Chasing the Shine

Advent Devotions

First United Methodist Church-Gastonia, NC

Introduction

Dear Friends,

We are always excited to give you an opportunity to make a holiday season more
holy. We believe that these devotions can help that happen! A variety of folks
from our church have spent time putting these together. The intent of these
devotions is to allow our faith to go deeper and to make this a more holy season.

Advent is a penitential season, which means it is a season when we look inward

and begin to think about what we can do to prepare for Christ to be born in us. It
is a season when we acknowledge that perhaps we have made it more about the
trappings of the season than the real reason for all of the celebration: Jesus
Christ.

So, take time. Whenever your time of devotion is... if you dont have one, this is
a great opportunity to form one! Take a specific time each day to simply grow in
your relationship with God. These devotions can assist.

We are grateful to all who have submitted a devotion, and to you, who are taking
the time to read and grow closer to Christ. This season we are concentrating on
Chasing the Shine as we discuss how we seek the glory of the moment and we
chase it everywhere, only to come up empty in the ways of the world. Our
fulfillment comes through Jesus Christ, so we should celebrate His birth (and
prepare for it!). These devotions will help.

May your Advent be holy!

In Christs Service,

David
 December 2017 CALENDAR
December 3 First Sunday of Advent
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 | I Corinthians 1:3-9

December 10 Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11 | II Peter 3:8-15a

December 17 Third Sunday of Advent

John 1:6-8, 19-28 | Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

December 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:26-28 | Romans 16:25-27

Shop for Angel Tree

Wednesday, December 6
5:30 p.m., Dinner
6:30-7:30 p.m., Free Time to Shop for Angel Tree Children

Kids Christmas Fun Night

Friday, December 8
6 p.m.
Drop your kids off and have free time to shop for Christmas!

Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 10
11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Camp Sunshine Christmas Party

Sunday, December 10, 2-4 p.m.

Christmas Childrens Program

Wednesday, December 13
5:30 p.m., Dinner
6:30pm, Childrens Program

Christmas Caroling
Sunday, December 17, 3 p.m.

Christmas Eve Worship

Sunday, December 24
10 a.m., Sanctuary & Theatre
5:30 p.m., Sanctuary
10:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Sunday, December 3 First Sunday in Advent

Gleam or Glitter? Lyn Anderson

Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him
the nations of the world and all their glory. I will give it all to you, he said, if
you will only kneel down and worship me.
Get out of here, Satan, Jesus told him. For the Scriptures say, You must
worship the Lord your God, serve only him. Matthew 4: 8-10

We live in a shiny beautiful world. So many things catch the eye: a sunrise,
human beauty, luxurious cars, gorgeous homes, light playing on a mountainside,
diamonds, gadgets and fidgets. Its so easy to get distracted from the true light
of God.

Sea turtles return to their birth place on a beach to lay eggs in the sand every
few years. Two months later, during the night, those eggs hatch and 50-100 tiny,
adorable little turtles totter, hopefully, to the sea. How do they know where to
go? By the light of the moon reflected on the water. But now, we humans have
so many homes on the beach with garish lights blazing, that sometimes the
turtles get confused and awkwardly paddle-push themselves the wrong way, until
they are too exhausted to turn around and go to the true light gleaming gently
on the waves.

O Lord, grant us the ability to discern between the shimmer of your gentle
everlasting warm light and the glitz and glitter of our materialistic world. May the
garishness of the glitter fade and rust away as we walk toward the true light of
God. Amen.
Monday, December 4

Let Us Shine Don Church

You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14a

This little light of mine, Im gonna let it shine!

Chasing the shine. When I hear that phrase, an image that comes to mind is a
picture of my mother holding her great-granddaughter, trying to make her laugh,
trying to bring out the shine in Erin. However, looking at the picture, the shine is
just as great, if not greater, on my mothers face as she tries to please the young
girl. This idea can be related to our faith journey.

When we work to please God and move closer to him, we may sometimes see
this as a chore rather than a gift. If we are in that mode of thinking, what are we
showing those around us? When we chase the Shine with the appreciation of all
God has given us thus far, and the anticipation for all he has promised, we
become more like my mother in the photo. Gods grace and goodness emanates
from us and we become a small part of the Shine! With this light we may be able
to touch others without even knowing it.

A few years ago, during a Bible study, one of our older gentlemen related this
story to us. He was an engineer for a local business. His company was rather
large, and he did not know all his co-workers. At one point he was transferred to
an overseas position for a couple of years. When he returned to the same office,
a co-worker came up to him and said that he was now a Christian. Our friend was
glad for him and asked him what had led him to this important decision.

The man looked at him and said, We never had much contact, but I watched as
you went about your daily activities. I could see a peace and happiness in you no
matter what came your way. I wanted that! I asked someone after you left what
gave you such strength and that person talked about the faith you lived on a
daily basis. That was when I made my decision, and I have not regretted it for a
minute!

