Advent Devotional 2023- Embracing Hospitality 2023
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2023
Embracing Hospitality
Welcome to Our World
SCHEDULE
OF READINGS:
12/3- First Sunday- John 1:1-5, 10-14-Gen. 1:31 GOD-
MADE A HOSPITABLE WORLD
12/4- Mt. 1:1,2- Genesis 18:1-10, 13-14 ABRAHAM, The
Father of our Faith, Welcomed God
12/5- Mt. 1:5- RUTH 1:16,17; 2;8,9; Ruth and Boaz-
Remembering Those who help others
12/6- Mt. 1:6- Psalm 78:70-72; DAVID God lifts up the
Humble
12/7- Mt. 1:8-11- 2 Chronicles 20:9, 15 JEHOSHOPHAT,
Hezekiah, Josiah- Trusting God in our Calling
12/8- Mt. 1:16- 21,24- JOSEPH- Welcoming and Adopting
Jesus
12/9- Luke 1:24-25, 39-45- ELIZABETH- The Favor of God
Coming to Us (Lk. 1:43)
12/10- Second Sunday- Luke 1:21, 59-66 The PEOPLE
around Zechariah
12/11- Luke 1:12-22, 62-64 ZECHARIAH- Hospitality as Believing the Impossible
Can Happen
12/12- John 1:27-30; 3:30 JOHN THE BAPTIST- He Must
Increase, I Must Decrease- Humility and Hospitality
12/13- Luke 2:1-3 CAESAR Augustus- An Uncaring Fiat
Used to Bring Care to the Right Spot
12/14- Luke 2:7- The INNKEEPER- No Room- But we Have a
Stable
12/15- Luke 2:9-13 The ANGELS- The Hospitality of
Telling the Good News
12/16- Luke 2:8, 15-20 THE SHEPHERDS Welcome the Lamb
12/17- Third Sunday- Luke 1:30-37, 46-50 MARY-
Hospitality in the Womb- Welcoming the Baby
12/18 Luke 2:36-40- ANNA Waits and Welcomes with
Thanksgiving
12/19- Luke 2:25-35 SIMEON- The Old welcomes the Baby
and Sees God at Work for the Future
12/20- Matthew 2:3,7,12 HEROD- The Unwelcoming
12/21- Mt. 2:1-3. 9-12 THE MAGI- Going Out of their
Way to Welcome and Worship
12/22- Mt. 2:3-6- Sometimes RELIGIOUS LEADERS do not
lead
12/23- John 1:10-12
HE CAME TO HIS OWN AND HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVE HIM
12/24- Fourth Sunday- John 3:16-19 PEOPLE LOVED
DARKNESS- But Let’s Love Light!
12/25- Luke 2- CHOOSING HOSPITALITY- The Contrast of
Welcoming and Ignoring
INTRODUCTION:
Christmas, Nativity and Advent plays have been around
since the beginning but were made especially popular in the Middle Ages. The characters of these plays are endearing
because of that. While there are many
stories of people today experiencing anew the Christ behind the stories, there
is a certain mysterious attraction and power in the biblical story and
characters itself. I write this in the
midst of a war going on in the land where Christ was born that kept a group of
us from pilgrimaging there this year. How do these old characters help us
today? Certainly the Romans had their
own attacks against the Jewish people and the Jewish zealots (including the
secarii who sought to expel the Romans by assassination) brought on more brutal
tactics by the Romans. Herod’s killing
all babies under two in fear of a threat to his throne is an example of the
brutality and terrorism surrounding the time of Christ’s birth and childhood. When we read of the kidnapping of infants, the
massacre of civilians, the shooting of teens in our own town- we cannot remove
ourselves morally from what happened 2,000 years ago as if we are morally
superior now. The need for the Prince of
Peace to come into our hearts, and for us to spread His peace to those around
us is still so very great.
I grew up at Eastminster and have wonderful memories
around Christmas in Church. I remember
the Christmas Eve we had flurries in 1989 and again 1998. I remember being an
angel in the nativity scene- as we cherubs elbowed each other on top of the
roof. The characters of Christmas still
speak of our need to welcome the Christ and to spread the news as the angels
and shepherds did (even in a brutal time).
Hospitality is one of the most important parts of
outreach and mission. If we did not care
for others- we would not reach out to them.
If we only focused on ourselves and on our own comfort, we might
temporarily be more comfortable, but we would slowly shrink until we died
out. The only way to survive is to
continually strive forward- reaching out with the good news. Hospitality means caring beyond
ourselves.
This is not a scholarly devotion, but one that takes
the scripture in its plain sense, trusting the witness of the Gospel is true
and powerful. While the whole family
should be able to get something out of this- and it is written so families may
use it for an advent devotion, hopefully there are some thought provoking
reminders found in these special characters.
Advent means coming, and the theme of advent is
waiting. While it is a bit artificial to
wait again on the Christ who has come, it is also true that we should remember,
re-live, and re-open our hearts to the coming Christ. To not remember these stories is to forget
who we are. But to find ourselves a bit
in these characters helps us to find our identity and hopefully the One who
both made us and came down to rescue us.
God, who made the world
hospitable, came down out of hospitality.
Some received Him, but many did not.
His hospitality is a reminder to us all to be hospitable to others. In the face of the mean-ness of other human
beings and in the face of those who do not respect other human beings and their
lives, we remember that God is faithful in every generation.
Pastor Ben
Rev. Dr. J. Ben Sloan
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT- 12/3/2023- GOD MADE A
HOSPITABLE WORLD
John 1:1-5, 10-14; Gen. 1:31 Activity-
Light the First Candle on the Advent Wreathe.
THOUGHTS: The first character of Christmas is
God. God is the first Actor on the stage
who even made the stage. “In the
beginning was the Word [Jesus] and the Word [Jesus] was with God and the Word
[Jesus] was God…through Him all things were made…in Him was life and that life
was the light of all people. The light
shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Here we see Jesus as part of the Trinity,
making the world- giving it life and light- but even as He did this some
[darkness] did not accept this/understand this/welcome this.
