NEW Daily Advent Devotional with Creation Care Suggestions for Everyone!

PEC Advent Daily Devotional is Here! New Daily Advent Devotions based on the Revised Common Lectionary texts from Creation Care Perspectives:  We hope this devotional will help preachers, lectionary Bible study groups, families and individuals with new insights on these beloved texts during this special season.  We hope the devotions will inspire more people help care for God's creation in these challenging times.   Please consider sharing a link to the devotional in an email to your church members, family and friends.  You can also ask your Presbytery to share the links with churches and pastors. Two formats of the devotional are available on our website - online version and printable version.  CLICK HERE or the button below to download your copy today. THANK YOU to all the contributors to this devotional and especially to PEC Steering Committee Member Scharmel Roussel and Coordinator Mindy Hidenfelter, whose combined guidance and work made it all possible. This Daily Advent Devotional was made possible by the volunteers contributing their devotions as well as financial donations that covered the cost of recruiting contributors, editing, laying out, web posting and promotion online, through email and social media.  Your donation towards our ongoing work is needed and appreciated.  You can give online through our secure website presbyearthcare.org/giving or by mail to P.O. Box 3851, Allentown, PA, 18106. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, blessed Advent and joyful Christmas. Grace and Peace, Bruce Gillette PEC Moderator CLICK HERE FOR DEVOTIONAL

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A New Devotion - Participatory Self-Deception

Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

1 John 2:18-29

Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.

Participatory Self-Deception

It seems to me that a lot of Christian have and are participating in their own self-deception, and they're doing it with an enthusiasm that I find both disconcerting and sad. You see, they've willingly turned from Jesus Christ to follow values that are antithetical to lessons taught by the Lord. In other words, they've put their faith in a golden idol rather than in God. Of course, I understand that their motivates are varied. For example, I think some believe it's reasonable to exchange righteousness for political power while others have confused Godly principles for secular prejudices. Still others have been misled by men and women who have cloaked arrogant vitriol in psuedo-spiritual verbiage.  But regardless of the reason, many sincere and dedicated believers have fallen in the trap described by John by allowing the antichrists to deceive them.

And for that reason, I think it's crucial for us to make the decision to abide in Jesus. And in my opinion, we can best do that by grounding ourselves in scripture and in his words. And when we do this, I believe we'll find ourselves spiritually strengthened so we can resist that sweet message of self-deception. 

A New Devotion - When Intentions Are Important

Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

John 3:17-21

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

When Intentions Are Important

Normally, I don’t think our intentions are very important, certainly not when compared to what we actually say and do. For example, if I make a comment that hurts others, it really doesn’t matter that I didn’t intend to hurt them. Or if I take some kind of action that results in pain, it’s really not important that my intentions were positive. I mean, seldom do we intend for things to go wrong, but sometimes they do. And rather than trying to avoid or to ignore our accountability by hiding behind our intentions, I believe it’s important to take responsibility and face the consequences. You see, that’s only way we’ll ever learn and grow from our unintended mistakes. And so, in my opinion, our intentions aren’t all that important.

But I believe there’s one glaring exception to that rule. You see, I believe it’s important to understand that God’s intention for the world was salvation, not condemnation. And I’ll tell you, when we believe that, our perspective on ourselves and those around us will change. For example, we have no reason to hide from God, because we fear judgment. Rather, we can feel free to trust in Jesus Christ, the light of the world, because through him we can experience God’s forgiveness and salvation right now. And as we look toward others, we can believe that God intends the same thing for them as he does for us. You see, as it relates to his relationship with his creation, God’s intentions are extremely important.

A New Devotion - Pointers

Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

John 1:35-42

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Pointers

Although I was raised in the city and had no first-hand knowledge of hunting, I saw enough movies to know about dogs that were called “pointers.” Now, that’s what they were called, because that’s exactly what they did. You see, their job was to go out into a field with a hunter and literally point at whatever game was being hunted. And when they pointed, these dogs were extremely still and focused, with one of their front legs up, their tails straight out and their head pointed forward. It was amazing. And I’ve got to tell you, as a kid, I always found them fascinating. I mean, it’s one thing to chase rabbits or flush out quail; it’s something else to stand like a statue and simply point.

And you know, after reading this passage from the Gospel of John, not only was this exactly what John the Baptist did, it’s what we’ve been called to do as well. I mean, just like John pointed his two disciples toward Jesus, something that Andrew also did for his brother Peter, it’s our job to point those around us toward the one who came to save his people from their sins. And what these two men did with their words, we can also do, only we shouldn’t feel limited to verbiage. For example, we can direct folks toward Jesus by our attitude and by our demeanor, but maybe most important of all, by our willingness to show mercy and compassion to one another. You see, it’s through our decision to love our neighbors as ourselves that we become the Lord’s pointers.

