Devotional #1 – 12.02.24

“Mary, Did You Know?” (pt 1)

by Luke Thomson

The song “Mary, Did You Know?” turns 40 this year. I’ve heard people have been complaining about the song for those 40 years because the answer is yes. Mary knew.

Contrary to those detractors, I think the song implies she knew. I think it is an appreciation for one of the most wonderful moments in scripture; when Mary said yes to be the mother of God.

I recognize the cross and empty grave are more important for our salvation history, but this is my favorite story in the Bible. What went through Mary’s heart and mind? How did she find the strength to say yes? God offered a once-in-eternity opportunity, but it’s also just one instance of our fundamental question: Will we say yes to God today? 

“Mary, Did You Know?” asks what Mary knew about the future, but this week I want to understand what Mary knew about her past. I want to understand why she said yes, so I can say yes to God too. We know she knew a lot about her faith because she taught Jesus, and he knew a thing or two. Learning from Mary worked out pretty well then.

What Mary knew started at the very beginning. God created everything out of nothing and it was good. Mary knew everything belonged to God and she had a role in it. Unfortunately, humans sinned and succumbed to evil. Still, God kept working to save Creation, especially the humans. 

If that was true, then saying yes to God meant more than another task, or a way to feel good about herself. An opportunity from God was an opportunity for Mary to help with the redemption of creation. If God made everything out of nothing, Mary could scarcely imagine what God could do with something; her “yes”. It worked out pretty well for us.

If God made everything out of nothing, imagine what God can do when we say yes today. I think it might just work out well for us.

Gracious God, you Created everything, you made it good, and formed us in your image. Thank you for opportunities to say, “Yes!”, and share your love as we go through our days. When we ignore you, or even say no, help us to hear your voice again and respond to your call as we are meant to. We ask for your strength, so that every hour of every day, in every interaction with children of God, we say, “Yes!”, to sharing your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Pastor Luke Thomson

Devotional #2- 12.03.24

“Christmas Lights” 

by Carmina Remorca

I am drawn to the twinkling lights on our Christmas tree.  There’s something about their gentle glow that brings a sense of peace and joy to the season.

I was reflecting one night, as the lights sparkled softly, about how the birth of Jesus was like a light that came into the darkness of the world. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds brought good news of great joy, a light shining in the midst of uncertainty and darkness.

As I look at the twinkling lights this Advent, I’m reminded that Jesus is the true light of the world. His birth was a light shining into our hearts, and we are called to reflect that light to others.

Just as the lights on the tree brighten the room, His love and hope shine in our lives, and we’re invited to share that with everyone we meet this season.

Carmina Remorca

 Devotional #3 – 12.04.24

“One Light”

By Patricia Thompson

All my life I have been fascinated with all the lights during the Christmas season whether they were on my grandparents’ Christmas trees, my family’s lighted décor in their homes, neighbors’ outdoor house lights, the Kansas City Plaza lights or our flood light on our outdoor Nativity display…

But nothing moves me more than the simple singular white candlelight that I hold each Christmas Eve in a circle of fellow church members (singing Silent Night choking back the tears) which represents the One True Light of this World that tugs so deeply at my soul that I feel as if I’m one with Emmanuel (God with Us).

Patricia Thompson

 Devotional #4 – 12.05.24

“Hope”

By Veronica Nesbitt

The world feels like it’s in chaos – home and abroad.

Insurrections and wars, with threats of even more, loom large and might easily cause us to lose hope if we’re not anchored in Jesus.

As we enter another advent season where the land that Jesus walked is covered with bloodshed, unrest and despair, we must keep our eyes fixed on our hope – Jesus – to cover, protect, provide and return.

Veronica Nesbitt

 Devotional #5 – 12.06.24

“Mary, Did You Know?” (part 2)

by Luke Thomson

What did Mary know that led her to say yes to God?

Before Gabriel asked Mary to carry Jesus, she knew about the call of Abraham. God called Abraham and Sarah to start a chosen people, a nation through whom God’s blessings would flow to the world. Abraham’s descendants had mixed results with blessing others and being blessed. There were certainly some high points, but the Israelite nations had also fallen into sin, been destroyed, and taken into the Exile. Now, they were under the oppression of the Romans. Being a blessing for “all the families of the earth” seemed impossible.