What a blessing it was for him to realize that the Shine had flowed through him
and helped someone he did not know. As we go into this Advent season, let us all
try to be an ember of His Shine!

Dear Lord, let your love shine through each of us, letting others know the glory
of loving you. Amen.
Tuesday, December 5

Meditation on Road Building Charlene Swilling

A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD;

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 40:3-5

I remember driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway with my father. He worked for
the Advance Planning Department of the NC State Highway Commission in the
1950-60s, when N.C. was known as the Good Roads State. I remember him
telling me about how much time it took between determining a transportation
need and the completion of a projectat least twenty years. The Blue Ridge
Parkway began being built during the Depression in the 1930s and was not
completed until 1989.

The most recent brouhaha in the news about building roads has been about the
addition of a toll lane on I-77 to ease congestion and make it easier to get from
Charlotte to Huntersville. One new lane. The need was there twenty years ago
when I commuted to Charlotte for work. The office joke was There is plenty of
parking in Charlotte. Just look at I-77 North! The argument has not been about
the needthe argument is how to pay for it. The estimated cost of adding the
single lane to the highway is $647 million! I could not find an estimate on the
total or ongoing cost of building the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The passage in Isaiah refers to a voice crying in the wilderness, to clear the way,
too make a highway for our God. I envision the very mountains themselves
throwing themselves down to welcome the Lord! During Advent, we are called to
prepare the way. But are we capable of making the crooked straight and the
rough places plain? Do we have the ability to Clear the Way for the Lord?
What Isaiah is calling for is a highway that brings us home. To God. Or God to us.
God who created the heavens and the earth, who has measured the waters in the
hollow of his hand, who has weighed the mountains in a balance. He wants to
clear the way for us to come home. After all, that is why he created usto be
with him, and to enjoy him forever. We long to see the Glory of the Lord
revealed.

This Advent Season we celebrate the arrival of God incarnatethe Road Builder.
He is the only one who can build that roadthe road that will bridge the chasm
that sin creates and bring us home to Him. He has done it. And at what cost?
Dear Lord, when I think about the wonderful roads that humankind has built to
get us where we want to go, it boggles my mind to think about the passion and
cost that You paid to reunite us with You. Please help us to stay on the right road
through this chaotic season, to remember what the highway is for, and to trust
you to bring us home. Amen.
Wednesday, December 6

Embracing the Love Kay Roberson

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Ephesians 6:24

When I was a little girl, I anxiously awaited Christmas, all the focus on ME. Each
year brought a very special gift, one I had hinted about for months. One year it
was a gray and pink Schwinn bicycle, once a beautiful blue skirt and ski sweater.
Each year also brought an unexpected surprise, a voice from the past or a poem
sent by my favorite college professor who has kept in touch for almost fifty years.
Each year I received a piece of silver flatware from my grandmother, long dead,
who didnt want to be forgotten and had made a pact with my mom to keep it
coming. One year a boy surprised me with a diamond ring, a ring I surely hadnt
hinted about and did not embrace. Nor did he, I think, but everyone was swept
up in the season and it seemed the thing to do. Christmas became all about
malls and mail order, shopping and wrapping, frustration and frazzle. True,
everyone was caught up in the season but not the real reason for such.

It took a long time for me to realize that it wasnt about Charlie Brown or the
Grinch or the Santa at Sears or giggling shepherds in bathrobes. It was about a
babe, a babe born over two thousand years ago. Hes the reason were in church
on Wednesdays and Sundays and every day in between and why we feed the
downtown people hot dogs and feed breakfasts at the Salvation Army. A babe, a
boy, with impact across the earth and across the centuries. We mouth Lets
keep Christ in Christmas and go right about our wish lists, swiping credit cards,
having Alexa order this or that, fueling our selfish desires. We need to believe
and underscore that Christ is the reason, the reason for all we do.

David Christy says Jesus loves us and theres nothing we can do about it but we
can do something with it. Let this be the year for that, for a letting go of human
frailties and embracing that baby, our savior, who not only is our reason for the
season but for life everlasting.

Dear God, Let our hearts shine this year as we embrace your son who is the
greatest gift of all. Let us not lose sight of that and may our special moments,
treasured time with loved ones, and celebrations be framed by His love and may
our thoughts and actions glorify Him. Amen.
Thursday, December 7

Shining the Light to All Joseph Buckner

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.
John 8:12 NIV

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 NIV

Christians throughout history have evolved, creating new denominations and

expanding their knowledge, but one thing that has not changed is our call to
follow Jesus. The main purpose in our faith journey is to spread the light and
word of our God. When Jesus spoke to his disciples and other people of the time,
he was being the light that we follow, the light of the world. To follow Jesus is
to follow the light of the world and claim the light of life. The light of life is called
the shine.

Being a follower of Christ is a blessing. Our goal is to spread the light of the lord
to everyone so they can experience this blessing too. The followers of Christ who
have truly accepted Jesus into their hearts have become one with him. They are
also the light of the world, who shine that light for all. Jesus said to his
followers in Matthew 5:14, You are the light of the world. Together Christ and
his followers embody the light, and it's our job as the followers to chase the
shine.

