A Word of Welcome…
Let me, on behalf of the clergy and staff of First United Methodist Church of Marietta, welcome you to this special Advent Devotional. Our theme for the season is Star of Wonder: Unveiling the Mysteries of Advent. This collection of devotionals is a way of discovering more about the profound mysteries we encounter in scripture as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.
Advent lasts four weeks, culminating on Christmas Eve. It is a time of preparation, expectation, and waiting. Advent comes from the Latin word “arrival” and has gradually become associated with Christ's coming on Christmas. Advent is a time when we gather for parties, share in gift-giving giving, and decorate our homes. It is a holy and joyous time of year.
I would encourage each person to take the time each day to read the scripture, the devotional, the prayer, the daily activity, and reflect on how the mystery and wonder of Advent may be experienced in your life. This will strengthen not only the individual but also the whole community of faith who participates. Let this Advent season be a four-week experience in personal growth as well as communal growth. I want to offer a special thank you to the church laity and staff who took the time to write a devotion and put this together.
As always, it is a joy to serve as the pastor of this great church, and I look forward to joining the journey myself. May God bless us all as we seek to grow in Christ.
In the faith,
Rev. Dr. Julie Boone
Prayer for the Third Week of Advent:
May the sounds of Advent stir a longing in your people, O God. Come again to set us free from the dullness of routine and the poverty of our imaginations. Break the patterns that bind us to small commitments and to the stale answers we have given to questions of no importance. Let the Advent trumpet blow, let the walls of our defenses crumble, and make a place in our lives for the freshness of your love, well-lived in the Spirit, and still given to all who know their need and dare receive it.
Amen
-Howard Thurman
Second Sunday of Advent: Scripture John 1:1-8, 19-28, by Rev. Ryan Young
I love the opening of the gospel of John. I think that the way that it uses “light” as a metaphor for Christ is so clever and so beautiful. This scripture says that John came “to testify to the light,” though he himself was not the light. Later on, Jesus refers to himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12) and even refers to the disciples as the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14). But what I love most of all is verse 5, which says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”
This week, we will experience the Winter Solstice. The shortest day and longest night of the year almost always falls on December 21, which also happens to be my son Henry’s birthday. What a beautiful example! On the darkest evening of the year, I received one of the most shining lights of my life (my daughter Iris is also a shining light of my life, but her birthday is not as serendipitous to make a good object lesson).
Apart from the Bible, my most read and reread literary work is Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Toward the middle of the third book, our heroes, Sam and Frodo, are deep in the dark land of Mordor, where evil resides. All manner of troubles besets the heroes, and the narrative turns bleak and hopeless when Sam looks upward and sees a brief glimpse of a star. Tolkien writes:
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
Though I cannot prove it, I believe that Tolkien, a devout Catholic, likely drew inspiration from the opening of John’s gospel. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overtake it–the beauty and purity of the light are forever beyond the reach of darkness.
In this season of longer and colder nights, I invite you to look to the light and remember the opening of John’s gospel. Every candle that we light, every light adorning the tree, and every star in the sky calls us to remember that Light has already triumphed over darkness. May we rejoice in that knowledge.
Pax et Bonum,
Rev. Ryan Young
Monday: Scripture Luke 2:15-20, by Nancy O’Donnell
The shepherds rushed to see the child whose birth the angels announced to them. They were overjoyed at the sight of him and praised God because of him. They may not have fully understood what they had witnessed, but they knew that the child was a reflection of their good and gracious God. Children still have the capacity to open our eyes to God. What are ways that you see God’s grace and love through children?
Christmas is all about children, right? When we think of Christmas, we think of the wonder in a child’s eye when gazing at the lighted tree. The small angels and shepherds and tiny wise men gravely acting out the Nativity scene in front of family and church friends. We think of snuggling with little children on our laps while we read aloud cherished Christmas stories. We anticipate the joy on a child’s face when they open a long-desired gift. Hot chocolate, caroling, maybe even an occasional magical white Christmas with a dusting of snow on the ground. All the magic and wonder of the season wrapped up in the innocence and joy of young children - especially the children we know and love best - our own children, or in my case, my beloved two grandsons.
But we know, of course, that there are many little children who are not so fortunate as our own. Having recently returned from a mission trip to Peru, the memories of the impoverished and seemingly hopeless conditions that children face there, and in many other parts of the world, lay heavy on my heart. We only have to scan our news feed to read about children being held hostage, or bombed, in Gaza, kidnapped in Ukraine, or left orphaned by earthquakes and famine in many far away places across the globe. It can seem overwhelming and hopeless at times.
How to reconcile our desire to create a perfect Christmas for our own families with the despair felt by other less fortunate parents around the world? It is difficult.
Perhaps the only way to do so is to recall the child that truly is the meaning of Christmas: the Christ child, the Divine Infant, the Baby Jesus. The child about whom the angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for I brings you tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people.” This helpless little baby, both human and divine, speaks to us of love and tenderness, of the redeeming grace and mercy extended to all mankind. The baby Jesus, who will transform the world.
Adoration of the baby Jesus inspires us to live our lives in the way the adult Jesus called us to: in service to the least, the last and the lost. He exhorts us to be more loving, more gentle, more joyful, more peaceful, more gracious, more faithful. Our church’s Christmas Angels program is one way to reach out to children who need to feel the love of Christ in their lives. There are myriads of charities and organizations that are devoted to helping those in need, and we can support those efforts through volunteering our time or through offering financial help. But in addition to our own efforts, we must trust that God, in His infinite wisdom, will extend His grace and mercy to all His children and that He will use our efforts, and those of His other followers to transform the world according to His own plan.
Heavenly Father, I pray for a world full of love and compassion. Each and every day, help me to see through Your eyes the way that you would have me live in order to play my own part in Your transformation of the world. In the name of Your son Jesus, I pray.
Tuesday: Scripture Luke 2:13-14 , by Dr. Carl Goolsby
It was time for a big announcement. A long-awaited baby had been born! The world needed to be notified and notified in a big way. So out of the clear night sky, an angel of the Lord accompanied by the glory of God appeared to make the announcement!
This was big. Very big. And not just a little bit terrifying! But this baby's birth was too profoundly important for a single angel's revelation.
`And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host` v 13. This heavenly choir strikes up in praise to God, giving God honor for what has taken place.
Love is born. Hope and Peace are here.
A big deal. A big deal indeed!
Wednesday: Scripture Luke 2:25-32 , by Sean McConnell
Simeon doesn’t fully understand what he has experienced in witnessing the baby Jesus–he just knows that he has experienced something sacred. He is so moved that he sings. Have you ever had an experience that you know was sacred, even though you may not be able to fully explain it?
In the gospel of Luke, we find the mysterious yet beautiful story of Simeon, a devout man who encounters the baby Jesus in the temple. Though Simeon cannot fully comprehend the depth of the sacred moment before him, he recognizes its profound significance. Filled with awe and moved to his very core, Simeon bursts into song, his soul overflowing with praise.
In the rich tapestry of our faith, there exists a Celtic concept known as "thin places." These are alleged spaces on earth where the veil between the physical world and the divine realm is lifted ever so slightly, allowing us to glimpse the presence of God. In these “thin places,” the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and we feel an inexplicable sense of awe and reverence. However, I don’t believe this concept should be tied to just physical locations. Like Simeon, we also can experience "thin moments," where the sacred intersects our lives in ways that defy explanation.
I vividly recall a “thin moment” in my own life: A simple evening walk with my wife and children, the sun setting in hues of orange and pink. As I strolled along a path littered with laughter, a gentle breeze rustled the fall leaves, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. In that instant, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and a deep connection with the Creator. The chirping of crickets, the scent of pine, and the fading light created a thin place where I sensed the presence of God intimately. Though I cannot fully explain how, I know I was in a sacred moment, a thin place where the earthly and the divine embraced.
These “thin moments” serve as a reminder that God is not distant or aloof but intricately woven into the fabric of our lives. They beckon us to recognize the sacred in the ordinary, to be attuned to the divine whispers in the midst of our daily routines. Much like Simeon, our hearts are moved to sing praises even when we cannot fully comprehend the depth of our encounters with the sacred.
May we be open to these “thin moments,” these encounters with the divine that leave us in awe and wonder. Let us cherish these experiences, knowing that they are gifts from God, inviting us into a deeper relationship with our Creator. And in these moments, may our hearts, like Simeon's, overflow with gratitude and praise for the God who continually meets us in the sacred ordinary of our lives.
Thursday: Luke 1:28-29, by Suzanne Cauthorn
Mary was understandably confused by the annunciation of Jesus’ birth. And yet, this confounding news changed her life (and our lives) forever. When was a time when you experienced an unexpected life change that became a blessing?
I vividly remember my excitement in finding out I was pregnant with our second child. I was so excited that I didn’t want to wait until after Christmas to see the heartbeat, so I took the doctor’s appointment that was first available which happened to be while my husband was out of town for work. I was overjoyed and so relieved to see a strong heartbeat. Then, the ultrasound technician said, “Sorry, we have to start over – there is a 2nd baby.” My shocked response was, “Are you kidding me?” To which she informed me, “I never joke about this.” I was overwhelmed by this news and what it would mean for my family and myself. I can’t imagine how shocked Mary would have been.