God made a world where we can
live. Hospitality is rooted and began in
the person and love of God. Hospitality
is not just a recent fad or a cultural trend.
God made everything we need to survive- gravity, sun/heat, water,
habitable temperature (compare Mars or Mercury), our stomachs and then food to
fill them. He made our eyes to take in
all the beauty all around, and to see others.
He made our ears to hear the birds, music, and the cry of others for
help. Genesis 1 tells us over and over “and it was good” (1:25). The plurality of the godhead- the “Let us” of
Genesis 1:26 and the “Word” [Jesus] there in the beginning- point to
hospitality- the ability to get along- to abide together with another. There was no argument, no debate only “let us
do this.” In the beginning everything
was copacetic- fit together- using the fire and water of stuff to make a world
designed to welcome the creatures and humans God has created.
My young granddaughter has to have
everything just right before she can move ahead. To ride in a car, she needs comfort, maybe
something beside her to drink, the seat belt buckled first. She says, “Dotchy, I have to be
‘situated.’” God made everything
“situated.” Genesis tells us God placed
human beings in a “garden” where their needs are met- and asked us to be
stewards of it. We are made to enjoy the
great creation God has given and to care for it.
When did Hospitality Start? Is the Same question- When Did God start
loving us. Advent and Christmas are a
remembering that “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten
Son.” He created the world, and then He
came into it. Both of these are acts of
hospitality. Hospitality is simply
welcoming, accepting, loving others.
Hospitality does not depend on our being perfect, but depends upon our
having grace. Jesus said at one point
that He came to save sinners (Luke 5:31-32; 1 Tim. 1:15). That is good news because none of us are
perfect- all sin and fall short of the glory of God. When we welcome people into our homes at
Christmas- or when we go to someone else’s home- we go despite our differences
theologically, politically, morally, philosophically. Christian hospitality extends to all- just as
Christ came to all who would receive Him (Jn. 1:12). It is possible to deny hospitality. It is possible to not be hospitable. But our call is to show the love of Christ to
others.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the world you made that
allows me to live. Thank you that you
loved this world (and me) and invite me to love others. Give me grace to pass the hospitality you
show me to others.
Quote from Open Heart Open Home: “Perichoresis Koinonia” [literally dancing
around fellowship in Greek] is a description of the Trinity stepping together
in endless harmony. It is the Holy!
Holy! Holy! In step with each other, within a circle of no beginning and no
ending. Hospitality is inviting those standing outside the dance to come join
in.
Application:
Make general and concrete plans to invite others to join you over advent or
Christmas.
12/3/23 ABRAHAM
Read Genesis 18:1-10; Matthew 1:1-2
The book of the genealogy of Jesus
Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begot
Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. (Mt. 1:1,2)
Thoughts: Jesus Christ has a
genealogy (family) because he was not a made up character but an historical
person who walked this earth and breathed our air. The Gospels begin with a family tree of Jesus
to remind us that he was truly a human being.
Matthew does not begin with Adam, but with Abraham, the father of faith
and specifically calls Jesus “The Son of David” which is a kingly title.
Abraham had his nephew, Lot,
captured and he gathered a small group and attacked his nephew’s attackers and
rescued them miraculously. David
similarly had his family captured by raiders and he chased the raiders down and
rescued his family. Both cared for their
family and protected them- which is a basic of hospitality.
Jesus, despite calls for him to do
otherwise, did not claim kingship until the week before his death- and he
claimed a kingdom not of this world. He
did not encourage armed rebellion or terrorism against the Romans. Instead, Jesus encouraged trust in God even
in the face of the cross and injustice.
The non-violence of Jesus stands in sharp contrast to the rebellion
against the Romans in AD 70 which led to the destruction of the Temple. Christmas is in some ways about family.
Jesus’ family stuck together- Joseph, Mary, and him through it all- through no
room at the inn, to being refugees in Egypt- to moving back to Nazareth. Even on the cross he asked John to take care
of his mother. This Christmas think of
touching base in love for your family- even if they are estranged. Christ extended the family saying “Whoever
does the will of God is my brother, and sister and mother” (Mk: 3:35).
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you walked here among us. Thank you that you put us in families and our
church family at Eastminster. Help me to
be a good family member.
Sing: “What Child is this who laid
to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping, whom angels greet with anthems sweet while
shepherds watch are keeping? This, this
is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring
him laude the babe, the child of Mary.”
(P 145 Glory to God)
Application: Send a card, note,
email, or text to some relative (maybe a cousin?) you haven’t touched base with
for awhile- (inspired by Christ’s love for family).
Father Abraham
Hortas Dekucuarum
Wikipedia Commons
Hrrad Von Landsberg
CC BY SA -30
Quote from Open Heart, Open Home: “Hospitality
like charity, in order to be true, has to begin at home…Did all this
[hospitality] count if I acted like a hellion the hour before company arrived?”
**************************************************************************
EXTRA FOR ADULTS:
EXTRA BIBLICAL SOURCES FOR THE EXISTENCE OF JESUS
Cornelius Tacitus a Roman pagan historian (A.D. 55-120) writes in “The Annals”
Nothing could relieve Nero of the infamy of being believed to have ordered the
conflagration, the fire of Rome. Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely
charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the
persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name was put to
death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the
pernicious superstition, repressed for a time,
broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated,
but through the city of Rome also. (Annals XV, 44)
Lucian of Samasata was a Greek
satirist who wrote, “The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day—the
distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on
that account.” (The Death of Peregrine, 11-13 2nd century)
Suetonius another Roman historian
under Hadrian wrote, “As the Jews were making constant disturbances a the
instigation of Chrestus, he [Claudius] expelled them from Rome.” This refers to the event of 49 AD recorded in
Acts 18:2.
