Saturday/Sunday, 12-22/23-18 Technicolor Christmas: Amazed Luke 2:15-20 (NIV) When 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. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Monday, 12/24/2018 Luke 2:15-20 (MSG) As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. Let s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they d been told! Family Activity: To the adult in the house: For this activity, I d like you to experience these verses by acting them out. Be creative! You will need a nativity set or access to one (perhaps someone in your neighborhood has a display). There are lots of options on the computer as well. Have someone read verse 15, then play follow the leader to get to the nativity, moving quickly (because the shepherds were in a hurry). Read verse 16, identifying the people in the nativity, asking What do you see? (Let the children answer.) Read verses 17-18. As the children share what they see, the rest of the family show looks of amazement. Read verse 19. Ask: What do you think Mary was thinking? Read verse 20. Go back to your starting place in your house, saying, Thank you God!
Tuesday, 12/25/18 The First Day of Christmas Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. This is one of my favorite Bible passages to read on Christmas Eve or Christmas. What wonderful gifts we are given in the birth of Jesus: grace for all and a blessed hope! Where do you see God s grace and hope today? How are you a vessel of God s grace and hope? Prayer: O Holy One, heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem. Through the telling of the Christmas story, let our temporal lives be caught up in the eternal in that same child, that we might join shepherds and all the heavenly host in praising the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayers.php?id=5 Wednesday, 12/26/18 The Second Day of Christmas Luke 2:15-20 (MSG) As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. Let s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they d been told!
Yes, it s true! According to the Christian calendar, today is the second day of Christmas. No, the twelve days of Christmas did not begin December 13 that is a marketing gimmick. In the world of consumerism, the twelve days of Christmas are a countdown to Christmas. In the church, the twelve days of Christmas are the days of celebrating Christmas. The shepherds ran as fast as they could to see for themselves what God had told them. Because they saw, they believed the angel s message that a savior, God s son, was to be born. Then, they went back home, so excited they could not keep the news to themselves. The twelve days are days to be intentional about sharing God s love that Christmas is real. Lives change when people fall in love with God. The world changes from drab, colorless, gray to Technicolor (a color motion picture process), bright and vivid. It was a Technicolor experience when The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they d been told! How can you continue to experience the good news and excitement of Jesus birth during the twelve days of Christmas? As you read through this passage, what words or phrases resonate with you so much you want to focus on them during this season? Prayer: One of my favorite prayers is verse three of Away in a Manger. Be near me Lord Jesus I ask you to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with you there. Thursday, 12/27/18 The Third Day of Christmas John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. During the twelve days of Christmas feasts honoring saints are celebrated as reminders of those who believed so strongly in the birth of Jesus that they were set loose to share the good news of God s love. This one short verse is a game-changer for many believers. I imagine those whose faith is based on this passage somehow saw (experienced God s love given through Jesus), and therefore believed. I believe this verse means God gave Jesus to give us life, not through death, but through resurrection. We have this great hope that whatever we think will destroy us, will not. Jesus was born into this world to show us what love is. It is not destructive or judgmental. It is life-giving. God s love for us is living and moving. How can we celebrate this gift of life every day of Epiphany? What gifts can we give? How can we give ourselves to God? What do we have to show for our faith?
Friday, 12/28/18 The Fourth Day of Christmas John 8:12 (NIV) and Isaiah 9:2-7 (CEB) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. As on the day of Midian, you ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of heavenly forces will do this. When we focus on Jesus birth, it is easy to get stuck in the idea that Jesus doesn t ever grow up. He is always sweet, innocent and dependent on someone to care for him. The twelve days of Christmas give us the opportunity to explore Jesus growing up. We see him surrender to God. We experience his anger toward injustice. We watch him comfort the hurting. There are so many ways Jesus is seen as a light to a hardened, drab and dreary world. John says it well, and we are invited to follow this light. When we read the Isaiah passage, we experience how Jesus was foretold to come into the world as light illuminating that which we would choose to ignore, shining light into the hidden corridors of poverty, prejudice and racism. For this reason, the prophet Isaiah rejoices that Jesus comes as light, as the savior to all that separates us from God s love. In the words of Howard Thurman (1899-1981) -- When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among people, To make music in the heart. Later, this song was written incorporating his poem. I am the Light of the World You people come and follow me. If you follow and love, You ll learn the mystery Of what you were meant to do and be. When the song of the angels is stilled. When the star in the sky is gone. When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home. The work of Christmas is begun! To find the lost and lonely one, To heal that broken soul with love, To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food, To feel the earth below the sky above! To free the prisoner from his chains, To make the powerful care, To rebuild the nations with strength and goodwill, To call a man your brother everywhere. To bring hope to every task you do, To dance at a baby s new birth, To make music in an old man s heart, And sing to the colours of the earth! May your journey through these twelve days to Epiphany (revealing), January 6 be one of adventure, generosity and discernment as we travel with the wise men following the star to greet Jesus in the manger. This week s devotional was written by Pastor Nancy Liston (nliston@plattewoodschurch.org).