Category: Advent Devotionals 2023

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem…ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. —Matthew 2:1, 9b-10

Today is Epiphany! It is the day in the church calendar when we remember the star-studded journey of the magi, which led them to Jesus. Epiphany is the celebration of God’s presence breaking through to shine as a light for all the world. The Divine is revealed and made manifest in the hearts of these travelers from afar. And they emerge from this experience “overwhelmed by joy.” I love that! I want that! I want to be overwhelmed with joy, too.

Like a spiritual G.P.S., the magi followed their hearts by allowing a star to guide their way. While I cannot cast a new star in the sky, I can offer you a creative prayer practice through a Star Word to accompany you in the New Year, guiding you closer to Christ. A Star Word is a contemporary tradition of receiving an intention word on Epiphany. Imprinted upon a star, your Star Word is a word for you to consider as a guidepost for your year.

I encourage you to join us for worship on January 7 to receive a Star Word. The magi followed a star to find the Christ child. We are also seeking Jesus in our daily lives, trusting that the Holy Spirit can and does use signs to guide us closer to the Divine presence. Consider your Star Word your spiritual G.P.S. Perhaps you will see something in your word that others may not – just like the magi who determined the Star of Bethlehem marked their destiny.

What might you learn from one word?
What new ideas might emerge?
What treasured wisdom might you discern?

As we seek guidance for the journey ahead, may your spiritual quest and your sacred work include possibilities from the stars.

God of starlight, like the Magi so long ago, we too, are seeking you. In this new year, we ask that once more, you give us a sign. As you guide our journey, may we be more open to your presence and willing to follow where you lead. We are hopeful, O God. Overwhelm us with joy. In the name of the One who is the keeper of the stars. Amen.

Rev. Lane Cotton Winn

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

I’m different and I like it! Some might even say I’m weird and that’s ok, too. I love it when I come home from work, get everything ready for the next day, take a shower, eat dinner and get in bed by 7 p.m. Can you say delightful? I also love when I experience peace, calm, and tranquility, especially when something unexpected happens. It took years of trusting God to remain calm when little things would get on my last nerve. That’s why I’m determined not to allow anyone or anything to steal my peace. Jesus gave it to me. I refuse to let anything keep me from it!

Well, with that being said, the enemy has been trying to steal my peace. Sometimes I feel like he’s winning. In January I picked up my “Star Word.” The word was “journey.” Trust me when I say God has a sense of humor! I can see him rolling on the floor laughing at me whenever I start whining.

God has been taking me on a spiritual and physical journey this year. Have you ever heard the phrase,” Be careful what you pray for?” I prayed and God answered my prayer. I didn’t realize that the answer to my prayer would be both rewarding and challenging. I’m still on this journey, and it’s still difficult. However, God is restoring my inner peace.

“There is peace like a river, there is peace like a river, there is peace like a river in my soul.”

Dear God, Thank you for the Prince of Peace and for allowing us to experience peace in the midst of chaos. In Jesus name amen

Journey – a Star Word Poem

Take me on a journey Lord so that I may draw closer to you
Open my eyes and ears, so that I may understand all you are revealing to me
As I journey with you Lord Jesus please take away everything that is not like you.
Lord guide me steadily and show me where to go

L. Darlene Dickson

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14:27

When thoughts turmoil my heart
and worries wrinkle my mind
I go to Jesus
in the woods
and find him waiting
there.
In the laid-down grasses
where doe rested with her fawn,
in the gentle rhythm of tree frog’s chant,
in the exuberant vine climbing the oak,
in the silent flight of owl returning to rest for the day.
In the soothing call of cricket,
in the smell of fallen leaves,
in the flashing wings of swallow,
in the water of pond, still and bright.
Here, the Prince of Peace
holds my hand
stills my mind
calms my heart.
O, joyous peace!

Wonderful God, we thank you for the peace you offer through your beloved son. Help us to find that stillness and sanctuary we seek in times of turmoil. Amen.

Betty Schroeder

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. —John 14: 12-14

In January 2023, I was delighted to select my star word at our Epiphany worship service. I love star words. As I wrote in a Faith Story Anticipating a Star Word: “They are “the words I carry with me for at least a year, and even beyond. They have taken my breath away; they’ve left my mind pondering, my heart pounding and my soul stirring; they’ve made me pay attention to them.”