When I look back on unexpected life changes that became blessings, I think they were all journeys in how I have grown in my faith and as a person. They weren’t easy. Actually, they were some of the most difficult or trying times in my life. But I also wouldn’t change anything because of their outcomes – their blessings. My twins are a blessing. Having 3 children less than 2 years was a blessing because it helped me grow as a person. That journey was also a push for me to plug into MFUMC, which continues to be a blessing for myself and my family.
In moments when we are faced with unexpected changes, it can be hard to believe that it could be a blessing. Unexpected life events can trigger uncertainty, hardships or make you question your faith. Mary’s journey to motherhood wasn’t easy. Her faith is a wonderful reminder of how we should respond with grace and keep the faith when faced with unexpected changes and their resulting journeys.
Friday: Scripture Luke 2:15-20 , by Heather Graham Tamburello
Amidst all the action and wonder of the Christmas story, there is a moment where the shepherds lay eyes on Jesus, and everything seems to slow down. This moment in the story is the inspiration for a lot of the art that depicts the holy family in the stable, as well as the hymn Silent Night. Share a Christmas-time experience where your pace slowed amid this hectic season, and you experienced the presence of God?
The busier I get, the more importance I place on spending quality time with my husband, my mom, and my sister. The quietest moments with my family are the most potent & the sweetest. It is in these moments that God meets us. In fact, when we’re still, I’m convinced God brings HEAVEN down with Him, enveloping us in His peace. Sometimes, we will turn off all the lights in the house and just keep the tree on, admiring God’s beauty, which is immensely potent. As an artist, I often default to searching for beauty - and finding it - in all of the smallest moments that otherwise would be easy to pass by. When I paint, I spend a lot of time working from the right side of my brain. When you work from your right brain, time slows down AND it accelerates, colors have a scent, sounds become songs, and new inspiration comes with every new inhale. It is in these moments, I feel closest to God - working in a flow of inspiration where beauty is all around me and His creation is permeating my cells.
This time of year is often hard for many people - and for my little family, Christmas isn’t what it used to be. My daddy went home on Christmas Eve in 2017 - my body remembers that thief-in-the-night gut-wrenching tragedy I witnessed every time the weather goes from fall to winter. It’s involuntary for me to feel - different. But the pain we feel is a reminder of the pain it took for Jesus to give His life for us. It was this sacrifice, from that baby in the manger, that meant we would never know death. That feeling of knowing I will again see my daddy & hear him say ‘hello beautiful’ is the deepest well of peace for me this time of year. The sweetest prayer a girl can say to her Heavenly Father is “Good morning, God… Give daddy a big hug for me today.” I wonder if the wise men & shepherds knew just how beautiful that stable was. I wonder if they knew that it would be the greatest gift humankind could have ever been given.
I invite you to join me to reframe the darkness or the silence or the sadness you might be feeling this time of year. The shorter days with less sunlight are an opportunity to slow down and take in the beauty of the twinkle lights against the darkness, because the darker it gets, the more those little lights shine. When all is calm, all is bright.
Saturday: Scripture Luke 1:13-17 by Joseph Loch
John prepared the way for Jesus. His role was to call people to prepare for something new that God was doing. This preparation isn’t a one-time thing, but a lifestyle of daily discipline. What are some things that you practice to keep yourself ready to encounter God?
My life was never the same after the pandemic. Of course, this will not be a surprise to you because the whole world was confronted with a new situation. Although times were hard, I made the most of it and still feel its effects today. The year 2019 was the first time I stepped into year-round ministry as a Methodist youth director in Smyrna. I felt an internal desire to grow in this time of worldly chaos. Instead of getting distracted, I found myself digging deep to find God and myself in the loneliness and silence of Pandemic culture. I learned to sit still, be silent, ground myself with affirmations and meditations, practice prayer, and read the entire New Testament. As a Christian, these should be necessary actions, at least in my opinion. But oddly enough, I had never taken these actions seriously.
Through these daily routines, I undoubtedly experienced God’s presence in a way I had never felt before. After months of this, I was able to pull out three essential rituals for me to complete in a day to be ready to encounter God. These practices are at least 30 minutes of exercise, meditation, and reading religious texts. Reflecting on Luke 1:13-17 reminds me of how God showed up in my life during the Pandemic to prepare a way for me to have a better life moving forward. God offered me a new way to live my life so I could find its fullest potential. I invite you to reflect on this passage and develop or strengthen your techniques to prepare a way for God to encounter you in your life. Thank you for reading and may God bless you.
Family Activity for this week
As a family, read the Christmas story together (Luke 2:1-20). If your family has a Nativity set up, have the kids act out the Nativity story while you read.