Pliny the Younger wrote about 112-
“The Christians affirmed, however that the whole of their guilt, or their
error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day
before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as god,
and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to do any wicked deeds, but never to
commit any fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a
trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.” (Epistles X,96)
Jewish Historians: The Babylonian
Talmud refers to Jesus (Yeshu) as being hanged on the eve of Passover
(Sanhedrin 43a). Josephus was a contemporary of Jesus in Judea (b. 37 d 100) in
his Antiquities “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man…for he was a
doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with
pleasure. He drew over to him both many
of the Jews and Gentiles…and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principled
men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first
did not forsake him… and the tribe of Christians so named from him are not
extinct at this day. (Antiquities XVIII,33).
As one person put it, between the
eyewitness accounts in the Bible, the millions who credit his existence passed
on from generation to generation, and the extra biblical accounts, there is
more evidence for the existence of Jesus than any other person of his time or
perhaps of history.
12/5- Mt. 1:5- Rahab, Ruth and Boaz
5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz
begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, (Mt. 1:5)
“Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay; your people will be my
people; your God my God.”1:16
Thoughts:
Boaz was an ancestor of Jesus. His
mother, Rahab, was a sinful woman of Jericho, who turned her life around by
coming to God. Boaz was a wise and rich
business man who had pity on this outsider (Ruth) who was so poor she could
hardly eat. It is a love story of how
God uses all of us- rich, poor, sinner, saint to accomplish His will. The law said that we should leave food for
the poor (voluntarily) so they could glean from the fields. Boaz showed that hospitality to the poor and
had mercy on Ruth who needed such hospitality and love. Boaz saw through to her heart of loyalty and
faith. Jesus would not have been who he
was without Rahab and Ruth. But He also
would not be who He was without the grace and acceptance of Boaz who no doubt
learned such grace and acceptance from his mother who could have been an
outcast but ended up a heroine.
One of my early favorite memories was
when Eastminster families signed up to host a child from Thornwell Home for
Children at their house for Thanksgiving.
We did so for about five years.
It was a wonderful gift for me as a child as much as it was for the
children who came.
Application:
This Christmas, think of those you know who have failed or done bad
things. Purposefully do something kind
for them in the name of Rahab and Boaz the ancestors of Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you care about all of us.
Thank you that there is room in your family and heart for all kinds of
people. Help us to come to you for
forgiveness and grace.
Sing “What
wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to ear the
dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my
soul.” (P. 215 Glory to God)
Ruth in Boaz’s field 1828
Julius Scnorr Von Carolsfeld
Quote from OHOH [Open Heart, Open Home]
“In this inhospitable world a Christian home is a miracle to be shared. There
isn’t one of us who can’t say, ‘Come in. Why don’t you come in?’”
12/6-
Mt. 1:6- David (Also Psalm 78:70-72)
6 and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon
by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
Thoughts: Jesus has in his family
line “David the king.” All those other
names in this passage after David were also kings. But David is called “the” king because of his
great example of goodness and grace. He
was a shepherd boy- lifted up by the Great Shepherd to shepherd the people of
God (Ps. 78:70-72). God indeed lifts up
the humble. David, after his throne was
secure, asked, “Is there anyone from Saul’s family I can show kindness
to?” Saul had tried to kill him. But David sought to turn the other cheek and
be hospitable.
He was not perfect, as illustrated in
this passage. The Bible does not hold
out people as perfect. In fact, some
struggle with how God could use a sinner like David- but truth is, we all are
sinners. David was a great king, but he
was not that great a family man. His own
son, Absolom rebelled against him. He was not as loving to his wives as he
should have been. He was forced out of
the capital and out of his palace. Yet
God used David, and David won the day. .
God uses us. Jesus is purposefully linked to David and is called “The
Prince of Peace.” We are called to be instruments of His peace, showing
hospitality.
Application: How can Jesus give you
more peace? How can you bring more peace
to others? Write a Christmas card
tonight or tomorrow to someone you know who is struggling.
Prayer:
Prince of Peace, may I walk in your ways and bring honor to you.
Song:
Once in Royal David’s City stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her
baby in a manger for his bed; Mary was that mother mild; Jesus Christ her
little child.
Quote
OHOH- “Before I fall asleep I sometimes pray for each house on the street…that
the inhabitants will begin to search for happiness and hunger after
righteousness.”
12/7
Mt. 1:8-11- Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah
8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram
begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and
Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot
Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his
brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
Thoughts: Three really good kings are found in this
list of kings. Jehoshaphat who always
looked to God before he did anything; He conquered a huge army just by leaving
Jerusalem in praise to God. Hezekiah conquered
the mighty Assyrians in an amazing miracle and re-instated the Passover. Josiah also reinstated the Passover and
cleaned the Temple, finding a hidden copy of the Law (probably Deuteronomy)
there. These three kings all trusted
God. In contrast to them are Ahaz who
brought an altar from Syria into the Temple and then locked the doors of the
Temple and Manasseh who sacrificed his own child in worship of pagan gods (both
in the name of tolerance of religion). Ahaz’s shutting worship was most inhospitable. Manasseh’s killing of his son was drastic
inhospitality and murder. Both Ahaz and
Manasseh hurt the people economically, socially, religiously, and politically-
the borders shrunk under their leadership, and Manasseh was actually captured
and taken into exile. It matters that
leaders are not ashamed to trust God and inspire the people to trust Him
too. Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah
invited those who believed outside their borders to come join them in worship
(especially the Passover). Like anyone’s
genealogy, Jesus’ genealogy has good and bad in it. We can learn from those who have gone before
us. Psalm 33 says, “Blessed is the
nation whose God is the Lord.” Today, I
hope, we can see this is true. God
protects us when we look to Him. When we
forsake Him- morally and spiritually- then we lose His protection (as happened
with Ahaz and Manasseh).
