Personal Reflection

Sunday, December 27, 2020

by Patience Fort

Twice yearly I post my Mother's devotional guides which prepare us for Easter and Christmas. I have no idea how many people really read them this year -- my app for assessing reader activity has changed and I can no longer see it. I do hope that Mother's words written ten years ago have resonated with readers today.

Scripture is like that, you know. It was written hundreds of years ago. Yet the Holy Spirit uses it today to teach us and direct us just as mightily as He did when it was first penned. Take Romans 5:8, for instance.

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Last week a close friend of mine did something that frustrated and angered me tremendously. With clenched teeth and squinted eyes, I processed Mother's post for the next day -- a message about the Christmas baby being our sacrificial lamb. And it occurred to me that this issue with my friend was going to eat me alive unless I did what the Holy Spirit was prompting me to do. So with great resolve and then relief, I asked for God to forgive my friend for the offensive behavior and me for being so angry. My friend has not apologized -- and probably never will -- but I have done what Romans 5:8 says that I should do. Forgive. I don't deserve the Lord's forgiveness yet he freely gives it anyway. 

Lord, thank you for Scripture. Thank you for the Savior who is the Word Incarnate. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who shows us how to apply the Word to our lives. And thank you for loving us so much, that you forgave us before we even knew we needed it. 

The Day After Christmas

 Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’”
Luke 2:38

Simeon and Anna waited patiently for they were not sure what, but willingly waited because God had promised to send a Messiah, and they knew He keeps His promises! When they saw the eight-day-old infant, the Spirit of God revealed to each that their wait was over. And old Simeon, a devout man became a poet, praising God with words that Michael Card has set to music.

Simeon says he is now ready to die, and Anna goes out to tell all “who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” that she had seen the Messiah.

What about us? Will we sigh that the holiday is finally over, or will we go out to proclaim to all that Christ, the promised Savior has been born? Will we joyfully tell them that just as He kept His first promise, He will keep the second? He is coming again. We know for sure. He promised!

Father, make us as sure of your promises as were Anna and Simeon, and then help us speak what we believe! Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Christmas Day

Friday, December 25, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Blory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13

God is just amazing! The Bible teaches us that in the councils of the ages, God planned to send Jesus to earth to rescue man, this marvelous creature whom he’d made and with whom he’d been pleased at his creation. The man had “goofed” badly, and seldom had done as he was instructed – for 2000 years. Yet God has a plan to redeem his creature, and he sends his Son – who willingly goes – to the planet where all the rebellious creatures live. And he does all this knowing that his Son is going to be horribly mistreated and sacrificed! And all because God loves his creatures.

We believe this, but we’ll never understand it!

And when the day comes for the baby to be born, God’s angels have a huge celebration and fill the world with songs of praise to a loving God who would bring such a plan to pass.

God makes a plan in which he knows he is going to suffer hell, and his own angels sing glory to his name! Today we join the angels because we know this baby and the peace the angels sang about, the peace the world still does not understand.

Father, your thought are indeed higher than ours, and in faith we receive your beautiful Christmas gift. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

Christmas Eve

 Thursday, December 24, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

Some had seen God’s shekinah glory, a great light that shown brighter than anything they knew. They’d seen the fire that led the children in the wilderness at night. They’d seen the cloud that led them by day. In a vision, Isaiah had seen the “Lord, high and lifted up.” But to actually see him? Nobody had.

And now here on that first Christmas, the holy day on our calendar that we celebrate tomorrow, the world is about to see God – wrapped in human flesh and swaddling clothes. God, helpless in a manger, His first lullabies the lowing of a cow, the baaing of a sheep.

All grace and truth lie before us, looking for all the world like any other baby – dark and soft, sweet-smelling and fragile. God whom nobody had ever seen or understood had come to earth to live for thirty-three years.

God came so we could know Him. John says, “This is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.”

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, as God imparts to human hearts the blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.

Merry Christmas, Father.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

Twenty-fifth Day of Advent

 Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“I write this to you that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ the righteous One.”
I John 2:1

If anything can make us sing, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come!” this should be the verse! The baby Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manger lighted by His presence. We almost smell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw Him there, innocent and beautiful.

But if we step away from that manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those that we knew are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the “one who speaks to the Father on our behalf” when we sin!

I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another’s actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to Him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, “It’s all right, Father. I died for that.”

Now I can really sing, “Joy to the World!”

Father, Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, that you came. Holy Spirit, come and help us glorify the Savior’s name. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Twenty-fourth Day of Advent

 Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men….”
I Timothy 2:5

It’s not unusual today in our multicultural society of political correctness to hear someone say, “We all serve the same God. We just call him something different,” and “Some get to God one way; some another.” Perhaps we should look at the verse above as we consider these statements.