Mary knew to trust God with the impossible. A nation coming from Abraham and Sarah had seemed impossible because they were old, and giving birth to a child was out of the question. Naturally, when Sarah heard God’s plan for her to give birth, she started cracking up! To paraphrase, God raised an eyebrow, and Sarah realized her mistake. She denied laughing in mocking disbelief. God, in one of the sassiest lines in the Bible said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
When Gabriel told Mary God was going to do the impossible for her, she knew better than to laugh. She knew she could trust God to do the impossible. She knew through such a common thing as childbirth, which all of us experience, the love of God could enter the world, as it had so many years before.


I often feel overwhelmed by the scale of problems, whether global issues or my own to-do list. I find peace remembering what Mary knew; we can trust God to do the impossible, to work miracles through ordinary things.
Like Mary, we can trust God is empowering us to share the love of God. We can trust saying yes to God’s call will really matter, even if we can’t see how. May we look at whatever problems overwhelm us today and laugh with joy, not despair, knowing nothing is impossible for God.


– Pastor Luke Thomson

Devotional #6- 12.07.24

“In The Bleak Midwinter” 

by Tanya Reed

One of my favorite Christmas hymns is “In the Bleak Midwinter.”  My favorite line is “what shall I give him (the baby Jesus); give him my heart.” This is true all year, not just at Christmas.

– Tanya Rice

The final verse is this:
What can I give him,
Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man,
I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give him;
Give my heart.

“In the Bleak Midwinter” was published in 1872 by Christina Rossetti. The beloved hymn paints a portrait of the King of Kings, born into a dreary world and in the most humble setting, bringing the gift of salvation to humanity.

 Devotional #7 – 12.09.24

“Mary, Did You Know?” (part 3)

By Luke Thomson

What did Mary know that led her to say yes to God?

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, she knew the miraculous beginning of Creation and the miraculous birth of Isaac, Abraham and Sarah’s child born in their old age. She also knew about another miracle child, Moses, perhaps most famous for delivering God’s Law to Israel as God led them out of slavery in Egypt. The first of the Ten Commandments Moses delivered is our scripture above.

Mary knew something else about what happened as these miraculous creations aged; life got harder. Creation, Isaac, and Moses all had a rough time. Those who followed the commandments usually had a hard time too. Mary knew saying yes to God would bring hardship.

I wonder how Mary felt about that and what she wanted from life. Did she even want to be a parent? It’s not everyone’s calling and Mary was likely an older teenager. It’s hard for me to imagine such a young woman was enthusiastically ready for motherhood. Certainly, Mary had goals and desires contrary to being Christ’s mother before God asked her to radically change course. I doubt those goals courted the kind of hardship Jesus would bring her.
Yet Mary knew God commanded “no other gods before me.” Obedience is a tough sell in our contemporary world. Often those who demand obedience don’t have our best interests at heart. God is different. God graciously offers us a path to freedom from sin. God’s commandments guide us on that path.

I think Mary had a lot of things she wanted from life. I doubt mothering the Son of God was anywhere on the list. However, Mary knew her commandments; none of the things she wanted would become a god to her. Obeying God was her top priority and she would put aside herself for anything God asked. In this busy holiday season, may we be like Mary, putting aside our desires and choosing to obey God’s will for us.

– Pastor Luke Thomson

Devotional #8 – 12.10.24

“Away In a Manger”

By Jonelle Barrett

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, 
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. 
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, 
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 

One of my favorite Christmas songs and memories revolve around this simple tune.  Growing up, one highlight of the holiday season was unpacking and setting up the Nativity.  It always sat on top of the piano in the living room, and there was always a battle for who got to place Baby Jesus in the manger.  It was not an extravagant Nativity set – in fact my Dad had rebuilt the “barn” – and one of the Wise Men didn’t seem to be made in the same style as the  rest of the characters, but my siblings and I considered it an honor to put the last piece – Jesus- into place.  

Today I have an antique piano from my parents in the living room,  I still put my Nativity set on top, and I still reminisce about the love my parents instilled in us kids and how thankful I am for family traditions.