Share the Outlook's Lenten devotions with the congregation today

2021 Lenten devotions from the Presbyterian Outlook Theologically sound, inspiring and affordable devotions for the congregation The six-week Lenten journey is an opportunity to take on a new spiritual discipline. This year, congregations are invited to pray with Scripture as a way of discerning God’s movement in our personal lives and in the life of the world around us. Throughout the season of Lent, these daily devotions will guide readers to pray with one passage from Scripture each day and prompt them to reflect on what it discloses about movement toward God and movement away from God in their lives. These devotions written by Roger Gench, Presbyterian pastor and author, will guide congregations in this daily practice of praying with Scripture. These devotions are available as a downloadable set of weekly PDFs that start with Ash Wednesday and will guide the congregation's journey through Holy Week. They have been designed to be emailed to the congregation (or can be printed and distributed). Additionally, small groups, sessions, staffs or Sunday school classes can use them to explore the daily prayer practices and discuss their experiences together. Full set of Lenten devotions — $20/congregation Immediate download after ordering Preview and order now

The Presbyterian Outlook | 1 N. 5th St., Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219

A New Devotion - The Downside of Control

 Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

Mark 10:17-27

As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

The Downside of Control

Historically, I think Americans have had a lot of control over their lives. Of course, I recognize that certainly wasn’t the case for African-Americans and Native Americans. Still, a lot of us had the freedom to decide for ourselves the kind of lives we want to live. And I think most folks think that’s a good thing. Of course, this is probably the result of living in the United States, a country that’s had a tradition of political and economic freedom. It also hasn’t hurt that our standard of living has been fairly high; therefore, where folks in other societies struggled to live from day to day, most of us have had enough for today and tomorrow. And because of that, we’ve able to rely on ourselves and on our ability to take care of our needs. In fact, for many, their whole value and faith systems have focused on what they consider roughed individualism and self-reliance.

And even though this isn’t bad in and of itself, I think it can lead to the attitude shown by the rich man in the passage I just read, a person that the Evangelist Mark wrote that Jesus loved. You see, I think the control that his wealth offered led him to believe that he was in control of himself and his future, not unlike another man who assumed he could secure his future by building bigger barns. And because of that, this rich man was crushed when he heard that the only way to inherit eternal life and to experience salvation was to get rid of all the stuff that made him feel secure. Of course, that makes sense. I mean, because he was unwilling to do this, he’d never be able to trust God completely. You see, so long as his faith was grounded in something other than God, he couldn’t know the peace and freedom of life in the kingdom. And I think I’m safe in saying that really is the downside of control.

A New Devotion - Don’t Be Foolish

 Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

Galatians 3:1-5

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing? — if it really was for nothing. Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

Don’t Be Foolish

Paul said that the Galatians had become foolish. You see, in the past, he’d told them all about grace, you know, how it was a gift of God given through the Holy Spirit, something in which a person could trust but never earn. And because they’d accepted this message, Paul reminded those Galatians that they’d felt a new sense of peace and hope, something they’d never experienced in the past. Now that’s what had happened when he shared with them the truth of the Gospel. 

But for some reason, they’d turned from that message of grace. And instead of just claiming this incredible gift, they started working in new rules and commands which they felt they needed to follow. Of course, I’m sure they had several reasons for doing it. For example, since it involved their future, maybe they felt that they needed something more concrete than just trust. Or maybe they thought that incorporating obedience into their faith would give them more control. Or maybe their decision was motivated by something else. We just don’t know. But for Paul, the reason was not relevant. You see, it didn’t matter why they did what they did. For him, they were turning from the truth to follow a lie and abandoning the Spirit for the sake of the flesh. And because of that, they were being foolish.

And you know, as modern Christians continue to construct their own systems to determine salvation and apply those rules and laws to themselves and to others, I think we need to hear these words of Paul and to make the decision that we’re not going to be foolish either.

A Thought from the Word

A brief thought based on Matthew 7:12 - “Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.”

A New Devotion - Choosing the New

Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

Ephesians 4:17-32

Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Choosing the New

Tomorrow the United States will swear in a new President and Vice President. And regardless of our personal political opinions, this offers us the opportunity to approach the immediate future with a new attitude. Of course, I recognize the problems and challenges will be the same. I mean, we’ll still be struggling through the COVID pandemic and the many ways this has impacted our lives. And we’ll still be reeling from the capitol riots and those corrosive ideas that led men and women to attack one of iconic symbols of our heritage and democracy. And we’ll still be trying to figure out how we might move beyond the anger and hatred that seems to have permeated our society. All these will be issues tomorrow just like they are today. But with a new administration, we can choose to approach them with a new attitude.

