Advent Devotional - Christmas Day

Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!”  (Psalm 96:10a)

Every year Christmas finally arrives, and we celebrate the coming of the Lord, Christ our King! We act as if he’d been born, coming for the first time.

Rolf Jacobson wrote for WorkingPreacher.org in 2014:

  “One of the most consistent, counter-cultural, and evangelical messages of the Bible is that the Lord reigns as king, the crucified- and-resurrected Christ is king -- of our lives, of God’s church, of the world, of history, of the universe. Which means, of course, that we are not… “

On this day of presents and festivities, celebrate afresh the newness of the coming King!

Gracious God, the notion that One who had been crucified could really be a king still makes waves. Thank you for such a gift! Amen.

Norma Prina Murphy, Honorably Retired this year and sporting a new knee as of October 1.

Advent Devotional - Christmas Eve

For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage. (Psalm 94:14) 

Buried deep in this psalm is a promise born not of human will or effort, but an abiding and amazing divine love – God will not forsake God’s people. The psalmist seeks to invoke the vengeance of God in order that those who oppress the people of God will be vanquished. This seems an all-too human desire does it not? We want revenge rather than justice or mercy. Thanks be to God, that we learn that what God gives is a justice defined by mercy. On this day, this day of holy celebration and joyous remembrance, we remember that God has not forsaken us, but has instead come to us – not as a warring King, but as a babe, born in a manger, who is, despite all appearances, King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the simple gift of your presence – in Bethlehem – and with us. Amen.

Martin R. Ankrum is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg.

Advent Devotional - Day 23

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.  (Psalm 67:4)

One of my favorite things about Advent is the music you hear this time of year.  The music of Christmas tells the story of Jesus’ birth from many angles.  The story includes shepherds, wise men, angels, a manager and the people who believed.

The hymns “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Silent Night” are just a few of the Christmas songs we sing that bring to us the message from Psalm 67.

The psalms/songs talk about praising God and singing for joy.  We hear about peace on earth and good will to all.  We are surround by love’s pure light and the hopes and fears.  We know the Christ is the everlasting Lord. As we journey through this advent season, may all people praise God and may God bless us all.  And may our faithfulness bring us all together now and forever more.

Heavenly Father we praise you and sing joy to your name.  May we be guide by your loving kindness through this Advent season and always! Amen.

Bobbi Jo Huebner is an elder at First Presbyterian Church, Belle Vernon.

Advent Devotional - Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Lord says to the lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.  (Psalm 110:1)

Psalm 110 portrays the Lord giving strength to troops for righteous battle.  The violent war imagery in verses 3-7 is disquieting. And yet, the Psalm begins (Verse 1) with the assurance that God designates a place at God’s “right hand” while justice is carried out. Christians have interpreted this to be a reference to Christ, who sits at the “right hand of God the father Almighty.”

Psalm 110 gives us a vision of hope in a broken and fearful world. In Christ, oppressors will receive their comeuppance and become “footstools” for those they have oppressed. It may be an abused woman who finds strength in seeing the abuser chastened and brought to justice; or, workers who have been mistreated finally receiving fair working conditions from repentant employers; or, warring gangs and armies so chastised by the Holy Spirit that they will put down their weapons and beg for mercy from those whom they have afflicted. In the kingdom of God, human power structures are turned upside-down: the promise of the Gospel. Hallelujah!

Dear Lord, we give thanks that your righteousness is fierce! So often when we feel defeated or alone, our prayers are timid. Help us, Almighty God, to welcome the fire of your Holy Spirit that dares give us a greater vision for our lives, and the lives of your children around the world. Grant us victories in your name. Amen.

Donna Havrisko is pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Advent Devotional - Day 21

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  (Psalm 22:1)

Sometimes Advent and Christmas bring forth sadness as we mourn the loss of loved ones. But we remember that even Jesus felt alone at times. These anguished words of King David in this Psalm epitomize the depths of despair. Jesus, feeling abandoned, uttered them as he bled and died on Golgotha. Yet he possessed a unique relationship both within the Godhead, and with our sufferings.

The book of Hebrews reminds us: “We do not have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was tempted like as we are…Instead, we have a savior who promises that we are made new even in our suffering.”

Holy Lord Jesus, forget not your servants as we pass through times of loneliness. Teach us to feel your presence even at the darkest hour. Amen.

Donald T. Glunt is currently serving as pastor of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church.

Advent Devotional - Day 20

Praise the Lord from the heavens… Praise him, sun and moon… Praise the Lord from the earth… snow and frost… Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples… old and young together!  (Psalm 148) 

What are we to do each new day as God commands the sun to offer a new beginning? We praise! The plant kingdom does, the animal kingdom does, and we should, too! Praise him, praise him, all ye little children. Why? God is love. There’s no greater reason, and now, no greater season. Let praises spring from our lips, fresh as each morning, sure as each sunrise.

Lord, we must praise you. We have no choice when breathing in each new beginning. Let praise rise from deep within us and burst forth in joy. Amen.

Alice Tondora is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Johnstown

Advent Devotional - Day 19

He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.  (Psalm 147:14)

The gifts of God for the people of God.  That’s what I think of when I read the words of the psalmist.  God has gifted us with so much – rules to order our lives together as we develop into community – food to nourish our bodies – water to quench our thirst – scripture and prayer to nurture our faith – and the promise of peace, even in the midst of our human made divisions.  During this time of Advent, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the gifts of God for all of us.  These gifts are worthy of our praise.

Direct our thoughts, O God, away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping – and help us to voice our deep appreciation for all of the wonderful gifts that you have given to us.  Hear our prayers of thanksgiving, O God, hear our prayers. Amen.

Sylvia Carlson is chair of the Redstone mission committee and is honorably retired.