Welcome to the December Archive. You are welcome to read the entire archive, or find a topic on the list below that is of interest to you. Just click the link, and you will be taken directly to the day it was written. Enjoy, and may you know God's peace as you read His Word.
You are welcome to use these writings or pass them on. All we ask is that in all things you remember the Author and give Him the glory, and remember this vessel which He has used to bring them to you. Peggy Hoppes
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Scripture on this page taken from the World English Bible which belongs to the public domain.
A WORD FOR TODAY, December 2025
December 1, 2025
“Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together, saying, ‘God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.’ God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me. Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.” Psalm 71:9-13, WEB
One of my favorite things to do while we live in England was to visit the churches, many of which were hundreds, if not a thousand, years old. We regularly attended worship at a thirteenth century parish church in a small village near the American bases where we lived and worked. The church partnered with several other local churches, so we often had the opportunity to worship there. We attended Thanksgiving services at Ely Cathedral with the rest of the military community and locals who embraced our presence in their neighborhoods and church. During our adventures, we always tried to plan our visits to churches around the country at a time when a service was planned. Some of my best memories are those times of worship, in places like Westminster Abbey, York Minster, and Truro Cathedral. We also attended worship at smaller village churches.
Sadly, some churches around the country have become so old and dilapidated that they are difficult to maintain, a task made even harder by the dwindling congregations and lack of funding. Can you imagine how much money it would take to restore a seven-hundred-year-old building? One report I read said that 3500 churches have been converted, sold, or demolished. Some churches have been converted into private homes, arts venues, community centers, and even hotels This is not just a problem in England, too many churches have been abandoned in America, and though they are not quite as old, they are equally difficult to repair and maintain. I have always wanted to save an old church, but I know it would be beyond my resources to do so. Thankfully, some people are willing to invest in saving these buildings. It is sad to think that any church has become redundant, though.
The word redundant describes the unemployed in England. According to Merriam-Webster, redundant means, “exceeding what is needed or normal.” In 1969, England’s Parliament set up an organization called the Redundant Churches Fund which became the Churches Conservation Trust to care for churches that are no longer needed for Sunday worship. There are churches all over England that have outlived their usefulness. Villages that were once prosperous and had several churches are much less populated today and cannot provide for the maintenance of so many buildings. Sadly, the redundant churches fall to the natural ravages of time and weather. The roofs fall and the walls crumble away. Windows are broken by vandalism and weeds overcome the churchyard. Over time, these centers of worship disappear into the landscape, its service to the Lord only a memory.
We once attended a service in one of the churches cared for by the Conservation Trust. Some of the walls of this building were at least 800 years old. The majority of the construction took place 600 years ago. When the village no longer needed two worship centers, the other church was chosen because of its location. Though the church was redundant, the villagers continued to care for the church. Despite the lack of regular worship, the church remained consecrated and was used for very special services each year.
A representative from the Conservation Trust gave the message at the service. He spoke about the churches under his care and the people who continue to love them. He thanked the villagers for their time and commitment to caring for All Saints’. He said that the building was not redundant, but rather retired, having served the Lord faithfully for hundreds of years. He encouraged the people to share the church with everyone who would like to visit. “This church is a place where all people, despite their faith or lack of it, can find peace, love, and beauty, and all Christians, despite their denomination can find a home.” That building will continue to bless those who love, maintain, and worship within.
Thankfully, some of those redundant churches are being saved, but we live in a time when we don’t really appreciate old things. I have antiques that I love that my kids don’t really want. Our landfills are overflowing with old things we throw away rather than repair or reuse them. We let old buildings fall down and bulldoze the stones away, replacing them with modern construction of steel and glass. Sadly, this sometimes includes our attitude about the old people in our lives.
This time of year is difficult for the elderly. They have lived long and full lives but are often set aside by the younger generations for the things they think are more important. Though they no longer serve the same purpose as when they were young, those elders are not redundant. They are filled with wisdom and stories. They love with a heart of experience. They desire fellowship with us and are worth our time and resources. We can find peace, love, and beauty in their presence. This holiday season, remember those who are shut-in or living in nursing homes and need a friend to love and listen to their stories. Embrace what they have to share and you will be blessed.
“For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:22-25, WEB
Sadako Sasaki was a young Japanese girl who developed Leukemia in 1955. Paper folding, or origami, was a well-established recreational activity in Japan for centuries by the time Sadako lived. There were certain patterns that were especially popular, based on the cultural icons of the Japanese people. In 1797 a book was published called “Hiden Senbazuru Orikata” which means “The Secret of One Thousand Paper Cranes Origami.” This book was the first to describe the steps in making origami, a tradition that had been passed verbally for over a millennium. By that time there was already a tradition that if a person folded one thousand paper cranes, they would be granted one wish by the gods.