Prayer:
Lord, may I learn from the good kings to fear you in how I treat others and am
over others.
Song:
“O Worship the King all glorious above!
All greatfully sing his power and his love; our shield and defender the
ancient of days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
Activity:
Send an email to a politician you admire and thank them and say a prayer for
them.
Quote OHOH: For the
Christian, there is no caste, no race, no sex discrimination. We must minister to all…What would happen if
each church adopted a hurting child by sponsoring a foster family?
12/8-
Mt. 1:16- 21,24- Joseph
16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus who is called Christ. 21She will
give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,f because he will save his people from their
sins.” 22All this
took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The
virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”g (which means “God with us”).
24 Then
Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him
and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had
brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Thoughts: Joseph was a man full of
integrity and grace. He was kind and
faithful to Mary though he was not sure (until an angel spoke to him in a
dream) that Mary was faithful to him. God’s
plan was to infiltrate the world in a covert fashion- in a non-flashy way. He did not parade into town. Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth entered
into a small town as a nobody. But it
was His love that changed the world.
Jesus came to save His people from their worst enemy. The worst enemy is not poverty. The worst enemy is not terrorism. The worst enemy is sin and death which are
related. When Jesus came to save us from
our sins, He also saves us from our spiritual death- the consequence of
sin. Jesus is the solution to the
ultimate enemies of life and peace for He is the Prince of Peace.
Joseph adopted Jesus as his
own. He sacrificed his reputation, his
possessions, and all for Him. Such
adoption or fostering is a strong image of hospitality. For men, Joseph is a tremendous model of
hospitality and kindness to his wife and children.
Prayer: In tough times and good times,
help me to be a person of integrity- doing your will and the right thing.
Activity: Do something for the children of
Thornwell Home who may have lost or cannot be with their earthly father. At the least say a prayer for them.
Song: “To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel
came. Fear not the angel told her, I
come to bring good news; good news I come to tell you, good news I say, good
news.”
(#98 in Glory to God)
Quote from OHOH: Teresa of India, the Saint of the
Sidewalks, works among the displaced in society, caring for the leprous, the
orphaned, serving unto Christ. She said, “Our work is for people who have
forgotten how to smile, forgotten the human touch, and have a greater hunger
for these than for a plate of rice Such
hunger is even greater in the West than in India.” This is the radical hospitality of the
church.
12/9- Luke 1:24-25, 39-45- Elizabeth
24After this his
wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said.
“In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the
people.” 39At
that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and
greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the
baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of
my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached
my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord
would fulfill his promises to her!”
Thoughts: Elizabeth and Zechariah were old enough to
remember when Judah was free and independent under the Maccabees. Zechariah, her husband, was a priest who had
the important job of keeping the incense maintained and lit. Twenty years before the priests held special
honor and had a real say in the governing of the land. But all that was taken away when the Romans
came to help- but then turned their help into taking over the land. Yet, Elizabeth never forgot the promises of
God, and had hope that Mary’s baby would be the Messiah that would rescue the
people somehow. It is important, in the
face of fear, to always believe in the promises of God. The things we have can
be stripped away, our titles and our money can disappear, but our focus is
never on what we lose, but on the One who will always be with us- Immanuel- God
with us- Jesus. Elizabeth welcomed Mary,
and her baby (John) lept in the presence of the baby Jesus. The picture shows Elizabeth welcoming her
cousin with open arms- though some doubtless accused her of having a baby
before marriage (a horrible offense in that day). This was such an encouragement to Mary that it
is recorded forever. People need the hospitality of
encouragement.
Prayer: May your presence cause me to leap for hope
and joy as John did in your presence, Lord.
Activity: Think of someone who is older who needs some
cheering up by a child. Make a card for
someone who is older to cheer them.
Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive
Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice!
Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to
thee O Israel!
(p. 88- Glory to God. )
Quote from OHOH: “Fill our home, Lord, with
yourself. Let us give to those who come,
you.”
12/10-
Luke 1:21,22, 59-66
The people around Zechariah
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and
wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized
he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but
remained unable to speak. 59On the
eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him
after his father Zechariah, 60but his
mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61They said
to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62Then they
made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked
for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is
John.” 64Immediately
his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising
God. 65All the
neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people
were talking about all these things. 66Everyone
who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to
be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
Thoughts: What were the people thinking who observed Zechariah? God was beginning to try to stir the people
up. They at first realized Zechariah had
seen a vision when he exited the Temple mute.
This, in itself was a hopeful sign, for visions and prophecies were
scarce. God was showing them He was
still at work despite the oppression and terror of the Romans and Herod. When Zechariah began to speak the minute he
wrote “His name is John” everyone knew there was something special going on and
something special going on with the child.
God is not silent. He speaks
through His Word and Spirit. The first
way God spoke to the people was through a muted priest. Today He still speaks in surprising ways to
tell us He is around and we should not forsake Him.
Part of hospitality is being around
other people so they can see God at work through you. We are not called to live in a holy huddle or
a Christian ghetto. We are called to be
salt and light to the world. Part of
that is just being around others and living out our faith and hospitality.
Prayer:
Lord, speak to us anew and wake us up to your presence.
Activity:
Think of the people you may know who do not take part in church regularly. Today say a prayer for them, and seek to
invite someone to Christmas Eve worship.
Song: Let
all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing
earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand… Christ our God to earth
descendeth, our full homage to demand.
(#347 Glory to God)
Quote
from OHOH [Open Heart, Open Home]: “I have come to learn how important it is to
sit in silence before my Maker. The time
for words and pleas and explanations is over.
We do not look for bright lights or sensations or experiences but for
Him. ‘Come Lord Jesus, Be our Guest’ is
no longer the prattled singsong of the children at the table, but the deep cry
of my heart. At night, lying on the pillow, I would invite Him to inhabit our
home, to fill every room with His love.
