322AAF5461514488B5D25D3268E455BF Week2
ADVENT 2011
BOARD OF LAITY
DEVOTIONAL THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WEEK TWO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. -Luke 2:15 -16
The Heavenly news must be delivered by heavenly messengers. The news, that a night long ago, was indeed heavenly unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord! It was the Savior for whom Israel had so long waited the son of David, the one who would rule as King, the Christ who would deliver His church from her enemies. He had been born! But this Savior was not only the son of David but the Son of God. This news of a savior was joyful news indeed! The heavenly messengers delivered the news. Who else knew? None for this wonderful birth happened outside the city of Bethlehem, in a cattle stall, to a couple just visiting, not known by the people. But the angels knew of it and what rejoicing must have filled heaven! The messengers are not angels, but ministers of the gospel; the recipients are not shepherds, but still humble people, unworthy of salvation; the proclamation takes place in the morning, and yet in the midst of a world darkened with sin. But the news is the same, which comes to you and me – the Savior is born! Then the question is: what will you do with this news? What did the shepherds do? They said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Let us go with them! Prayer: Heavenly Father as we prepare for your Son’s arrival let us remember that we are celebrating the birth of your Son Jesus Christ. Let us take time to share the Good News of the Baby that came to save us from our sins. We thank you and we praise your Holy Name. Amen!
1
Ralph P. Gooch & Betty M. Gooch Conference Lay Leader
Monday, December 9, 2011 – Seen It – Heard It – Told It “17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” – Luke 2:17-18 In the Court of Law the best Witness is an eye Witness – One who was at the scene to see and hear the events that took place. An eye witness is able to mesmerize a jury as he tells with confidence and conviction what he saw and heard. The Shepherds saw the Angels with their own eyes and beheld the baby Jesus at birth. They heard with their own ears the good news and caused the hearts of the people to marvel as they told with conviction and confidence the things they saw and heard. Prayer: Lord open our eyes and our ears that we may be a type of Seen It – Heard It – Told It witness so that hearts may still marvel as we share good tidings of peace, comfort, and joy. Amen. Dannora Elzey, Laity New Zion UMC: Dover District
SEEN IT – HEARD IT – HOLD IT
2
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Treasure Up Your Thoughts “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, NIV What are our thoughts during this Holy season of Advent? Are we thinking of shopping- malls and Santa Claus? Of course not! Our thoughts are treasured up to God in thanksgiving for his unspeakable gift of the Christ child. Christians will sometimes discover we have co-opted with the world in celebrating the season in hurried hustle and bustle of buying gifts and becoming financially indebted. Mere words pale in articulating the love God showed us in the Flesh; yet even in these difficult and tumultuous economic times, we know that Emmanuel is present in our lives. What shall we say then……Ponder on Christ and bathe in his presence with hope and trust for in Him there is fullness of joy. Joy to the world the Lord has come let earth receive her King. Prayer: Father I bless your name for your omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent power. You alone are the lifter of my head and I celebrate You and give thanks for your love that endures from everlasting to everlasting. As I ponder Your greatness my thoughts are like treasures for they are meat when I am hungry and drink when I am thirsty. In Jesus Name I give thanks…Amen Sheneatta Whittington, Laity Ebenezer UMC: Salisbury District Wednesday, December 7, 2011 – It’s Shoutin’ Time “The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told.” Luke 2:20 – The Message How God honored those shepherds! Some were too young to do any other work. Others were too old. They knew few if any privileges of this life but God blessed them beyond measure. What a night it had been! A visitor from the presence of God brought them the news, the sky was filled with the angel choirs, and with their own eyes they had seen the Savior. Back with the sheep, their shouts of joy could be heard throughout the early morning air. The sheep were safe. The shepherds were blessed and it was too much for them to contain. For those happy shepherds, it was “shoutin’ time.” Prayer: Heavenly Father, this blessing came at a time of great trouble for Israel , and reminds us that God had not forgotten them. He has not forgotten us. Help us to truly hear the angel’s message and earnestly seek the Savior. May we, too, join in their praise. It’s shoutin’ time. Rev. Mae Etta Moore Retired Elder