Devotional #9 – 12.11.24

“Joy Always Follows”

By Brandy Arbuthnot / Gail Arbuthnot

Scripture:

Those who sow with tears

    will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

    carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

    carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 125:5-6

 

Even when living through a difficult time, you can look forward to better times.  Times of trouble and sorrow do not last, joy will always follow.

Life is full of situations that fill us with sorrow and bring tears of sadness or frustration, but there is a field to be sown.  We continue on.  Trust that when sorrow comes, He will most certainly bring the joy again.

Whether we are in the joyful times or times of sorrow, carry others with you on the journey so that they may know the joy as well.

 

Prayer of Reflection:

Lord, Thank you for the promise of a joyful future.  Thank you for guiding us through our struggles. Continue to show us the path to you.  Give us the strength to follow where you lead.  Remind us that there is a joyful tomorrow. 

Devotional #10 – 12.12.24

“God With Us”

By Judy Pipe

Scripture:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman

is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel (God with us).

Isaiah 7:14

 

As Christians we make it our life’s goal to reduce the distance between us and God. While we try to close this gap that separates us from God, we forget that God has already built the bridge we need to reach Him. He has come and will come again. He puts His hand on our shoulder and whispers, “Do not fear, I am with you.”
His presence reminds us of the many ways in which He has approached humanity in the past. There was always purpose and direction in His coming. He knows that we are slow to understand, difficult to move and of limited faith capacity. His ultimate goal is to conquer our hearts with His love.

Advent means coming. The Advent season symbolizes the long history in which God descends to us, is accepted by us, loves us and is loved in return by us. His love enters into human history in order to write with us the most beautiful love story of all. This love story is a long journey which covers four thousand years, periods of great joy, long barren times, more than a few stumbling stones, right to the door of our hearts.
God’s story cannot be stopped because His love cannot fail.

 

Prayer of Reflection:
Dear Lord, thank you for sending us your precious Son, the glorious symbol of your never-ending love. We know that we are easily distracted and do not always seek out that bridge you have built for us to reach you. Help us feel your presence with us this Christmas and fill our hearts with your love as we continue our journey to the manger. Amen.

Devotional #11 – 12.13.24

“Mary, Did You Know?” part 4

By Luke Thomson

Scripture:

Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever

before me; your throne shall be established forever.

2 Samuel 7:16

 

In addition to our previous examples, Mary knew of another miraculous origin. It led to one of the most important promises God had made to her people. Like Mary, Hannah’s child would belong to God. She was barren, but miraculously gave birth to the prophet Samuel who anointed David as King of Israel.

Eventually, David decided to build a house for God, a temple, but God turned the tables on him. Instead, God would build a “house” for David; a family of rulers whose reign would never end. Then the Israelites got quite the shock when David’s dynasty ended! Jerusalem was destroyed and the Judeans were taken into the Exile in Babylon. 

In Babylon they faced a choice; believe God had broken the promise, either because God lacked love for them or the power to help. Or. Or they could believe the promise was true but would be fulfilled in a day yet to come. Perhaps even in a way they did not expect. They could believe in the power and truth of God’s eternal love, even when their situation was bleak. They could believe help was on the way; God’s Messiah was coming.

Gabriel told Mary her child would be the long-expected Messiah. He would receive David’s throne and his kingdom would never end. Mary believed the promise. History and the Roman occupation gave Mary plenty of reasons to doubt, but she believed in the power and truth of God’s eternal love, even if it was being fulfilled in an unexpected way.

In an evidence-based culture, faith can seem antiquated, summed up by the phrase, “If it’s worth believing, it can be proven.” I think Mary makes a persuasive argument we still need faith. In a world that can leave us doubting, faith like Mary’s gives us hope that help is on the way. When we remember what Mary knew we can face anything because we’ll remember God our Savior is always with us.

 

Prayer of Reflection:

Gracious God, your love is everlasting.  You continuously offer us love, even when we turn away from you. Share your love with us so we can be empowered by it and offer it to others. Let us experience your love so we can know it will endure through every hardship and see us safely through. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen



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