our loved one.  

 

Today's devotional writer reminds us that Isaiah was talking to the people of God who were having a really hard time.  They felt beaten down and hopeless.  They didn't know what their future would bring.  They felt God had forgotten them.  But Isaiah tells them that a great light is shining upon them and that, even though they think God has forgotten them, he is with them -- Emmanuel.  Maybe you're one of those people that has a hard time celebrating during this season of Joy because of a loss in your life.  If you are, remember that God has not forgotten you.  His light is shining upon you, and that light is Jesus Christ.  For the rest of us, be aware of those around you who need to see the light of Jesus shining in this world.  Be His light to the world.  "This little light of mine.  I'm gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine.  I'm gonna let it shine.  Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"

 

 

 

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#shine #pictureadvent

This is a picture of one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and has guided mariners for over 200 years.  Just as lighthouses guide sailors, may we remember during this time of Advent that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to be the Light of the world -- our Light.

 

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.  

 

Let the lower lights be burning!  

Send a gleam across the wave!  

Some poor struggling, fainting seaman  

You may rescue, you may save.

 

 

December 15, 2014 Advent Devotional - Sing

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Colossians 3:12-17.  The key verse is from verse 16:  "Sing to God with gratitude in your heart."

I am currently in the middle of all of the music of the season!  Yesterday, the community chorus that I sing with presented a Christmas concert.  It was a beautiful concert and a great way to prepare for this season.  I also attended a Christmas cantata at a nearby church last night.  After my busy day of worship, directing my church choir, and singing in the concert, I needed to be able to sit and enjoy the beautiful music of the season and let the word of Christ dwell within me, because this week starts my very busy week -- the week leading up to the Christmas Cantata at our church.  I have music stands that I have to pick up this week.  I need to look through the program, once more, and think about the logistics.  And, oh, yes, on Sunday we moved the pulpit so we have room to place our instrumentalists.  And Wednesday night is our dress rehearsal.  And Friday night is our choir party.  And Sunday morning is our Cantata.  Phew!

Today's devotional writer reminds us to remember that the true music of the season is not about wintery scenes, Christmas trees, holly, and ivy, but to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior -- just as Mary did in which was one of the first songs in the New Testament -- the Magnificat.  In our concert yesterday, we sang the Stanford "Magnificat in A Major" -- Mary's words as she accepts the message from the angel, saying “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled,” and singing that her soul glorifies the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God her Savior.  And this Sunday my choir will be singing "What Sweeter Music Can We Bring" based on the poem by Robert Herrick as the beginning to our Christmas Cantata that celebrates the birth of Jesus.  John Rutter's version of this poem is probably the most well know; however, my choir is doing a newer version by Mark Hayes.  Whichever the version, the spirit in which these words were written by Herrick, after a time of civil war and being removed from his position in the church, brings to life today's key verse -- to sing to God with gratitude in our hearts.

What sweeter music can we bring,
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!

The darling of the world is come,
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome Him.  The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart,

Which we will give Him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do Him honor; who's our King,
And Lord of all this reveling.

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#sing #pictureadvent

This is a picture of my choir preparing for one of our seasonal cantatas.  My prayer today is that we always sing to God with gratitude in our hearts.

December 14, 2014 Advent Devotional Blog - Joy

Today is the third Sunday in Advent and today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Psalm 118:24 -- The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

In today's devotional, the writer reminds us that happiness and joy are not the same.  The Greek word for joy is "chara" and has two meanings -- calm delight and exceeding gladness.  "Putting those two phrases together gives us a complete picture of how the Bible understands joy: it is the constant acknowledgment of something good in our lives, which comes from a Source outside ourselves."  In today's Old Testament, Psalter, and Epistle Lectionary readings, we are very much reminded to rejoice and be joyful.  "He has sent me to give them oil of joy in place of mourning."  "I surely rejoice in the Lord; my heart is joyful because of my God."  "Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joyful shouts."  "Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed."  "Let those who plant with tears reap the harvest with joyful shouts."  "Rejoice always.  Pray continually.  Give thanks in every situation because this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The devotional writer sums how we, as Advent people, should be joyful:  Advent people know there is only one source for all our joy. That constant presence of something good in our lives is nothing less than the very presence of God’s love within us. It is the ready acknowledgment that no matter what happens in your life, whatever ailments, trials, or sufferings you may go through, God is always there. Emmanuel: God is with us.  That is the message of Advent: God is drawing near to you in an intimate relationship of love, life, and hope through Jesus Christ, your Emmanuel. And regardless of what happens to you, God won’t leave you. Today, and every day, you can rejoice, and be glad in it. 

This week I lost a very dear friend.  I attended his memorial service, and at that memorial service,  he was described as always be joyful -- always having a smile on his face.  He was filled with the joy of the Lord.  I don't always live my life as joyfully as I should.  Sometimes I don't rejoice in the Lord, especially during times of sorrow or doubt.  But the joy of the Lord that my friend had, that's what I want!  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!  

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#joy #pictureadvent

Good morning!  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

 

December 13, 2014 Advent Devotional - Give

Today's reading from the LEC Family Advent Devotional is 1 Peter 4:10-11.

When I think of the word gift in relation to Christmas, I think of the beautiful, but haunting, words by Christina Rossetti, "In the Bleak Midwinter."  In particular, the final verse:

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.

Everything about the Christmas story points to giving.  As children, we portrayed the Nativity by dressing up as shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph, the animals in the manger, and the wise me.  And each of these characters had something to give the baby Jesus.  But this last verse of this poem reminds us of what many of us feel -- that we have nothing to give to God.  But the truth of the matter is that we are never poor.  God blesses us whenever we give to Him, and we can never out give the blessings that God gives us.  

May we give You our heart today, Lord Jesus, that You may reign in our lives forever.  Amen.

Today's Advent Photo of the Day

#give #pictureadvent

This is a picture of a heart ornament that my sister-in-law cross stitched for us for Christmas 1984.  Today it reminds me of the many gifts we receive at Christmas, the gift of our heart that we can give to Jesus, and God's gift to us, His son Jesus Christ.