Unto Us a Child is Born

For the week of December 25-31: 
Unto Us a Child is Born 

Theme: We who have walked in deep darkness have seen a great light! For unto us a child is born, one who will bring eternal peace. We celebrate Christ's birth because he became what we are, giving his life freely that through his grace we might have the hope of salvation. Because of Jesus, we praise God and declare his glory.

Opening Prayer: Bless, O Lord, the worship of your church this day, and bless our endeavors to glorify your name. Let not our hearts be unduly set on earthly things, but incline us to love things heavenly that even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, we may cling to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. The Leonine Sacramentary 

OT Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 

Reflection from Church Fathers: "Today was born the child, and his name was called Wonderful! For a wonder it is that God should reveal himself as a baby." Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity

Psalm of Response: Psalm 96 

NT Reading: Titus 2:11-14 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: "Worldly passions are directed toward things that perish with the present life. Let us then have nothing to do with these." Chrysostom, Homilies on Titus 5 

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20 

Reflections from Church Fathers: "He was a baby and a child, so that you may be a perfect human. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, so that you may be freed from the snares of death. He was in a manger, so that you may be in the altar. He was on earth that you maybe in the stars. He had no other place in the inn, so that you may have many mansions in the heavens. He, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through his poverty you might be rich. Therefore his poverty is our inheritance, and the Lord's weakness is our virtue. He chose to lack for himself, that he may abound for all. The sobs of that appalling infancy cleanse me, those tears wash away my sins. Therefore, Lord Jesus, I owe more to your sufferings because I was redeemed than I do to works for which I was created." Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 2.41-42.

For Further Reflection and Prayer: 
1. Jesus came as a baby. He was once as helpless and silly as my little Liam is.  Imagine God as a helpless babe. What does this say to you?
2. What worldly passions are you clinging to? Ask God to help you to abide with that which remains.
3. Re-read Ambrose's exposition. His statements are beautiful and true. How do they affect you?  How do you think they should affect you? What is stopping you from feeling that way?

Closing Prayer: "Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no one free from sin, came to free us all." Leo the Great.

Taken from Ancient Christian Devotional by ed. by Thomas C. Oden and Cindy Crosby

Commemoration of the Holy Innocents

"December 28: Commemoration of the Holy Innocents. These were the infant boys slaughtered in Bethlehem on Herod's paranoid orders (Matthew 2). With Stephen and John they are called comites Christi, or "companions of Christ," a medieval designation that recognizes their suffering. The above three days correspond, in order, to three types of martyrdom: voluntary and executed (Stephen), voluntary but not executed (John) and executed by not voluntary (the Bethlehem children). To remember Herod's atrocity is to strip sentimentality from the birth of Christ. On this day we confront the evil in our world, the violence of the powerful against the weak, the sorrow of those who suffer injustice and the very real darkness into which the light shines." Living the Christian Year, Bobby Gross.

"Today we commemorate and remember those first martyrs of the New Testament era, the Holy Innocents slaughtered by wicked King Herod in Bethlehem. We may wonder why, in this “season of joy and happiness” we have in the Church Year the commemoration of the murder of St. Stephen, and then, a couple days later, the murder of young children. What a gloomy note to strike during this happy time! But one thing the Christian Faith is not, it is not unrealistic. It does not “make believe” that we can simply wish away evil, or ignore it. No, we deal with it, head-on, in all its brutal tragedy. These little children were slaughtered, while the Son of God, went free. Such it always is with the ways of Satan. He wants nothing more than to destroy and mar what God has declared good. And so, even at a very young age, the agents of Satan were coming after our dear Lord, but His time had not yet come, and God provided a way of escape. His Son escaped, in high divine irony, back to the land where God’s people had been enslaved so long before, and out of Egypt, God called his Son (Hosea 11:1). He called His son forth to come back to the land where He was born, in order to continue His divine mission of the salvation of the world. The ancient hymn by Prudentius sings well what this commemoration of the Holy Innocents means for us:

Sweet flow’rets of the martyr’s band
Plucked by the tyrant’s ruthless hand
Upon the threshold of the morn,
Like rosebuds by a tempest torn;

First victims for the incarnate Lord,
A tender flock to feel the sword;
Beside the altar’s ruddy ray,
With palm and crown you seem to play.

Ah, what availed King Herod’s wrath?
He could not stop the Savior’s path.
Alone, while others murdered lay,
In safety Christ is borne away.

O Lord, the virgin-born, we sing
Eternal praise to You, our King,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore.

Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348-c. 413)
LSB 969

And we pray:

Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying. Put to death in us all that is in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen." The Holy Innocents, Martyrs. Paul T. McCain

The Feast of St. John

"December 27: The Feast of St. John: On December 27th we remember the Apostle who wrote of the Word become flesh, the disciple "beloved" by Jesus, the Evangelist who, according to tradition, received the revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos." Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross

Watch: Word and Pictures from Urbana '09.

Christ is the Word of Life: Made Visible. Feast of Saint John the Evangelist, December 27-The Third Day of Christmas. by St. Augustine of Hippo, Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church

This excerpt from the tractitates on the first letter of John by St. Augustine (Tract 1, 1.3: PL 35, 1978, 1980), one of the Early Church Fathers, is used in the Roman Office of readings for the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, on December 27, the third of the twelve days of Christmas.

