4D01DA6A1FB040FF89B0A17037F809C8 Week3
ADVENT 2011
BOARD OF LAITY
DEVOTIONAL THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WEEK THREE
Sunday, December 11, 2011 – Run Along, I’ll Catch Up “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” – Matthew 2:7-8 NIV I wonder if the Magi found it confusing; Herod’s proclaimed desire to worship Jesus, but his unwillingness to join them on the trek to find him. While we don’t have the ulterior motive of Herod; we too find it difficult to take time to find the Lord. Our jobs, our families, even our responsibilities at church; they all come between us and Jesus at some point. During this season, when our schedule is extra busy, let’s make sure we take the opportunity to join with others who are looking to spend time with the Messiah. Prayer: God, in these busy days, calm our hearts and quiet our minds so we might seek your face and hear your voice. Amen. Will Wallace, Laity Bayside Chapel: Dover District
1
Monday, December 12, 2011 – God’s Light “When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star, that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.” – Matthew 2:9; NRSV The journey of the magi has now reached its culmination. They saw with interest the rising of a star, in the east, which gave witness to the new and awesome thing God was doing in the world. And instead of ignoring it, they decided to risk all, and to follow the star. The journey had not been an easy one. I am sure they forded streams, traversed rocks and sand, and slept on the hard, cold ground. All the while being led by a star. It would have been easy to quit or give up. But their tenacity is now rewarded by being able to see “the child” whose light is even brighter than the star which they had followed. Jesus will later (Matthew 5:14 & 16) tell all who follow him, “You are the light of the world….let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” During this Christmas season, and throughout the year, may the light of our lives lead others to Christ. Prayer: Lord, may we so closely follow the light of your life and love, that it might illumine our lives and shine brightly on the path which leads to you. Amen.” Rev. Dale Brown, Pastor Union UMC: Dover District Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Responses to The Newborn King “When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:10-11; NRSV Several years ago the movie Titanic began showing in movie theaters during the Christmas season. My son and I saw the movie on a Sunday afternoon in Chestertown, MD. One scene of the movie relates to the text which is under prayerful and thoughtful consideration for today. The character, portrayed by the actor Leonardo DiCaprio, is leaning out over the bow of the ship and exclaims that “I am the king of the world.” In a text filled with irony, Matthew portrays the baby Jesus, innocent and dependent upon his mother Mary, as the one and true “king of the world.” Three ideas contained in these two verses are important for each of us to consider today. First, the magi respond with joy to meeting Jesus. One New Testament scholar translated the end of verse ten in this manner, “they rejoiced with a great joy exceedingly.” (Donald A Hagner, Matthew 1-13, World Biblical Commentary: 33A, page 30) Second, the magi worshipped. The actions of the magi remind us that the proper response to this baby born in a manager is to kneel and to worship. Third, the magi presented Jesus gifts fit for a king. Later tradition will assign a symbolic purpose or reason for the use of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew intends the reader to understand that this baby is greater than the magi and all other kings of the world. Many Old Testament references, among them Psalm 72:10-11 and Isaiah 60:1-6, indicate that this newborn king is the king of all the world. Worship and tribute will be paid to him by all nations and people. Prayer: Lord, may we respond to your birth, as the magi did so long ago, with joy worship, and the gift of our lives. Amen. Rev. Dale Brown, Pastor Union UMC: Dover District 2
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – A Safe Passage 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.The Escape to Egypt13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” - Matthew 2:12-15, New Living Translation In both of these encounters God and his angels spoke directly to his people guiding them to safe passage home. Throughout our day God and his angels offer guidance to us for our very own safe passage home to God. Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your continued guidance, even when I have difficulty listening. I ask that you continue to walk beside me and guide me safely home to you. Amen Mary Sheppard Thursday, December 15, 2011 – God’s Light “4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” – Galatians 4:4-5, New Living Translation Each day as human’s we walk a path weeded and overgrown by rules, laws and expectations. Sometimes our own, sometimes imposed upon us by other people. When we live our life trapped by these rules, expectations and laws we can at times lose sight of our light and love. God sent us his son to remind us how to be free and to be an example of how to live our light and recognize God as the giver of our light. Prayer: Amazing God, thank you for my light and the ability to love. I ask for continued guidance on my path so that I may always let my light shine as you would have me do. Amen. Mary Sheppard
3
Friday, December 16, 2011 – This is a Gift? "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use. . . . ." – Ephesians 2:8-9 What? You mean I have to do something, be at someone else's beck and call? Can't I just be a brand spanking new, beautiful specimen of a man or woman without giving up my independence? Can't I do what I want to do? What kind of a gift is salvation if I can't choose how to achieve it or use it? God doesn't want just part of us, He wants all of us. By surrendering all, His grace can change us from the inside out and make us into what He intended us to be--His image bearer. We won't be wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons, but we will be wrapped in God's love and grace and adorned with a rainbow that stretches from here to eternity. Only then will be truly be able to say, " Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me." Prayer: Dear Father, as we look toward Christmas, may we surrender all to you and realize that Christmas is not about tinsel and bows and gifts and food, but a celebration of your gift to us--your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Saturday, December 17, 2011 – Are you a blanket or a quilt?
Faye Everett Easton District Associate Lay Leader
7Beloved,(A)
let us love one another, for love is from God, and(B) whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8(C) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because(D) God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that(E) God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love,(F) not that we have loved God(G) but that he loved us and sent his Son to be(H) the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12(I) No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and(J) his love is perfected in us. 13(K) By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And(L) we have seen and testify that(M) the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of(N) the world. 15(O) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16So(P) we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.(Q) God is love, and(R) whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – I John 4:7-16
We recently celebrated quilt Sunday in our church and a certain concept really struck me. What is the difference between a blanket and a quilt? A blanket can be beautiful, can be many colors, can be very warm and functional; but it is one piece. A quilt, on the other hand, is made of many pieces, lovingly cut from different fabrics. The fabrics may be old, from pieces of clothing that have sentimental value. The fabrics may be new, chosen because of color or pattern. The fabric may be something that is too small to be used for something else. Wherever they come from, the pieces of fabric are cut into smaller pieces and then laid out to form a new design. The pieces are lovingly joined together to create a completely new entity. God is the one who takes all the little pieces of our life and stitches them back together with His love, if we allow Him to do so. Because we are so close to our own lives, we cannot always see God's handiwork. But if we step back and look at the whole quilt, we are amazed at what God has done. God's stitches are love and can make the most imperfect and broken pieces into a work of art. God's love can change us from a blanket into a quilt if we are willing to let him cut up the pieces, cut out the bad parts, and then stitch them together into a whole new creation. Isn't that salvation? Isn't it giving God all the pieces and letting Him make us into a new person that just radiates and glows with His love? Prayer: Dear Father, I pray that we all radiate your love in a world that still walks in darkness. Amen 4
Faye Everett Easton District Associate Lay Leader
BOARD OF LAITY
DEVOTIONAL THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WEEK THREE
Sunday, December 11, 2011 – Run Along, I’ll Catch Up “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” – Matthew 2:7-8 NIV I wonder if the Magi found it confusing; Herod’s proclaimed desire to worship Jesus, but his unwillingness to join them on the trek to find him. While we don’t have the ulterior motive of Herod; we too find it difficult to take time to find the Lord. Our jobs, our families, even our responsibilities at church; they all come between us and Jesus at some point. During this season, when our schedule is extra busy, let’s make sure we take the opportunity to join with others who are looking to spend time with the Messiah. Prayer: God, in these busy days, calm our hearts and quiet our minds so we might seek your face and hear your voice. Amen. Will Wallace, Laity Bayside Chapel: Dover District
1
Monday, December 12, 2011 – God’s Light “When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star, that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.” – Matthew 2:9; NRSV The journey of the magi has now reached its culmination. They saw with interest the rising of a star, in the east, which gave witness to the new and awesome thing God was doing in the world. And instead of ignoring it, they decided to risk all, and to follow the star. The journey had not been an easy one. I am sure they forded streams, traversed rocks and sand, and slept on the hard, cold ground. All the while being led by a star. It would have been easy to quit or give up. But their tenacity is now rewarded by being able to see “the child” whose light is even brighter than the star which they had followed. Jesus will later (Matthew 5:14 & 16) tell all who follow him, “You are the light of the world….let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” During this Christmas season, and throughout the year, may the light of our lives lead others to Christ. Prayer: Lord, may we so closely follow the light of your life and love, that it might illumine our lives and shine brightly on the path which leads to you. Amen.” Rev. Dale Brown, Pastor Union UMC: Dover District Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Responses to The Newborn King “When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:10-11; NRSV Several years ago the movie Titanic began showing in movie theaters during the Christmas season. My son and I saw the movie on a Sunday afternoon in Chestertown, MD. One scene of the movie relates to the text which is under prayerful and thoughtful consideration for today. The character, portrayed by the actor Leonardo DiCaprio, is leaning out over the bow of the ship and exclaims that “I am the king of the world.” In a text filled with irony, Matthew portrays the baby Jesus, innocent and dependent upon his mother Mary, as the one and true “king of the world.” Three ideas contained in these two verses are important for each of us to consider today. First, the magi respond with joy to meeting Jesus. One New Testament scholar translated the end of verse ten in this manner, “they rejoiced with a great joy exceedingly.” (Donald A Hagner, Matthew 1-13, World Biblical Commentary: 33A, page 30) Second, the magi worshipped. The actions of the magi remind us that the proper response to this baby born in a manager is to kneel and to worship. Third, the magi presented Jesus gifts fit for a king. Later tradition will assign a symbolic purpose or reason for the use of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew intends the reader to understand that this baby is greater than the magi and all other kings of the world. Many Old Testament references, among them Psalm 72:10-11 and Isaiah 60:1-6, indicate that this newborn king is the king of all the world. Worship and tribute will be paid to him by all nations and people. Prayer: Lord, may we respond to your birth, as the magi did so long ago, with joy worship, and the gift of our lives. Amen. Rev. Dale Brown, Pastor Union UMC: Dover District 2