If we go back to Exodus, we read in chapter 20, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me, for I the Lord am a jealous God.” Would He have bothered to say that if there were no others whom we could choose? And in the verse above He clearly tells that He is the only one, and Jesus Christ is the only way to get to Him.

The baby whose birth we will soon celebrate is the Christ – the only son of the only God – the one who grew to be the only one who could provide the only way for us to know the only God.

At Christmas, we don’t like to think of a baby suffering, but that is exactly why He came – to grow up and live to show us how to live and to die to make it possible for us to live forever with the only God, His Father.

Father, only God, Creator, Son, Redeemer, worthy of praise – thank you for the Baby who leads us to you. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Twenty-third Day of Advent

 Monday, December 21, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:15

Isn’t it amazing to know that Jesus – the Man and the Christ – calls us His friends? It’s easy to get so engrossed in the joy of being his friend that we overlook important conditions in the verse above.

One of our youth told me recently that a disciple is the protégé of someone whom he/she admires and chooses as a role model. I really like that definition. So do we choose Jesus, the Man/Christ, as our role model? Do we obey His words as He obeyed the Father, even to death on a cruel cross? Do we seek to learn from the Father as Jesus says He has learned from the Father?

We enjoy knowing we are His friends, but are we only in the friendship for what we can get out of it? Life eternally? Hope for today? Right standing with God when we die? Friendship is a two-way street and if we don’t contribute to the friendship, we are pretty poor friends. Paul says that we can know this friend “in the power of His resurrection and have fellowship with Him in His suffering.” (Philippians 3:10) Do we share this kind of friendship with Jesus?

Father, We are so grateful that the Christmas baby grew up to call us friends. Help us to be good friends to Him. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-second Day of Advent

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead you ought to forgive and comfort him; so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”
II Corinthians 2:8-9 

We don’t know much about discipline in the church today. We let people be mad at each other for years and do little or nothing to resolve differences. We pout when we don’t get our own way. We gossip, complain, whine, but nobody confronts us. Not so in the early church.

The reference in the Scripture today is to a man who had committed a terrible sin and had been ostracized. We cannot imagine anything worse than having our church tell us that we cannot return to worship or fellowship with them. This man must have suffered terribly for his sin. Now the church is told to forgive him and to take him back.

Only a Lord who was like us could understand the pain of an ostracized man – the loneliness he must have experienced at being cast out. Only a forgiving Lord could understand the man’s need to receive forgiveness. Only a Lord who knew us well could have understood that we, too, have guilt but also the capacity to forgive. Only a loving Lord would challenge us to forgive even heinous sin.

Father, You have freely given us the gift of forgiveness. Help us to freely give that gift to others. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twenty-first Day of Advent

 Saturday, December 19, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:5-11

 We say so glibly that our mission statement for the church is "Everyone becoming a disciple of Christ." Yet as I read Paul's challenge to the Philippians, I wonder if we have the vaguest idea of what it means to be disciples. We know disciples are learners, followers of Christ, dedicated to his purpose in this world, reaching out to others for him. But can we say that our attitude is the same as the attitude of Christ given above?

Are we living for God our Father? Are we considering our wants to be nothing as we strive for what he wants? Are we willing to die for him? Dare we answer?

Father, help us this Christmas to want what you want, to bow our knees and really confess Christ as Lord. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Twentieth Day of Advent

 Friday, December 18, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide

​
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you... But with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
I Peter 1:18-19

I read a book years ago by Stuart Brisco in which he spoke of seeing dead men walking, eyes empty, little sign of real life as they moved through not life but existence. How true, I thought! How often I meet someone who seems to have no purpose, no sense of the importance of his/her life, no goals, no direction. These people were living in the "empty way of life handed down" to them, unaware of their value.

Put that thought together with this. "How much is this piece of real estate worth?" I asked a realtor one day. "Whatever I can get someone to pay for it," he replied.

So as we were walking around in an empty and meaningless life, what did God think we were worth? What was he willing to pay? Jesus! The Bible says that while we were yet lost in our sin, God sent Jesus to get us, to buy us back from our dreadful lives with his own blood!

We were expensive, but the Bible says Jesus counted the cost and went willingly. He gave what he did not owe because we owed what we could not pay.

Father, thank you for life – for meaningful life. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Nineteenth Day of Advent

 Thursday, December 17, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdelene.”
John 19:25

We looked at this verse once, but we need to see it from another perspective. Isn’t one of the most difficult emotions loneliness? I love quiet and often spend days with no TV, no music – just quiet. Other times that same quiet becomes oppressive.