'Our message is the Word of life. We announce what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have touched with our own hands. Who could touch the Word with his hands unless the Word was made flesh and lived among us?

Now this Word, whose flesh was so real that he could be touched by human hands, began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary’s womb; but he did not begin to exist at that moment. We know this from what John says: What existed from the beginning. Notice how John’s letter bears witness to his Gospel, which you just heard a moment ago: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.

Someone might interpret the phrase the Word of life to mean a word about Christ, rather than Christ’s body itself which was touched by human hands. But consider what comes next: and life itself was revealed. Christ therefore is himself the Word of life.

And how was this life revealed? It existed from the beginning, but was not revealed to men, only to angels, who looked upon it and feasted upon it as their own spiritual bread. But what does Scripture say? Mankind ate the bread of angels.

Life itself was therefore revealed in the flesh. In this way what was visible to the heart alone could become visible also to the eye, and so heal men’s hearts. For the Word is visible to the heart alone, while flesh is visible to bodily eyes as well. We already possessed the means to see the flesh, but we had no means of seeing the Word. The Word was made flesh so that we could see it, to heal the part of us by which we could see the Word.

John continues: And we are witnesses and we proclaim to you that eternal life which was with the Father and has been revealed among us – one might say more simply “revealed to us”.

We proclaim to you what we have heard and seen. Make sure that you grasp the meaning of these words. The disciples saw our Lord in the flesh, face to face; they heard the words he spoke, and in turn they proclaimed the message to us. So we also have heard, although we have not seen.

Are we then less favoured than those who both saw and heard? If that were so, why should John add: so that you too may have fellowship with us? They saw, and we have not seen; yet we have fellowship with them, because we and they share the same faith.

And our fellowship is with God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son. And we write this to you to make your joy complete – complete in that fellowship, in that love and in that unity.

This reading is featured in the Early Church Fathers, Advent & Christmas and Incarnation sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library.

The Feast of St. Stephen

"December 26: Feast of St. Stephen. It may come as a surprise that the church remembers the first Christian martyr immediately after Christmas day. But the connection reminds us that the baby in the crib will one day die on the cross, and that many who have followed him have given their lives in witness to his light." Bobby Gross, Living the Christian Year.

"All that we know about Stephen the Protomartyr (that is, the first martyr of the Christian Church) is found in chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Acts.  The early Christian congregations, like the Jewish synagogues, had a program of assistance for needy widows, and some of the Greek-speaking Jews in the Jerusalem congregation complained that their widows were being neglected. The apostles replied: "We cannot both preach and administer financial matters. Choose seven men from among yourselves, respected, Spirit-filled, and of sound judgement, and let them be in charge of the accounts, and we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." The people accordingly chose seven men, including Stephen, and the apostles laid their hands on them. They are traditionally considered to be the first deacons, although the Scriptures do not use the word to describe them. (The Scriptures do refer to officials called deacons in the local congregations, without being very specific about their duties; and a century or more later, we find the organized charities of each local congregation in the hands of its deacons.)

Stephen was an eloquent and fiery speaker, and a provocative one. (Some readers have speculated that some of his fellow Christians wanted to put him in charge of alms in the hope that he would administer more and talk less.) His blunt declarations that the Temple service was no longer the means by which penitent sinners should seek reconciliation with God enraged the Temple leaders, who caused him to be stoned to death. As he died, he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." One of those who saw the stoning and approved of it was Saul (or Paul) of Tarsus, who took an active part in the general persecution of Christians that followed the death of Stephen, but who was later led to become a Christian himself.

We remember Stephen on December 26, the day after Christmas. Hence the song

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,

describes an action of the king on the day after Christmas Day. The tune used with this song is older than the words and was previously used with a hymn often sung on the feasts of Stephen and other martyrs. It begins:

Christian friends, your voices raise.
Wake the day with gladness.
God himself to joy and praise
turns our human sadness:
Joy that martyrs won their crown,
opened heaven's bright portal,
when they laid the mortal down
for the life immortal.

"We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen." James Kiefer, Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr 

Wait for the Lord: The 3rd Week of Advent

{Instead of mailing this out bit by bit over the course of the week, I am sending it all in one chunk. I recommend taking an hour this weekend and giving it to the Lord. Take time to read through these Scriptures, pray, journal, etc.}

Theme: The Lord is faithful forever and offers hope to those in difficult circumstances. Because God came in the flesh to save us, we can experience great joy. Jesus is the long expected Savior of the world, and following the example of the prophets, who patiently awaited the Lord's coming, we must also patiently await the time of his reappearance.

Opening Prayer: "Through him he has called us out of darkness and into the light, out of ignorance into the knowledge of his glory, so that we might hope, Lord, in your name, for it is the foundation of all creation." Clement of Rome

OT Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 

Reflections: "For it is clear that it is not without soul or sense that he proclaims the good tidings of joy, but he speaks, by the figure of the desert, of the soul that is parched and unadorned." On the Baptism of the Christ, Gregory of Nyssa

Psalm of Response: Psalm 146:5-10 

NT Reading: James 5:7-10 

Reflections: "If God delays the punishment of sinners, waiting for them to repent, it is not because his character has changed, so that now he loves sin. Rather, he is giving them time to repent." Catena, Cyril of Alexandria

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 

For Further Reflection and Prayer:
1. Some people do not believe that a good God would punish sinners by sending them to hell; but, would a good God allow sin to go unpunished?  Think about minor ways you've been wronged. Think about people who traffic humans. Should these acts go unpunished?
2. We often want people to "get theirs" and want to punish them ourselves, but we must be patient for the Lord and his timing.  Even though he must punish their sin, he is good in that he wants them to repent, and so he delays his coming. This is good news.  Think about this.
3. In what way has God called your out of darkness and into light?  What has this really looked like in your life? What does it mean to have knowledge of His glory and to hope in His name?
4. What is dark at Penn? Where is His light?  How can you bring the light into the darkness like John the Baptist?  {As a follower of Christ, this is your calling.}

Closing Prayer: "We ask you, Almighty God, let our souls enjoy this their desire, to be enkindled by your Spirit, that being filled as lamps by your divine gift, we may shine like burning lights before the presence of your Son Christ at his coming; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The Gelasian Sacramentary


See also Charlie Hall's Into Marvelous Light. {Song on YouTube.)    

The Hope of the World: Day 3

McCrimmons

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[a]
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.  11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Chromatius of Aquileia

"Hence John prepared these ways of mercy and truth, faith and justice. Concerning them, Jeremiah also declared, 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.' Because the heavenly kingdom is found along these ways, not without good reason John adds, 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' So do you want the kingdom of heaven to also be near for you? Prepare these ways in your heart, in your senses and in your soul. Pave within you the way of chastity, the way of faith and the way of holiness. Build roads of justice. Remove ever scandal of offense from your heart. For it is written: 'Remove the stones from the road.' And then, indeed, through the thoughts of your heart and the very movements of your soul, Christ the King will enter along certain paths." Tractate on Matthew 8.1 

For Further Thought and Prayer

1. How can you "prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him" at Penn? 

2. John wasn't afraid of being set apart and standing out from the crowd for the Lord's sake.  Are you afraid of standing apart from the crowd? Are you running from God's calling for you?  Talk to him about. Confess if necessary. Ask for grace to obey. 

3. Are you producing fruit in keeping with repentance? If not, why not?

4. Have you been baptized, with water and with the Holy Spirit (this happens when you receive Christ as your savior)? How has this changed you? 

5. Take time to reflect on what Christ has done in you and your walk with Him.  Thank Him and praise Him.  Pray for more...more boldness, more grace, more love...to be His ambassador at Penn.  

Closing Prayer

"O you who are everywhere present, filling yet transcending all things; ever acting, ever at rest; you who teach the hearts of the faithful without noise of words: teach us, we pray you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Augustine

{Once again, this devotional was found in Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings by Thomas C. Oden.} 

The Hope of the World: Day 2

Episcopal Cafe

Psalm of Response: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure[a] as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

NT Reading: Romans 5:4-13

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”[c]
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d]
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Chrysostom

"In other words, may you get rid of your heartlessness toward one another and not be cast down by temptations. You will achieve this by abounding in hope, which is the cause of all good things and comes from the Holy Spirit. It is not just from the Spirit, though, because you must do your part also. That is why Paul adds the words 'in believing.'" Homilies on Romans 28

For Further Prayer and Reflection:

1. How do you praise God among those who aren't yet members of His family? How do you draw them into praising Him?  

2. Do you have trouble accepting a fellow brother or sister in Christ? Remedy that situation so that you may praise God together in one mind and one voice.

3. Are you filled with joy and peace from the God of hope? Do you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit? If yes, what does that look like tangibly in your life? If not, why not?  

The Hope of the World: Day 1

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Theme:
The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of the Christ, who will defend the afflicted and crush the oppressor. In light of the Savior's arrival, John the Baptist calls us to repentance. We praise God for his marvelous deeds. Because of Christ, the root of Jesse, we have hope for the future through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Opening Prayer:
"O God, who did look on humanity when they had fallen down into death and resolve to redeem them by the advent of your only-begotten Son, grant, we ask you, that they who confess his glorious incarnation may also be admitted to the fellowship of him their Redeemer; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" Ambrose.


OT Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
1A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Bede

"The prophet Isaiah testified that it was necessary that our Redeemer be conceived in Nazareth when he said, 'There will come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a nazareus will go up from his root.' Nazareus can be translated either as 'flower' or 'pure.' The Son of God who was made flesh for us can rightly be called by these names because he assumed a human nature which was pure of every vice and because he is the font and source of spiritual fruit for all who believe in him, to whom he also both showed an example and granted the gift of righteous and blessed living. Homilies on the Gospels 1.6 

For Further Reflection and Prayer:

1. Re-read verses 2-5. How have you tangibly, in your life, seen Jesus be true to these prophecies about him?

2. Take time to thank Him who He is and what He has done in your life.

3. In verse 10 it says "the nations will rally to him."  Pray now for your friends, brothers and sisters that they would be a part of the peoples who rally to Jesus.  

