The Dawn Will Break Again

Wednesday, December 24, 2014                                                             Luke 1:67-80 

Beki Baker

Shortly after Mary met the angel and learned of her blessing, she visited her pregnant cousin Elizabeth.  Upon hearing Mary’s voice, Elizabeth’s child – the future John the Baptist— leaped within her womb.  Elizabeth’s husband, the priest Zechariah, had also met an angel who spoke about these and other blessings. Unlike his wife, Zechariah doubted, so he lost the ability to speak.  When it came time to name the child, Zechariah regained his speech, and, filled with the Holy Spirit, shared what would become the last prophesy of Jesus’s coming recorded in Luke: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.  He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.”  The prophecy details Jesus’ future glory, connecting the covenant God made with Abraham to its fulfillment in this Savior.  It ends poetically: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.”

Prophesying a coming savior was not new to God’s people – they had been waiting centuries for this moment.  The journey from Abraham to Jesus had been arduous, filled with many moments of confusion, anxiety, darkness and wandering.  And now, the prophecies were going to be fulfilled.  Jesus would truly be Emmanuel, meaning “God With Us.”  The wait was almost over.  What must Zechariah have felt in that moment?  Relief would be imminent.  Rescue would be real.  He could almost taste it – but not yet.

On Christmas Eve, the wait is almost over.  Advent is drawing to a close and the celebration of Christmas is just beginning.  We can almost taste it.  As we anticipate the excitement of the day, we may still feel the darkness that encroaches our joy as the darkest part of the night that comes before the dawn.  As emotions at this time of year are heightened, let us lean into the remembrance that other waits in our past have ended, and that this one will end, too.  The dawn will break upon us again; we just have to wait a little longer.

Prayer: God with us, carry us now to the dawn that you promised, that you continue to promise. Let your light break over us and guide our feet in the way of peace to the Christ child who comes to bring your presence to each of our lives. Amen.

Daily Challenge: Find joy as you wait in patient expectation for the fulfillment of God’s promises. 

What will you become?

Tuesday, December 23, 2014                                                               Luke 1: 57-66

Kate Pennington

As I reflect on the story of John’s birth, I can only imagine the strong emotions that Elizabeth, Zechariah, and their community must have felt at his birth. I would guess there were tears of joy, shouts of celebration, and possibly anxiety and fear of the mystery of God. John’s birth appears to be nothing short of a miracle. For his parents were old - so much so that Zechariah had trouble believing the angel of the Lord when he was told that Elizabeth would bear a son.

Luke 1:65-66 describes how the news of John’s birth and of Zechariah’s praise were “talked about through the whole countryside of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’” As a parent, I have asked myself that same question as I watch Banks, Reed, and Anne Wesley grow and develop. What will they become? What choices will they make in their life? With the birth of each child, I have felt a surge of gratitude, joy, and renewed hope.  I would guess that God looks at each one of us with that same level of wonder, excitement, and hope.  What does God want us to become? What choices is God encouraging us to make so that we live out the Word? Are we using our talents and resources to glorify God? Are we taking the time to be quiet and listen for God’s direction? Would a stranger be able to tell that each of us is a child of God?

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let us take a minute to pause and sift through the overwhelming emotions of joy, anticipation, anxiety, and even pain that this season can bring. Help us remember that God has great expectation for what each of us will become.

Prayer: Lord, you are the giver of life. As we rejoice in the birth of a new baby or mourn the loss of someone we love, remind us that each day is an opportunity to become one who reflects your light. Give us the courage to become a people whose words and actions demonstrate your love. Amen.

Sharing the Perfect Gift

Monday, December 21, 2014                                                Psalm 67, Isaiah 31:1-9,

Caroline Armstrong                                                                  Revelation 21:22-22:5

In this busy time of year we scramble, and we worry.  We scramble to make sure that we have enough gifts.  Do we have the right gift?  Do we get the perfect gift?  We scramble to make it to the grocery store so that we have just the right ingredients to make the perfect Christmas feast, or the perfect Christmas breakfast.  We are only human and so we know there is a chance we could burn the sausage balls or cookies, or Christmas dinner.  We may drop a fragile gift.  Did we pick out the wrong color scarf?   

In a way, it is like Isaiah 31:1-9 where the Judeans are relying on the human hands of the Egyptians for help.   Though we are not in a military battle, we do battle spending so much time relying on ourselves and each other to make this Christmas holiday so magical - when it already is...by the grace of God!   When will we throw our earthly idols of perfection away?  Yet, we continue to worry and we let the stress weigh us down.  But how much time are we spending worrying about letting God down?  Our perfect gift is coming  - and we know it!  Are we spreading that message?   Psalm 67 reminds us of God's saving power everywhere.  That our true joy comes from spreading the news about God around the world.   Let us not worry so much about making an already magical and perfect day - "perfect."  Let us enjoy the gift before us and spend our time spreading that message.  