3
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – Joy of the Baby! “Eight days later Jesus’ parents did for him what the Law of Moses commands. And they named him Jesus, just as the angel had told Mary when he promised she would have a baby. What a joyous and amazing time it is when many are blessed with a baby. This new life brings many new responsibilities, new interests and a totally new direction for all the upcoming days. In addition to that it is a very thankful time as parents and also grandparents. During this time of the year, take some time to enjoy, reflect, and remember how you felt when you learned there would be a new baby in your life. Think about how Mary and Joseph felt. What a time for excitement, and rejoicing. Who would you share this news with? Prayer: Father, I stretch my hands to you right now to say thank you for allowing me to experience this baby in my life. I thank you in advance for how you will keep him safe and make him strong. Brenda O. Gaines, Laity Waters: Easton District Friday, December 9, 2011 – Day of Reflections 1Now(A)
from(D)
after Jesus was born in(B) Bethlehem of Judea(C) in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is he who has been born(E) king of the Jews? For we saw(F) his star when it rose[b] and have come to(G) worship him." – Matthew 2:1-2 Today read the scripture and write in the space below what the Lord is saying to your heart. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
Saturday, December 10, 2011 – An Inconvenient Gift Matthew 2: 3-6 (NIV) When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel”” Apparently, people have been getting stressed out about Christmas since the first one. The birth of a Jewish King did not fit well with Herod’s career plan; and interestingly enough was disturbing to the Jewish religious leaders of the day. The greatest gift of all time, the messiah, had arrived; but He really wasn’t convenient for anybody in Jerusalem. Today we sometimes find the celebration of Jesus’ birth to be inconvenient as well. We stress over having enough money, finding the right gift, meeting our social obligations, spending time with the family, year end bonuses at work, lawn decorations and countless other things. Like Herod and all Jerusalem, we find the remembrance of the Messiah’s coming to be an annual disturbance; an inconvenient gift. Today, let us take a few minutes to follow the example of the Magi whose single desire was to find and worship the Christ. Prayer: God, help us to remember the gift, when we get distracted by the celebration. Amen.
Will Wallace, Laity Bayside Chapel: Dover District
INCONVENIENT GIFT! 5
BOARD OF LAITY
DEVOTIONAL THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WEEK TWO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. -Luke 2:15 -16
The Heavenly news must be delivered by heavenly messengers. The news, that a night long ago, was indeed heavenly unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord! It was the Savior for whom Israel had so long waited the son of David, the one who would rule as King, the Christ who would deliver His church from her enemies. He had been born! But this Savior was not only the son of David but the Son of God. This news of a savior was joyful news indeed! The heavenly messengers delivered the news. Who else knew? None for this wonderful birth happened outside the city of Bethlehem, in a cattle stall, to a couple just visiting, not known by the people. But the angels knew of it and what rejoicing must have filled heaven! The messengers are not angels, but ministers of the gospel; the recipients are not shepherds, but still humble people, unworthy of salvation; the proclamation takes place in the morning, and yet in the midst of a world darkened with sin. But the news is the same, which comes to you and me – the Savior is born! Then the question is: what will you do with this news? What did the shepherds do? They said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Let us go with them! Prayer: Heavenly Father as we prepare for your Son’s arrival let us remember that we are celebrating the birth of your Son Jesus Christ. Let us take time to share the Good News of the Baby that came to save us from our sins. We thank you and we praise your Holy Name. Amen!