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – A Safe Passage 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.The Escape to Egypt13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” - Matthew 2:12-15, New Living Translation In both of these encounters God and his angels spoke directly to his people guiding them to safe passage home. Throughout our day God and his angels offer guidance to us for our very own safe passage home to God. Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your continued guidance, even when I have difficulty listening. I ask that you continue to walk beside me and guide me safely home to you. Amen Mary Sheppard Thursday, December 15, 2011 – God’s Light “4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” – Galatians 4:4-5, New Living Translation Each day as human’s we walk a path weeded and overgrown by rules, laws and expectations. Sometimes our own, sometimes imposed upon us by other people. When we live our life trapped by these rules, expectations and laws we can at times lose sight of our light and love. God sent us his son to remind us how to be free and to be an example of how to live our light and recognize God as the giver of our light. Prayer: Amazing God, thank you for my light and the ability to love. I ask for continued guidance on my path so that I may always let my light shine as you would have me do. Amen. Mary Sheppard
3
Friday, December 16, 2011 – This is a Gift? "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use. . . . ." – Ephesians 2:8-9 What? You mean I have to do something, be at someone else's beck and call? Can't I just be a brand spanking new, beautiful specimen of a man or woman without giving up my independence? Can't I do what I want to do? What kind of a gift is salvation if I can't choose how to achieve it or use it? God doesn't want just part of us, He wants all of us. By surrendering all, His grace can change us from the inside out and make us into what He intended us to be--His image bearer. We won't be wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons, but we will be wrapped in God's love and grace and adorned with a rainbow that stretches from here to eternity. Only then will be truly be able to say, " Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me." Prayer: Dear Father, as we look toward Christmas, may we surrender all to you and realize that Christmas is not about tinsel and bows and gifts and food, but a celebration of your gift to us--your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Saturday, December 17, 2011 – Are you a blanket or a quilt?
Faye Everett Easton District Associate Lay Leader
7Beloved,(A)
let us love one another, for love is from God, and(B) whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8(C) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because(D) God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that(E) God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love,(F) not that we have loved God(G) but that he loved us and sent his Son to be(H) the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12(I) No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and(J) his love is perfected in us. 13(K) By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And(L) we have seen and testify that(M) the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of(N) the world. 15(O) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16So(P) we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.(Q) God is love, and(R) whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. – I John 4:7-16
We recently celebrated quilt Sunday in our church and a certain concept really struck me. What is the difference between a blanket and a quilt? A blanket can be beautiful, can be many colors, can be very warm and functional; but it is one piece. A quilt, on the other hand, is made of many pieces, lovingly cut from different fabrics. The fabrics may be old, from pieces of clothing that have sentimental value. The fabrics may be new, chosen because of color or pattern. The fabric may be something that is too small to be used for something else. Wherever they come from, the pieces of fabric are cut into smaller pieces and then laid out to form a new design. The pieces are lovingly joined together to create a completely new entity. God is the one who takes all the little pieces of our life and stitches them back together with His love, if we allow Him to do so. Because we are so close to our own lives, we cannot always see God's handiwork. But if we step back and look at the whole quilt, we are amazed at what God has done. God's stitches are love and can make the most imperfect and broken pieces into a work of art. God's love can change us from a blanket into a quilt if we are willing to let him cut up the pieces, cut out the bad parts, and then stitch them together into a whole new creation. Isn't that salvation? Isn't it giving God all the pieces and letting Him make us into a new person that just radiates and glows with His love? Prayer: Dear Father, I pray that we all radiate your love in a world that still walks in darkness. Amen 4
Faye Everett Easton District Associate Lay Leader