Dear God, help me accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior. Help me become
the light of the world, and shine that light to all. With your help I can change the
world, shining your light and speaking the word to every corner of the earth.
Thank you for all that you do in the world and for helping people shine your
light. In the name of Jesus Christ our lord, Amen.
Friday, December 8

Gods GPS Dr. James Macomson

He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives
wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2: 21

The seasons. Have you ever wondered about why the world has them? And why
do they occur in such an orderly fashion, the same way every year? What did
God have in mind? It was part of His GPS, not the modern global positioning
system, but Grand Plan Success.

Lets take a look at two of them: winter and spring.

Using past history and present thoughts, the people in Biblical times were given
everything of goodness IF they followed Gods Rules. Sometimes they did, but
many times they were in troubleover and over. The people, because of their
errant ways and sins, lived in the bleakest, darkest and most foreboding ways
and days; sort of like winter...

Through His Grace and Patience, the Lord would always rescue them, over and
over... But you guessed it, you know of it; the people just did not realize, or want
to, what good fortune they had. They turned their backs on God time after time.
Trial and error? Not on Gods part, but that of mankind. It was time for the Old
Testament to be remembered: the foretelling and the Coming, the Birth, the
Advent... God decided that, in His Own Image, He was going down person to
person, face-to-face, to get these people on His Expressway, no more
detours...out of their winters....

In Jesus, born of mans winters, new beginnings followed; and that season, that
first and unique Spring came. He was, is, and will be, Forever. How many winters
have you had? Try Jesus, He will take you to Springtime....

Noel.

Lord, help us to follow Your plan and the example of Jesus Christ through all the
seasons of our lives. Amen.
Saturday, December 9

Stillness and Beauty Stephanie Elliott

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

Be still. Listen. This time of year, being still and listening to the message of the
season can be a true test. The last few months especially, I have felt the weight
of the emotions and sadness of my village of family and friends. Several of my
high school classmates have lost their parents in the last month from illness, and
its hard to watch them suffer. My heart carries their grief, and I struggle with
what to say to comfort them, although I know very well the loss they are
experiencing.

I am not by nature a still person. My mind is constantly full of lists: grocery lists,
work deadlines, music performances, marching band competitions. Im most
comfortable when my life is full of things to juggle even though I will then
complain about over committing myself. When I am still, I think about the things
that I am trying desperately to avoid: my son, Zachary, will be leaving soon for
college, my parents and grandmother are aging, my friends are struggling with
their lives, the world is a scary place, will my cancer return, will Richards cancer
stay stable? Its too much, so I stay busy instead.

We have a perfect role model for stillness in Mary. In her faithful obedience to
God, she was still and listened to his plans for her. She accepted his call to bring
forth a child. I think about her courage to obey often and how hard it must have
been, knowing the society and time period in which she lived. I am sure had I
been in her shoes I would have asked God a million questions, stayed up all night
writing a pros and cons list and then still struggled with what to do. Mary didnt
make a lot of noise or ask a lot of questions. Her humble stillness gave us new
life. I am the Lords servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be
fulfilled. Stillness. In order for Gods plan for us to be fulfilled, we must be still
and listen to what he has to say.

The planning I do constantly for myself to stay busy isnt Gods will for me. I
believe this Advent season that God wants me, us all, to see the beauty and
peace around us. This year especially with so much pain and suffering around us,
we should be still and see what is good. In my life, that is my family and friends.
This year, I will be still and take in the beauty of my lifethe quiet moments of
holding hands with my husband during a prayer at church, the joy in my sons
face when he plays his trumpet, the laughter of my mother and grandmother in
recalling memories of my father and grandfather, the hope of one candle lighting
hundreds of others during our Christmas Eve service.
Lord, help us to be still and see the beauty You have created for us. Amen.
Sunday, December 10 Second Sunday in Advent

The Heartbeat of Christmas Rev. Angela Hollar

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faithand what a rich faith
it is. 2 Timothy 1:5a (The Message Bible)

Precious memories, how they linger

How they ever flood my soul.

Several decades ago it was rare that an ultrasound was performed at the
beginning of pregnancy or during pregnancy unless there was a concern. But that
day was almost thirty-one years ago, on January 29, 1987, for me and Mark. As
the nurse began the ultrasound, within seconds we heard the most beautiful
sound we had ever heard. A strong and rhythmic sound became music to our
ears. For the first time we heard the heartbeat of our baby. An overwhelming
peace came over me in that moment, a precious memory that lingers even today.
The sound of the heartbeat flooded my soul with unexplainable joy and
happiness. It was difficult to comprehend the miracle that God was meticulously
creating within mea precious little one that would change our world forever.

Over two thousand years ago there was no technology available to allow Mary to
hear that early heartbeat of her precious one, but we do know her thoughts as
the greatest miracle was revealed. She said, My soul magnifies the Lord and my
spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of
his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the
Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)
Marys life would be changed forever, and she would bear the true heartbeat of
heaven and earth.