And I’ll tell you, that’s exactly what Paul challenged the Ephesians to do in the passage we just read. You see, he challenged them and us to leave behind the baggage we carried from the past and to turn away from ignorance and arrogance and to put away the lies. This is the past we can leave behind. And instead of looking backward, we can intentionally claim the truth. And we can work honestly so that we can give generously. And instead to carrying the bitterness and divisiveness that’s come to shape our society, we can become kind and compassionate and forgiving. You see, as we move into our future, we can decide that we’re not going to live with what is old and decayed. Instead, as Christians, we going to choose the new.

A New Devotion - The Bright Morning Star

Here's a new devotion that I wrote. You can find a recording of this devotion at the bottom of the page.

Revelation 22:12-17, 21

“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

The Bright Morning Star

I find a lot of comfort in this image for Jesus, and that’s especially true as I close out 2020. I think I’m safe in saying, this year has been challenging for all of us. For example, over 320,000 Americans died as a result of COVID-related illnesses. Businesses have closed, jobs have been lost and new opportunities have withered. I’ll tell you, over the last ten months, our whole world changed. A year ago, a friend of mine said, “In this economy, if you’re unemployed, you’re just not trying.” I’m not sure anyone would say that now. And so, as we pass through our subdued celebration of the Christmas, a lot of us are sort of limping to the end of a bad year.

And for this reason, I believe this image is so meaningful. You see, no matter what we’ve encountered in the past or how tired and discouraged and frustrated we might be right now, Jesus Christ is still “the Bright Morning Star.” And to me, that represents two things. First, because he’s in control of his creation, we have good reason to hope, because what may appear to be the dead of night may actually be the time right before the dawn. In him, possibilities are always possible. That’s one. And second, regardless of what we’re facing right now, the entire creation is moving toward a bright new morning. You see, the time is coming when the old will be made new and the dead will be raised. And nothing in creation will change that reality. And so, as stagger to the close of a dark year, let’s intentionally focus on the Bright Morning Star.

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 - Day 25 | Wednesday, Dec. 23

Singing a new song

Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. — Psalm 147:1–11

“Brokenhearted” and “downtrodden” are words that sum up how many people are feeling as Christmas Eve approaches. Broken hearts abound as loved ones taken by COVID-19, unjust shootings, accidents and illnesses have left empty chairs around many holiday tables this year. And there are hearts broken by vacant chairs because friends and family can’t gather together this year out of safety concerns for a virus still infecting the young and the old.

There will also be many downtrodden Christians making their way to the manger with heads hung low and steps that are faltering due to the tiredness that comes in trying to fight injustices. Let us not ignore the drooping shoulders of many who are burdened with trying to put food on the table. The world is in pain, and to not be able to even gather in person on Christmas Eve to light candles and sing “Silent Night” is just too much for some to handle. This year’s “Silent Night” will indeed be silent, but maybe not.

Just because we won’t be singing an old, familiar song in an old, familiar way — in a church sanctuary — doesn’t mean that there isn’t a song to sing. Could it be that our broken hearts are creating space for a new song this Christmas Eve? Could it be that “the old song of my spirit has wearied itself out,” as Howard Thurman discovered years ago?

Thurman added that “the words belong to old experiences. I know that the work of the old song, perfect in its place, is not for the new demand. I must learn the new song that is capable of meeting the new need. I must fashion new words born of all the new growth in my life, my mind and my spirit.”

Perhaps not being able to sing “Silent Night” — as we have always done in church — is not a bad thing at all. Yes, this tradition will be grieved. But can we look beyond the loss to see what new thing can be found? “We need the untried melody to meet the need of the untried morrow,” said Thurman. May this Christmas bring us the gift of an untried melody.

Pray

Gracious and loving God, as Christmas Eve approaches, I can’t help but feel some sadness this year. Nothing feels right. The holiday cheer is missing. The traditions I have looked forward to are just not happening. Help me to find a new song to sing: a song of praise to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Go deeper

Take time to mourn the losses in your life. Don’t push them aside. Let the tears fall. Then wipe your eyes and ask God for a new song to sing this Christmas, a new tradition to begin, a new friend to make and a new understanding of Emmanuel: God with us.