‘Fill our home, Lord with yourself. Let us give to those who come to
you.’”
12/11- Luke
1:12-22, 62-64 Zechariah
12When
Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the
angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.14He will
be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he
will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other
fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is
born. 16He will
bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he
will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the
hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of
the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18Zechariah
asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is
well along in years.”
19The angel
said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been
sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now
you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because
you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21Meanwhile,
the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in
the temple.22When he
came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the
temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
…62Then they made signs to his father, to find
out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment
he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free,
and he began to speak, praising God.
Thoughts: Zechariah, the priest, was a godly
man in the midst of legalism on the one hand and hedonism on the other. But he was a godly man who did not believe in
the power and ability of God. It is the
skeptics and non-believers who only believe in a philosophy and system and do
not account for God’s ability to change things and change people. Even when face to face with an angel,
Zechariah still doubted. We should learn
to believe that nothing is impossible with God- not even an old man and his
wife having a baby.
Prayer: Lord, in you all things are
possible. Help me to believe and act on
that belief.
Activity: If you know someone who doubts God, pray for
them today. As Zechariah needed to have
faith and hope so do they.
Song: Watchman Tell us of the night, what its signs of
promise are. Traveler, what a wondrous
sight: see the glory beaming star.
Watchman does its beauteous ray news of joy or hope foretell? Traveler, yes; it brings the day, promised
day of Israel. (Right Zechariah and
the Angel- W. Blake)
Quote from OHOH: “The Spirit is not bound by the usual. Nor is God static.”
12/12-
John 1:27, 29,30; 3:30 John the Baptist
He
is the One who comes after me [said John], the thongs of whose sandals I am not
worthy to untie. The next day John saw
Jesus coming roward him and said, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
of the world. This is the one I meant
when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before
me…He must become increase and I must decrease.”
Thoughts:
John the Baptist was called by Jesus “the greatest born among women.” He was considered a prophet in the power and
office of Elijah. John did an amazing
job. He humbled himself- saying “He [Jesus] must increase while I must
decrease.” This is great advice for all
of us. The word “John” means “God is
gracious” and He was. John did not
shrink back from challenging even the soldiers who were oppressing the people
to not be over-demanding just because they could. He also did not hesitate to rebuke Herod the
King- even at cost to his life. He was
not about to play it safe or be politically correct so as not to offend the
powers that be. John was the one who
pointed to Jesus- “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
(Jn. 1:29).” We too can point to
Jesus. John was the one who prepared the
way for Jesus’ coming. He teaches us to
be prepared to experience Christ by turning away from evil and turning toward
God. John welcomed Jesus into his
ministry and had no ego to uphold. He was able to be hospitable to the One with
greater gifts because his main concern was the glory of God.
Prayer:
Lord, may I point to you the author and perfector of my faith.
|
Activity: Prepare today to have a holy Christmas. What do you need to do to make your
Christmas more holy? Can you get
your children a religious gift as well as a regular gift? Could you teach your children generosity
by getting a gift for a Thornwell child?
Song: Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary; pure and holy;
tried and true; With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. Quote from OHOH: “Truly they shine forth Christ as they
give the simplest gifts of tender compassion to those in the greatest of
need.” |
12/13-
Luke 2:1-4 Caesar Augustus
1In those days
Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire
Roman world. 2(This was
the first census that took place whilea Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And
everyone went to their own town to register.
4So Joseph
also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the
town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Thoughts:
Caesar Augustus perhaps was one of the most powerful and wealthy men in the
history of the world. He instigated the
Pax Romana- a time of relative peace for most of the Mediterranean world. He
made a decree that everyone should be counted in order to procure his
taxes. Such a census also showed the
world that the government was in control.
Yet such control was an illusion.
God used Caesar’s desire to control the world to control where His Son
would be born- not in Nazareth but in the prophesied Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-
prophesied 300 years before). The
mightiest king of history played a role in the birthplace of the King of kings.
Terrorism and war interrupt the illusion of our peace, distraction, and
control. Yet, God is in control despite
the illusion of the terrorist’s chaos.
His purposes and plans will be achieved.
Think of how to be caring to your leaders for they are people who need
God as well.
Prayer:
Sovereign God, King of kings. May my
heart be yours. I trust in you and your
plan for life.
|
Activity: It is important to teach our children and
ourselves to pray for those in authority over us. Take time to send a Christmas card to a
politician, thanking them for their public service and telling them you
have prayed for them. Song: (to tune of “I Love to Tell the Story”) All rulers bow before you, and gold and incense
bring. All nations shall adore you,
your praise all people sing. To you shall prayer unceasing and daily vows
ascend. Your rule is still increasing; your rule is without end. Quote from OHOH: Catherine Zell of Strasburg (a
preacher’s wife) opened her home to refugees and singlehandedly provided
relief for thousands [despite their denomination/beliefs]. |
12/10- Luke 2:6, 7- The Innkeeper- “No Room…But we
have a Stable”
6While they
were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
guest room available for them.
Thoughts: There have been
debates about whether the innkeeper in Bethlehem was a terrible person- kicking
a pregnant woman out of the inn, or a merciful person finding a barn for her in
crowded circumstances. This passage does
not judge, and we would do well to not judge either. Yet, we can learn to be merciful to the
homeless, the stranger, the lost- for we may be entertaining angels
unawares. Hospitality should be a part
of who we are. In tough times- like
floods or terrorism it is even more important.
That shopkeepers opened their shops to strangers escaping the dust of
falling buildings on 911 in New York makes them heroes. That an innkeeper would open his door- even a
barn door- to a pregnant woman on a crowded night- makes him also a type of
hero.
Prayer: Help me to be
hospitable as you have been hospitable to me.
There is room in my heart for you, and help me to open my life to
others.