In the strangest of places you can find comfort in the Book of Revelations.  22:3-5

"No longer will there be a curse upon anything.  For the throne of God and the Lamb will be there, and his servant will worship him.  And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.  And there will be no night there - no need for lamps or sun - for the Lord God will shine upon them.  And they will reign forever and ever."  

Nothing Will Be Impossible

Sunday, December 21, 2014                                                                  Luke 1:26-38

Melissa Rick 

Receiving news of a pregnancy induces anxiety if not fear in most women. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:31-32) I can only imagine what Mary was thinking when she received Gabriel’s news. Are you sure you want me, Lord? How can I handle this responsibility? What if I mess this up? Mary most likely felt alone and frightened.

The magnitude of this news would overwhelm anyone. In fact, bringing a child into this world is terrifying. Many of us have similar questions and fears when we are expecting a child or tackling any new circumstance. In our lives we are overwhelmed daily with struggles that seem impossible. There are financial, physical, and emotional challenges; unimaginable pain and illnesses; and the loss of family and friends. How can we survive during these daily challenges? Where will our strength come from? Where did Mary’s strength come from? “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28) The Lord was with Mary. 

The Lord is with us. How comforting to know the Lord is always with us. Whatever happens in this lifetime and whatever the Lord calls us to do, we are not alone. God sent Jesus to give us this hope and to secure our salvation. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Prayer: Breath of heaven, hold me together,

                 Be forever near me, breath of heaven.

                 Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness,

                 Pour over me your holiness, for you are holy.

                 Amen

(These lyrics were written by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant in their song, Breath of Heaven. I repeated these words as I was delivering my children. God was with me.)

Daily Challenge: Pray for someone in need of hope and strength and reach out to them.

Waiting...

Saturday, December 20, 2014                                                                                Luke 1:5-25    

Junior High Youth Group

We read this passage during Junior High Youth Group and discussed what happens in the passage and what it might mean for us.  Here’s a summary of this passage from our wonderful 7th and 8th graders:

In this passage, the angel Gabriel comes to tell Zechariah he’s going to have a baby even though he’s insanely old. Zechariah doesn’t believe Gabriel and even go so far as to question him. Because of his doubts, Gabriel tells Zechariah that he’ll be unable to speak until his son, who is supposed to name John, is born. Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, did become pregnant.

Here are a few additional observations the junior high youth made about the text:

This story is really similar to the story of Abraham and Sarah. They were both really old when Isaac was born, just like in this story. And, neither Abraham nor Sarah believed God when God told them they would have a baby.

It must have been hard for Zechariah and Elizabeth to wait and prepare for their baby to come, especially since Zechariah couldn’t talk. He might have felt very isolated and alone.

Zechariah and Elizabeth must have felt a lot of different emotions – joy because they were going to have a son, fear because they didn’t understand how this was possible, doubt that it was really going to happen, and frustration and impatience because they couldn’t speak to each other.

Youth then discussed how these passages might apply to our lives.  Here are some of their responses:

We are supposed prepare for the birth of Jesus like Zechariah and Elizabeth must have prepared for John’s birth. We prepare for Jesus by what changes during worship during Advent.

Waiting isn’t easy and can sometimes be frustrating or boring. But, God was with Zechariah and Elizabeth and God kept the promise that they would have a child, even though they doubted. This must mean that God is with us in our doubts and confusion and frustration as well.

Prayer: God, thank you for the ways you surprise us. Please help us to trust you while we wait and prepare for the birth of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Challenge: Spend some quiet time today thinking about how God might be working in unbelievable ways in your life. Reflect on how you your preparations for Christ’s birth this Advent season.

De profundis

Friday, December 19, 2014                                                              Psalm 130

Guy D. Griffith

  

Psalm 130 became a favorite in an unlikely place. Toward the end of my first pastorate I began a process of intentional discernment under the tutelage of a Spiritual Director. Once a month, along with another pastor friend, I would spend an overnight retreat at the Trappist Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA. The three of us would arrive shortly before the gates were locked for the night and we’d begin by reading a psalm across each other; that is, one would choose a psalm and would read the odd verses while the other two would read the even ones. This was a new practice. But over time it became clear that the psalm that each one chose became a short-hand clue about how things had gone in the month since we’d seen each other. Which psalm was chosen gave us a glimpse into the other’s soul.

Tom was the other pastor and he was going through a particularly hard season of life and ministry. For more than six months he chose to begin with Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!” (vv. 1-2). Its Latin title is “De profundis” because it is a cry from the depths. Later on, my friend Tom Lewis would turn his experience into a very helpful book, Finding God: Praying the Psalms in Times of Depression.

