Living in the Light

Advent Devotional by Carol Hess

“The people who walked in darkness have

seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the

shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

—Isaiah 9:2—

As a teenager, I was a faithful member of United Methodist Youth Fellowship and the high school Sunday school class of the Dimock Community Church. We were too old for Santa Claus but young enough to need a holiday ritual to call our own. Advent became ours. Each year the youth would prepare specials for the services. Usually on the first Sunday we would do a choral reading from the book of Isaiah and light the Advent wreath. My brother who had difficulty reading aloud in time with the choral reading was responsible for lighting the candle at the appropriate time in the reading.
Even though we knew the words in the reading, every year we had to practice using the correct intonation and emphasis. We were split up into groups based on the timber of our voices. We didn’t read many lines together, but all of us had our parts. The one line that the choral director always asked us to emphasize in both loudness and intensity was “upon them hath the light shined!” The exclamation point is mine. I didn’t feel that I walked in darkness or dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, even though now I understand the metaphor. However, with that one line, the light in that little country church grew brighter. We were the people that the light was shining on. We were the ones who were renewed and awaited the coming of our Lord. To me that phrase means what being a Christian is. We are people on whom God’s light is shining.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for Your light. Help us to live in Your light and to do Your will. Show us how to help others to join us in Your light. Amen

A Newborn Miracle

Advent Devotional by Barb Hill

“Children are a gift from God: they are His reward.”

—Psalm 127:3 (The Living Bible)—

Thirty-seven years ago today my life was changed forever. That was the day our first child, Lori was born. I remember looking at this beautiful newborn, her tiny head covered with a little bit of soft white hair. I counted her fingers and toes and marveled about what a special miracle I had received from God. This was especially true as I considered everything that has to be just right for a life to be created. I said a prayer thanking God for our precious new baby girl. Along with the joy came the realization that this child was a gift from God and one for which God had made me responsible.
Not only did I have to take care of her physical needs and mental needs but I was also responsible for her spiritual needs. It was mind boggling that God was trusting me to do all these things for this tiny helpless child. It was then that I realized that God would provide the help and support I needed as she grew.
Lori is now an adult who is raising her own two little miracles to serve God. To me it was very special that she was born during the Christmas season. I have often reflected on the feelings that Mary must have had that very first Christmas so long ago.

Prayer:
Dear God, help us to remember that each life is a special gift from You. And that each one of us is precious in Your sight. Thank you for giving us the ability to share Your love with others. Amen

Did We Forget?

Advent Devotional by Marilyn Hust

“Share with God’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.”

—Romans 12:13—

The beauty of summer and fall have come and gone so fast. Now it’s time for winter: the snow and the wonderful Advent season—a time of joy and the birth of Jesus our Savior.
Did we do everything we planned to do? Did we have a plan? This is the time for us to make a list of the things we forgot to do, and make a list of things yet to do.
God doesn’t forget His plans. He carries on no matter what.
Let’s be followers of Jesus this Advent season and continue throughout the coming year.

Prayer:
Our Dear Heavenly Father, be with us as we make this change in our lives. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

All Creatures Great and Small

Advent Devotional by Vicky Brown

“You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

You put everything under his feet.”

—Psalm 8:6—

A few years ago, on a Sunday morning, I sat in the bleachers listening to a pastor conduct a church service before a barrel race start. The pastor quoted a Bible verse (I can’t remember the verse, but it may have been the one above.) Then the pastor went on to explain that with the tremendous authority given human beings, comes a great responsibility. We have the legal authority to do whatever we want with our pets (in my case, a barrel horse), but we have the responsibility to feed and care for them in the best way possible. When we adjust an animal’s diet properly, when we seek the proper medical care for an animal, and when we give an animal the loving attention it needs, we are treating God’s creation respectfully.
I have never seen a nativity scene without animals. I hope I am doing my part in caring for God’s creation.

Prayer:
Dear God, help us to preserve and protect, as well as admire, all of Your creation, especially the animals so dependent on our help. Amen

Mom's Courage and Faith

Advent Devotional by Karen Welch

“Trust in the Lord with all our heart.

Never rely on what you think you know.

Remember the Lord in everything you do and

he will show you the right way.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6—

“Trust in the Lord. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the Lord.”

—Psalm 27:14—

I realize now how much courage my mother had when we were small and how much she relied on God for guidance. Dad was headed to a cancer treatment hospital in Missouri in early December 1952. We thought he would be back by Dec. 9, his 38th birthday. Mom had her hands full with four children between the ages of 1 and 12; 15 cows to milk twice a day, chickens to care for and all other chores demanded by a farm. Besides, it was winter. Her only time to go see Dad was one short weekend during the months he remained there. Due to complications, Dad remained at the hospital until mid-January 1953. He returned home and over time he fully recovered from the cancer.
Mom always felt the constant prayers for strength, courage, guidance and for Dad’s recovery were answered. Her display of courage and faith in God have stayed with me all my life. “Be strong and of good courage.” These words are frequently found in connection with some great and difficult tasks. The blessings for which we plead are spiritual and all unseen, things impossible with men.

Prayer:
Lord, help us to remember to trust in our faith in You; that You will show us the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Man of Faith

Advent Devotional by Don Newman

Art by Danny Lenners

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:

After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

before they came together, she was found with

child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son. And you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” . . . Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her first born son.  And he called His name Jesus.”

                                                                  —Matthew 1:18-21 and 24-25—

The Bible depicts numerous men of faith. Most of these men proved their worth and their love of God by their actions. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was an eligible young man who was told by an angel in a dream to put himself in a position of scorn by taking a pregnant young woman (Mary) as his wife. He faced trials and hardship along the way, but answered the call of God.
Joseph was a steady presence in young Jesus’ life—teaching him a trade as he grew into a young man. Oh that we all could be so focused and dedicated to follow God’s plan for our lives.

Prayer:
Loving Father, help us to appreciate the plan You have for our lives and to live as Your followers. Amen
by Don Newman

Victory In Jesus

Advent Devotional by Renae and Mark Bottom

“Do not suppose that I have come to

bring peace to the earth.

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

—Matthew 10:34—

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
These words, spoken by President Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor, heralded the advent of war for our country. Sources estimate that more than 50 million people, including soldiers and civilians, died as a result of the conflict.
From around the world, courageous men and women joined to battle human tyranny. After a long and bloody struggle, they prevailed; sadly, their noble victory could never hope to eradicate tyranny forever.
How marvelous, then, the advent of Christ. Quietly, into a manger, came the one, true hero of mankind. His arrival, as a helpless infant, heralded war no less than the emphatic words of a president. His would be the battle against the tyranny of sin and death.
He would offer Himself, the single casualty. He would prevail, the perfect Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, whose heart beat with the courage of humility and obedience.
His victory would secure the hope of mankind, forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Prayer:
Almighty God, You knew we were a people in need of a hero, a Savior. So You sent Your only begotten Son to save us and to bring us peace . . . not the peace the world gives, but your peace. Thank you. Amen