Activity: Who is left out this Christmas? Do something for the homeless or young
mothers today or tomorrow.
Song: O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie? Above thy deep and
dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met
in thee tonight.
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us
today! We hear the Christmas angels- the great glad tidings tell; O come to us,
abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
Quote from OHOH: “How often, with a minimal supply and
increasing demand, I can testify to His creating enough for all from fishes and
loaves.”
12/15-
Luke 2:9-13 The Angels
9An angel
of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were terrified.10But the
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all the people. 11Today in
the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will
be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger.”13Suddenly
a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and
saying,”Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those on whom his
favor rests.”
Thoughts:
Christmas without angels would be hard to imagine. But we restrain angels to the memory of
Christmas instead of the mysterious reality of today’s Christmas. The term “angel” means “messenger.” These powerful messengers woke the shepherds
up from their status quo. The sheperds’ response was to also be messengers by
going and telling everyone they met about Jesus’ birth and what they saw. We can be messengers of the good news as we
share the hope we have in Jesus with others.
People need their fear shattered by those who bring good news- “Do not
be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy for everyone.”
Often today we talk about someone as “an angel” who is kind, goes the extra
mile, or helps someone in need. This
idea of hospitality should not be separated from the idea of sharing good news. The good news of Christ gives us hope, lifts
our spirits, tells us we are not forgotten or alone.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a good messenger of your great news.
Activity:
Angels were messengers of good news. How
can you encourage someone today?
Compliment and encourage someone to build them up.
Song:
Hark the Herald Angels sing, glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and
sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye
nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! The Herald Angels sing- glory to the newborn
king!
Quote
from OHOH: “It really doesn’t matter how big your rooms are. Somehow Christ expands the walls or
compresses the people.”
12/16-
Luke 2:8, 15-20 The Shepherds
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. 15When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.” 16So they
hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. 17When they
had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about
this child, 18and all
who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary
treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had
heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Thoughts:
The shepherds were oblivious to Rome. They were not oppressed by the soldiers
in the city. They could see Herod’s
fortress in the distance from the fields of Bethlehem. But, they were just ordinary folk trying to
live out their lives. Yet the shepherds
were nervous and afraid. They had little
hope for anything good- but the angel
said they had good news for all people- even shepherds. Today, the hope of Christ calms the fears of
all- rich and poor and those closest to tragedy and those far away. The shepherds went to investigate Jesus. We should too, leaving our busy-ness
behind.
Shepherds would be equivalent to the
working homeless, or to those who work all the time for a small place. Most lived with their sheep in the fields, in
the pens, or in caves. Shepherds were always on call- always on guard – a bit like
first responders today. But God brought
the good news to them first.
Prayer:
Lord, shatter my busy-ness, my fears, my expectations of the status quo. Come to us and abide with us O Lord Emmanuel.
Activity:
Today remember those who have to work a lot (like the shepherds) to make their
living- even the farmers, the fire fighters, police and law officers, the army
soldiers far away. Make a card for
someone you know or for the local fire station thanking them for all they
do.
Song: There’s a star in the east on Christmas
morn. Rise up shepherd and follow. It will lead to the place where Christ was
born. Rise up shepherd and follow. Follow, follow, rise up shepherd and
follow. Follow the start of Bethlehem,
Rise up shepherd and follow.
If you take good heed of the angel’s words, rise up
shepherd and follow, you’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds, rise
up shepherd and follow. Follow, follow;
rise up shepherd and follow; Follow the star of Bethlehem, rise up shepherd and
follow.
Quote from OHOH: “Some of my economic limits are
self-imposed. If my Christian friend is outclassed by what I offer- made to
feel he can never return the favor- then limitations ought to be self-imposed.
If we find ourselves comparing something is wrong. We are in danger of covetousness.”
12/17- Third Sunday- Luke 1:29-37, 46-50
Mary “Welcoming the Baby”
Mary was troubled at these words
and wondered what kind of greeting this was. So the angel told her, “Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31Behold, you will conceive and give
birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called
the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father
David, 33and He will reign over the house of
Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” 34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a
virgin?” 35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be bornd will be called the Son of
God. 36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has
conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth
month. 37For nothing is
impossible with God. 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen
to me according to your word.”
46Then Mary said:“My soul magnifies the
Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior! 48For He has looked with favor on the
humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. 49For the Mighty One has done great
things for me. Holy is His name. 50His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation
to generation.
Thoughts: These were indeed troubling words. Mary would be accused of adultery. What would
her parents, friends, the priest think? Joseph
may think of “putting her away” quietly or otherwise. How could she support such a baby? She could
have doubted as Zechariah did, for this was not business as usual. Instead, Mary listened. Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant- may it
be to me as you have said.” Mary
actually praised God that He had chosen her, a humble one to bear the
Messiah. She welcomed this baby out of
faith that God would make it work.
Mary welcomed Christ into her
life. We should too. This was the ultimate form of hospitality to
God. Any child is hard to have, but to bear the weight of the Messiah is a
tremendous joy and burden. “O come to
us, abide with us- Our Lord Emmanuel!”
Prayer: Lord, help me to live with the mystery and uniqueness of your birth. Help me to have room in my life for you.
Activity: Show the most innocent person you know love and
kindness today. Text or email them a
happy message.
Song: The virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin baby had a
baby boy; the virgin baby had a baby boy, and the name of the boy is Jesus.
He come from the glory; he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the
glorious kingdom. O yes believer! O yes believer! He come from the glory, He
come from the glorious kingdom!
Quote
from OHOH: “When one bends the head and in childlike simplicity asks Jesus to
“come into my heart”… then each uncertain step becomes worth it all.”
12/18
Luke 2:36-40- Waiting Anna
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Penuel,
of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven
years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.e She never left
the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to
God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption
of Jerusalem.