Tucked away in a portion of the Psalter called “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalms 120 – 134), Psalm 130 is one of the short pilgrim songs that the faithful would sing “going up” to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. These psalms remind us of the range of emotion we have as disciples even as we faithfully attend to worship. I’m glad Psalm 130 is included because it speaks a word of hope for those who know suffering and grief in this season. For those who sing, “I wait for the Lord. My soul waits” (v.5) the psalmist offers the promise of “plenteous redemption” (v. 7c, RSV) in God’s time. As the days lengthen and Advent draws on, we who wait in darkness, know of the coming Light.

Prayer: “Comfort, comfort now my people; tell of peace!” So says our God. “Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To my people now proclaim that my pardon is for them! Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare is now over.”

Daily Challenge: In your darkness, from your depths, cry out to God!

The Peaceable Kingdom

Thursday, December 18, 2014                                                                Isaiah 11:1-9

Scott Baker

In nine short verses of the most stunning poetry ever written, Isaiah paints a picture. Predator and prey will snuggle up. Carnivores will cuddle with well-marbled meals. Toddlers will stick pudgy little arms into snake holes without the slightest fear that a serpent will do what a serpent does. And since the earliest days of Christianity, this passage has been used to point the way to Jesus. "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse..." This says that a descendant of David, (Jesse's son), will come and do all these things. The messiah was always understood to be in the lineage of David. And what will he come to do? Bring justice and peace, righteousness and faithfulness, wisdom, and understanding.

"... with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth." Justice for the poor? May as well ask a wolf not to eat the lamb next to him.

That's the problem with this vision, isn't it? When we dream about peace and justice here on earth, we say things like, "We should all learn to live together in peace," or, "Can't we all just get along?" But that's not what this vision is saying. That's far too narrow for a dream as grand as the one Isaiah brings. Isaiah doesn't paint a vision of a hard-won victory that we can earn by our efforts. He dreams the impossible dream. A snake doesn't just decide not to bite a child. A wolf won't choose to nurture a lamb. And the powerful will not volunteer to take their foot from the necks of the vulnerable. In Isaiah's vision, our very natures are altered. Jesus will come to do for us that which we cannot and would not do for ourselves. The peaceable kingdom.

Prayer: God who brings peace, give us wisdom and understanding, righteousness and faithfulness. Fill the earth with the knowledge of you, and rest your spirit upon us. Prepare our hearts to embrace your peaceable kingdom, reconciling the wolf and lamb within each of us. Amen.

Daily Challenge: Expect in real ways God's love and grace to be far beyond the limits of your imagination.

Telling the Story

Wednesday, December 17, 2014                                                             Mark 1: 1-8

Katie Morris

See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ (Mark 1: 2-3)

In this passage from Mark, John the Baptist is telling everyone he meets the amazing story of Jesus. How are we called to tell this story during this season of Advent?

As part of the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program, we are encouraged to share our experiences through stories. We keep blogs to update our friends and family, and with each person we meet we have an opportunity to tell about our experience and what we’re doing. Usually I’m excited to talk about the YAV program – I give the whole spiel about doing a service year in Nashville with the Presbyterian church, and I’m excited to know that one more person has some idea of what a YAV is. There are days, however, when I feel like the random man in the coffee shop or the woman at the store would probably never understand the program, so why should I bother trying to explain it to them? In those moments, I have to remind myself what the program is actually about – we have accepted a call to serve in God’s communities all over the U.S. and the world and to show God’s love in those communities. If I can’t explain the truth of what I’m doing in this year, when would I ever have such an amazing opportunity to share my faith in this way again?

Sharing the message of Christmas in our daily lives seems like it should be easy. Almost everyone we encounter knows the Christmas story, even if they aren’t Christian, so just a small mention of ‘Jesus’ or ‘The Shepherds’ during this time of year should be enough to respond to the call of John the Baptist, right?

I think God is calling us to share in a different way – a way that deepens our own faith and the faith of those with whom we share. This is no simple task (I still have a hard time explaining the YAV program), but I think God calls us to this kind of meaningful and truthful sharing of his incredible love.

Prayer:  Loving God, prepare our hearts not only for the celebration to come, but also for sharing that Good News with friends, family and colleagues should opportunities arise. Grant us courage and a real willingness to talk about the love that came down to earth and walked among us. Amen

Daily Challenge: Find a new way to share the excitement of Advent and the story of Christmas with someone, and have a meaningful conversation with them.