While each star word can be considered and experienced singularly, I am realizing that the star words I’ve collected over the years have amounted to a Holy constellation, a harmonious symphony – a love song from our Lord written just for me, His melodic call upon my life. Through these star words, Jesus has proven Himself again and again, and centers me in His trustworthy goodness:

Jesus the daring leader
Jesus the promise keeper
Jesus the giver of the life-spirit

Growing in love with our Savior Jesus Christ, I cannot help but recognize the ever-present Spirit of God with me throughout my life. In my youngest years I remember reading His Holy Word, not with wise understanding but often with many questions, knowing that in His time He would make these things clear to me. He has done this and more and continues to do, as it is God’s nature to give and give abundantly.
Waiting to hear His clear call upon my life and how I might serve Him, crying out “when Lord?!” He imparts His perfect wisdom upon me, showing me that His good work within me has been a lifetime in the making. I have found myself so concerned with the “when?” of the waiting that I failed to see that the rooting up, the planting and the sowing have all been well underway. He has most assuredly led my life in bold ways; He has kept His promises; He has filled me to overflowing with His reviving Spirit. It is a joy to be alive and never have I loved my life as I do now.

Never did I imagine that I could love my life and love who He has made me to be as I do now. This powerful love He has poured into me has freed me from the darkest depths of depression and erased my selfish longings to usher this earthly life to a close, dead and buried with potential in tact.

I pray for courage and He makes me daring.
I pray for direction and He journeys with me.
I pray for confirmation and he proves again and again He is a promise-keeper.
I pray for wisdom and light and love and He pours His spirit into me to overflowing.

We can ask anything in Jesus’ name. He tells us we can. He tells us that He will do it and He does! I am proof! You are proof! Thanks be to God for a love like that.

Most Holy and Loving God, thank you that you are a promise-keeper. Thank you that you hear the cries of my heart and fill my mind and spirit with good things. Forgive me for the times that I have been impatient in waiting, for the times that I have called out for your direction not realizing that you set me on Your path for me from the moment you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you that you always journey with me, even in the waiting. By your Spirit within me, move me to do the mighty works that you have done so that I may glorify Your Holy Name, the ever-present life-giver, in all things. Thanks be to God! Amen

Natalie Cooper

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1

I remember another childhood Christmas. We lived in southern California while all of our family lived in the Midwest: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and more. Over the years we would drive those many miles to visit family usually in the summertime. This year for some reason we chose to spend Christmas with them.

Whenever we drove those many miles my parents wanted to spend the least amount of our time on the road with more time for family fun. We would spend the night in a motel, get breakfast and hit the road. Mom would make sandwiches in the car for lunch as the two of them would take turns behind the wheel. We would stop for dinner and then continue driving long after dark. My Dad liked Nash cars which made it so the seats would lie flat so the passenger side became our bed while they continued down the road. We were out in the middle of Kansas farm country one night in a snowstorm when the inevitable car trouble happened. A fan blade had broken off and punctured the radiator. My Dad pulled over to the side of the road and hiked to the nearest farmhouse some distance away. This was the 1950s and the farmer was more than happy to help my Dad. They somehow plugged the radiator hole, filled it up with water and got us on the road to the nearest town with the needed amenities. I’m sure the farmer’s wife sent along some Christmas goodies for us kids.

The next morning the car was repaired and while Dad waited, the rest of us explored the little snow-covered town and did a little more Christmas shopping. We arrived at my Aunt and Uncle’s farmhouse in Missouri in time for Christmas Eve and woke up Christmas morning to a blanket of new fallen snow. Lots of fun hiking to the bathroom outhouse and making our own footprints in the snow on the way.

Christmas dinner was in Kansas City with more family to share in the festivities. It is one of my favorite Christmas memories, giving thanks for family and a safe journey.