Thoughts: Why did Anna live in the Temple? Anna wanted to be close to worship and close
to the Lord. She was known for her
godliness and waiting on the Lord. She
recognized the special person of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Anna lived a sheltered life- away from the terrorism
of the Romans and the zealots. There are many who are really not physically affected by terrorism and they
have the opportunity to see God in peace and waiting.
Anna came up to them. She was not a
hermit- she was waiting for a chance to come up to God- up to greet the
Messiah. Anna, though old, took
initiative to get out of her comfort zone and go up to them, welcome and greet
them in Gods name. Sometimes- in fact
most times- hospitality takes effort.
But it pleases God to welcome others.
Prayer: Lord, in my peaceful moments, help me to see you the
Prince of Peace and recognize your presence.
Activity: How can you help someone have patience? Telling them to have patience doesn’t
work. Perhaps we can show them. If you can, visit an elderly person- maybe at
the Lowman Home or Presbyterian Home and just let them know you care.
Song: Jesus, Jesus, O what a wonderful child! Jesus, Jesus, so holy meek and mild. New life, new hope, the child will
bring. Listen to the angels sing! Glory, Glory Glory to the newborn king!”
(Glory to God #126)
Quote by
OHOH: “Many besides children need hiding places for short or longer periods of
time.”
12/19-
The Waiting Simeon Luke 2:25-35 “The Old Welcomes the Baby”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was
righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not
die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the
parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law
required,28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your
servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your
people Israel.” 33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was
said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This
child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be
a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a
sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Thoughts:
Jesus later said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Perhaps Simeon’s righteousness, devoutness,
and patience put him in a position to see God while he was alive. In our day, we are not called to panic, to
grumble, to give into temptation, but to wait on the Lord. In our day we want instant things- instant communication
(text, phone, emails), instant answers (look it up on Google). Simeon is an example of godly waiting and
patience in God. Instant trust, instant
hope, instant patience does not exist. Simeon also knew how to expand the
horizons. His concern was not just for
Jewish independence. He was concerned
for reaching the whole world- the Gentiles included. This means this older wise man foreknew that
the Romans would be conquered not by the sword but by the Good News of
God. The Hope of the world is not found
in politics, weapons, or money- but in the eternal hope of God.
Simeon took Jesus in his arms. This meant so much to the parents that this
has been told for centuries. The old
appreciated the new baby and the new change this baby would bring- a light for
the Gentiles. He was ready to die now
for he had seen God. To be able to hold
the Messiah, the promised one, means the dream had been fulfilled. In some sense, there is fulfillment that
happens when we are hospitable. For the
old to care for the next generation is a form of hospitality. Here Simeon was welcoming another baby for
dedication- which is important. But what
makes this special is he recognized this baby as special- the one he had been
waiting for- the fulfiller of dreams had come- the One who would break the
barrier with the Gentiles. So He
welcomed Him with hospitality- and sets us an example.
Prayer:
Lord, may I put my patient hope in you no matter what the world faces. Help me seek purity and patience over
worldliness and hurry.
Activity: Who do you know in your family or friends
who has a pure heart? Send them a note
by text, email, social media or a card.
Song: Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy
people free;
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Quote from OHOH: For years I prayed, “Father, if you
want me to take into our home one of these disadvantaged children, please bring
that child to me.”
12/20- Matthew 2:3,7,12 Herod the Unwelcoming
3When King
Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s
chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where …16When Herod realized that he had been
outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys
in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance
with the time he had learned from the Magi. the
Messiah was to be born. 7Then
Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star
had appeared. 8He 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.” 12And having been warned in a dream not to go
back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his
mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to
search for the child to kill him.”
Thoughts: Herod was
supposed to be the mediator between Rome and the Jewish people, but he was
always nervous of losing his throne. Herod
banished one wife, killed another and ordered a give son killed to keep his
throne. He ordered John the Baptist
beheaded upon a vow he made to his dancing daughter. While he built the Temple into one of the
brief wonders of the world he also built Pagan temples too. He professed the Jewish faith but he did not
live it nor did he value it. So Herod also tried to kill the child Jesus. He was less concerned for God as he was that
he keep his throne. In Revelation 12
Herod (and the Romans- the government) is depicted as a red dragon trying to
kill the child Jesus and the mother. We
should ask ourselves, do we only want God to help us establish our kingdom, or
do we live and give for His kingdom? Herod is the example of inhospitality. He faked hospitality to the Magi, but then
tried to kill all the babies under two years in Bethlehem to preserve his
throne.
Prayer: Lord, give me
grace to live for you and not for my own pride. Help me be hospitable.
Activity: Think of a
politician you do not agree with and you think is doing bad things. Send that person a card that wishes them a
Merry Christmas and offers up a prayer for them.
Song: Comfort comfort now
my people;
Tell of Peace! So says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim that my pardon waits for them. Tell them that their sins I cover, and their
warfare now is over.
(Glory to God #87)
Quote OHOH: “Some of our commitments to the neglected
children of the world may be no more than supporting a child vicariously
through one of the many Christian organizations that fund overseas sponsorship
programs.”
12/21- The Magi Mt. 2:1-3, 9-12 “Going
Out of Their Way to Welcome and Worship”
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the
time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the
Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all
Jerusalem with him… 9After they had heard the king, they
went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them
until it stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with great delight. 11On coming to the house, they saw the
Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they
opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense
and myrrh.12And having been warned in a dream not
to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.
Thoughts: The people of Jerusalem reacted to the news. They were “disturbed” or “troubled”
(KJV). It bothered them that perhaps
another king was born. The status quo
was disrupted, and they also doubtless knew Herod wouldn’t let anyone get in
his way. But there is no indication that
these “troubled” people bothered to check it out. It was about 22 miles from Jerusalem to
Bethlehem. The three kings could travel
over 600 miles to find a foreign king to them, but there is no record that one
person traveled 22 miles to see if their own king was born. Let it not be said of us that we would not
travel a few miles in a warm car to go to a safe warm sanctuary to visit our
king. Later the people of Jerusalem were
disturbed again and cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
Perhaps if they had responded to Christ earlier (at his birth and in his
ministry) they would not have had such a hard time at his end.