1
Ralph P. Gooch & Betty M. Gooch Conference Lay Leader
Monday, December 9, 2011 – Seen It – Heard It – Told It “17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” – Luke 2:17-18 In the Court of Law the best Witness is an eye Witness – One who was at the scene to see and hear the events that took place. An eye witness is able to mesmerize a jury as he tells with confidence and conviction what he saw and heard. The Shepherds saw the Angels with their own eyes and beheld the baby Jesus at birth. They heard with their own ears the good news and caused the hearts of the people to marvel as they told with conviction and confidence the things they saw and heard. Prayer: Lord open our eyes and our ears that we may be a type of Seen It – Heard It – Told It witness so that hearts may still marvel as we share good tidings of peace, comfort, and joy. Amen. Dannora Elzey, Laity New Zion UMC: Dover District
SEEN IT – HEARD IT – HOLD IT
2
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Treasure Up Your Thoughts “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19, NIV What are our thoughts during this Holy season of Advent? Are we thinking of shopping- malls and Santa Claus? Of course not! Our thoughts are treasured up to God in thanksgiving for his unspeakable gift of the Christ child. Christians will sometimes discover we have co-opted with the world in celebrating the season in hurried hustle and bustle of buying gifts and becoming financially indebted. Mere words pale in articulating the love God showed us in the Flesh; yet even in these difficult and tumultuous economic times, we know that Emmanuel is present in our lives. What shall we say then……Ponder on Christ and bathe in his presence with hope and trust for in Him there is fullness of joy. Joy to the world the Lord has come let earth receive her King. Prayer: Father I bless your name for your omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent power. You alone are the lifter of my head and I celebrate You and give thanks for your love that endures from everlasting to everlasting. As I ponder Your greatness my thoughts are like treasures for they are meat when I am hungry and drink when I am thirsty. In Jesus Name I give thanks…Amen Sheneatta Whittington, Laity Ebenezer UMC: Salisbury District Wednesday, December 7, 2011 – It’s Shoutin’ Time “The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told.” Luke 2:20 – The Message How God honored those shepherds! Some were too young to do any other work. Others were too old. They knew few if any privileges of this life but God blessed them beyond measure. What a night it had been! A visitor from the presence of God brought them the news, the sky was filled with the angel choirs, and with their own eyes they had seen the Savior. Back with the sheep, their shouts of joy could be heard throughout the early morning air. The sheep were safe. The shepherds were blessed and it was too much for them to contain. For those happy shepherds, it was “shoutin’ time.” Prayer: Heavenly Father, this blessing came at a time of great trouble for Israel , and reminds us that God had not forgotten them. He has not forgotten us. Help us to truly hear the angel’s message and earnestly seek the Savior. May we, too, join in their praise. It’s shoutin’ time. Rev. Mae Etta Moore Retired Elder
3
Thursday, December 8, 2011 – Joy of the Baby! “Eight days later Jesus’ parents did for him what the Law of Moses commands. And they named him Jesus, just as the angel had told Mary when he promised she would have a baby. What a joyous and amazing time it is when many are blessed with a baby. This new life brings many new responsibilities, new interests and a totally new direction for all the upcoming days. In addition to that it is a very thankful time as parents and also grandparents. During this time of the year, take some time to enjoy, reflect, and remember how you felt when you learned there would be a new baby in your life. Think about how Mary and Joseph felt. What a time for excitement, and rejoicing. Who would you share this news with? Prayer: Father, I stretch my hands to you right now to say thank you for allowing me to experience this baby in my life. I thank you in advance for how you will keep him safe and make him strong. Brenda O. Gaines, Laity Waters: Easton District Friday, December 9, 2011 – Day of Reflections 1Now(A)
from(D)
after Jesus was born in(B) Bethlehem of Judea(C) in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is he who has been born(E) king of the Jews? For we saw(F) his star when it rose[b] and have come to(G) worship him." – Matthew 2:1-2 Today read the scripture and write in the space below what the Lord is saying to your heart. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
Saturday, December 10, 2011 – An Inconvenient Gift Matthew 2: 3-6 (NIV) When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel”” Apparently, people have been getting stressed out about Christmas since the first one. The birth of a Jewish King did not fit well with Herod’s career plan; and interestingly enough was disturbing to the Jewish religious leaders of the day. The greatest gift of all time, the messiah, had arrived; but He really wasn’t convenient for anybody in Jerusalem. Today we sometimes find the celebration of Jesus’ birth to be inconvenient as well. We stress over having enough money, finding the right gift, meeting our social obligations, spending time with the family, year end bonuses at work, lawn decorations and countless other things. Like Herod and all Jerusalem, we find the remembrance of the Messiah’s coming to be an annual disturbance; an inconvenient gift. Today, let us take a few minutes to follow the example of the Magi whose single desire was to find and worship the Christ. Prayer: God, help us to remember the gift, when we get distracted by the celebration. Amen.
Will Wallace, Laity Bayside Chapel: Dover District
INCONVENIENT GIFT! 5