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 - Day 24 | Tuesday, Dec. 22

Safe and secure

Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help and who rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! Yet he too is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will rise against the house of the evildoers, and against the helpers of those who work iniquity. The Egyptians are human, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and the one helped will fall, and they will all perish together. For thus the Lord said to me, as a lion or a young lion growls over its prey, and—when a band of shepherds is called out against it—is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the Lord of hosts will come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon its hill. Like birds hovering overhead, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will spare and rescue it. Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel. For on that day all of you shall throw away your idols of silver and idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you. “Then the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of mortals; and a sword, not of humans, shall devour him; he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor. His rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic,” says the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem. — Isaiah 31:1–9

My husband went to get his pickup treated with an anti-rust undercoating — a necessity in Vermont where road salt is damaging to trucks. He went to a mom-and-pop auto store that just happened to be a gun retailer, too. (Yes, only in Vermont.)

When he came home, he told me about a conversation he overhead as he was paying his bill. The cashier was having a side conversation with a few friends and mentioned how great gun sales were. In fact, the other day, she had sold four guns in less than a half hour.

I felt uneasy when I heard this. I felt a twinge of fear as I remembered hearing the recent statistic that Americans have purchased almost 17 million guns so far in 2020, more than in any other single year on record, according to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting, a research firm that tracks firearms.

People are afraid of the social and political unrest in our country. They want to feel safe and secure. They want to protect whatever peace there is. Yet the season of Advent reminds us that peace will not be obtained with a firearm.

Isaiah tells us that trusting in horsemen because they are strong and relying on chariots because there are many of them are not where our security lies. Real peace comes when we look to the Holy One of Israel. Security is found when we consult the Lord.

Living in a rural area, where I learned that the opening weekend of hunting season meant low attendance in church that Sunday, I can understand why there are those who bristle over gun-control laws. Having guns is a rite of passage for many rural teens. But I can’t shake how troubling it is that the rise in gun sales coincides with a recent FBI report that hate crimes in the United States have risen to the highest level in more than a decade.

It seems what Howard Thurman wrote decades ago, is true today, that “the panic of fear, the torture of insecurity, the ache of hunger” have “rekindled ancient hatreds.” These ancient hatreds, though, are not kindling. They are a raging fire.

Do you want to feel safe and secure? Then let us lean into the everlasting arms of the Savior — the One who was born for a world such as we live in now. Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice … Jesus Christ was born for this!

Pray

God, may a peace that passes all understanding enter into my life this Advent season. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Go deeper

The work for peace is great, and it begins with education. Every year the Southern Poverty Law Center updates a national map of hate group activity. See the hate groups in your state at splcenter.org/hate-map

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 - Day 23 | Monday, Dec. 21

Catching a new vision

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass. — Revelation 21:9–21

Years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to the Greek island of Patmos, where John, exiled there by the Romans, received the visions that are recorded in Revelation. I was excited to enter into the dark, dank cave where the apostle resided. I was eager to “feel” something; perhaps to receive my own vision from God.

What I didn’t expect, though, was hundreds of tourists buzzing about, making it hard for me to be in a contemplative mood. In fact, there wasn’t much time to pray and ponder as guides quickly shuffled camera-snapping tourists through the cave. I was given a moment to sit on one of the chairs lining the walls. I tried to sit still, quiet my thoughts and sense God’s presence. Disappointed that I didn’t get a divine tour of my future, I made my way to the exit, only to stop suddenly. Something nudged me to go back and sit some more, and so I did, sitting through three more tour groups. I sat with my eyes closed and expectations low. Then I left.

When my husband, who was by my side throughout this experience, asked later what I thought about our visit to the cave, I was hesitant to share. How could I tell him that I felt a warm sensation in my hands and heard a clear message to write and keep on writing? How could I tell him that I felt this peace in seeing clearly who I am: a writer first, a pastor second? And what would this “vision” mean when it came to my call as a traditional pastor of a parish? I began to speak: “It might sound weird, but I felt …” That’s when my husband finished my sentence: “I felt something too.”

God is always trying to get our attention, always willing to show us a new Jerusalem. This Advent especially, God is showing us a new vision of “doing the holidays” that has been forced upon us by COVID-19. It’s a vision we might not welcome as it means letting go of beloved traditions and not holding large family gatherings. But God is always recreating our lives and always presenting us with a vision of what can be. And that vision, if we see with eyes of faith, is indeed beautiful.

Pray

God of new beginnings, in this season of Advent, open my eyes so that I can see a future full of hope and catch a vision for a brighter tomorrow that is overflowing with peace and beauty. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Go deeper

Take a virtual tour of John’s cave in Patmos, Greece, via this link: youtube.com/watch?v=EfX1m53o1AY

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 - Day 22 | Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 20

Keep the dream alive

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.” — Luke 1:13–20

Howard Thurman wrote, “As long as man has a dream in his heart, he cannot lose the significance of living.” But what happens when the dream in our hearts — that earnest prayer — is delayed? How do you keep hope alive when days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months and months turn into years?

Zechariah knew all too well what it was like to wait. He had long hoped for a child, and it was only in his old age that God answered by sending Gabriel — the angel of Advent conception announcements — with the good news: You will have a son, and his name will be John. Zechariah was shocked and perhaps a bit skeptical. But we know how the story goes. Elizabeth delivers John, who would later emerge from the wilderness with a message to prepare the way of the Lord.

Many years ago, I held on to a dream of having a child. I held on even after my boyfriend, whom I thought would become my husband, was killed in a jeep accident in Africa. I was in my early 30s — still time to find and meet someone to start a family with. I held on to the dream, and I prayed. Each birthday, though, gifted me a sense of growing hopelessness. There were many dark nights of my soul as I cried to God, wondering why this was not to be for me.

God, though, was answering in the most amazing way. When I finally married in my 40s, I saw just how God answered my desire for children. My bridal party had 17 flower girls: children from the rural community I was serving as a pastor. In addition to the flower girls, there were the boys who served as ushers. There were many more children who came together to form a choir that sang during the ceremony. They might not have been my biological children, but they were indeed mine, given to me by God to be part of their lives and tell them the story of a God who hears our cries, no matter how long it seems we are waiting.

Thurman urged all to “keep the dream alive.” Yes, keep it alive because we are never too old for dreams to be answered.

Pray

Ever-listening God, I surrender the dreams I hold in my heart, dreams that are new and dreams that have been way overdue in coming true. Grant me a sense of peace as I wait to see how you will answer me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Go deeper

Name a dream that was answered in an unexpected way. What was it? Who was involved? How did you feel? And, more importantly, how can you see God’s hand in it now?

Advent & Christmas Devotional 2020 - Day 21 | Saturday, Dec. 19

Courage to trust all will be well

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years. When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea.  They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. — Revelation 20:1–10

My New Testament class was going to discuss Revelation. I was looking forward to it as it was one book in the Bible rarely expounded on in the church of my childhood. I was disappointed, though, when an important church meeting called me away from class. When I arrived at the church, the pastor, seeing my disappointment, joked that as a Presbyterian I wasn’t going to miss much. “We don’t spend too much time in Revelation,” he said. We Presbyterians haven’t spent much time in Revelation and after reading this entry in the daily lectionary schedule, I can see why. I am more comfortable talking about people walking in Advent darkness than about the battle between good and evil. Yet here we are, and here is Advent good news. Really.

First, I have to ask for you to not take literally the thousand years mentioned in the Scripture. Both Augustine and John Calvin viewed this cosmic event as something happening now. OK, I know that doesn’t sound like good news, but stay with me. What John is sharing with us is a picture of triumph and the people who have battled in life now being blessed, resurrected, safe, secure — whole. This passage is an Advent one for it underscores once again that the birth of Jesus wasn’t just so we have a sentimental holiday to celebrate. Jesus was born to save. Jesus also came to equip us with how to battle evil in this life — how to stand up and speak up, learn to love more deeply and forgive more freely. Sure, the battle is a fierce one, but in the end we will persevere. All those bearing battle scars will be made whole. It seems these days there is a battle raging in our world. This year has been a rough one. Too many deaths from too many viruses named COVID-19, racial injustice and poverty. Yet we are called to find the courage to fight the good fight and be part of making the world a better place. There is nothing to fear for Revelation is telling us we are on the winning team — and team is the key word. We are called to work together in making the world a fair and just one for all. Howard Thurman knew this when he wrote, “There are areas of the common life in which we must do our part in order that the very fabric of society may be maintained against collapse and disintegration.” And in case you find your courage waning, remember this: “Do not fear” is the Advent message spoken by God’s angels back then to a frightened Mary, a confused Joseph and rejected shepherds. “Do not fear” is being whispered to all of us now.

Pray

God, battle between good and evil seems to be escalating as each day there is news of a yet another injustice, another health threat, another natural disaster, another innocent death. I pray boldly for courage to face the day. I pray for courage to calm my shaking hand so that I can keep on lighting candles that will chase away the darkness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Go deeper

Remember to share your pictures of the candles of courage you are lighting this season. Send them to editor@pcusa.org.