Advent Devotional - Day Seven

From everlasting to everlasting you are God.  (Psalm 90:2)

“It is a season.” That was the perspective of an acquaintance as we talked about the difficulties she faced in caring for her frail, elderly aunt. My friend considered it a privilege to make room in her home and adjustments to her work schedule. God is faithful.

It is a season.

I have used her words as a signpost as I have faced course-changes in life. I am blessed to minister with those who are over ninety, or even one hundred years old. They have shown me that each season has its own challenges, but each season also has its own beauty. The psalmist reminds us that God’s love is steadfast. When God is our dwelling place, we have new opportunities to see God’s faithfulness.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Guide us by your steadfast love and “prosper for us the work of our hands.” Amen.

Susan Blank is Director of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian SeniorCare, Oakmont.

Advent Devotional - Day Six

My heart is stricken and withered like grass; I am too wasted to eat my bread.  (Psalm 102:4)

If you're having a bad day, don't read Psalm 102.  You're not going to want to read this cry for help from someone in pain.  You won't want to read about someone who is reduced to skin and bones, who cannot sleep, who is eating ashes for food and drinking something mixed with tears.  Who wants to read this, especially at Christmastime?

But, if you do read it, you'll find this cry for help becoming transformed into a prayer of eschatological hope.  The psalmist discovers that God will act in such a way that affliction will give way to healing, strength and release.  Future generations (us?) will praise God for what God has done.  Hope is realized, thanks be to God.  What begins as despair ends in praise.  Isn't that what Christmas is about?  

On second thought, if you're having a bad day, read Psalm 102 the whole way to the end.

Gracious God, hear us as we pray.  Give us hope that sees beyond our present circumstances to your glorious future in Christ. Amen.

Ken Foust is the pastor of Grace Community Presbyterian Church.

Advent Devotional - Day Five

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:3)

When I picture an enemy, I think of Nazis. But enemies come in other forms: bullies make life miserable for some; opioids, alcohol, other substances and addictions want to ruin lives. Hunger, depression, loneliness, and anxiety: torment their victims. We cannot defeat our invisible enemies alone. Jesus came to earth to save us, to be our eternal friend as Emmanuel, God with us. We call upon Jesus, our friend, in times of need.

Gracious God, in this season of waiting, we call upon you to save us and redeem your creation. You are worthy of all praise and glory, Emmanuel. Amen.

Caroline Vickery is pastor of Delmont Presbyterian Church.

Advent Devotional - Day Four

Hear, O my people, and I will speak … for I am your God. (Psalm 50:7)

Each person’s Advent journey is unique. However, we are all linked together in anticipation of the One who is to come. So what does Psalm 50 require of us as we prepare for this joyful gift?

Today God asks us to listen, God’s Word in this Psalm may jar us out of our complacency or pull us from our need for just one more gift. It is not a Psalm of shepherds or stars in the sky. Instead God summons us to gratitude.

Lord, teach us to pray, “Thank you for everything.” Amen

René Whitaker is currently on the Advent journey at Westmont Presbyterian Church in Johnstown.

Advent Devotional - Day Three

Our soul waits for the LORD, He is our help and shield. Our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name.  (Psalm 33:20-21)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  It’s a time of hope and promise.  Holiday decorations are everywhere - oh yea, since even before Halloween!  Ads promising joy have gotten way out of hand.  I can’t remember the last time I got Melinda a Christmas auto (sorry, Hon, don’t wait for it).  And the promises we hear offered in the season have become - shall we say a little boring?  Where can we look for hope?

The Psalmist offers us a little perspective.  A king’s army, a warrior’s strength, even war horses offer vain promise compared to the power of hope offered to those who respect and trust in a God who delivers and sustains.  The Advent of God’s Son offers us all the hope we need to be reminded of God’s love and presence - and even grace.  Best hope ever!

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Amen.

Chuck MacPherson is a retired wandering preacher, sometime roofer, and occasional pastor.

Advent Devotional - Day Two

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”  (Psalm 122)

Several years ago four members of the Presbytery decided to go on a pilgrimage to Scotland to follow the trail of the Celtic church. It was such an inspiring experience that we planned and led a similar Pilgrimage for members of the presbytery. That pilgrimage was followed two years later by another journey to Iona, Scotland and Ireland, completing the trail of the ancient celtic church. For many of us, these pilgrimages were such deep spiritual experiences that our faith was forever transformed. 

Psalm 122:1-2 speaks of a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem to worship God. The difference between a pilgrimage and other trips is that it's end purpose is to worship God. Our journey through advent is intended to be a type of pilgrimage that ends in the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. If we stop to worship, read and pray each day of the journey we may find our faith strengthened and our spirits  transformed as we travel. 

Lord God, send your Holy Spirit to journey with us as we go "up to the house of God" in our imaginations and memories. May the end of the journey find our faith transformed.

Carole Isley Corey is a spiritual director and enjoys preaching and teaching where invited.

Advent Devotional - First Sunday in Advent

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?  (Psalm 24:3)

Advent to most people is an odd and strange season. Society has jumped into “Christmas.” Movies, songs and sales often begin in October! Advent is about the coming(s) of God. Preparing may be fun; waiting is hard. Thus Advent is an awkward advent-ure.

It seems odd to focus on Psalms for this devotional. Psalm 24 was used by the Church on Palm Sundays or Ascension Days to echo David’s bringing the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem. Here is high liturgy/pageantry! In Scotland verses 7-10 are set to the regal tune of St. George’s, Edinburgh and sung at the Lord’s Supper. Our hymnals have ignored this powerful tune.

Thanks, God, for giving us, in Jesus, clean hands and a pure heart so that we always enter worship as already redeemed.

Jim Farrer is honorably retired.