Sadako’s best friend convinced her to fold a thousand paper cranes so that she could wish for good health. Unfortunately, Sadako died before she was able to finish her task. Her classmates finished her work, and she was buried with her cranes. There is now a memorial sculpture honoring Sadako and her hope for peace in the world. Her Leukemia was the aftereffects of the radiation of the Hiroshima bomb. Those paper cranes became a symbol of the hope for peace in the world. Now children from all over the world send paper cranes to the memorial to share in the hope.
The legend of the paper cranes has spread to other countries and is even being taken up by the governments that have reached the end of their rope when it comes to dealing with violence in their nations. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand once instructed his cabinet in the making of paper cranes and they spent a meeting doing so. There was a movement in the nation to somehow overcome the insurgency that had ripped apart the lives of so many people in south Thailand. On Sunday, December 5, 2004, they dropped nearly 100 million paper cranes on three provinces. The cranes were made by people all over the country and were dropped by military plane to mark the birthday of their king.
There were those who considered it a wasted effort. They saw the dropping of a 100 million paper cranes as nothing more than an inconvenience to those who would have to clean up the mess after it was all over. They may be right to an extent. The gods do not grant wishes, and paper can’t stop bullets. However, the Prime Minister recognized that there was a great need among the people in those places: a need for hope. Hope needs to be more than just symbolic gestures, so he promised to give a scholarship to every student that found a paper crane with his signature and the unemployed would be found a job.
We put our hope in many things. Sadako put her hope in a thousand paper cranes, but that hope disappointed. Her friends put their hope in the same cranes, hoping that they would bring peace to the world. Perhaps it is a waste to drop 100 million paper cranes in a war-torn area, and it certainly is not something in which we should put our hope. Even the promise of a scholarship or job is so remote that it would be disappointing for the many people for whom such a gift would be life-changing, because many would not receive the promise.
As Christians we have a hope that does not disappoint. It is a hope that we can’t see or touch or feel. The world looks no different today than it did before Jesus’ birth. It is still filled with sinners, suffering and pain. Yet, there is a difference because we now live in a hope that does not disappoint; a hope in the promises of God that we will receive in His day. It is especially manifest during this time of Advent while we wait for the birth of our Lord Jesus at Christmas and look forward to the second coming of our King. We live in hope, looking forward to that which will be rather than hoping for impossible dreams.
Lectionary Scriptures for December 7, 2025, Second Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
“It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.” Isaiah 11:10, WEB
We make judgments all the time, often without even realizing it. I think I am at my worst when I am behind the wheel of my car. I was on a highway some time ago when a semi, disobeying all the rules, was weaving in and out of traffic. He used the left lane, which was prohibited for that type of vehicle on that stretch of the roadway. He cut off multiple cars, including mine. He didn’t get much farther than me because the traffic was dangerously slowed by something ahead. His antics were frightening, so much so I slowed significantly to let him get far ahead. I might be behind the accident he was certainly going to cause, but I didn’t want to be in it.
I made a judgment. It was probably a good judgment. It may have been a lifesaving one. Sometimes we have to make judgments to remain safe. Sometimes, however, we make judgments because we are annoyed or inconvenienced. I confess that my grumbling in the car is usually based on some minor infraction that I have judged as brainless (even stupid), and sometimes I even get nasty even though they will never hear me. I make judgments about public figures who don’t live up to the standards I think should be kept, often angry because they won’t keep the promises they have made. I make judgments about the people I hear on the news or see on the streets. I even make judgments about fictional characters in movies or books. “I can’t believe they would do it that way,” I think to myself.
We all make judgments, both good and bad. We make judgments that are helpful and others that are not so helpful. The judgment from a court of law can bring transformation, though sometimes they cause people to rebel or retreat. Our judgments can help or they can hurt. That’s why we are warned to be careful about how we judge our neighbors.
We make our judgments based on our biases and our experiences. I judged that truck driver because I knew that dangerous driving could hurt others. However, some judgments just aren’t right. When we judge someone just because they are different than us, we harm them in ways we might never see or expect. All of us make judgements every day based on what we see and hear.
When we moved into our house in California, we walked around the lot to plan our landscaping. We talked about which bushes to plant and where to put flowers. We talked about pruning the trees and removing the old, dead plants. There was a perplexing plant in a very prominent spot in the front corner. It was a stick, a single branch sticking straight out of the ground. It looked ridiculous. We thought about removing it, but since we didn’t know what it was, we decided to leave it there until the spring to see what it would become.
We were so glad we did. By the next spring we realized that we had a treasure. It was a white lilac bush. Lilacs are not typically found in the Sacramento valley, and white lilacs are even rarer. By the time we left that house, our lilac bush had spread and was so beautiful that many of our friends begged us for cuttings to plant in their own gardens. Lilacs propagate by spreading the root system, sending shoots through the surface of the earth. We were able to dig down and cut through the root system, pulling out each shoot which could be replanted anywhere. For a moment our friends had a single stick somewhere in their yards, but they too ended up with big, beautiful white lilac bushes. Sadly, the people who bought our house saw no value in that bush. We heard from a neighbor that they parked an old car on top of it. Thankfully, the lilac was not lost forever because we were able to share those shoots with others.