Oppressive loneliness is what I imagine for the Lord on that awful cross. Did he wonder where the others were -- His best friends for the past three years? Did He long for them, to see their faces, to be touched or spoken to? I know that God was with Him, but He was not just God. Jesus was a flesh and blood human, hurting terribly, alone except for four faithful women and John.

Shepherds and wise men came to see him when He was born. Crowds gathered round Him when He healed. Multitudes followed Him as He taught or as He fed them on the hillside. They needed and wanted what He had to give, so they got as close as they could.

Now He hangs on a cross, lonely, with only five to comfort Him. He knew loneliness? Does He still long for us to come and share His solitude?

Lord Jesus, we cry out to you in our loneliness. We seek you in our need and our desires. Remind us that even now you wait for us to come near, to talk and listen to you. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Eighteenth Day of Advent

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient of times.”
Michal 5:2 

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, wrote in the late 700s BC or early to mid-600s, yet he prophesied the coming of a ruler who pre-existed him. We are such time-oriented people that we have great difficulty comprehending this! One will come who has always been! Is that double speak? Possible?

Yes, not only possible but fact! From the beginning, the plan had been to send a redeemer for fallen man – God’s creation that pleased Him and that He called good, God’s creation who disappointed Him but whom He loved and for whose redemption He would die!

I don’t know that Micah understood, but he reported faithfully what God had spoken to him. Beginning in chapter 4, God tells Micah His plan, and Micah recorded it for us. From the smallest of the tribes of Israel will come a gift – a baby – who will grow to be the greatest ruler the world has ever known, a strong, eternal ruler. He’ll not be just a king but The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah!

Father, Thank you for the King above all kings; thank you for our Lord whose birthday we’ll soon celebrate. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Seventeenth Day of Advent

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
John 19:25 

This Scripture messes up our nice, clean Christmas nativity scene! We don’t want to think ahead to what the baby would one day endure. As I prepared for our annual devotional, I read the Serendipity Bible. At the bottom of the page for this text was this question: “How do you feel when you think about how Jesus died for you?” and the editors suggest several answers: “amazed, doubtful, grateful, guilty, sad, loved, relieved, uncomfortable.”

Great question! Can we add possible answers? How about, “all of the above?” And when we really contemplate – as I often do at communion – don’t we want to add “unworthy” because we know how messed up we are, or “awed” because we are amazed that God allowed it, or “shocked” that nobody seemed to understand what they were doing?

I wonder how the women could be brave enough to watch the horror before their eyes! Were they oblivious that only John was with them?

What do we feel when we consider the cost of our expensive Christmas present? Or do we even consider?

Father, Your Christmas present is amazing. Help us to hold it close and appreciate its eternal value! Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

Sixteenth Day of Advent

  Monday, December 14, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 

My goal through this entire Christmas devotional has been to help us see Jesus not just as the tiny baby in a manger but as the Living God. How beautifully Isaiah portrays God not as an uninvolved deity, a Creator who distances Himself from His creatures, leaving them to fend for themselves, but as a God who is personable, who actually holds our hands.

And knowing how difficult it is for us to grasp the reality of such a God, He comes to us a baby. Remember Paul says, “In Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The baby is the same God whom Isaiah says takes our hand and calms our fears!

The Christmas infant’s hands – God’s hands – would one day hold the children, touch the lepers, put spit on the eyes of a blind man, and drive the money changers from the temple. They were destined to suffer the nails that held Jesus to a tree. And Isaiah says this same God reaches His hand to us with comfort and joy.

Thanks to Jesus, through faith we may grasp God’s hand. 

Father, We will never understand all of this. How can you be Father and also Son? Yet Jesus told us He and you are one, and we believe Him. We need you desperately, and so in faith we take your outstretched hand. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Fifteenth Day of Advent

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”
Psalm 130:7

Compromise is standard today, and most of us will admit to a certain cynicism. The value of our dollars diminishes daily; marriages fail even in the church; businesses are here today and gone tomorrow; promises are not kept; nothing seems stable. Even contracts have fine print that we must read carefully, allowing parties an “out” if things do not go well. So is there anything that we can count on? Absolutely!

The Christmas baby who reveals to us a God whose redemption and love we can trust! He’s the One we can count on!

The psalmist tells us of unfailing love and absolute redemption with no small print for a way out! We see so much fail – even love. Can God’s love outlast all that challenges it in our current world? We know how hard we try to be all that we know is right and good, and we question that God would even want to redeem the mess that we make.

Jesus came to assure us there’s no mess too great for Him to redeem, no sin greater than His unfailing love! “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” He promised. Unfailing love and absolute redemption! Count on it!