Created and wonderfully made, God incarnate, love came down at Christmas.
God sent his son into a very messy and complicated world to teach us how to live
and love. That heartbeat would change our world forever. Jesus came so that we
may have life and have it abundantly. When Jesus was asked which
commandment in the law is the greatest he replied, You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the
greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.

May the heartbeat of the Messiah flood our souls in a new and refreshing way this
Advent and Christmas. May we live and love as God has commanded.
Gracious and Loving God, we rejoice and give thanks for the greatest gift the
world has ever known. Love came down at Christmas in the form of a tiny baby,
the Christ Child. May the joy and excitement that fills our homes and lives with
new life be a constant reminder of Gods love for each of us. Let our hearts beat
in rhythm with our Lord and Savior so that others may know his love. Amen.
Monday, December 11

Helping Others Find Hope Linda McConnell

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your
faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy
Spirit. Romans 15:13
His answer was: My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you
are weak. I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to
feel the protection of Christs power over me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In my work at Gaston Literacy Council, I am fortunate to get to meet and know

people from all walks of life, with all circumstances. Many have displayed great
courage to even come through our doors, admitting to needing assistance in
something they have likely struggled to hide for much of their lives. In addition to
instruction in literacy skills, some of our most important work is the support we
provide to the students (and their families) as they work to attain personal and
work-related goals.

One student, a single mom, suffered a terrible loss when her young son died of
leukemia. She had spent hours at Levine Childrens Hospital in Charlotte, NC
during his illness and became interested in helping others going through similar
circumstances. Our Medical Office program helped her achieve her goal of
supporting others; in addition, our GLC family was a support system to her as
she worked though this very sad experience.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged when things in life dont go as

planned. A person may feel as if a dark cloud is hanging over his or her head, as
one challenge after another seems to come along. Or a person or family may
experience something tragic or unexpected and not able to figure out how to go
on with life at that moment, much less in the future. Folks respond and react to
challenges and difficulties in many different ways. Some folks may reach out to
others immediately, sharing intimate details of a situation (more information
sometimes than we want to know,) whereas others keep everything inside,
possibly unsure of what to do or ashamed of a situation, or possibly to protect
others from also worrying about the problem. Neither approach is right or
wrong, but as children of God, we can be a support to others or better able to
handle a personal situation if we remember that God is always with us,
particularly in times of need. We may not feel like it is true during the darkest of
times, but as we are able, we need to take the time to go to God in prayer, to
ask and allow God to hold us until we are better able to hold ourselves up.
Lord, hold especially close those who are experiencing sadness and grief,
uncertainties in life, and those struggling to have even basic needs met.
Hopelessness is a scary place to be, and there are many who cant seem to find
any hope in so many situations. Help them to know and believe that you are
always with them and to trust in your plan. Speak to those who feel alone or are
hesitant to ask others for help and support and comfort their anxious hearts.
Amen.
Tuesday, December 12

Be Still and Draw Near Kelly Zukaitis

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Christmas is to be a time of overwhelming thankfulness and joy, but often it can

become only a time to be overwhelmed. We stay busy completing our
decorations, shopping, spending time with family and friends, attending parties
and church activities; but should it really be a time when all our time is spent
staying busy? These may be the necessities of the season, and there is no doubt
great joy in all of the aforementioned activities. Still, amidst all of the activity,
lets not forget to be still and draw near to God.

So, how should we try to do this? Through devotion, and thats not always easy!
So often I have sat down with my Bible ready to pray or have a devotional time
and instead have felt aimless and distracted. Lets not be discouraged. There are
many ways to draw nearer. Devotion does not need to be lengthy; in fact,
some days it may consist of multiple little one-sentence prayers of thankfulness
throughout the day. Some other days the time may present itself to sit silently,
reflect, and pray.

Regardless of how it is accomplished, spend time being thankful each day for all
the little things, and especially for the biggest thing of all: the birth of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Open your time, your life and your heartand know without a doubt that He will
meet with you. Charles Stanley

God, thank you for helping me to remember to be still during this season of
busyness. Thank you for the opportunity that you provide for me to draw closer
to you, any time of the day or night, by simply asking and in turn receiving your
peace and joy. And thank you most of all for the birth of your son. Let me not
forget that He is the real reason for Christmas. Amen.
Wednesday, December 13

Season of Waiting Alyssa Morris

"Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently on him." Psalm 37:7

Does anyone else cringe when they read that verse? To "wait patiently" has
always been a struggle for me. The worst part is, I seem to always be in a season
of waiting.

Waiting to:
- Get accepted into college
- Graduate college
- Get a job
- Get a job that actually uses my degree
- Get married
- Have kids
- Etc.

It's always been hard for me to be content because there is always something
that I'm waiting for. However, that's not always a bad thing. I know that God has
a great plan for my life, I'm just impatient in finding out what the next part of
that plan is.

Even now, we are in a season of waiting. Waiting for Christmas, to spend time
with our families, to open presents, or waiting to eat your grandmother's home-
made macaroni and cheese. Waiting for Christmas isn't a new concept. The night
Jesus Christ was born was a moment that an entire nation had been waiting for.
The Jews believed that there was a Messiah coming, but they had no idea when.
So for generations, they just waited. When you think about that night when
our Savior was born in a manger, can you imagine what it really meant to those
people? Their wait was finally over! The king of the world had been born, and his
journey was set to motion, all the way to the cross.

So when we are in a season of waiting, when we feel overwhelmed, or when we

begin to doubt, we need to remember that Jesus is something that we don't have
to wait for. We know the story. Jesus was born in a stable, Jesus died on a cross,
and Jesus is with us today through the Holy Spirit. The End.

We will continue to wait on many things in life, but where there is waiting, there
is also hope.

Love,
Alyssa
Lord, help us find hope in our waiting this Christmas, and help us remember that
Christ is with us in every season. Amen.
Thursday, December 14

Chasing the Shine, Family Style Samantha Robison-Young

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods special
possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Its December 14, 2017, and Im writing about Star Wars againa shock to very
few, Im sure.

If you need me this evening, my children and my nephew and I will be at the
theater for the first showing of the new Star Wars movie. Yes, we are all big
nerds. And we have embraced our nerdiness, which is why I bought our tickets
on October 9, right as they went on sale.

The story and characters of Star Wars can easily be embraced by anyone of any
faith, for these heroes journeys are very much like our own. The Jedi were the
chosen people, and they were overcome by the dark side. Those who believed
were led out of the darkness into the light. They Chased the Shine, if you will,
in order to have the life they desired, free of hurt and pain.

For me, Chasing the Shine is synonymous with seeing Star Wars, because it
continues to be a family affair, even after almost forty years. This family journey
began with my mother taking me to see the original trilogy (although she was
not the devotee we are), continued when I took Bill to see the prequel trilogy, to
today, when Bill, Camille, my nephew Braedon, and I will view our second
movie in the sequel trilogy as a group. (Braedon belongs to my sister from
another mister). As usual, the children will camp out early to be first in the
theatre, and I will join after work. I will see the shine in their smiles as we munch
popcorn, cheer and cry.

To us Star Wars nerds, Star Wars is life. But on a deeper level it mirrors our
Christian journey; Star Wars is about finding our place in the universe, depending
on that unseen Force that binds us together and guides us through life. As the
great Jedi of old say, May the Force be with you during this holiest of season.

God, our father, please guide us daily as we each chase the shine in our lives.
May your force of good be our guiding light. Grant us all peace, happiness and
joy throughout this merriest of seasons. Amen.
Friday, December 15

Shining with Joy Ellen Downey

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and
be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you
peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
Numbers 6: 24-27

This scripture reminds me of Gods benevolence to me, to you, to all of us. His
goodness is complete in the birth of Jesus and makes me marvel at Jesuss life:
radiating love, shimmering with joy, glowing with selflessness, always lighting
our path.

Even when my eyes are open, is my heart really open to the baby Jesus, Gods
only son?

Surely Marys face was shining with joy when she learned that she would be the
mother of Jesus. Mary was selfless, full of grace, and faithful in her journey. May
we love and nurture each other with that same devotion.

Our good and gracious God, we honor your benevolence through time, space,
and human history. Your gift of the baby Jesus is our shining light and eternal
hope. May our lives radiate His love to others. Amen.
Saturday, December 16

Emmanuel God With Us Mark McIntosh

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The
virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel
(which means God with us). Matthew 1:22-23

For a long time I felt like I lived a charmed life. Theresa and I both still had our
parents, family was healthy, life was good. We tried our best to be thankful
during these good times, because we realized how blessed we were; however
these past few years have been very challenging. We lost both of Theresas
parents and my mom over the last five years or so. In the past six months my
brother, my business partner and mentor, and my dad have all passed away. It
has been rough, but one thing has been a constant: God has been with us
through it all.

This year I am concerned about the emotions and feelings the holidays will bring,
but I am trying to focus on the gift of Emmanuel, trying to know God is with us at
all times of our livesboth good and bad. Having a relationship with God and
Christ certainly does not guarantee we will not suffer or have to endure
hardships. I do not understand how people who have no relationship with a
church family or our Lord get through the hard times of life. God has been with
me through worship services, Wednesday Evening Fellowship, and my beloved
Sunday School class. God has been with me through the prayers and hugs I have
felt, and the food brought to us. We give thanks to God for sending His Son into
our lives so we can try to better understand the love He has for us. Emmanuel
has never been more real in my life than this year.

During this time of year people go through all types of emotions. No matter
where we are in our livesin good times or in strugglesI pray this will be a
season of hope, promise, love, and peace that can only come from knowing the
constant presence of God. I will miss my family and friends not with me this
year, but I know and trust God will get me through as long as my focus remains
fixed on Himas long as I focus on Emmanuel.

May the promise, presence, and peace of God be with all of us. Amen.
Sunday, December 17 Third Sunday in Advent

The Least of These Richard Abernethy

The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

The least of these. Let that resonate in your heart and mind for a moment. Im
sure that most of us dont think of ourselves as being one of the least. I have
spent most of my adult life as many have, working NOT to be among the least.
Our mindset is that material wealth and worldly accomplishments are to be
valued. And there is nothing wrong with that as long as we keep things in a
proper perspective. The disciples thought that Jesus was going to be a king that
sits on a throne and rules an earthly kingdom. It was a hard lesson for them
when they learned that His kingdom would not be a material, earthly one. It is so
easy for us to look at things as the disciples first did and to value that sort of
kingdom. However, as with the disciples, Jesus expects more from us than that.

We live in a world of those who have and those who do not. The gulf between the
wealthy and the poor has never been greater, and it grows wider each passing
day. Jesus loves us all, but He always holds a special place in His heart for the
marginalized. The hungry. The thirsty. Strangers. The sick. Prisoners. Children.
The lonely. The poor. Jesus spent most of His ministry among those who have
the least and they always hold a special place in His teaching.

Let us remember that Jesus was born in the poorest and humblest place
imaginable. He was forced to a lowly cow stall because the world had no room for
Him. What wouldnt we give to be able to be there when He was born? If we were
looking for a Messiah today, would we look in a homeless shelter or a broken
down shack? Would we even see Him if He was among us? This Advent let us
remember that we have the chance to be at the Nativity scene every day of our
lives. Remember His words: I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I
was in prison and you visited me. I was naked and you gave me something to
wear.

We have all been blessed beyond measure. The need of those around us is great
and we have so very much to give: a welcoming word, a hot meal, some warm
clothing, a visit to a shut-in or someone who is alone, hope for better times, the
light of that eastern star to someone whose life is filled with darkness.

The least of these are all around us. We need only look to find Jesus in our midst.
Lord, help us to see You in the least of these. Help us to provide a blessing to
others as you have provided the greatest of blessings to us. Amen.
Monday, December 18

Reflection Paul Heath

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi
from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 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. Matthew 2:1-2

When I heard Chasing the Shine was the theme for this years advent devotion
book, I immediately thought of how Christmas was shiny to me as a child.
Decorations, packages, toys, and even Rudolphs nose were the things that made
Christmas sparkle to me.

As I became an adult, the allure of these things faded. I took more satisfaction in
getting together with family and friends and spending time with them during the
Christmas season. I could see the light of Jesus reflected in the faces of my loved
ones.

As I reflect (pardon the pun) this advent season, I wonder how I can become a
better Christian. Certainly, I can strive to shine for Jesus, by reflecting His great
love to help others to see His light in the darkness. He is the star; I only have to
be a mirror.

Dear God, thank you for this advent season to help us prepare for the coming of
Your son. Help to find ways to spread Your light. In Jesus name, Amen.
Tuesday, December 19

Chasing a Thousand Dreams Bill Young

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalms 20:4

Those who know me well know I am a person with big dreams and goals and
that I am always setting a new goal, even while chasing current goals. Ive been
chasing the shine of my dreams all my life, and the Lord has helped me to build a
bridge to each one.

Coming from a family of scholars, earning a masters degree had always been on
my to-do list, but I never knew exactly when I would fulfill this dream. However,
God answered the question for me. The final year of my college career, I was
still wondering what I would do after graduation. Soon enough, I remembered
the Bridges to Dreams program that Lenoir-Rhyne offered. This program allowed
me to finish my masters program in one year - a tricky process that required a
great deal of maneuvering and planning. Often, I believed that I was lost in a
dark tunnel. Yet, my masters degree was the light at the end of that tunnel, and
God kept me focused on that very light.

Now God has shown me a new path. God has reminded me that I have always
had the desire for military service. I once burned with a sense of duty and pride,
and God has rekindled that flame within me, leading me back down a path I have
wanted to walk for years.

Surprisingly, I have recently discovered that it is not just the big dreams and
desires that God helps me catch. The night before I was to take my Air Force
Officer Qualifying Test, I discovered that I had misplaced my Social Security card,
which I needed in order to take the test. I tore through the house like a maniac
looking for my card, and my mother suggested that I pray to find it. I said, I
cant pray about finding a Social Security card. But, I did nonetheless. Later,
my mom had an epiphany about where it could be, and lo and behold, she was
right. So, while I may not have had that epiphany myself, I know that was a
hearts desire fulfilled by God.

So whether the shine comes from a career goal or just finding that which is lost,
God is always with us as we chase the shine and gives us the strength to catch
the shine.

