December 20, 2016 – 4 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

The Second Candle (The Candle of LOVE)

“The angels announced the good news of a Savior! “…I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10b-11)

The second candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes G-d sending the Son to earth to save us, because G-d loves us!
On this date in 1946 Frank Capra’s movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” premiers in New York. Set in a small town named Bedford Falls, it is a story of a man named George Bailey, a man who loves people more than he loves money. His antagonist is Mr. Potter whose hands are clenched around his money so tightly he probably suffered from arthritis at an early age. In one of his encounters with old Mr. Potter George is defending the Building and Loan business that was started by his father, and is in Mr. Potter’s line of sight to close: “Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about… they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man then you’ll ever be!” Harry Bailey will go on to toast his brother George by calling him the “Richest man in town”. He is rich because he is rich in love for people. This Christmas season and beyond, let the love of Christ ring in your heart and in your deeds the whole year through.

Pastor Dave

December 19, 2016 – 5 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean in Jesus’ Name
On Christ the solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness seems to hide His face I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand” (My Hope is Built, hymn Edward Mote, 1797-1874)

Advent is marked by the themes of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, and of longing. There is a longing for deliverance from sin, death and the devil experienced by persecution, tyranny, injustice and hatred in this world. Our hope is that G-d will redeem all creation – begun in the birth of Jesus, and completed when Christ comes again. It is the hope that G-d will come again in righteousness to reign over G-d’s people and creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.
The First Candle (The Candle of HOPE)

The first candle on the Advent Wreath is sometimes called the candle of prophecy because it symbolizes the promises the prophets delivered as messages from God; promises that foretold Christ’s birth. Others consider the candle to be a symbol of the hope we have in Christ and so it is called the Hope candle.

On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is published and 6000 copies are sold. The theme of this play is, of course, one of hope – hope that it is never too late to change our ways, increase our faith, and to stop being so selfish and instead reach out to help those in need. Often people wait until they experience a significant event in their lives before they act. Why not start now instead of waiting for your wakeup call. The visitors to Ebenezer Scrooge are “Spirits” ( Christmas’ past, present and future) – we have a different Spirit to lead and guide us, that of the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into and through this Christmas season to, as Scrooge speaks “…“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

Pastor Dave