Peace Knocks at the Door

Tuesday, December 16, 2014                                                                   Isaiah 9:2-7

Whitney Booth

For as long as I can remember, the liturgical seasons of the church have been relevant points of reference. My mom worked in our small Presbyterian church in Commerce, Georgia and I’ve since spent a few years working for a Methodist publisher before assuming this full-time role at WPC. Growing up, while many of my friends were excited about Christmas, I was quick to put on my Linus hat and remind them that it was actually Advent. My publishing job brought its own counter-cultural approach to the liturgical year, as I would be working on Advent issues during April and meeting Lent deadlines in October. The same confusion follows me to my current office next to the handbell room where I’ve eavesdropped on rehearsals of “Still, Still, Still” since September.

Once I get my bearings and can acclimate to Advent, I rejoice in the familiarity of hope that this season brings. It doesn’t take long, however, to realize that every year we cry out from darkness to find this hope and hold tight…until next year when we’re in the dark again. The cycle becomes familiar — we know that light will disrupt this darkness. God will put on flesh, come to live among us, and instill a reign of love, hope, peace, and joy to banish all injustice, fear, and pain. But when Advent rolls around again and we find ourselves in a world that seems even further from the hope we claimed last Advent, my heart pangs with hunger for the peace that Isaiah claims in this text. This year, the promise of God’s peace is more than a seasonal reminder of what we know we need and will one day have — it is a knock at the door. 

This Advent season, I am praying for God to call me out of the comfort of seasonal routine — to not anticipate the liturgical ebb and flow, but to invite in the movement of the Spirit and embrace its relevance to the roads we walk today and the people we meet along the way. The hope and peace that Isaiah proclaims is indeed coming to us, as heaven meets earth. “And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”, love of neighbor, broken oppression, multiplied joy. 

Prayer: Loving God, guide us to see and embody the peace that you are giving to us. Help us to welcome the light you bring to us through your son, even when we may get caught up in seasonal expectations. May we always walk in the light, joyfully preparing for more light instead of preoccupying ourselves with bewaring the darkness. 

Daily Challenge: Today, try reading this text as if you haven’t heard it so many times before, whether in the lectionary or in Handel’s Messiah. These words radiate God's radical, world-turning love and may resonate even more clearly to ears and hearts that can receive them without the barriers that familiarity sometimes brings.

Relying on God's Love

Monday, December 15, 2014                                                                 2 Peter 1: 1-11



Cullen Douglass

Scholars disagree on who wrote this book. Many don't think it was Saint Peter. Most believe it was one of the last letters added to the New Testament.



The author tends to be talking about the church. In this passage, it seems the author is trying to convince his audience that the power of God is all that we need. I'm sure this was during a period of time when Christianity wasn't mainstream and there were many other religions or false teachings. Today I wonder if we have just as many or false teachings. Do my possessions, hobbies, and work become my religion or false teachings? In my complicated life today can I really rely just on God?



The author is trying to sell the church on following God, stating boldly, "Whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins." The author states to, "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance, into perseverance godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love."



The author goes on to say, "Therefore my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the internal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ."



If I follow this message out, I'm not following false teaching and God gives me everything I need. How do I live out this passage? Do I have the confidence to really give everything up to God and not get distracted by my false teachings? As a father and a husband, can I live this out?



Prayer: Lord, help me to let go of my false teachings and let me rely on Your love.

The Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Sunday, December 14, 2014                                                         Hebrews 12:18-29

David Linley

  

As the father of young children, I can testify that as much as the Christian season of Advent is a time of reflective waiting, the secular season of Christmas is a time of exhausting doing.  We are constantly barraged with reminders of things we are supposed to do be doing or being: being generous to the Church and the community, being thankful for our blessings, being thoughtful with our gifts, being open to the joyfulness, and being ready with extra food for when Cousin Eddie rolls into town.  All of it is geared towards re-orienting us back to Jesus Christ.  And I welcome it, truly I do.  I try not to be lazy, and I want to learn.  It is just that sometimes the best-intentioned message seems like another item on the list, another thing demanding attention and action.

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is priceless in this regard.  Paul quotes the earlier prophecy “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.”  And then, bless him, he explains how to read it.  “This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of what is shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”  The kingdom of God is what cannot be shaken, and Paul is saying no more than that we should give thanks for this gift of what cannot be shaken.  Presaging Twitter and text messages by several centuries, Paul breaks through with a short statement of hope, awe and remembrance. 

I like the idea of an Advent looking towards something that cannot be shaken.  If it cannot be shaken, it gives me something to latch onto, a way to navigate each current and eddy (and Eddie) so that the good ship lollypop over here does not take on water faster than I can bail it out.  All I need to do is to look for the gift, and give thanks for it.  That I can do.

Prayer:  With reverence and awe, we give thanks to God.
                  Lord, help us to ensure that we do not refuse the one who is speaking.
                  Lord, help us to offer an acceptable worship.
                  For we have been offered the gift of a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Daily Challenge:  If you knew that where you stood, today, were unshakeable, what fearsome things would you let go?  And how much time would that give you to give thanks?