Merry Christmas, Bee Creek UMC! I have written this Christmas Devotional Guide for you! It s my

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1 Merry Christmas, Bee Creek UMC! I have written this Christmas Devotional Guide for you! It s my Christmas present to the most wonderful church family ever. I am honored and delighted to be your pastor. And I am so grateful for you. I pray this gift will help you draw closer to God this Christmas Season. Pastor Laura Sunday, December 2 (Wear tacky Christmas sweaters and garb to church today!) One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, Don t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. Luke 1:8-13 There were roughly 20,000 priests in Israel. They were divided into groups of about 1,000. Each group served in the Temple two weeks out of the year. During those weeks, twice a day, incense was offered within the Temple and one priest out of 1,000 selected (by casting lots) for the task. A priest might never be chosen, but if you were, it was the best day of your life! Imagine how Zechariah felt. Read the scripture again to see how Zechariah used this once-in-alifetime chance. If you could pray just one prayer, what would it be? Monday, December 3 Zechariah said to the angel, How can I be sure this will happen? I m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years. Then the angel said, I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time. Luke 1:18-20 Zechariah had prayed an audacious prayer. He asked for a child. It was such a ridiculous prayer that he can t believe God has answered it! Do you usually pray safe prayers? What bold, audacious prayers might you pray? Are there any old prayers that you ve given up on that you could pray anew? Have faith that God can and will answer. Tuesday, December 4 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. Luke 1:11-15 Imagine: God s messenger appears to tell Zechariah that his crazy prayer is going to be answered with power. He, an old man, will be a father, Elizabeth, a mother! And their child will be great! How would you react to news like this? Did John the Baptist live up to the greatness the angel prophesied? Wednesday, December 5 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. Luke 1:68-75 Zechariah could not speak for over 9 months. Ponder what being silent for almost a year would be like. What do you think it taught this man of God? Zechariah regains his speech when he honors God s plans (verses 59-64) and names his son John. When his voice returns, his first words are this song! During the day today, be silent more the usual and in those spaces, listen for God s voice and direction. Spend some time, perhaps more than a little, in silent reflection. Thursday, December 6 And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Luke 1:76-77

2 Take note of the strong statements of faith within these verses. What blessing can parents speak over their children? Ponder this, and if you have children or grandchildren, speak a blessing over their lives. If they are far away, call, text or write your blessing to them. Then pray for a child that is not yours, but whom you see at church. Friday, December 7 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, What will this child turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Luke 1:65-66 Have the struggles and victories in your life ever encouraged others to consider the power of God? Who is watching you even now? What is your witness in times of hardship (or joy) to the neighborhood? Saturday, December 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Luke 2:8 The Pharisees taught that there were six professions labeled unworthy: one of those was shepherd. A shepherd was not permitted to give testimony in a court of law. A shepherd was not allowed to enter a synagogue, because the requirements of his job kept him ritually unclean. These grown men have been shuffled to the side and told they don t matter to people or to God. So imagine the coup when God sends his angels to sing to shepherds! This song, to these men, reveals that God s peace is offered to all. Peace to the ones who are up all night. Peace to those covered in dirt on the outskirts of town. Peace to the ones everyone forgets about. Peace to all God s outsider children. Sunday, December 9 (Christmas Cookie Potluck at church todaybring your favorite Christmas treat to share!) Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others the armies of heaven praising God Luke 2:13 One angel singing would have stunned, but there were dozens, hundreds. They filled the skies. The armies of heaven came to announce the birth, not with shouts, or swords, but with music. The earth had goosebumps as it stopped to listen to heaven proclaim the Good News. In the stress and busyness of this season, don t forget to listen for the voices of angels. And if you catch a glimpse or hear a strain of song, be sure to stop, no matter how busy you are. Creation still sings of the coming of its King. Monday, December 10 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. Don t be afraid! he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:9-10 Notice the crucial words here. This good news for all people! The setting underlines how serious God is about that all. The angels could have belted their song above the Temple in Jerusalem. It wasn t far away. There the faithful gathered to pray and sacrifice. The angels could have sung their Christmas song to the king in his palace and the royal household. To the people with power and influence who could help the Savior on his way. The angels could have found the studiously faithful Pharisees. The ones who knew God s word best of all, and strove not only to keep God s commands, but to teach them to others so they could keep them, too. But God sent his Son to Bethlehem, David s hometown, to be among ordinary people. Do you feel excluded or separate? Stained or broken? Sad or alone? Christmas is for all, even those who have been told they don t belong. God says you do!

