November 30

November 30

“His Birth and Our New Birth,” by Linda Everly

‘Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ (Matthew 1:23)

“...that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of - He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate - God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord’s birth was an advent - the appearance of God in human form. (Oswald Chambers)

Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into each of us from outside. Have we allowed our personal human lives to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? We cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless we are born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth. “You must be born again” (John 3:7). At the time of this rebirth, we yield ourselves so completely to God that Christ is formed in us. He indwells us and begins His work through us.

This is what is made so profoundly possible for all of the human race by the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.

Let us remember our redemptive rebirth as we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer.

Almighty God, thank you for your Son. Thank you for our redemption. Thank you!

November 29

November 29

“Seeking and Celebrating the Real Meaning of Christmas”, by Teresa Hewitt

It was mid October. Entering the grocery store, in search of Trunk or Treat items for the church, I was startled by several large displays near the checkouts and exits. There, nestled in between the bins of fresh Halloween treats, were stacks of boxed Christmas chocolates and stocking stuffers. The Christmas season had begun and October wasn't even over!

Sometimes it seems that the gap between Christmas and the rest of the year is getting shorter. This eagerness to get a jump on holiday cheer is purely practical from a retailer’s point of view. Stores typically make more than half of their yearly sales during these few short weeks. Shopping has become a pretty substantial part of the North American Christmas tradition.

Yet Christmas is and should be so much more than what we buy. Gifts are fun, both to give and receive, but they are only symbolic of a much greater gift:

“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” (John 3:16).

The love of God came down to earth - now that is something to celebrate!

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the busyness of Christmas. That doesn’t mean we have to lose track of the significance of this time of year, or miss out on the opportunities it can present.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to remember "the reason for the season", and to celebrate with every opportunity we are given. Amen.

November 28

November 28

“New Life” by Kevin Ward

Our family will be celebrating the birth of my brother’s second child at some point this Advent season, which has caused me to reflect a little about the story of the Birth of Christ. In preparing for the new baby, there has been the preparation of a new nursery, preparing his older brother’s rooms, getting everything in the right place, and also for all the company that will drop in to welcome the new one. All of this causes me to think of Christ’s birth, and think about what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph.

They were traveling to Bethlehem for a census, where there was nowhere for them to stay. There was no nursery for the new baby and Joseph couldn’t just run to the corner convenience store for a package of Pampers. Joseph and Mary must have been overwhelmed. In fact, we have this picture of a perfect little stable in which Jesus gave birth; however, it would have been filthy and smelly – nothing like the hospitals we have today.

All of this had to happen so that Christ could endure a difficult life and be crucified. It doesn’t seem quite fair, but it is God’s gift to us – Christ’s birth, life and death. This season we celebrate the happiest moment and we continue to prepare with Christmas trees, baking, and buying M-cards for our loved ones; as we celebrate, we should also remember how great God’s love is, that he created this plan. This is not just one small moment, but part of a bigger picture.

As this season progresses, I pray that all my family – immediate, extended, church, work, and community – will know the peace and joy that this holiday brings. God has given us so much and we take it for granted. I look forward to holding my new niece or nephew in my arms just as Mary and Joseph looked forward to holding their new son.

Bible Verse: Luke 2: 1 – 7

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this great gift we are celebrating this holiday season. Help us to remember that it is all a part of your great plan for us. Watch over us and protect us as we do our own preparations for the birth of your son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

November 27, First Sunday of Advent

November 27, 1^st Sunday of Advent

“An Angel is a Messenger” by Pamela Crane

As we enter another Advent Season I am reminded of a memorable Christmas card we received a few years ago. This particular card came from a friend who had written a Christmas poem and enclosed a small handmade angel with it. I contacted her to tell her how much I appreciated the original poem and she deflected the favorable comments by responding, "It wasn't me, they were God's words." I cherish the image of this humble servant sitting down and letting the Spirit of God flow through her in writing the poem and crafting the tiny angel ornament. With her permission I am sharing her poem.

An angel is a messenger

Sent from Heaven above.

To bring God's word to all mankind,

His messages of love.

I'm just a tiny angel

My heart is very small.

But I bring a Christmas message,

The very best news of all.

God's own son was born in a stable,

His bed a manger of hay.

He came from Heaven with a mission

On that first blessed Christmas day.

So when the world's busyness

Leaves your heart hassled and worn,

Remember the babe in the manger

On that very first Christmas morn.

He came to the world for a reason.

From his mission he would not be moved.

The reason God sent Him from Heaven

Was to show you how much you are loved.

Orthanna K. Yager,2004

When you feel overwhelmed in the next few weeks reread the last two stanzas to help keep your focus on the "Christ" in Christmas.

Prayer: Glorious God, Thank you for sending your Son, Baby Jesus, to our dark and broken world. Help us to remember that You sent Him as a gift of your love. Prepare and enable us to reflect a portion this tremendous love to others throughout this Advent Season. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Welcome to the Advent Devotional 2011!

Welcome to Memorial United Methodist Church’s Advent Devotional, 2011!

Life is a Constant Advent Season…

"Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience. The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us—give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned.

"May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives."

-From “Connections,” 11-28-93

On behalf of the Spiritual Formation committee, we invite you to take these poems, memories, and stories of Advent and use them to open the doors of your heart and mind to the wondrous Christmas season, and to the message of hope it brings. Take some time out from this busy time and share these stories with your family and friends, and above all, may you share the message of Jesus Christ with someone new this season. May this year’s Advent devotional bring you a renewed sense of love, hope, and peace that only God can bring.

Hallelujah! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King!!

Spiritual Formation Committee:

Rev. Jill Howard

Becky Proctor

Jim Waugh

Betty Porter

Carol Waltersdorf

Pam Crane

Advent Activities for Worship, Fellowship, and Celebration- Please Join Us!

Tuesdays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 6:30-8:30 pm: “The Journey” Advent class with Rev. Johnson

Thursday, December 1, 10:00 am-12:00 pm: United Methodist Women’s Luncheon

Friday, December 2, 5:00-8:30 pm: Parents’ Night Out! (United Methodist Women will provide childcare for families- get your Christmas shopping done!)

Friday, December 2, 7:30 pm- Farrington Grove Chorale Christmas Concert at First Congregational Church

Sunday, December 11^th, Advent Sunday:

8:45 am- Sunday School and Crafts

10:00 am- Worship

11:15 am- Catered Meal

Thursday, December 15^th, 10:00 am: Memorial Preschool Christmas Program and Reception

Monday, December 19, 6:30 pm: Christmas College Dinner at Mogger’s Restaurant

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, Saturday, December 24

7:00 pm- Family Candlelight Service

11:00 pm- Traditional Candlelight Service

(Open Communion Served in the Chapel from 6:00 pm till Midnight)

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25

10:00 am- Christmas Day Worship Service (One Service!)

New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1

10:00 am- New Year’s Day Worship Service (One Service!)