Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12

If God were to give me clear signs to the Messiah, would I follow? Would I be too busy, too preoccupied to even notice? I believe that every day we’re given an opportunity to follow God’s plan. We can listen and follow his path, or we can allow distractions to pull us away from the beauty and simplicity of God’s design and love for us. Today, two days after Christmas, it’s easy to “put Christmas away,” literally and figuratively. I want to strive to be like the wise men: to follow God’s intention for me, to be still, listen, and keep the miracle of Jesus’ birth with me every day, not just at Christmas.

PRAYER: God, show me the way. Allow your Magi to inspire and stay with me as I strive to keep the beauty and perfectness of Christmas in each day. May I too have direction and guidance that allows me to do your work in the world. Amen.

Angela Towner

Simeon Sees the Baby

Luke 2:21-35

It is purification time for Mary. She and Joseph have taken Jesus to the temple to be presented to the Lord. At 33 days, the baby’s eyes are starting to focus and he is beginning to smile. Mary must be brimming over with happiness and pride for her beloved son when Simeon appears, tenderly taking the baby in his arms and making a moving speech that confirms all her hopes and dreams. He blesses the young family, and then turns to Mary: “this child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,… and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

I picture Mary remembering Simeon’s prophecy as she stood under the cross looking up at her beloved child. By the time she told Luke this story she had keenly felt that sword, but she also knew that God was faithful and death was not the end.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank you for the lasting Christmas gift of hope. Help us to trust that you can still bring about something beautiful even when we experience the worst life has to offer. Amen.

Anne Topple

Christmas Day: Angels and Shepherds

Luke 2:1-20

Imagine how Mary felt after just giving birth. She already knows this child is special because an angel told her she would have a child without knowing a man. Then shepherds show up saying an angel told them to look for a baby in a cattle stall. She’s probably asking, “What next?” Magi–with gifts!

Too easily we see this story from an “audience” perspective. Mary’s the mother of a Savior, a king, heir to the throne of David. How do you raise a Savior? A king? What will be next for her and her son? How is she supposed to deal with all of this? “She treasured these things and pondered them in her heart.”

PRAYER: Creator God, your only Son chose a dwelling among us that we might live in your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to ponder and treasure how rich is your love for us. Amen.

Clint Miller

Christmas Eve: Jesus’ birth

Matthew 1:18-25

Forgiveness–wishing no ill will toward another, to stop feeling anger or resentment against another–did you feel it in this passage? Joseph could have been zealously righteous and divorced Mary–had her judged publicly and stoned. Instead, he chose to forgive her and marry her. We know the rest of the story.

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if it had more Josephs in it? Along with prophecy, light, love, and joy this Advent season, let’s practice forgiveness.

PRAYER: Our Lord, thank you for all your gifts to us. May we return a special gift to you through our actions toward others-the gift of forgiveness. Amen.

Charlotte Stone Black

Jesus’ Lineage

Matthew 1:1-17

Remember with me that hymn by Isaac Watts published in 1719 to God’s timelessness and strength: “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.” Today’s passage of scripture is exhibit A.

Matthew’s Gospel opens with the lineage of Jesus back more than four dozen generations. Luke’s genealogy of Jesus goes back to Adam. And John tells us Jesus was present at the creation.

As the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches, let us rejoice in the assurance of our eternal home where the Jesus of all history will one day welcome us.

PRAYER: O God, under the shadow of your throne still may we dwell secure; sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure. Amen.

Wade Medlock