The Eleventh Day of Advent, 2016

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you  Isaiah 60:1

  

Oh, what a challenge! There are 1ots of days when I do not even want to arise, much less to shine! On those days, I know that I have absolutely forgotten that the glory of the Lord has risen upon [me].

When God has done so much, has given so much, has sustained in all things, how is it possible that I can forget? That lovely little baby is great to remember at Christmas, and I marvel at his unusual birth. However, the real wonder was yet to come.

Before the Lord left to go back to heaven, He promised that He would always be with me, and thus that the glory of the Lord would always be upon me. He promised that He would lead me, that His Holy Spirit would teach me, and that nothing would separate Him from me.

It’s so easy to get so busy getting ready for all the “stuff” that I think is necessary for a good Christmas, that I forget that this little baby who became our risen Savior now lives in my heart. Maybe I don’t need so many candles at Christmas. Maybe what I need is to just let my light so shine before men that they will see . . . and glorify my Father who is in heaven.

Father, please don’t allow me to become so burdened with the world’s view of what Christmas is supposed to be that I miss the Light that is the real Christmas! Amen

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.

 

The Tenth Day of Advent, 2016

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

It is so easy for me to look at Scripture that I know, and almost dismiss it. I’ve heard it so many times. I know what it says and what it means. This Scripture is one of those. But how was it heard when God spoke to Ahaz? What did he think when he heard this most unusual prophecy?

A baby would be born who had no natural father. How could that be? To further add to the unusual picture, the mother would name him – a task that women usually did not do! And if that were not enough, his name would be Immanuel, meaning, “God with us!” Hebrew names usually had specific meaning, but the implications of God with us were huge!

When people heard this prophecy, they must have marveled – they would have heard it, for the teachers in the synagogues memorized whole books of Scripture at a time, and spoke them to the people who gathered there. I cannot help wondering what they thought. Did these words register in their minds? Did they think about them? Did they remember the times that God moved before them in a cloud by day and in fire by night – God with them?

What about today? Do the words register in my mind, or do I just say, “Oh, that’s part of Handel’s Messiah.” Have I heard it so much that I don’t hear it?

Father, remind me every day as I shop and bake and wrap gifts that Christmas is really Immanuel. Amen

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.

 

The Ninth Day of Advent, 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

A voice is calling in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.  Isaiah 40:3  

Matthew 3:3 says this Scripture refers to John the Baptist, an unorthodox man, living in the desert, clothed in skins, eating a strange diet of locusts and honey. His lifestyle was unusual, but his message moved people to action: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2).

John was a young man – only about 30 – but absolutely sure of his mission in life. God was getting ready to do something spectacular, and he was the herald chosen to proclaim that “something!” Some heard and responded quickly and emphatically, going to the River Jordan to be immersed as they confessed their sins. Others mocked him, thought him crazy, and went away quickly from this mad man.

As I look today at the spiritual desert of the current world, I wonder if I hear that the kingdom of God is really at hand – hear in such a way that it moves me to action. I am not going to put on animals skins, and though I have eaten some strange things in my life, locusts I hope will never be part of my regular diet! I do, however, want to be obedient to God as He allows me to make a straight pathway to him for others. After all, isn’t that what Jesus meant when He said you shall be my witnesses . . . to the utmost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)?

Father, help me to not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, but to boldly proclaim it and lead others on a smooth highway to Christ, not just at Christmas but all year long! Amen   

   

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.

 

The Second Sunday of Advent, 2016

Sunday, December 4, 2016

The Angels Candle: A Symbol of Peace.

By Patience Fort 

As we focus on the second Sunday in Advent and the second candle in the Advent wreath, the Angels Candle, let’s look at some of the Scriptures which depict angels and the foretelling of Jesus’ first or second coming. (I apologize in advance for how lengthy this entry is today. What can I say – there was a lot to cover!)

The angel, Gabriel, appeared to the priest, Zechariah in Luke 1:8-20 foretelling the birth of John the Baptist who would, make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  I love this passage because when Zechariah got a little indignant with the angel, Gabriel got a little testy right back. All drama aside, though, Gabriel’s prophecy was true and little John was born. He grew up to be a path-maker for Jesus as was foretold.

Luke 1:26-38 is the beautiful story of Gabriel conversing with sweet, little Mary about her being chosen to carry the child who would be Messiah. Not many months later, Gabriel’s words about Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, came to fruition. And then the Christ child, himself, made his entrance.

The angel in Matthew 1:20-25 is unnamed. But he helped Joseph understand how on earth (or not) his betrothed wife, Mary, could be pregnant. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. And, just as the angel foretold, the baby came and he gave him the name Jesus.

On Christmas Eve we love to read the “Christmas Story” found in Luke 2:1-20. Can you imagine being out in the dark countryside and seeing one and then a “host” of angels filling the sky? Just like in the other accounts of angels foretelling Jesus’ birth, these guys got it right, too. The shepherds found the baby just like they had told them they would.

Fast-forward to the end of Jesus’ life. He, himself, foretells about His own second coming in Matthew 25:31. But guess who will be with Him. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  I think it is pretty cool that they will be there, surrounding the Good Shepherd with hallelujahs just like they did with the other shepherds at Jesus’ first coming.

