Advent Devotional - Christmas Eve

Luke 2: 17-18:  The shepherds 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.

Love was born in Bethlehem, a town occupied by a foreign power. Love was born to a humble woman and man, in search of safe shelter: birth pangs among the cattle, a manger for a bed. Love was found by shepherds, those on the margins, dirty, raw from the wind and rain. This scripture tells us much about love. In its coming, love shows where it goes.

Love goes where the pain is greatest. Love goes to the lonely, the humble and poor, to the cold and the hungry and thirsty. Love goes to the outcast, the homeless, the oppressed. Love goes to those with broken hearts and broken dreams. Love goes to save the lost.

PRAYER
Gracious God, you have shown us in the sending of your Son, the depth of your love for us. Use us to be agents of your love for the world. Amen.

Rev. Susan Blank, Chaplain, Presbyterian Senior Care, Oakmont

Advent Devotional - Day 17

Luke 2:14:  Peace among those favored by God

An informed discussion of “peace” will likely “blow” everyone’s mind. “Over a period of seventeen centuries the longest era without a major war involving two or more of the ‘great powers’ of that era lasted thirty-eight years, nine months and five days.” (It’s a Different World by Lyle E. Schaller, p. 36) We have now gone 73 years!

However, Jesus of Nazareth is not a friend of peace lovers. He says: “Oh the blessedness/leadership of the peace makers.” The world and religions strive/work for a peace of escape. Jesus gifts us with a surpassing covenant contentment within hardships. (Philippians 4:7)

The phrase from the KJV which is included on most Christmas cards from Luke 2:14 “Peace, good will toward men,” should be substituted with “peace among those favored by God” which older, more reliable manuscripts translate.

In II Corinthians 5:20 we are to be ambassadors (a form of Presbyterian!) for Christ reconciling the world back to God.

Jim Farrer, Honorably Retired

Advent Devotional - Day 6

Luke 1:47:   My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Christmas songs and popular retellings of the Christmas story romanticize the challenges Mary faced.  We like to think of angels, bells, sheep, Magi, and ‘lowing’ cattle.  It is easy to lose sight of the fact that she was living in a dangerous time and place, and that scandal could cost her life.  Add in the fact that there would be no rulebook on how to raise the one through whom the world was created, and she would have responsibility to protect and parent this little one who would be the ‘Hope of the World.’

Yet called by God, she offered a humble, modest and willing affirmation in praise.

We may not be called to parent Jesus, but as believers we have the honor of bearing His image in our lives.  We are called to demonstrate His Love as we deal with others in our daily walk.  Would that we, like Mary could respond in confidence and joy to the opportunities placed before us.

Rev. Chuck MacPherson, Honorably Retired

Lenten Devotional - Day Two

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7

“there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

“It is the voice of the Church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

   Within every community surrounding every church, there are individuals and families separated from God, lost and wandering in the wilderness. The lost are not just some unknown, faceless person, often they are our own sons and daughters, nieces and nephews and grandchildren. A church needs the surrounding community as much as we believe the community needs the church. We will never experience wholeness until we rejoice together in each one being found, our song will never sound as good until we are all singing together.

   The parable of the lost sheep often draws our attention to the rejoicing in heaven over the one lost sheep returned to the fold. The story also tells us about the rejoicing that comes when the whole flock of sheep is once again whole, now back to 100. 

   The church is never in the fullness of its life together or singing at its best while it remains less than whole. We should rejoice over each new person who has been found, but there is always one more. Whatever problems which exist in our communities, like, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), God is always calling upon the church to discern where the Holy Spirit is sending us. What is the one thing our church could do to enhance the lives of those living in our community? The path before us may never seem clear or straight, we may need to become trailblazers in the darkness, clearing the way for others, but God’s Spirit is always lighting the way.

  AOD abuse and dependency will confuse and frustrate us, but God does know the way and is calling us to discover it. The way forward is not just to save the lost, but to save the church and its members who also lose their way when it comes to answering our call as disciples. We need to go out and not simply wait for the sheep to come into the fold. We need our community and its people to be whole.

   We need you to join us in a conversation about where God is sending us to reach out to those whose lives are being destroyed by AOD, individuals, families and children. We need your voice to join our song as we partner with those who are working to solve this serious social problem and to learn our own unique way forward. The path forward calls us to learn new skills and methods, to partner with those playing many different roles within our community, sharing our gifts, and discerning God’s Spirit. If we commit ourselves to this conversation, we will discover we can transform the lives around us and transform the life of the church. Then, the church’s voice can rejoice and will be whole as we are heard singing together.

Lee McDermott, Contributor 

Remember in Pray: Those found and the community where they rejoice.

Click Here PDF - Day 2 Devotion