Ten Things to Do During Advent/On Christmas

I've recently discovered a wonderful little blog that is probably mostly written for mamas like me, but I enjoyed today's post so much that I wanted to share it with you! The author, Ann Voskamp, proposes ten ideas of what you can do on Christmas morning if you decide not to exchange gifts with one another. Now, that's not my family- we will DEFINITELY exchange gifts with each other; however, I do love how she puts the focus on Christ, as Christmas truly is a celebration of His birth. So check out her blog post, and decide for yourself: which of these things can you do this advent/Christmas season as you prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth? 

{Some of these suggestions are clearly geared towards small children; however, many of them are things that you could do and enjoy -OR- if they do seem appropriate only for small children, perhaps you could engage your small cousins with these acts of kindness!}

Ten Things to Do on Christmas Morning: When all the Gifts are for Him
by ANN VOSKAMP on DECEMBER 3, 2010
in CHRISTMAS CHANGE

So for over ten years now, we have nothing under the Christmas tree here, and I tell that crazy story and people have to ask and it’s a good question:

So if you don’t exchange gifts, what do you do then on Christmas morning?

Ten Things to Do on Christmas Morning When all the Gifts are for Him

1. Birthday for Breakfast

Serve Birthday Cake for Breakfast — with ice cream and an arch of balloons and birthday hats and light the candles and sing of wondrous grace! He has come! And for us!

Our tradition is angel food cake for the birthday cake — made with freshly ground wheat — and I think of the wheat that fell to the ground, died for us and the harvest of the many.

2. Sup with Him — Feast Fit for a King

And we make breakfast a feast fit for a king. One of our best meals of the year is reserved for Christmas breakfast — recipes we serve only for Christmas Morning Breakfast —- Victorian French Toast with whip cream and fresh fruit and a cranberry raspberry slushy drink and Sausage bake and orange juice and pineapple and we decorate with floating candles and and a nativity scene center piece and our best linens.

He’s invited us to His table, adopted us, made us one of His own— and we have time to come, to say yes to His invitation!

3. Gifts for Him, the Birthday Child

After breakfast, we gather together to give gifts to the birthday babe, the King Come —- and these are all gifts to the least of these, because Jesus Himself said, when you give to the least of these, you give to me, so we pick out more gifts from His catalogues. We don’t open presents but we open a far deeper joy.

One family writes of their creative Christmas mornings of giving Christmas gifts only to Jesus:

On Christmas morning this year, we had our oldest dress up as a wise man, and he went around the house, finding tin foil stars and taking the gifts he found there to the baby Jesus that we had in the living room. It was great! We plan to give the same kinds of gifts that you have to Jesus this year…

What a creative way for kids, the whole family, to celebrate Christmas morning– tinfoil stars that have notes of donation to the least of these, a boy dressed up as a wise man, really worshipping!

It sounds, yes, terrifying, to not exchange gifts on Christmas morning, it did to me —- but the utter and unadulterated joy we unwrapped in giving away to those Jesus says He’s with, the poor.And we discovered all that He is absolutely true to His word: it is always better to give than to receive.

And when we give to them we are giving to Him, it leaves us filled and satisfied in the realest sense.

Satisfied that everything fits and nothing will be returned and no batteries are needed for we have done the one thing that is needful — touched the hem of God, murmured adoration and offered up gifts to Him.

4. Serve Him a Meal

A loaf of fresh bread to an elderly neighbor spending his first Christmas alone, a still-in-the-dark cup of coffee and an egg sandwich delivered downtown to a homeless person, ladling bowls in a soup kitchen at lunch time, delivering sticky buns and a hug to the family who buried a child this year, gifting all the neighborhood with cookies and a card rejoicing in Christ come —- serve Christ a meal this Christmas, bread of heaven come down for all the hungry.

5. Invite Him In

It may be a single relative in need of a welcoming hearth, a lonely person from your faith community, a widow from down the road, a grieving friend, a lonely stranger, but to invite someone in need to His party because Christ who came to a world that had no room in the inn now calls all to come and He calls us to His kind of hospitality.

We have done this and this is His party and this is who He wants to come — the one who feels as unwanted as He did when He came to us. So we open the door and say come and celebrate with those He came for…

6. Give Yourself Talent Show

We know a family who gives the only gift we ever can really give, the gift of ourselves, by offering a little Christmas Day Talent Show. He does a crazy little tap dance — and everyone laughs —- and she joins him —- and everyone howls. What can you give of yourself to offer to Jesus, your family, on Christmas morning?

7. Join all of Creation

We spend hours outdoors on Christmas day, joining all of Creation and the heavenly throng in giving Him praise. We walk through the bush and sing Christmas carols, we go sledding down the back hills, we play in the snow and we laugh. We’ve decorated trees outside with treats, strings of popcorn and cranberry, suet and peanut butter and, if the conditions are right, it’s the one day of the year that we pour maple syrup over snow and eat taffy — we taste and see that the Lord is good!

8. Tell the Story

Over the years, we’ve told the Christmas story on Christmas morning with cousins and kids getting dressed up and re-enacting it for us, with kids written-performed-directed puppet show, with blankets and spotlight and silhouettes. Old men have been Joseph and toddlers have been Mary and this is the story that we love to tell — to remember the gift who came.

9. Sing the Hallelujah Chorus

Sing it in the woods, on the streets, in a nursing home, a hospital hall, a prison lounge, around the piano with the family, for the next door neighbors, a shut in across town. We join the angels this day and we fill the world with the music of the Messiah here. Find a way, somewhere, to sing because isn’t this the day of all days, we need to sing?

10. Follow the Light

And come Christmas night, we follow the light and some years it’s outside in the woods, luminaries, candles in jars, lighting a path to a nativity scene and we sing worship in the deepening dark, and some windy years, its filling the house with candles and spending the last hours of Christmas day singing glory, glory, glory, glory to God in the Highest.

Slow Down. Quiet. It's Advent!

If you haven't already, be sure to check out and bookmark Slow Down. Quiet. It's Advent!  It's a quick & cute Advent Calendar.  No, you don't get a piece of chocolate when you read it, but it sure does give you something to chew on.

So tell me: What is Jesus' mission for your life?

Keep Watch: Day 3

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:36-44 

"36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Origen

"All who listen to the depths of the gospel and live it so completely that none of it remains veiled from them care very little about whether the end of the world will come suddenly and all at once or gradually and little by little. Instead, they bear in mind only that each individual's end or death will arrive on a day and hour unknown to him and that upon each one of us "the day of the Lord will come like a thief." Commentary on Matthew 56

For Further Reflection and Prayer:

1. Are you keeping watch? Are you ready? What must you do to be ready?
2. Will your friends and family be caught off guard when the Lord comes like a thief? What can you do to ensure that they are not surprised, but are instead ready and waiting expectantly?

Keep Watch: Day 2

Cheesy Christian art? Sure! Why not? 

Psalm of Response: Psalm 122 

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

NT Reading: Romans 13:11-14

"11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Chrysostom

"Paul is not trying to frighten his hearers but to encourage them, so as to detach them from their love of things of this world. It was not unlikely that at the beginning of their endeavors they would be more dedicated and slacken off as time went on. But Paul wants them to do the opposite- not to slacken as time goes on but to become even more dedicated. For the nearer the King is, the more they ought to be ready to receive him." Homilies on Romans 23.  

For Further Thought and Reflection:

1. In what way do you love the things of this world, or the deeds of darkness, more than you love Christ, our light? 

2. Finding peace with God, peace with others and peace with yourself involves putting on the armor of light. How might you do that?  

3. If you do not have peace with God, others or yourself this day, confess, apologize, make amends.  Ask the Holy Spirit for grace to follow Him.  

Keep Watch: Day 1

Theme: Scripture tells us that we are forgiven! It calls us to walk in the light of the Lord, to pray for peace and to keep watch for Christ's return, putting aside our deeds of darkness and living in the light. In this season of Advent, we celebrate the Child who is the Light. We thank God for forgiveness of sins and reaffirm our desire to walk with the Lord.



Opening Prayer
"God is peace, the principle of all kinds of communion. Let us extol peace with songs of peaceful praise. It is God-who-is-Peace who brings all things into unity, who is the cause of every agreement, who is the author of all harmony. Amen." Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

OT Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD." 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Augustine

"The central place they are all coming to is Christ; he is at the center, because he is equally related to all; anything placed in the center is common to all...Approach the mountain, climb the mountain, and you that climb it, do not go down it. There you will be safe, and there you will be protected; Christ is your mountain of refuge. And where is Christ? At the right hand of the Father since he ascended into heaven." Sermon 62A.3. 

For Further Though and Reflection

1. In what way have you experienced Christ as your mountain of refuge?

2. Have you "gone down from the mountain"? If so, why? You are always welcome back up. 

3. How do you know when you are walking in the light of the Lord? 

4. Thank God for his refuge, for his light. Ask him for the grace to stay on the mountain, to stay in the light.  

5. Who is God leading up the mountain and into the light? How can you partner with him?  

Praising the Good Shepherd: Day 2

Psalm of Response: Psalm 95:1-7a

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

NT Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Marius Victorinus

"Every prayer that we offer up to God is made either in thanks for what we have received or in petition to receive something else. We are encouraged to pray both for ourselves and for those we love. So Paul says, 'I make mention of you in my prayer.' 'Therefore my chief prayer is first on my account, then on yours.'" Epistle to the Ephesians 1.1.16 

For Further Reflection and Prayer:

1. "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, he flock under his care." Kneel- yes, kneel- before God. Bow down in worship. Thank Him that He cares for you and shepherds you.  

2.  "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." While you are praying on your knees, ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart so that you may know the hope to which He has called you. Pray that He would also reveal Himself to your friends. 

Praising the Good Shepherd: Day 1

Gregory the Great

Theme
God is the good shepherd who made the wonders of creation; we praise him, who made all things. We pray that our hearts may be opened and that we may be confident that we have done our best to serve others for his sake on the day of Christ's return.

Prayer
"Stir up, O Lord, your power, and come; mercifully fulfill that which you have promised to your church unto the end of the world! Amen." {The Gelsatian Sacramentary}



OT Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice...20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken."

Reflection from the Church Fathers: We Can All Shepherd Each Other

"We must all of us strive zealously to make known to the church both the dreadfulness of the coming judgment and the kingdom of heaven's delight. Those who are not in a position to address a large assembly should instruct individuals, offering instruction in personal talks; they should try to serve those around them through simple encouragement. You who are pastors, consider that you are pasturing God's flock. We often see a block of salt put out for animals to lick for their well-being. Priests among their people should be like blocks of salt. They should counsel everyone in their flocks in such a way that all those with whom they come in contact may be seasoned with eternal life as if they had been sprinkled with salt. We who preach are not the salt of the earth unless we season the hearts of those who listen to us. We are really preaching to others if we ourselves do what we say, if we are pierced with God's love, if, since we cannot avoid sin, our tears wash away the stains on our life that come with each new day. We truly feel remorse when we take to heart the lives of our forebears in the faith so that we are diminished in our own eyes. Then do we truly feel remorse, when we attentively examine God's teachings, and adopt for our won use what those who revere themselves used for theirs. And while we are moved to remorse on our own account, let us also take responsibility for the lives entrusted to our care. Our own bitter compunction should not divert us from concern for our neighbor. What good to love and strive to do good for our neighbor and abandon ourselves? We must realize that our passion for justice in the face of another's evil must never cause us to lose the virtue of gentleness. Priests must not be quick-tempered or rash; they must instead be temperate and thoughtful. We must support those we challenge and challenge those we support. If we neglect this, our work will lack either courage or gentleness. What shall we call the human soul but the food of the Lord? It is created to become nothing less than Christ's body, and to bring about growth in the eternal church. We priests are to season this food. Cease to pray, cease to teach, and the salt loses its taste. Gregory the Great. Be Friends of God 35. 

For Further Thought and Prayer:

1. You are God's sheep. Are you aware of a time when he has searched you out?

2. Do you allow God to shepherd you, or do you run from him? If you run, why? 

3. "...all those with whom they come in contact may be seasoned with eternal life as if they had been sprinkled with salt." This is like when Mindy says that we should leave fingerprints of blessing on the lives of all those with whom we have relationships.  Have you had a relationship like this? What was it like?  

4. "We must support those we challenge and challenge those we support. If we neglect this, our work will lack either courage or gentleness." Do you lack courage or gentleness?  Both? Why? 

After you've reflected on these questions, share your thoughts with the Father. Ask Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to mold you more into the likeness of Christ, our Saviour.  

Using Our Talents: Day 3

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

"14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’  21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"

Reflections from the Church Fathers: The Worthless Servant Cast into Darkness, Chrysostom

"'The unprofitable servant is to be cast into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Do you see how sins of omission are also met with extreme rejection? It is not only the covetous, the active doer of evil things and the adulterer, but also the one who fails to do good. Let us listen carefully then to these words. As we have opportunity, let us work to cooperate with our salvation. Let us get oil for our lamps. Let us labor to add to our talent. For if we are backward and spend our time in sloth here, no one will pity us any more hereafter, though we should wait ten thousand times...Remember the virgins who again entreated and came to him and knocked, all in vain and without effect." The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 78.3

Closing Prayer

"Forgive our transgressions, our errors, our lapses and our weaknesses. Do not keep count of the sins of your servants but purify us through the gift of your truth and direct our steps. Help us to walk in holiness of heart and to do what is good and pleasing to your eyes. Amen." Clement of Rome  

Using Our Talents: Day 2

Psalm of Response: Psalm 123

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.

NT Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Reflections from Church Fathers: Seeing the Church Grow, Chrysostom

"God, you know, does not wish Christians to be concerned only for themselves but also to edify others, not simply through their teaching but also through their behavior and the way they live. After all, nothing is such an attraction to the way of truth as an upright life- in other words, people pay less attention to what we say than to what we do." Homilies on Genesis 8.4-5

For Prayer and Reflection

Thank God for His mercy, for the salvation given through Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to live with Him. 

Confess that we often appear to "belong to the night or to the darkness" when, in reality, we are "children of the light and children of the day."

Ask God for the mercy and grace to help us to put on faith, hope and love. 

Do encourage one of your brothers or sisters in Christ today. Build each other up.

Ancient Christian Devotional: Using Our Talents

We will now begin sampling excerpts from the book Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings. If you find that you like the readings and want to purchase the book, you can click on the link and order from IVPress.

Week 51: Using Our Talents

Theme: We plead with God for mercy on our situations, submitting to Him and looking to Him for help (Psalm 123). We use our gifts and talents wisely (Matt 25:14-30) until his anticipated return (1 Thess 5:1-11) and judgment (Zeph 1:7, 12-18).

Opening Prayer: Proper 28

"Oh Christ, who knows our sorrows: comfort our brethren who are lonely and heavy with griefs. Give courage to those who are assailed by vehement temptations; give strength to them who have no might, and when they are tried, grant them victory. Remember the sick and afflicted, especially such as are dear to us whom we name in our hearts...and if so it seems good to you, give health again, in body and soul, for your tender mercies' sake. Amen." Augustine.

OT Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

"7Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’
13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
Though they build houses,
they will not live in them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink the wine.”

14 The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.
15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness—
16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.

17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”

In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth."

Reflections from Church Fathers: Money and Things to be Shunned, Cyprian

"The lust of possessions and money are not to be sought for. In Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, 'He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver.' Also in Proverbs: 'He who holds back the corn is cursed among people, but blessing on the head of him that communicates it.' Also in Isaiah: 'Woe to them who join house to house, and lay field to field, that they may take away something from their neighbor. Will you dwell alone upon the earth?' Also, in Zephaniah: 'They shall build houses, and shall not dwell in them; and they shall appoint vineyards, and shall not drink the wine of them, because the Day of the Lord is near.' Also in the Gospel according to Luke: 'For what does it profit a man to make a gain of the whole world, but that he should lose himself?'" To Quirinius, Testimonies Against the Jews 12.3.61

For Reflection and Prayer: 

What stood out to you from the bible passage or the reflection? Did you feel convicted about anything? If so, confess that to our Father, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and pray for the grace and power from the Holy Spirit to live as God desires.

Greetings from the Sunshine State!

Greetings from Florida, the land of sunshine, citrus fruit and grandparents.  That's right, Liam and I are visiting Wanner and J-Pop, otherwise known as Liam's maternal grandparents.

I simply love coming to my parents' house, even though it wasn't the house I grew up in.  It is my home away from home. As soon as I walk in these doors, the cares of the world melt away. I am cared for and can rest easy.  I am also very much able to connect with God, to lose myself in a good book, to see Scripture in a new light. I always walk away invigorated.

Do you have a place like this? A place where you can rest easy and rest in God?  Do you have a place or a time where you are able to make extra space to commune with God?  What about on campus? Do you have a place or time on campus where you are able to make extra space for God?  Your challenge is this: Before Saturday, find a place or a time on campus where you are able to be alone, truly alone, with God.  And then do just that. Be alone with God. Try 30 minutes. Bring a book, your Bible, a journal- whatever you use to connect with God and quiet your soul.  


You won't regret it.

Some resources to guide you in an Extended Time of Prayer:
http://www.navigators.org/us/articles/items/extendedprayer
http://www.thechristianmeditator.com/christianprayerretreat.html
http://www.spirithome.com/spirquie.html

The True Centurion

Are you familiar with the teaching that Jesus is the true elder brother (from the prodigal son)? My Community Bible Study on Luke just gave me new revelation that Jesus is also the true centurion. Are you familiar with the faith of the centurion in Luke 7:1-10?

"When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."

1. What is a centurion? The commander of a century in the Roman army.

2. What were the qualities of a centurion? "Centurions often suffered heavy casualties in battle, generally fighting alongside the legionaries they commanded. They usually led from the front, occupying a position at the front right of the century formation. They led and inspired their men by example. They also sought to display the skill and courage that may have gotten them to their rank in the first place. It is for these reasons that they often suffered a disproportionate number of casualties.Centurions had to be literate, have connections (letters of recommendation), be at least 30 years of age, and had already served a few years in the military."

The centurion in the infantry is chosen for his size, strength and dexterity in throwing his missile weapons and for his skill in the use of his sword and shield; in short for his expertness in all the exercises. He is to be vigilant, temperate, active and readier to execute the orders he receives than to talk; Strict in exercising and keeping up proper discipline among his soldiers, in obliging them to appear clean and well-dressed and to have their arms constantly rubbed and bright. \

(Vegetius.De Re Militari,[7] II, 14 ) 

(Thank you, Wikipedia.) 

Did you catch that? The centurion led and inspired his men by example, suffered casualties, and had to be 30 years of age to start his service. Hmm...

3. The centurion was a man under authority, but also had authority over other men. (Luke 7:8) If you are familiar with Luke 5:24 and John 8:28-29, you will note that Jesus, too, is a man under authority who has authority over other men.

Why is this important? The modern church has feminized Christianity and Christ. While it is right and good to love Jesus and to sing to Him, our lover, this often makes men feel uncomfortable. How about worshiping and serving Jesus, a warrior who leads and inspires by example, who was willing to die while fighting alongside His men, who has authority. Sounds like a Jesus I want my son and the guys in Greek IV to worship, serve and emulate.

Take My Life and Let It Be

**This song has special meaning for me as this was the song sung at our wedding when Daniel and I received communion together for the first time as husband and wife. Bowing our heads in prayer and singing this song to the Lord, dedicating our life to Him, was very powerful and beautiful.  I honestly wish that for each of you.**

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

In this day of self-centered living and pleasure-oriented lifestyle, the total commitment to God of body, mind, and possessions portrayed in this text is difficult for many Christians to achieve. Even though we realize that we have nothing we have not received and that we are only stewards of the good gifts God has entrusted to us, we often fail to apply this basic truth to our daily lives:

The gold that came from Thee, Lord,
To Thee belongeth still;
Oh, may I always faithfully
My stewardship fulfill.
~Author Unknown~

It was said of Frances Ridley Havergal, author of this text, that the beauty of a consecrated life was never more perfectly revealed than in her daily living. She has rightfully been called "The Consecration Poet", her entire life characterized by simple faith and spiritual saintliness. In spite of frail health, she lived an active life until her death at the age of 43. On her tombstone was the Scripture verse she claimed as her own: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7. She wrote many beautifully phrased hymn texts, including I Gave My Life for Thee", "Who is on the LORD's Side?", and "Like a River Glorious".

"These little couplets that chimed in my heart one after another" were for Frances Havergal the result of an evening in 1874 passed in pursuing a deeper consecration of herself to God. "Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King" was personally significant for Frances. She was naturally very musical and had been trained as a concert soloist with an unusually pleasant voice. Her musical talents could have brought her much worldly fame. However, she determined that her life's mission was to sing and work only for Jesus. The line "Take my silver and my gold" was also sincerely phrased. At one time Frances gathered together her many fine pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms and shipped them to the church missionary house to be used for evangelizing the lost. Nearly fifty articles were sent with "extreme delight".


TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose,
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Read I Chronicles 29:1-13; Matthew 22:37; I Corinthians 6:19 & 20
Sing this song again and again. Ask God to make it your true prayer.
Express once more your gratitude for all of God's gifts. Dedicate yourself more completely to His glory and service.

Blessed Assurance

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:22-23

Some people claim to have accepted Christ as Saviour, yet they live in the tragic uncertainty of doubting their salvation! The Holy Bible teaches, however, that we can know with absolute confidence that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ (I John 5:13). This confidence is not based on inner feelings or outer signs. Rather, this assurance is founded upon the promises of a faithful God and His inspired Word. It depends not on the amount of our faith, but on the object of that faith--Jesus Christ Himself.

Though blinded at six weeks of age through improper medical treatment, Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 gospel song texts in her lifetime of 95 years. Her many favorites such as "Blessed Assurance" have been an important part of Christian worship for over a century. Only eternity will disclose the host of individuals whose lives have been spiritually enriched through the texts of Fanny Crosby's many hymns. Engraved on Fanny J. Crosby's tombstone at Bridgeport, Connecticut are these significant words taken from our Lord's remarks to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, after she had annointed Him with costly perfume--"She hath done what she could." (Mark 14:8).

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of Glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

CHORUS:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long!

Read Isaiah 12:2; Romans 8:16 & 17, 15:13; Titus 2:13 & 14; I John 5:13

Pray that in Him you'd be happy and blessed, lost in His love.

Ponder, f you are happy and blessed, if your soul is at rest, if you're filled with His goodness, why do you keep it to yourself?

If you have accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, live with the absolute conviction and triumphant faith that the apostle Paul had when he exclaimed, "...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:12). Carry Fanny Crosby's musical praise with you as you go through your day.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

The Art of Hymns

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

Jeremiah 31:3

The writing of this thoughtful and artistically constructed text is most remarkable! It was authored by an esteemed Scottish minister who was totally blind and who described the writing as the "fruit of much mental suffering". Many conjectures have been made regarding the cause of the "mental suffering". Thankfully, Dr. George Matheson did leave this account:

"My hymn was composed in Innelan on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone at that time. It was the night of my sister's marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high."

A very popular account for the writing of this hymn, though never fully substantiated, claims that it was the result of the reminder at his sister's wedding of the great disappointment that Matheson had experienced just before he was to have been married to his college fiancee. When told of his impending total blindness, she is said to have informed him, "I do not wish to be the wife of a blind preacher."

It is very possible that the lingering memory of this rejection from an earthly love prompted George Matheson to write this beautiful expression of an eternal love that will never be broken:

 O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO
George Matheson, 1842-1902

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

Read Romans 8:35-39; I John 3:1; Revelation 1:5 & 6

Confess that we too often close our heart to God.
Thank God that He seeks us through pain.
Rest securely in God's eternal love, regardless of the human difficulty or suffering you may be experiencing.

Share this song with someone you know who is going through a trial and needs encouragement. 

All Saints' Day

Last night was Halloween, or as it was originally called, All Hallows' Eve, which makes today All Saints' Day.  Whether or not your denomination commemorates this church holiday, it is interesting to learn about the history of it.  Different denominations celebrate this day in the following ways:

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the calendar of the Anglican Church and in many Lutheran churches. In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants of the English tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, the Methodist churches, and the Wesleyan Church. ^[9]

In the United Methodist Church, All Saints' Day is on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those that have died that were members of the local church congregation.^[10] In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person's name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are afixed to a memorial plaque.

In many Presbyterian churches, All Saints' Day and Reformation Day are observed concurrently on the Sunday before or of those dates, given Reformation Day is observed in Protestant Churches on October 31. Typically, Luther's Mighty Fortress is Our God is sung during the service. Besides discussing Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, some recognition of the prominent early leaders of the Reformed tradition, such as John Calvin and John Knox, occurs. The observance of Reformation Day may be immediately followed by a reading of those members of the local congregation who have died in the past year in observance of All Saints' Day. Otherwise, the recognition of deceased church members occurs at another designated portion of the service.

In the Roman Catholic Church, All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation in many (but not all) countries, meaning going to Mass on the date is required (unless one is ill or elderly). However, in a number of countries that do list All Saints' Day as a Holy Day of Obligation, including England & Wales, the solemnity of All Saints' Day is transferred to the adjacent Sunday if 1 November falls on a Monday or a Saturday, while in the same circumstances in the United States the Solemnity is still celebrated on November 1 but the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated. 

[Wikipedia: All Saints' Day] 

Thus, we will follow suit by celebrating All Saints' Day in one of the following ways:

1. Remember those we know who have died in this past year. Thank God for that person and for the impact they had on your life. Remember their admirable traits and pray that you'd also be able to impact others as they impacted you.

2. Google a saint you've always heard about it, but know nothing about. How do you see Christ reflected in that person's life? Pray that God would also mold you into conformity with Christ.