The Magi are examples of
hospitality. They cared to travel so
far, and also brought gifts with them.
Let us also seek Him and worship Him.
Prayer: Lord, keep me from not caring about you. Help me not to be bothered by your existence
but to crave and desire your presence in my life.
Song: Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is
bright; Round yon virgin mother and
child.
Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in
heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!
Quote from OHOH: “I realized my time was His time. I began to start each day with an inquiry of
the Lord, ‘These are my plans. Is this
what you want me to do?”
12/22-
The Scribes and Pharisees- Mt. 2:3-6
3When King
Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When 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. 5“In
Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:|
6“ ‘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.’ ”
Thoughts:
The criticism of the people of Jerusalem- their apathy and not seeking after
the Messiah could also be described to the people who knew better- the chief
priests and teachers of the law. They
knew how to read the prophecies- that the Messiah would be born in
Bethlehem. Maybe they were too scared of
the fiercely jealous Herod to go seeking after the Messiah. Most likely their skepticism mixed with
apathy and a tad of fear- to just stay home in their warm beds. Let us not seek our comfort and miss out on
the most important and life-changing presence of God in worship.
One of the great killers of
hospitality is pride and seeking our own comfort. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were
famous for wanting to “look good.” Jesus
called them “whitewashed walls” of tombs- that look good on the outside but
inside there is nothing but death and decay.
In Open Heart, Open Home, Karen Mains points out that hospitality is not
entertaining.
Prayer:
Lord, give me a desire to worship you that would motivate me to love you more
than my comfort.
Song:
People look east the time is near; of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today- love the guest is on the way.
Quote
from OHOH: “True hospitality comes before pride. I had to learn to put away
pride when I open my front door and accept those standing there as they
are. Consequently, I expect them to
accept me as they find me.”
12/23- His Own People- John 1:10-12
10He was in the
world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize
him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his
own did not receive him. 12-But to all
who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God.
Thoughts: This is truly a sad verse. The Maker goes unrecognized. The One who should get all the credit gets
ignored. He knocked on the door, but we
left him out in the cold. The great Lord
is treated worse than a neighbor, worse than a stranger, worse than an
enemy. In many ways hospitality is a
theme throughout Christmas. The
Innkeeper and people should have been more hospitable to Mary. The song, “Sweet
Little Jesus Boy- we didn’t know who you wuz” reminds us that we need to open
our eyes to God and welcome Him in.
Let us welcome Christ to our world by welcoming Him anew into our hearts.
Prayer: Lord, when you knock on the door of my heart, give
me grace to welcome you in.
Song: Angels we have heard on high; sweetly singing o’er
the plains. And the mountains in reply.
Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in
excelsis deo! Gloria in excelsis deo!
1 Peter 4:9 “Offer hospitality to one another without
grumbling.”
12/24- Fourth Sunday-
John 3:16-19 Some Loved Darkness, but Let’s Love Light
For
God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whoever believes
in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world
to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the
world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were
evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and
will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the
light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in
the sight of God.
Thoughts: These are great
verses for Christmas Eve. One seminary
professor said John 3:16 here is the gospel summarized on one verse. These verses confirm God has come- Light has
come- the Son of God has come out of God’s love, but we refuse His coming. We refuse God’s hospitality. So many reject Jesus. We reject Jesus when we
do evil. We put ourselves in a position
where we are blind to the goodness and light when we love darkness and
wrong. In contrast, when we do good and
wait patiently for God (like Simeon) we put ourselves in a position to receive
and recognize Him. But the first and
most important act of hospitality is welcoming Jesus- accepting Him into His
life.
Prayer: Help me to walk in
the light and not in the darkness O Lord.
Help me to draw and point others to you.
Song: Good Christian
friends rejoice with heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow and he is in the manger
now; Christ is born today! Christ is
born today! (Glory to God 132).
Prayer: Lord, help me to
love your light and your life.
Song: Go Tell it on the
mountain! Over the hills and
everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born! While
shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold throughout
the heavens there shone a heavenly light!
Go Tell it…
Quote from OHOH: “O Lord,
make my hospitality as unto yours. Be
forever my archetype of endeavor, my firstfruit of harvested goodness: Love for
the battered, misused child, Grace to bind running ulcers of flesh and soul,
eagerness for the wealthy without servility, and for the poor without
superiority.”
12/25- The People of Bethlehem- Luke 2
6While they
were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
guest room available for them… 17When they [the shepherds] had seen him, they
spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them.
Thoughts: The people of
Bethlehem were not expectant. In the
busy-ness of the crowd because of the census (and everyone wanting to claim
they were related to David by ancestry), the crowds did not welcome a pregnant
woman, but kicker her out to a shed- an animal stall. Later when the shepherds spread the news, the
people were amazed. There is a little
evidence they acted on their amazement for Joseph and Mary traditionally stayed
in Bethlehem where the wise men visited.
We are a very busy people. In our
busy-ness between going to games for the kids or grandkids; events; work;
entertainment and sports- let us decide ahead of time not to miss the most
important use of our time during this season.
Prayer: Lord, give me an
expectant heart and the heart to be amazed at what you do.
Come to Bethlehem and
see! Him whose birth the angels
sing. Come adore on bended knee Christ
the Lord of heaven and earth.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo!
In 1960 Bethlehem was 80% Christian. Today it is about 10% Christian. The Arab majority has cancelled Christmas
this year because of the war.
Quote from OHOH: Through eternity you have been and will be utterly
hospitable. Hel me, poor, faltering,
unfeeling me, to be like you, with breath beat and soul-heart poured out
emptied opened. Hel me to be given to
hospitality.
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