3 Tuesday, December 11 Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 2:8-12 This is Jesus birth announcement. Not a letter, or a yard sign, but a song meant to wind its way down through generations. Can you imagine angels filling the skies, sining this song to you? What does this Good News do for you? Are there places you need peace? Listen in your heart to the angels sing about your Savior and find one way to give God glory today. Wednesday, December 12 The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12 How will we know our king? He s a baby- that s unexpected! And he s laying in a manger. Now that s really surprising! A baby bed that s an animal s feeding trough? Jesus will come, even today, in ways that are unexpected and surprising (Matthew 25). He warned that he d appear in disguises (the poor person you shared clothing with, the prisoner you visited, the thirsty person you gave a cup of water). Keep your eyes and heart open for Jesus to come in ways you don t expect. Thursday, December 13 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He 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, and he will reign over Jacob s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:29-33 Mary would be misunderstood and endure much sorrow (2:34-35). Yet she will also walk in favor with God. How does the grace God gives help you to follow in spite of fear? Friday, December 14 Read Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7 Mary is one of a long history of women who experienced a miraculous birth. Sarah is another. Sarah laughed when God promised her a baby. Why do you think that was? How can you wait with hope for God to reveal the answer to your prayers, the redemption of years of hardship? Saturday, December 15 What s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail. Luke 1:36-37 Gabriel gives Mary two encouragements: The Holy Spirit will be with her (God s power at work in her life)! Her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant! Mary has divine assistance and a friend who will understand her journey. When God calls, he provides the support we need. Sunday, December 16 (Christmas Plants given away to take to those who are lonely today) Mary responded, I am the Lord s servant. May everything you have said about me come true. And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 Do you hear a foreshadowing of Jesus in the Garden, I want your will, not mine? I suspect Jesus learned much about faithful obedience and trust from his mother. Do you struggle when God s will and your own comfort/plans come into conflict? What does Mary s example teach you about humble obedience? Monday, December 17 Read Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth was encouraged when she saw that God was working through Mary. Elizabeth s song and words encouraged Mary at what had to be a very difficult time. Has your faith ever been strengthened when you saw God working through someone else? Do you find it hard to put others in the spotlight as Elizabeth did with Mary?

4 Tuesday, December 18 Mary responded, Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. Luke 1:46-56 Mary didn t feel like singing until she visited Elizabeth. Then Elizabeth s words and encouragement wash over her. I suspect that in that moment, her fears vanished and she glimpsed the sacred glory of this call. Read her song slowly out load. What causes Mary to rejoice? What does she see God doing in her life? In the world? Wednesday, December 19 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, If a woman s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord. So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Luke 2:22-24 Jesus parents are utilizing a provision in God s law that allowed the poor to have a way to make an offering for their child even if they couldn t afford a lamb (the poor can bring two doves). Think about that, the people God chose to care for his son couldn t afford a lamb. God doesn t see people the way we do. Today, as you move through the world, try to see others through God s eyes. Thursday, December 20 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock! You Who sit on Your throne above the angels, let Your light shine! Stir up Your power...come to save us! O God, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. O Lord God of all, how long will You be angry with the prayers of Your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears. And You have made them drink a big amount of tears... O God of all, bring us back to You. Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved. Psalm 80:1-7 The refrain in this psalm, repeated over and over is O God of all, bring us back to you. Notice how this homecoming is not a result of our work, but God s work for us. What is the home you d wish to return to? Make a list today of the things that restore and revive you around Christmas. Allow space and time for God to restore you this season. Friday, December 21 At once Mary went from there to a town in the hill country of Judea...to see Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary speak, the baby moved in her body. At the same time Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth spoke in a loud voice, You are honored among women! Your Child is honored!... As soon as I heard your voice, the baby in my body moved for joy. You are happy because you believed. Everything will happen as the Lord told you it would happen. Luke 1:39-42, Elizabeth, with the help of the Spirit, saw the truth of Mary s pregnancy: this baby would bring salvation! Do you imagine Mary heard many encouraging words after turning up pregnant? What gift did Elizabeth offer Jesus mother? Add to your list a few things you can do to help others find restoration and hope this season. Saturday, December 22 Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are too little to be among the family groups of Judah. But from you One will come who will rule for Me in Israel. His coming was planned long ago, from the beginning....and He will come and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the great power of the name of the Lord His God. His people will live there and be safe, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace. Micah 5:2-5 In what ways does Jesus feed you? Take the next 10 minutes to enjoy one of those ways. Sit with coffee by your Christmas tree, listen to