Father, We understand neither unfailing love nor redemption, but we thank you that Jesus has brought both to us.  Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Fourteenth Day of Advent

 Saturday, December 12, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training a person in right living, that the person of God may be equipped for every good work.”
I Timothy 3:16

This is a verse that I often use to remind myself and others of the critical importance of God’s word. The verse carries a great message, but I want us to only look at two words – “all Scripture.”

Remember, when Paul wrote these words to his young aid, the only Scripture recorded was what we call the Old Testament. Paul’s letters to the young churches and to several individuals were vitally important, but we have no reason to believe that he expected those writings to be included in a later canon of Scripture. But they are included, so now we must assume that “all” means the entire Bible -- Old and New Testaments.

So what is the value of our reading brief passages of Scripture as we prepare for our Christmas celebration? That becomes obvious when we remember that this is not just a daily exercise. As we read, the Word, Himself, will “teach, correct, rebuke, and train us.” God is not just getting us ready for Christmas but is teaching us about Himself, getting us ready for life! So I must write carefully, and all of us must look and listen carefully to the reference verses.

Father, Day by day, teach us from your Word! Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Thirteenth Day of Advent

 Friday, December 11, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, . . . He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers his lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.”
Isaiah 40:10a, 11

Do you notice anything a little subtle about the prophecy from Isaiah above? The two pictures of Jesus that almost seem contradictory? I once watched a Russian violinist in concert -- a big strong man with huge hands who obviously could have crushed his violin with one blow. But when he put his bow to the strings, some gentle thing came from him and he almost caressed it as he brought forth the loveliest of sounds!

Isaiah pictures Jesus like this. A strong Messiah but also a gentle shepherd.

Recently I met with our new choir director, Dixie Lay. Jera, her two year old, was also with us, quietly drawing a masterpiece for her father while Dixie and I planned for the children’s ministry in music. Tiring of her work, Jera soon climbed into her mother’s lap and nestled quietly against her heart. I wondered if the rhythmic beat soothed her.

That’s what Isaiah says of Jesus, our Shepherd. With strong hands, He’ll nestle us close to His heart so we can be soothed by its rhythm. Oh, my! What a Savior!

Father, Cause us to trust you as your strong hand takes ours, and cause us to rest next to your heart! Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Twelfth Day of Advent

 Thursday, December 10, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6-7

It’s comfortable to think of the baby Jesus, warm innocent, bright eyes looking into ours, lying in a manger or even in our arms, to think of doing things for a baby. But are we missing something in Isaiah’s wonderful prophecy of Christmas?

Isaiah says that He will be our “Wonderful Counselor.” Is He? Are we careful to seek His counsel even in the small things daily? Do we even seek His counsel in the big things? Do we seek His counsel regarding our lives, our work, the on-going work and ministry of our church, or do we go about all this devising our own plans for success? This baby is destined to be our Counselor! That’s God’s plan.

And He’s to be our Prince of Peace. Later Jesus said we’d always have wars, so that peace must not have been world peace. Was Isaiah referring to the peace that can dwell in our heart when we know Him, the peace Jesus spoke of in John 14 “that passes understanding?” Surely Isaiah meant the quiet calm that prevails in us even when all around is chaos, just because Jesus has been born in our hearts.

Father, Thank you for this wonderful baby who has become our Counselor and Peace. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Eleventh Day of Advent

 Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“Therefore, the Lord will give you a sing: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 

Sometimes I am impatient with the people who seem oblivious of the fact that Jesus was an unusual baby. Babies are not born to virgins, and when that type of birth – never having happened before or since – occurs, wouldn’t you think that everyone would immediately suspect that this was a special baby?

But they didn’t then and don’t now. So they missed the most significant birth in the whole world.

And they also missed the importance of His name! All good Jews know Emmanuel means “God with us.” But they missed that clue as well! God had been revealing his presence for generations. He caused a cloud to settle over the children of Israel and a fire by night to lead them, just to say, “I am here.” Several times in the Old Testament he calls Himself Jehovah-Sehammah – “God who is here.” But they missed the message. Now Isaiah says the baby’s name is Emmanuel and they again miss that message. Not very observant!

But we must not criticize. We too miss Jesus saying, “I am here” because we are looking for the familiar, the usual! Jesus is so often in the unusual!

Father, Thank you for being here, for coming in unexpected ways. Help us to recognize you. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Tenth Day of Advent

 Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

Paul has been commissioned by God to present to us “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27 

The message that Paul says he has been commissioned to give us is staggering! Two things cause real pause because we immediately feel totally unable to live up to God’s expectations.

