Saturday, December 4

Isaiah 4:2-6

Psalms 20, 21, 110, 116, and 117

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Luke 21:5-19

Psalm 117

In reading Psalm 117 and considering its meaning and significance, I have to say that it is the beautiful simplicity of the psalm that really appeals to me. I get this visual image of people around the globe reaching out, grasping hands, and joining together with one common desire…to praise God. I guess it’s the teacher in me that prompts me to imagine this looking something like a construction paper chain of cut out people, connected at the hands, that you might see stretching across an elementary classroom wall. My vision includes smiling faces and people of all different races putting aside whatever differences may exist, quieting the noise of daily life, and finding time to just be still and to experience together the joy that comes from knowing that great is God’s love for us.

You know, I don’t think the psalm is really meant to encourage just one spectacular moment of world-wide praise though…as awesome as that moment might be. Instead, I think it’s more a recipe for what each day in each of our lives should be: many moments of offering praise, sometimes in the company of others and sometimes in solitude.

There are certain times of day that I find myself more easily able to slow my pace and have conversations with God. When I wake up in the morning and enjoy my coffee while the rest of my family is still sleeping and the house is quiet…as I walk my dogs and let them off their leashes to run free through the field of tall grasses in our neighborhood…when I watch our children, Lauren and Kevin, often without them even aware, as they show compassion and appreciation for one another…something that is beginning to happen more frequently now as they grow and mature.

It is during these brief moments of quiet thought and observation, that I find myself praising God and in doing so, my heart is filled with joy and my soul with a deep contentment that I can’t get from anywhere else. In praising Him, the funny thing is, I’m rewarded as well. I find a peace that helps me in facing whatever challenges the day might bring. In giving glory to God, I am lifted up and filled with His strength.

It’s a wonderful arrangement and isn’t a limited time offer. No…as the psalm also proclaims, “The Lord is faithful forever.” What an amazing thing to consider…that we will be loved by God faithfully and FOREVER.

Praise the Lord indeed!

Beth McGee

Friday, December 3

Isaiah 3:8-15

Psalms 16, 17, and 22

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Luke 20:41-21:4

I grew up in a home that was Roman Catholic more in name than in strict practice, so I was surprised when my seventh grade friend told me that he couldn’t go to the movies on Saturday because it was Advent season. “What in the world does Advent have to do with going to the movies?” I asked. He explained that Advent was a little like Lent in that some special prayer and detachment from normal activity was necessary to prepare to truly celebrate the coming birth of Christ. As an eleven year old I can’t say I really understood then, but I’ve never forgotten the lesson or the boy who, even at that young age, led by life example rather than words.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encourages them and us “to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs…so that you may behave properly toward outsiders.” In the version of Thessalonians found in The Message the line is phrased this way: “We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders.” As I read the scripture assigned for today that was the sentence that kept coming back to me over and over again. Do I live my life in a way that will command the respect of outsiders? In other words, how do I conduct myself away from my church family? Would I be recognized as a Christian if I didn’t have a nametag?

Advent is a time for reflection and preparation, a time that we can choose to “aspire to live quietly” in the midst of holiday clamor. As my seventh grade friend taught me all those years ago, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of the season.

Bob Lowe

Thursday, December 2

Isaiah 2:12-22

Psalm 18

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Luke 20:27-40

From Thessalonians:

“… in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith… . How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

As we prepare our hearts for Christ's coming, do we remember the “people who got us here?” There are probably several people in each life who helped us establish and form our faith and there are those who helped us strengthen and maintain it. These are the folks we've used as role models and comforters and they've offered us the strength and courage to move forward in difficult times.

Think about the people in your life who initiated, deepened, or strengthened your faith over the years, those folks who “got you here” and gave this season importance. Bless them in your prayers.

Mary DiFiore Crowe

Wednesday, December 1

Isaiah 2:1-11

Psalms 12, 13, 14, and 119:1-24

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Luke 20:19-26

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

I chose this letter from Paul to the young Thessalonica church, because I love Paul’s message; to me, it is a message to be faithful, a message of hope and a message of thanks all rolled into eight verses! I want my devotional message to you in this season of Advent to also be one of faith, hope and thanksgiving. I want to celebrate with you that the Gospel is not only what we believe, but what we live! Paul was not grateful for the popularity, prestige or “stuff” but for the new believers of Thessalonica, “20For you are our glory and joy.”

At this time, if your burdens are overwhelming, take heart in the joy that every day, the people of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church live the lives of faithful believers, spreading God’s message of hope in many ways; from a kind word or gesture to helping those less fortunate, “…welcoming the stranger in fellowship and worship with the love of Christ…”

Let’s take hope together, in the reality that Christ will return, and in the promise of eternal life, just as Paul taught the Thessalonians all those years ago.

Prayer

Gracious and loving God, I give thanks for the believers of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, for the message of faith and hope that they live on a daily basis. Keep them safe in this Advent season. Let us grow in your Word and love together. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Julieanne Mani

Tuesday, November 30

Isaiah 1:21-31

Psalms 5, 6, 10, and 11

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Luke 20:9-18

Therefore the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.” Isaiah 1:24

Every year as Advent approaches I look forward to the exciting prophesies in Isaiah and the beautiful birth stories in Luke; well today’s readings are not of that ilk so they are somewhat disappointing. At first read, and I will admit second and third read, these come off rather vengeful and wrath filled. In my constant effort to find the good news, even in verses filled with thoughts of murderers, harlots, cheaters, will burn together, broken to pieces and crushed, I find God’s incredible love. He is constantly trying to redeem us.

Isaiah admits the obvious, people can and will constantly fall into sin. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus tells of how we constantly back away from what is right and fair. What these readings also tell us is that God is and will be constantly involved and constantly trying to reconcile us to him.

The precious stories of Christmas are coming, just a few more weeks. Advent is our time to ponder and struggle to live into God’s magnificent redemption.

Blessings,

Jennie Perry