Lord, thank You for giving us the strength and drive to succeed in our plans and
for always giving us another shine to chase. Amen.
Wednesday, December 20

Saving His Children Nan White

Your word is like a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119: 205
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to
death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8: 13

Though the Bible was written over a period of sixteen centuries by at least forty
authors, it has a central theme: salvation through faith in Christ. Begun by Moses
in the lonely desert of Arabia and finished by John on the lonely Isle of Patmos, it
is held together by a strong thread: Gods passion and Gods plan to save His
children. Understanding the purpose of the Bible is like setting the compass in the
right direction. Calibrate it correctly and you will journey safely.

Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One
who makes them right. Every moment of your life, your accuser is filing charges
against you. As he speaks, you hang your head. You have no defense. His
charges are fair.

I plead guilty, your honor, you mumble.

The sentence? Satan asks.

The wages of sin is death explains the judge, but in this case the death has
already occurred. For this one died with Christ.

Satan is suddenly silent. And you are suddenly jubilant. You have stood before
the judge and heard him declare, not guilty.

We thank and praise you Heavenly Father for claiming us as Your children and
for the unending Grace you have bestowed upon us. This is the season of love
and the time we especially remember the greatest gift, Your son Jesus Christ. As
I sit and watch our little ones come to the altar for our childrens service, I thank
you for each of them and for the leaders who nurture and teach them. And as
they remind us at the end their prayer, we say also, Thank you, God, for loving
us. Amen.
Thursday, December 21

Doing the Difficult Work Mark Hollar

Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees! Keep
walking on straight paths, so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead
be healed. Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because,
no one will see the Lord without it. Guard against turning back from the grace of
God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many
troubles with its poison. Hebrews 12: 12-15

In the Builders Sunday School class we have been studying Gods covenant. As
we prepare for Christmas and the birth of our Savior, I am reminded how
important it is for each of us to do our best to fulfill Gods individual covenant He
makes with us. The scripture above provides four qualities we should employ in
order to be close to God. Pursue peace, cultivate holiness, distribute grace and
avoid bitterness are paths for us to be more like Jesus and paths for us to Follow
Jesus, Make Disciples and Transform the World. Advent is a great time to
review how we are called to minister to our world.

Pursing peace reminds us we are called to work with and do our best to
understand and help others. Cultivating holiness can be compared to John
Wesleys idea of going on to perfection. We cultivate holiness each time we
pray the Lords Prayerwe are reminded to stay away from temptation and we
also ask to be delivered from evil. This helps us remember to strive to be more
like Jesus.

Distributing grace is a reminder we are expected to broaden our circle of

influence as much as possibleworking outside of our local church to pursue
peace and cultivate holiness. Avoiding bitterness helps us remember to be wary
of a person or persons who continually tear down efforts to pursue peace,
cultivate holiness and distribute grace to those outside of our local church.

Advent and Christmas are great times to renew our efforts to get outside of our
church and do the difficult work for Jesus. Our United Methodist calling to Follow
Jesus, Make Disciples and Transform the World is difficult, serious and most
rewarding!

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to be our mediator, our
example, our teacher and our Savior. Help us to work hard outside our church
walls as we try our best to fulfill our calling. Amen.
Friday, December 22

An Ever-Present Light Eleanor Wixson

"Arise, shine, for your light has come." Isaiah 60: 1

A quick look at the book of Psalms reveals several references about the Lord God
making his face to shine upon his servants, and in Numbers 6:25 we read, "The
Lord makes his face to shine upon you." To think of God's grace spreading so
much light is an awesome thing to consider. A recent devotion showed this
thought: "get used to the idea that God is always there." If God is always present
with us and his countenance is shining on us, there is light enough for everything
with some to spare!

Knowing friends who have had their young adult children taken to Heaven in this
past year, praying at the burial site of John's mother, attending memorial
services for faithful saints, and thinking of others who have gone through
difficulties of illness and trials, it is not always easy to remember that God is
always there, that his shining face is diminishing the darkness.

As Christmas approaches, we begin to gather candles and twinkling lights, white

and green and red. We want this winter solstice to be a season of light just as
our ancestors did in days of yore. Those people in the "dark ages" brought in
greenery to keep away evil spirits, and they piled an extra log on the fire to keep
the night shadows out of their dwelling places. In a similar way, we want the
dark places in our homes to shine, and we want the dark places in our lives to be
chased out by the light that temporarily beams from every corner.

But throughout the year we have the assurance that Emmanuel has come, God is
with us, God is always there, he brings the lightthe dark moments of our
sorrow, our trials, and the hidden dark areas of our hearts are challenged and
faded by his shining. Isaiah 60: 1 encourages us to "Arise, shine, for your light
has come."

Lord, thank you for giving us Jesus at Christmas and for giving us his light to
guide throughout the year. May that light transform our fears and worries into
hope that shines for others to see. Amen.
Saturday, December 23

Following the Light of Christ Royce and May Robinson

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise
men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is the child who has been
born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to
pay him homage. Matthew 2: 1-2

Matthew tells the story of the Wise Men coming from the east, perhaps the
region of Babylon, to worship the newborn King of the Jews. The light from the
star led the Wise Men to Jerusalem where they met with King Herod and the
temple leadership. Through this legendary story, Matthew has the Wise Men
shine a light on HerodKing of the Jewsand the priesthood and temple
scholarsmen well-schooled on the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophecy of a
coming Messiah. By shining a light on these characters, Matthew through the
magi shows us a man ruthless enough to kill anyone who stands in competition
with him, including children. He also shows the leadership of the temple, the
wise men and spiritual leaders of Judaism, unable (or unwilling) to acknowledge
the possible arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.

While following the light of Christ, the Wise Men shined a light for mankind on the
corruption, ruthlessness and ineptitude of the day. Matthew tells us that Herod
had children killed in effort to eliminate the Christ from his kingdom. The
priesthood, the ones who refused to acknowledge the Christ child, later became
enemies of Jesus. Our world has the same evil now as then, and millions have
and still suffer at the hands of men like the ones in the story as told by Matthew.

In His ministry, Jesus shined a light on the many who suffered at the hands of
the ruthless, selfish, and careless leaders of the day. Many suffer today under the
same powers of evil and corruption, and Jesus continues to shine a light on those
subjected to these forces. Just as the Wise Men followed the light to Christ and
served Him, we are to follow the light of Christ and live in the service to those in
need.

Help us to reach out to the many to whom Christ is still leading us with His light,
a light that shines brighter than ever. Help us always to follow Christ. Amen.
Sunday, December 24 Fourth Sunday in Advent

For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an
eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17(NIV)

As
we
decorated
the
Christmas tree this year,
we kept running into technical
difficulties. Each time we finished the
last touch on the tree, the lights went out.
We redecorated the tree three times.
When the tree was finally done, I marveled its
beautymore beautiful than any tree we had ever
had! It made me realize that lights do go off in our lives.
It sometimes gets dark just when we think we have everything
in control. It takes a lot of persistence and searching to
re-light things. But if it didnt get dark, we would never appreciate
the light when it comes back stronger and brighter.

Is it the music? Is it the messages and memories in those precious

Christmas cards? Is it the bittersweet recollection of Christmases past?
The stirring of our emotions actually bring benefits. You see, the lights on a
Christmas tree are magnified with tears in your eyes.
Tears create a kaleidoscope and multiply the colors, the prisms,
and the people in the room. They cleanse the soul and blend smells, tastes,
memories and feelings together like a treasured family recipe. And, whats more,
tears are usually a strong indication of needing a good warm hug.

May we be blessed with

little inconveniences
and technicalities
that remind us how
truly blessed
we are. Amen.

Jennie Stultz
Monday, December 25

When Is Christmas Over? Yvonne Goforth

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

One Sunday morning in early January, I lit the Christ candle in my first grade
Sunday school class. The children looked confused and Lilly Colletta said, Ms.
Yvonne, what are you doing? Christmas is over.

I quickly said, Christmas is NEVER over. I reminded them that when we see
acts of kindness or hear words of encouragement, we see Jesus and our hearts
celebrate His birth again.

Do you recall times when you have seen Jesus?

I saw Jesus when Pastor Juston played the part of a cow in VBS to make the
stories of Jesus come alive to the children.

I saw Jesus when Becky walked away from a deadline because a young girl,
having recently lost her mother, needed a friend to get her through a bad day.

I saw Jesus when our beloved Jim, just out of the hospital, came the next
morning to baptize a baby because the mother had especially requested him. Too
weak to even hold Maddox, he baptized him and immediately left for home.

I saw Jesus when my dear friend Cathy McCosh searched everywhere and didnt
quit until she found a certain doll house for a child on the angel tree.

I saw Jesus when I received a sweet note from Jack, to be read again and again.

I saw Jesus when I went with David Christy to Morningside to serve communion
to some of our members. The love he has for his mother was evident as he
served communion to her and prayed with her. I realized they share the same
fun-loving personality.

I always see Jesus when the children bow at the altar rail during VBS for our
closing prayer. A special Jesus moment came when Max hugged me and said,
Ms. Yvonne, I prayed for you tonight.

I continue to see Jesus as our youth host Christmas parties for the Boys and Girls
Club and go on mission trips where they serve in soup lines and befriend the
beggar on the corner.
Now, Advent is here again. We put the manger in its special place in our home.
We smile at strangers and say Merry Christmas. We search for the perfect gifts.
At last, it is time for Him to come. On Christmas Eve we will light a candle and
sing, Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come. We will follow the Star to a babe in a
manger, and our hearts will be made glad!

Then we carefully put away the manger for another year. Is Christmas over? I
hope not! I pray for more Jesus sightings through ordinary people, and I pray
that others will see Jesus through me. Let us all keep the light of the Christ Child
shining so I can honestly say to Lilly and all the children.

Christmas is never over!

Our gracious father, may we live in such a way that others will see Jesus and
experience the gladness of the Christmas season over and over. Amen.