Devotionals

Luke 3:7-16

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Isaiah 58:9b-12

If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
10 if you offer your food to the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong,
and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water
    whose waters never fail.
12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,  the restorer of streets to live in.

Headline after headline, creation groans. Our world's labor pains seem compounding and never-ending. In the overwhelm of daily responsibilities and the barrage of global crises, it's easy to feel like anything we do or say is simply a drop in the ocean.

Yet, in this liturgical season of expectant hope, we must remember that the good we do in the world has ripple effects beyond what we can see. We are not the world's saviors, but we move toward the One who invites us into the work and who labors alongside us.

Advent reminds us that Christ came into a world fraught with the very same issues of injustice and inequality that we face, and he did not turn away. Instead, he showed us a way forward: engaged action rooted in compassion.

We may think, “I'm just one person. What can I do?” Yet, as followers of Christ, we’re invited to consider a different question, one rooted in hope and action: “What is mine to do?”

This week's scripture calls us to a profound yet simple truth: “I can’t do it all, but I can do something that matters.”

When approached by various community members—each grappling with their role in a society marked by inequality and injustice—John the Baptist gives practical advice that speaks across centuries. To the crowds, he says, “Share what you have.” To the tax collectors, “Take no more than your due.” To the soldiers, “Do no harm in pursuit of personal gain.”

Each instruction differs, yet the core message is the same: Do the good that is yours to do.

After John shares this wisdom, he shares a second part: He points people toward Jesus. We labor in vain if we are only relying on our own strength. With God’s help, we are able to do the work that is ours to do.

John’s directives resonate with the words found in Isaiah 58, where the prophet calls us to be the “repairers of the breach, the restorers of streets to dwell in.” This passage invites us to bring forth restoration through ordinary actions: feeding the hungry, serving the oppressed, and comforting the afflicted. It’s about the cumulative power of small acts that weave together to create a fabric of communal flourishing.

A popular quote stems from the Hebrew Bible’s admonition in Micah 6:8: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

What is holding you back from taking these words to heart? Consider your unique gifts, perspectives, talents, and resources. How might these uniquely situate you to move into action in your actual, everyday life?

This Advent, in the quiet spaces of our hearts, where God's still, small voice speaks, we are called to discern what is ours to do. Frederick Buechner articulates this discernment: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.”6

As you light the third Advent candle, consider what specific opportunities you have to contribute to your community. What makes you come alive? How does that meet a need? Maybe you can extend hospitality to a lonely neighbor, volunteer at your local school, or do the personal work of healing that prevents the passing on of generational wounds.

We are all called to participate in God’s restorative story—a plan set in motion from the creation of the stars.

The work of our hands and our hearts takes time, but that doesn’t mean our labor is in vain.

Our work might seem small or insignificant, but when we look at the lineage of Christ and the history of God’s people, we see lots of ordinary, flawed people giving their small and shaky “yes” to God. Could they have fathomed that their lives were part of an extraordinary story where heaven breaks through and alters the course of history?

Labor pains of the world are real and often feel never-ending. But as we journey toward the birth of Christ, we must remember the promise that new life can spring from pain.

Each good work, no matter how small, is a thread in the fabric of God’s ongoing creation story—one where love overcomes, peace prevails, and new life emerges. 

This Advent, remember that your efforts, though they might seem modest, are part of a larger, divine tapestry. With God’s help, may our acts of love and works of justice lead to the flourishing of all people.

BLESSING

You are uniquely situated to bring light into the world. May you find courage this season to do the good that is yours to do. It matters. May you see the ripples of your actions expand outward, touching lives and mending the fabric of our shared humanity.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
 and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 

24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,    and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Hope isn’t flimsy—it’s a force that propels us toward God's presence and redemptive plan for all creation, for all time.

It’s vulnerable to hope. The more we hope, the more we can be disappointed. For those of us who bear scars from the hurt of this world, hope can feel scary—too risky, too unrealistic. Cynicism seems like a safer, more straightforward path. But cynicism doesn't change the world—hope does.

Hope challenges us to declare, “It can be better,” and empowers us to make it so.

Our weary world doesn’t need any more cynics and scoffers—but as wars rage and divisions heighten, we desperately need hope-bearers who point us to a better way, one where life is made new and lies of shame and fear don’t have the final say. Our hope is a reflection of God’s plans for the world—plans for renewal and restoration in the face of death and despair.

Joseph and Mary hoped against hope. In the face of impossibilities, they believed in the possibility of a better world. They placed their trust in God alone. Their stories, as recounted in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:46-55, are testaments to the transformative power of hope still accessible to us today. Joseph acts with hope. Mary proclaims it. And their choice to trust God has reverberations that echo into eternity.

When an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he is told not to fear taking Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Joseph's decision to embrace this divine assurance—rather than succumb to societal expectations to untangle himself from his pregnant fiancée—is a radical act of hope.

“The language of a dream is the language of hope,” writes Bishop Michael Curry. Propelled by this hope, Joseph uses his position not just for personal faithfulness, but as an act of profound communal responsibility by choosing to protect and stand by Mary. Instead of living out of fear for what others may say or think, Joseph places his hope in something bigger than himself. 

Every day, we have the chance to choose hope and enter into God’s redemptive dream for the world—even when it disrupts our understanding and expectations (perhaps especially then).

Thursday, December 26

Mary’s response to her calling is equally revolutionary. In light of all that has been foretold, she sings a hopeful anthem for the ways God turns our world upside down and brings it right side up by bringing down the mighty, exalting the humble, filling the hungry, and sending the rich away.

As she sings, Mary weaves a vision of the world as God intends it, stitching together a pattern of justice and mercy in her words. Her hope in the promise of God transcends time and space, extending a sacred invitation and inspiring us today to live out our faith in tangible, transformative ways. Mary’s words hark back to imagery seen throughout the Hebrew Bible. Theologian Walter Brueggemann writes: “The hope articulated in ancient Israel is not a vague optimism or a generic good idea about the future, but a precise and concrete confidence in and expectation for the future.”

Mary’s response to her calling is equally revolutionary. In light of all that has been foretold, she sings a hopeful anthem for the ways God turns our world upside down and brings it right side up by bringing down the mighty, exalting the humble, filling the hungry, and sending the rich away.

As she sings, Mary weaves a vision of the world as God intends it, stitching together a pattern of justice and mercy in her words. Her hope in the promise of God transcends time and space, extending a sacred invitation and inspiring us today to live out our faith in tangible, transformative ways. Mary’s words hark back to imagery seen throughout the Hebrew Bible. Theologian Walter Brueggemann writes: “The hope articulated in ancient Israel is not a vague optimism or a generic good idea about the future, but a precise and concrete confidence in and expectation for the future.”

Reflect on how you can embody hope in uncertain times. How can you, like Joseph, use your influence to protect and uplift? How can you, like Mary, voice a hope that challenges the status quo and sings of a reality where justice and mercy reign? 

As you light the final Advent candle, let it symbolize the hope that Christ brings into our world—a hope not just for peaceful times, but also for moments of darkness and difficulty. May the steady flame of hope renew your courage and inspire you to act as you enter into an extraordinary story of redemption and love.

In this season of hope, may you find the courage to hold onto hope and act on it, to let the divine trust of Mary and Joseph weave through the fabric of your life.

BLESSING

Lies of cynicism are loud, and so are the voices of others—but, beloved, hope is worth fighting for. May the Spirit of God surround you this season so that you might trust like Joseph and sing like Mary. The same hope they held is still alive today, transforming creation into God's will for justice and peace. As you prepare your heart for Christ’s arrival, may you make room for God’s presence, and may your actions reflect God’s hope for humanity.

Isaiah 9:2-3  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3You have enlarged  the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

Let us pray:  Father, we have celebrated the birth of your precious Son, our Savior and Guide, Jesus!  We have also experienced the stress and hurly-burly of the Christmas season … but that is not all!  Now we face another year, a year filled with changes and new challenges.  Sometimes we just want to scream!  But, gracious Father, Isaiah makes it clear that as your followers we  have seen a great light reminding us of the exceedingly greatjoy that flows from the Light …the very presence of Jesus!  The arrival of the Messiah, our loving Jesus, which shouts spiritual revival and joy even in times of great need. C.S. Lewis tied it all together when he stated, “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”  So, Father, shine your Light deep within us.  Let us push aside negative  thoughts … anything that holds us back.  Illuminate our path, Lord, so that we can experience the full delight of your presence.  Teach us to laugh, enjoy and share our lives as your children!  Amen.

Psalm 148:1-6  Praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. 2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shinning stars. 4Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, 6and he established them for ever and ever – he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Let us pray:  Abba, Father, as your faithful followers who were created in your image, we earnestly praise you with our voices and make glorious melody in our hearts.   Father, your creation is like a majestic symphony of many harmonious parts that offer up praise to you.  Each part of your creation is independent, yet part of the whole, that reflects your creative touch.  What the psalmist relates is how we as followers should praise God – individually, yet as part of the great choir of Christians worldwide who honor and love you.   Praise your creation!  We shout with great joy  and laughter acknowledging the life we experience through our Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Psalm 148:7-10  Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 9your mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds …

Let us pray:  Father in Heaven, we praise you from depths of the earth, from the sea creatures and all the oceans deep.  We lift our voices with the lightening and hail, snow and clouds, and stormy winds – all fulfilling your Word.  Dear Lord, just as the natural world proclaims your majesty, may our lives reflect your glory in every action and thought.  Guide us, Father, to live in alignment with your will so that our earthly experience becomes a song of joyous laughter and praise to you, the Creator of all things.  Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  

2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant  and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate, a time to war and a time for peace.

Let us pray:  Loving Father,  we have learned in life that timing is important.  All of the life experiences mentioned in these verses are appropriate at certain times.  Father, we have been taught that the secret to having peace with you is to discover, accept, and appreciate your perfect timing.  We have also been taught that there is a danger in doubting or resenting your timing, because this can lead to rebellion or moving forward without your guidance.  

So, gracious Father, we repeat Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as part of our prayer time with you …

And, Father, we understand that waiting for your perfect timing does not imply that we are idly sitting and waiting.  Instead, our God of joy, help us to find joy and happiness in all we do, and to share our joy in you with others!   Dear Father, we praise you as we look to your guidance  through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Prayer P.S.:  Father, a time to hate could appear contrary to our faith … but we shouldn’t hate the evil person, instead we should hate what they do.  Father, you have taught us to hate when you are dishonored, or when people are mistreated.  And, Father, we must hate sin in our lives … then we turn to you for your mercy, grace, and love.  Amen.

Isaiah 55:12-13  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  13Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.  This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.

Let us pray:  Our Father God, thank you for inspiring Isaiah to share these joyous, encouraging words.  Father, we know that life is filled with seasons, and some of those seasons could challenge our confidence and our faith.  You have taught us, Father,  that joy is not necessarily the absence of trials and suffering, but it is the presence of you, our loving God!  So, Father, as we face the season of the thornbush, or the season of briers, let us remember that you are present there with us.  And as we look to you for guidance in dealing with life’s bumps, we challenge ourselves to not come out bitter, but better.  We come out better, come out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Father, as we come out of the Christmas season, joyfully we thank you for your Son, the baby Jesus, our sin-bearer and Savior; that upon this baby in a manger lay the hopes and fears of the world – and ours!  No one but you, dear Jesus, is strong enough to carry us through – an everlasting sign that will endure forever.   With great joy, we praise our heavenly Father!  Amen.

Our reflection is a song:  Don’t You Ever Let Nobody Drag Your  Spirit Down - Bibb & Hoglund

You might slip, you might slide, you might
Stumble and fall by the road side
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around

Walk with the rich, walk with the poor
Learn from everyone, that's what life is for
And don't you let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around

Well I might say things that sound strange to you
And I might preach the gospel, I believe it's true
I won't let nobody drag my spirit down
Yes, I'm walking up to heaven
Won't let nobody turn me around

You might slip, you might slide, you might
Stumble and fall by the road side
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around

Let us pray:  Father, we remember what C.S. Lewis said earlier in the week:  “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”  Father, we have seen all week in our prayer time the theme of living joyful lives in Jesus Christ.  Father, this has been your intention for your children all along – living Simcha, the Hebrew word for “Joy” … exceedingly great joy, gladness, laughter, a reason for festivity.  Father, we acknowledge that we will face challenges in life, but, as your followers, we will have your Spirit with us.  And, Father, we realize that evil entities will challenge our belief in you and your precious Word.  But hear the admonition from this song: Don’t You Ever Let Nobody Drag Your  Spirit Down.  That means we will, with the aid of the Holy Spirit within each of us, remain strong in our faith.  We will always look to you for guidance, knowing that the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus gives us strength to withstand the slings and arrows of the world, AND we have the promises that came from that Cross → Remember you're walking up to heaven.  Don't let nobody turn you around.   Father, thank you for the medium of prayer.  May we be in a constant mode of prayer as we go through life … a life of joy knowing that we are embraced by our precious Jesus.  We can smile and exude confidence because we have a future … an eternal future!  We have Jesus!  We have the gospel →Well I might say things that sound strange to you … And I might preach the gospel, I believe it’s true.  Don’t forget to laugh!  Thank you, thank you, Lord Jesus, thank you!  Simcha!  Amen.