God of love, during this season we remember another long journey when Joseph and Mary spent long days on the road to Bethlehem. We thank you for the miraculous plans you made for that very special family and for the greatest gift to all mankind, Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Lenni Stickles

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. —Psalm 37: 25-26

Each year when Advent and the Christmas season arrive, many memories of my childhood come to mind. I remember one Christmas in particular. I was probably 6 years old and I so wanted a doll bunkbed for my dolls. It was during the war, World War II, and metal was scarce so the toys were made of wood and quite expensive. I remember seeing the most beautiful wooden doll bunkbed in one of the toy departments while we were Christmas shopping and wishing as only a child’s heart can do.

My mother would tuck us into bed on Christmas Eve and ask us what we wanted most from Santa. This was long before stores were open late on Christmas Eve, just in case. I told her most of all I wanted a doll bunkbed. Thank goodness it was dark as I’m sure her heart sank.

As no parent wants their child disappointed on Christmas morning, my Mom and Dad put their heads together and went to work. My Dad went out to his garage workshop in our backyard and from the scraps from his many projects created my doll bunkbed. Mom went to work at her sewing machine and made mattresses out of black and white ticking fabric she just happened to have on hand. Since there wasn’t time for paint to dry, a note was attached from Santa for me to pick out whatever color I wanted. Needless to say, there was one happy little girl on Christmas morning. I picked a teal blue color and enjoyed many a day playing with my doll bunkbed.

I was an adult before I learned of this wonderful story of love, long after the bunkbed had been gifted to some other child. How I wish I still had this tangible reminder of the beautiful and unselfish love my parents bestowed on me that Christmas so very long ago! Such great love!

Gracious Father, I am reminded once again of the greatest love of all that you bestowed on us all that Christmas Eve so very long ago in the gift of your son Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel. Amen.

Lenni Stickles

Even in old age, they shall bear fruit. —Psalm 92:14

I sat on the back porch and watched a yellow leaf gently, silently float down to the ground. One yellow leaf. Not even very big. But it had had a job to do, and it had done it well no matter its size. It had stayed on the tree and had provided a minuscule bit of shade to a square inch of earth below. Not important, some would say. He who created the DNA of that tiny leaf would disagree! That tiny leaf had joined thousands of other tiny leaves, and in conjunction, they had provided a natural umbrella of cooling, protective shade for the earth below.

But now…well, now the green had faded to yellow, and it had floated down for a new chapter in its purpose. It would decompose and provide rich nourishment for the soil below. Its work was not done, for in the legacy it would leave to a tiny square inch of ground, it would still have purpose…not to an entire acre of earth, but purpose for sure to an inch, just a tiny square inch of His world.

In our earthly realm of time, no one will point to that square inch of composted rich soil below and say, “Oh, look! This is where the tiny leaf lay and provided rich food for the earth!” No plaques or memorials for the tiny leaf would be built, but that tiny leaf had done its job well. It had completed its purpose, and the legacy, the rich legacy it would leave, would be the fertile soil for future tiny trees with countless more tiny leaves to grow toward heaven above.

Dear God, may I be a tiny leaf for You. May the legacy I leave be fertile soil to point others heavenward to You. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

“Bootsie” Johnston

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. —John 15:5

Reading about lifeforms along Oregon’s Pacific coast, I encountered a word I had never seen before – “holdfast.” This term refers to the structures that attach seaweed to rocks or other hard material on the seabed. Kelp and other seaweeds give off spores which ultimately connect to something hard on the ocean floor and produce a holdfast before growing upwards through the water to the surface. The holdfast enables the plant to withstand turbulent waves and winter storms. Sea otters often wrap themselves in a strand of kelp and go to sleep confident that the kelp’s holdfast will keep them from being swept out to sea.

We humans put down roots of all sorts – hometown, family and friends, school, church and other institutions that claim our loyalty and devotion. At times I get homesick for the mountains of north Georgia. Certain smells remind me of my roots. The sound of wind through pines, the raucous calling of blue jays and the summer song of katydids call me home in my mind.

I know these things are part of my roots, but I have learned that they are not my holdfast. Jesus is that. He has helped me through many transitions in my life, good and bad. He is the one thing that allowed me to survive the loss of my husband. The turbulent waves and howling winds in my life have certainly threatened my peace and sense of well-being, but that strong and steady holdfast that is Jesus has kept me going and thriving in spite of the challenges.

Loving God, what a gift you have given us in your beloved son! As we celebrate once again the season of his birth, help us cling to the vine with steadfast intention and live into the abundant life that he wants for us. We are so very unworthy but we know that we are so loved! Amen.

Betty Schroeder

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. —Nahum 1:7

I received a small dirt bike when I was 13 years old. I remember learning how to ride it. That first day, I pulled the throttle wide open and popped a wheelie straight up, and I was so afraid that I couldn’t let go, and the bike kept going. My dad told me to just let go, but I was frozen in fear. I barreled straight into a briar patch, scratching my arms, legs, and face. I walked out and my dad was there to comfort me. He helped clean me up and bandage me. If I had only trusted and let go, I wouldn’t have crashed.

God, our savior, the redeemer, will give us each step. However, instead of listening to our Holy Father’s direction, sometimes we freeze. We are so wrapped up in what is happening, we lose sight of the Almighty, who is there to lead us, to comfort us, to wash away our sins. We try to go it alone. Our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. He sent his son to save you and me.

Lord Father, I thank you for being my lantern as I walk through the darkness of this world. Keep my faith strong and steadfast. I know there can be no other like you, and you will redeem us. I am a sinner and I am broken. But Lord, you never once turned away from me. I trust in you. I praise you, Father. I praise you! Amen.

Chris Golman

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. —Matthew 11:25

In the days of Herod the King, the scribe Ben Ezra gave up his duties in Jerusalem and withdrew to the southern desert. His plan was to live as a hermit and to spend his remaining years in contemplation of the sacred scriptures of his people.

Ben Ezra wished to turn his thoughts away from what he saw in the city: the greed of the wealthy, the deprivations of the poor, and the oppression of all by the harsh invading Romans. But he could not forget the stories he had so often heard of a Messiah, one sent by God to free Israel and establish a kingdom of righteousness and justice.

Ben Ezra knew that his countrymen expected a mighty warrior who would drive out their enemies with force, bloodshed and violence. Still, he thought, no military commander in history had managed to establish a lasting realm of peaceful stability and prosperity for all. “No,” he thought, “our Messiah won’t be just a soldier.” Would the Messiah perhaps be a great prophet declaring God’s will persuasively to the people? Ben Ezra thought of the many prophets rejected by those who would not listen, persecuted by those who feared them.

Similarly, Ben Ezra concluded that no scholar, no artist, no musician, no builder could hope to remake the minds of their listeners. Ben Ezra was unable to imagine for himself what sort of man the Messiah might be.

After many months in the desert, Ben Ezra began to feel a longing to see his old friends in Jerusalem. Perhaps they could clarify his thinking about the Messiah. He gathered a few possessions and set out toward Jerusalem.

The journey was long and difficult. Ben Ezra walked the rocky roads for many days. One morning close to midday, he chanced upon a small town. He made his way to the inn in the town square in search of a meal and a night’s lodging. The common room of the inn was crowded with town’s people excitedly talking with one another. Ben Ezra asked what the cause of concern might be. A diner replied, “We’re all here to catch a glimpse of the blessed baby.” The previous night, he added, shepherds from the hills had come into town saying angels had appeared to them announcing the birth of the Messiah. They had hurried down to the inn and found a newborn babe and his parents. Everyone in town soon heard the news and all wanted to see the child.

Ben Ezra listened, smiled politely, ate a hasty supper and decided he might be able to cover a few more miles of his journey before nightfall. As he walked along, Ben Ezra thought about the story he had heard at the inn. “How superstitious these country folk are,” he mused. “My sophisticated friends in Jerusalem could never believe such a thing. Still, that baby in Bethlehem will grow up among ordinary people. He will know the blessings and the pains of everyday life. He will learn the Law and the Prophets at his village synagogue. He will understand the needs of our people in a way that an earthly prince cannot. Perhaps those angels sang rightly. Perhaps I failed to see the Messiah. Could I have failed to recognize the savior of the world?”

Heavenly Father, open our minds and hearts to see your wonders. Help us to be free from our misconceptions. Amen.

Guy Johnson