Then in Acts 1:10-11, two angels appeared to the Apostles to predict Jesus’ second coming. Men of Galilee . . . this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Since the other angel accounts depict prophecies that came true, it stands to reason that this one will, too.

Yes, the angels proclaimed to the world the coming of the King. But why do we call the “Angels Candle” a symbol of peace? I don’t think the people of the day expected the coming Messiah to be anything but a military ruler who would defeat the Romans and serve as their earthly king. I don’t think they anticipated what a peacemaker He would be or that His kingdom would be far greater than the confines of Israel.

Ephesians 2:17  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Colossians 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Revelation 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and sup with him and he with me.

The light of the Angels candle once again pierces the darkness – this time with peace. The Christ child proclaimed would bring peace on earth through His death and again bring peace for eternity at His Second Coming.

Lord, thank you for fulfilling the promise of your son. Thank you for the peace that He brought into the world – not in the sense of physical war but in the spiritual sense. Thank you for the peace that He brought into my heart the day I asked Him to reside there – and for the peace I now share with the world as a result. May your name be praised today and every day.

Romans 15:33  The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

The Seventh Day of Advent, 2016

Saturday, December 3, 2016
by Patience Nave

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.  Psalm 118:22   

The Baby Jesus looks so appealing, innocent and precious! Artists’ renderings of that first Christmas cause me to want to hold Him, smell His sweet Baby smell, let His tiny fingers curl around mine. Kept in a manger, who would not find Him attractive?

But he grew! Even his own brothers doubted His claims. Disciples listened to His every word, understood little and some of them went and followed Him no more.

He promised wondrous things – to teach, to guide, to protect, to heal them, to be our friend. He also promised them that if they dared to follow him, their life would be difficult, the personal cost tremendous – they would be criticized, ostracized, and victimized.

The difficulties, however, would not compare with the wonders in store for those who loved Him: He would never leave them; He would comfort them; they would become more like Him every day as eternity with God lay before them. Everlasting joy, no tears, no grief!

Many might accept the tiny baby, but more would reject the Cornerstone. They didn’t like the odds.

Father, thank you for Jesus Christ, this tiny baby who became the Chief Cornerstone of faith. Thank you for giving free will to choose -- yes, even to reject -- you. Help me today to recognize that my salvation was costly to you and accepting it for my own may be costly to me! Grant that your Cornerstone in me may be the beginning of a huge edifice of faith, reflecting you to the dying world around me! Amen.

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.

 

The Sixth Day of Advent, 2016

Friday, December 2, 2016
by Patience Nave

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you perceive it?  I am making a new way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:18-19  

God tells me in Isaiah that He is doing a new thing! And He asks, Do you perceive it? My immediate response is that I do perceive it. I do understand that God was going to give the greatest Christmas gift ever to the world – the Infant Jesus! But do I?

If I’m not careful, Christmas becomes old hat! I read the beautiful story from Luke about the shepherds on the hillside. I listen to the Messiah and the Manheim Steamroller Christmas Album because it’s what I do at Christmas. I watch children act out the Christmas drama, in bathrobes with towels on their heads. It’s the same every year, and though I go through it with a certain reverence, it is still the same very year!

If I can go about the preparation and the celebration without enthusiasm and joy, do I really perceive it? I think not. The baby Jesus won’t be born again. That historical fact is completed. But I believe God wants his people to have fresh insight into how that new thing impacted the world, and what He wants to do in us because of Jesus. I know He isn’t finished with me, but at least He has started! Paul tells me that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it (Philippians 1:6). I trust Him, and I’ll wait to see it spring up, new, as He promised.

Father, you know that I only perceive with shallow understanding this new thing that you have done in bringing the Messiah to us. Help me to understand with fresh awareness. Amen.

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.

The Fifth Day of Advent, 2016

Thursday, December 1, 2016
by Patience Nave

Do homage to the Son . . . .  How blessed are all who take refuge in Him.  Psalm 2:12  

This Psalm is a good example of new faith. We approach the manger with awe and respect, recognizing that we only understand a small portion of what it means, but knowing God has done something wonderful. We even lower our voices, as if to speak too loudly would wake the Babe whose birthday we celebrate. And that’s good. Psalm 2 says to do just that – do homage or reverence the Son.

But the same Psalm – actually the same verse – encourages me to take refuge in Him. Suddenly David’s Psalm doesn’t refer to the infant Jesus but to the adult Savior.

I can’t take refuge in a baby, even when that baby is Jesus. Refuge has to be in one who is big enough to offer it. So, even at Christmas, I have to move beyond the cradle – to the mature Christ who walked and talked with His friends – to the cross of this baby-become-a-man. The baby is precious, but it’s the crucified and risen Lord who is my refuge!

The Baby Jesus was the wonderful beginning of what God was doing. But it is the mature Savior who understands me, so I can with confidence take refuge in Him.

Father, don’t allow me to stay at the manger enjoying the Baby Jesus. Take me beyond to the cross that overshadows this baby’s cradle. Amen.

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.