First he says that God’s message is to be delivered to the “saints,” and we quickly argue that we are not saints. That, however, is because we have distorted ideas of what a saint is! Saints are those who belong to Christ and in whom His Holy Spirit lives. So the message is for US, his saints, and we’d better listen.

The second challenge involves the “mystery.” Paul says that Christ in us must bring hope. We are to be purveyors of hope to the dying world around us! That is the mystery – Christ in us is the hope! That should not only stagger us but fill us with great joy at having such a privilege. In a hopeless world, we get to bring the message of hope! What an awesome gift this baby has brought to us!

Father, Thank you for entrusting us with this great gift! Thank you for letting us bring hope to the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

Ninth Day of Advent

 

Monday, December 7, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. . . . There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called.”
Ephesians 4:3, 6

Isn’t it funny that no matter how old we get, Christmas influences our feelings! I know there are still some Scrooges around who “Bah humbug” Christmas, but in general we get warm fuzzy feelings as the holiday approaches. People smile more, they put their dollars in a red kettle for people they don’t even know; they decorate trees with dolls for little girls whose eyes they’ll not see sparkle when they get them; they buy turkeys for families around whose tables they will not sit. 

The baby Jesus’ birthday – not even Jesus, just his birthday – makes us gentler, more patient, even kinder. Paul’s words remind us that Christians are part of a body and should function in a kind of unity, but Christmas tends to even change our attitude and actions toward those that are just part of the human race – not even art of the Body of Christ -- people whom we may be totally unaware of the rest of the year! A little baby changes how we treat each other.

Father, Humility and patience with others are such lovely characteristics. Help us to exhibit them all year, not just at Christmas when we think of Jesus. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

Eighth Day of Advent

 Sunday, December 6, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

 

“Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him….”
Romans 16:25-26 

Do we consider that we are “established” by a “mystery?” Down through the ages, God has been promising through the prophets that He was going to send the Messiah, an event so shrouded in mystery that no one really comprehended what the Messiah would be like! Today that mystery prevails, and often without understanding we are established in it.

As I write, I am sitting in a cardiac care waiting room, and next to me a family waits for news of a loved one. As each additional family member joins the clan, I hear them say that they are trusting Jesus as a precious life hangs in the balance. They join hands and pray to the Lord whose birthday we will soon celebrate. In the hour or so that I have waited here, I’ve seen how strong this family is because they are “established” in the “mystery” of who their Lord is! They cry a little but they are not tears of despair.

Paul wrote of this mystery in the first century. The people near me are still trusting that Mystery.

Father, We continue to praise you for your Holy Presence in a baby, even though we don’t fully understand. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

Seventh Day of Advent

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth . . . yet for us there is one God, the Father from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 8:5-6a

Knowing who one’s god is has a huge impact on how that person lives, on what he focuses his attention. A young friend brought his new, bright red Corvette to show me. He said he wanted to take good care of it, so he parked a long way away from crowds. If he couldn’t he’d shop at another mall or eat at a different restaurant. Protecting his prize against dings!

Later when I saw him at a restaurant I commented that I had not seen his car outside. He explained that he had sold the car. “It was all I thought about,” he said. “It had become my god!”

Paul reminds us that there are indeed other gods, and we must carefully choose the one whom we will serve. Unexpected things grab our attention and easily become too important. We must serve only One God. God came as a baby, but in that tiny infant dwelt the Triune God, the same one who warned that we should “have no other god” before Him! He doesn’t look very “godlike” in our little creches, but we know He is indeed the great I AM.

Father, Forgive us that we often focus our love and commitment on someone or something other than you! Help us to recognize you, even as a baby. Amen.

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

 

 

 

Sixth Day of Advent 2020

Friday, December 4, 2020

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ."
Ephesians 1:9-10

Just when I think things can get no worse, I pick up the morning paper and find that another group is trying to establish a “new world order,” a uniting of all the countries of the world under one leader with one language and one monetary system! I usually smile indulgently, wishing I could tell them that they are wasting their time. Oh, it is going to happen, but they won’t bring it to pass.

Jesus came the first time as an infant, but he promises to return as the world’s “one head” – when, we don’t know. Every generation has anticipated that return since Jesus went back to heaven. In some wonderful, mysterious way, when all is just right, Paul says in Ephesians, Jesus is coming again.

The first time he came innocently as an infant, and most didn’t recognize him, though he’d told them over and over. This time he’ll come as ruler over all! Most were surprised the first time. Will we be the second?

Father, Cause us to look with anticipation to your second coming, to relish the idea of your kingdom, to be ready to meet you when you arrive without fear and with joy. Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator