Submitted by: Linda Crosswell

December 24, 2011

Luke 1:67-80

Bible Passage…
“You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him, to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace.”

Reflection…
The passing of a loved one prompts us to take time for reflection. To reflect on how that person had an impact on our life. My wife, Karen, recently lost her father. As the family gathered, she with her brother and sister spoke of growing up with their father and different things they learned from him. This prompted me, in my quiet times, to think of my dad and the influence he had on my life.

Reading Zachariah’s prophecy in Luke 1 regarding his son John, verses 76-79 struck a chord with me. It refers to his son preparing the way for his Lord and made me think of how Dad prepared the way for me to follow on my faith journey. I don’t remember a Sunday when Dad would not go to church if he was able. After the early years of him and Mom taking their three children to Sunday School, Dad would leave the option of going to church with us. He would announce he was going and offered anyone who wanted to could join him. Not sure exactly why, whether a feeling of guilt or wanting to please him or something deeper, but I made it a point to go along. One might say Dad prepared a way for me to follow our Lord, strengthening my faith and who knows, provide the salvation of which Zachariah spoke.

What are we doing to prepare the way for others to follow us? Did I do enough for my children to help them on their faith journey? Are we providing the right environment for others to join us as “a people following Jesus”?

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we celebrate the birth of your Son, guide us and show us the way to prepare the road for those who follow to reach You as John did for your son, Jesus. Help us to be a beacon for others. Thank you for the gift you have given us. Amen.

Tim Beaver

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 and is filed under Uncategorized.

Submitted by: Linda Crosswell

December 23, 2011

Luke 1:57-66

Bible Passage . . .
“Now, Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered and she brought forth a son .And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her… and called him Zaccharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called … (He) wrote saying His name is John, and they marveled all. And his mouth was opened immediately ...he spake and praised God…”

Reflection…
Like so many special occasions, isn’t the birth of a new baby often an exciting time? What will he be named? Will she look like her older sister? Will the delivery go well and will I have enough energy to take care of the whole family? Sometimes it seems that we get so wrapped up in the details of the occasion that, like the neighbors and cousins above, we may get side tracked and focus on other details rather than what it’s really about. We overlook the praise to God and the reflection on how that event is another miracle of the love of Christ in our lives. Christmas Day will be here shortly and for many, it will be full of excitement, joy, presents, family celebrations, great foods, and lots more. Will we get caught up in the fun of the moment and forget that there’s more to it? We can remember that our joy at this time will be like the joy shared by Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias at the birth of their child John and the knowledge of the King that was soon to come. We can surround ourselves with all the love and happiness that special events bring but always need to remember that it’s really all about God: His involvement in our lives, His directions and pathway for us and His love as shown in the gift of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Loving God, Thank you for your presence during the special times of our lives and remind us that it is the joy we celebrate together with You, our families and others. Let us not forget in the midst of all the details of the occasion that you are in control and set the stage for each act within our lives. Prepare our hearts for the celebration that is to come and keep us faithful to your loving gift of your Son Jesus Christ. We pray in His name, Amen.

Mary Kay Hymes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 and is filed under Uncategorized.

Submitted by: Linda Crosswell

December 22, 2011

Luke 1:39-48a

Bible Passage…"And blesssed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord".

Reflection…
Advent! Three days until Christmas, and I find myself wondering about you in the next pew. Did you focus on God today? Did you take time for devotions or prayer, to give thanks, or delight in the light of Christ shining in the eyes of a child, your spouse, a parent, friend or co-worker? Did you consider preparing the Way for Christ’s arrival over the course of your day? I wonder, because it’s an inquiry game I often play with myself. I make a pie chart of my day and consider the piece I’ve offered my Lord. Try it. Did God get a huge slab of apple-of-your-eye pie, a sliver, or a crumb? Take a 2011 average. If you consistently offer whole pies, please open your “pie hole” and lend encouragement to the rest of us!

Today’s scriptures help me consider a new way to look at my pie chart game. In Luke, we find Mary, magnificently blessed by God, carrying His son, Jesus, leaving for Judah. She enters the house of Zacharias and greets Elizabeth. At her greeting, Elizabeth’s baby joyfully leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Holy Spirit. She cries out to Mary, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth is awed at the blessing upon Mary and that the Lord’s amazing words have found fulfillment. Mary too, is overwhelmed by her own blessings, joy, and faith in her Lord. She cries, “My soul exalts in the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave”. Pregnant, poor, tired from travel and daily chores, burdened by social views and political concerns, these women can only exude joy! Joy and a clear focus on their precious Lord and Savior-across the hours, no matter what their day had brought them. I want a piece of their exuberant faith!

The book of Revelation offers a second coming viewpoint. After extensive descriptions of the apocalypse, chapter 21 gloriously describes the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Glory! Brilliance! Majesty! Perfection in design! Precious stones everywhere! Pearled gates and a golden street like glass! Yet, the author, John, “sees no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb are its temple”. Like a child at a Christmas dinner buffet, he manages to focus beyond all of the city’s magnificence, directly upon his dessert; upon his Lord! I’ll take a piece of John’s clear focus, too!

What Mary, Elizabeth and John offer me is their example of how to coat my daily pie chart with a thick layer of meringue. What if every time I begin to slice up my day, I first must put the knife into the airy sweetness of my Lord? Would I, too, exude joy in all my conversations and actions? Could I consider Christ atop all the worldly distractions? Would I consistently offer one big slice for time in prayer, study or service in Christ’s name? Might I seek out scripture when I can’t make decisions on how many slices to cut or the size of each portion? I wonder. And I’m tasting humble pie! How about you?
 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for your blessing upon Highland’s wonderfully intergenerational congregation. May we encourage one another to remain hungry for growth in faith, knowledge, and humility as we serve our community, nation, and world in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Sweet Christmas to all! Amen.

Linda Leiden

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 and is filed under Uncategorized.