5 uplifting music, take a walk to watch the sun rise or set, or find a place you love but don t take time to enjoy and soak it in. The Savior, the one whose coming was foretold long ago, has come. Let him be your peace. Sunday, December 23 (Lessons and Carols at church today) For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. Proverbs 4:17 These chapters say that those who run after sin will end up tangled in chords of their own making. Christmas is a time to unknot the tangle of our lives. To intentionally examine our stomachs for the bread of tears and wickedness. To seek out what is nourishing and wholesome. What in this season tangles you up? What brings you life? Choose to involve yourself in that which brings life to you and others. Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve Worship at 4pm (Children) and 6pm (Carols and Candles)) Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, Ask for something special to see from the Lord your God. Ask for it to be as deep as the place of the dead or as high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask. I will not test the Lord. Then Isaiah said, Listen now, O people of David! Is it too small a thing for you to test men, that you will test my God as well? So the Lord Himself will give you a special thing to see: A young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a son. She will give Him the name Immanuel. He will eat milk and honey when He knows enough to have nothing to do with wrong-doing and chooses good. For before the boy knows to turn away from what is bad and choose good, the land whose two kings you are afraid of will be left empty. Isaiah 7:10-16 In Isaiah s time, the birth promised in this scripture meant an end to the threat from the foreign kings. What threatens you? Your family? Our nation or community? What signs do we have that God will protect and provide for us? How is the coming of Jesus a reminder to have hope? Tuesday, December 25 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord s message through his prophet: Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God is with us. Matthew 1:22-23 Immanuel is my favorite name for Jesus. It means God is with us. You are invited to be with lots of people this season- coworkers, friends, neighbors, family. As your calendar fills us with obligations, remember the God who came to be with you. Today, on Jesus birthday, make time to be with God. Wednesday, December 26 All who heard the shepherds story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:18-19 I love Mary s example in this passage. She made sure to give all these memories and events a special place in her heart and to think about them often in the years that followed. This evening, turn off everything electronic and share Christmas memories. Go through old photos. Watch family movies (you might need to turn on the television for that). Ask others to tell of their favorite family Christmas tradition. Ponder the deep good of these things in your heart. Thursday, December 27 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. That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 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. Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men s report of the star s first appearance. Matthew 2:13-16 Jesus and his family became refugees. As God s people, we are called to show radical kindness to strangers, foreigners and the least in society.

6 What could you do today? Give food to someone who is hungry? Visit someone who is homebound or hospitalized? Open your home to someone who is alone? Friday, December 28 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 Anna s life was focused on giving God praise. So she was one of just two people who saw and recognized who Jesus was when his parents brought him to the Temple that day- the Messiah!! Christmas can be a time of important moments you do not want to forget. A quiet moment with a relative may remind you of the importance of family. A worship service may give you new insight into how to live as a follower of Jesus. A frustrating experience in a store may encourage you to be more patient. Write those insights some place you can return in the weeks and months ahead for a reminder. Saturday, December 29 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 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. Matthew 2:9-12 Many of us go on journeys large and small over Christmas. Consider traveling by a different route. Maybe that will mean taking the back way home, stopping by a food truck or restaurant you ve never visited or noticing things you ve taken for grated along familiar paths. Let that new journey remind you that sometimes Jesus leads us along new paths! Sunday, December 30 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! Simeon rejoices that he has seen God s salvation. In what ways have you seen God at work this season? As you put away the Christmas decorations, consider the symbols of tree, evergreens, nativity and wreath. Pray that although these signs are packed away for 11 months, the spirit of Christ will continue to be alive in you throughout the year ahead. May your heart be changed and strengthened because you, too, have seen God s salvation. Monday, December 31 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We may feel that we re not be able to do much to promote world peace, but we have the power to make the world around us more peaceful. Practice eliminating harsh words, anger, and other negative attitudes from your life. Tuesday, January 1 Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 2:8-12 Many people make New Year s Resolutions to lose weight or give up an unhealthy habit. Consider a faithful intention this year to help you grow in your spiritual life. What will it be?

7 Here are some New Year s Resolutions that are good for your soul. I will be transformed by God s perfect love I will make Worship my first priority on Sunday morning so I can be transformed as part of our church community. I will use the study guide Pastor Laura creates each week to study the Bible every day. I will join a Bible Study to learn more with others. 8:15am on Sunday- Bible Study 9:30am Sunday - In-depth Bible Study 6:30pm Wednesday - Topical Bible studies I will participate in Bee Transformed classes, 2-3 hour classes offered once a month on topics that help you grow in faith: Dealing with conflict Sharing your faith Studying the Bible Prayer Public Speaking Care Giving Marriage enrichment Parenting Finances I will start small group in my neighborhood, with some friends at work, or around a common interest (dog walking, boating, sports, etc)! (Bee Creek is happy to help you by suggesting studies and resources!) I will change the world I will visit those who are sick. Tell me more about how to join the hospital visitation team so I can provide a visit to someone who needs it. I will get Early Response Training (ERT) certified so I can enter disaster areas to help the people there. The next training is January 12th in Dripping Springs. To register go to riotexasresponse.org/ertbasic I will help children thrive in school by giving an hour a week as a Reading Buddy at Spicewood Elementary School. To get started, contact Amy Feser at amyfeser@christtogethergreateraustin.com. or call (512) I will feed the hungry by volunteering in the Farmacy community garden. (No skills needed, just time and desire to feed the hungry.) Contact Clara Kistner: at thefarmacytx@gmail.com. I will share the love of God with our littlest ones by holding babies while their parents are in worship on Sunday morning. We d love to have a volunteer at each service to help with this truly sacrificial work! I will teach a child about the love of Jesus. I m going to become an assistant teacher in children s Sunday school for one semester this year. I will help kids go deeper in their faith by volunteering for BeeKids on Wednesdays I m going to help our youth figure out how to apply their faith to issues they face in Middle and High School. I want to help others know they are loved at a very important time in life. I ll volunteer to assist in Youth! I m going to learn to pray and knit. Tell me more about how to be part of the Prayer Shawl Team! Become a Stephen Minister