In our first lesson, Isaiah describes the perfect leader, the shoot that would come. That leader would have wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear. Perhaps this sounds redundant, after all, isn’t wisdom, understanding, and knowledge the same thing? No: a good leader has all three. Wisdom is the ability to discern between right and wrong, good and bad. Understanding comes from the heart, being able to identify with the circumstances. A person with knowledge has the facts. A good judge has all three. A good judge also accepts counsel, heeding the advice of those who might have a better grasp of the situation. Might, or strength, means authority and power, and when used appropriately can provide justice. Fear is not to be understood as being afraid as you might when watching a bad horror movie; it is a state of awe for the One who truly rules. A good leader fulfills all these characteristics.
Isaiah said, “He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears.” Human judges have limitations. We do judge by the sight of our eyes and decide by the hearing of our ears. We also make mistakes. We are not always as wise, understanding, or knowledgeable as we should be. We fail to listen to good advice; we take advantage of our power in inappropriate ways. We don’t always fear God as we should.
A good leader is righteous. This means he (or she) will have a right relationship with God, having a heart to do what God would do. And a good leader is faithful. He keeps his promises. Can you imagine what the world would look like if we had leaders that are wise, understanding, and knowledgeable, who accept right counsel and rule with proper authority. What if we had leaders who truly feared God? Can you imagine if we had leaders that were righteous and faithful in all things? Throughout history we have had leaders that displayed some of those characteristics, but all fell short of being a truly good leader. Only one fit the bill: Jesus Christ is the perfect leader.
The nation of Israel was falling apart when Isaiah spoke these words. They had no power or authority. Assyria threatened their safety and their peace. They had turned from God and His word. They were not living faithfully. The line of David had become corrupt. The story of Israel’s kings reads like a broken record – there was a king that followed God’s heart whose son turned away. By the third or fourth generation, the king did evil in the sight of the Lord. Then a new king was found that followed God’s own heart who would rule for a time and there would be peace until subsequent generations turned from God. A human king would never bring about the kind of peace that God was promising because the royal line was made of sinful human beings.
It would take something, someone, much greater to bring about the restoration and peace that God promised to His people. The peace that brings harmony between all creatures has to come from God himself. The anointed One will bring righteousness and right judgment. The poor and the meek will be lifted up while the wicked will be destroyed. This king, this Messiah, will not come from the line of David, but rather from his father Jesse. He will be a new David, not a son of David. It is through wisdom, understanding, knowledge, authority, righteousness and faithfulness that peace is possible. The fear of God leads to justice and righteousness. Where there are justice and righteousness, there is peace.
There was something about John. The people saw him as the fulfillment of the promise. He drew huge crowds and had many followers. Masses of people were baptized in the Jordan by this man who seemed to be Elijah reincarnate. His clothing and diet were similar to the Old Testament prophets. He was obviously a holy man by his rejection of the outward facades of the day. He could have been a priest, wearing fancy robes and eating fine food. Instead he chose to live in the desert and to eat the barest necessities to stay alive.
John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the promised Messiah. Though many followed him, listened to him, and were baptized by him, John was never the one they were seeking. He was simply the messenger sent to prepare the way. He knew that his purpose was not to be the Messiah; he was chosen to point toward the one who would bring salvation to the people of Israel. He had a wide following, yet he knew that he was not even worthy to touch the sandals of Jesus. John was the greatest among prophets, but he was nothing compared to the One who would follow.
One of my favorite Advent traditions is the Jesse Tree, which comes from the passage from Isaiah. The Jesse Tree is a daily remembrance of the roots of Jesus’ life and heritage, from the beginning of time to His birth. He is the shoot that comes out of Jesse. Though different scriptures and people are used in different traditions, the stories include the creation of the world, the patriarchs, judges and kings, the prophets, and the people who were present at Jesus’ birth.
It seems odd that it would be called a Jesse Tree. Why wouldn’t it be called a Jesus Tree, since it is his family tree? Or why not be a David Tree, since Jesus is the fulfillment to the promises made to King David? The prophet reminds us that the promise was made to David long before Jesus was born. David was the son of Jesse, the first in the line of kings that would last forever. “He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:13) David was imperfect, but he was loved as a son by God, and the promise was irrevocable. Though the Kings of Israel and then Judah failed to live up to God’s expectations, Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that promise.
God had a plan from the beginning, constantly pointing toward the promise of salvation throughout the story of His people. Isaiah said that the shoot would come out of the stump of Jesus because Jesus’ roots go much deeper than David, back to the beginning of time. Jesus was there in the beginning. He was the Word that was spoken when God created the sun and the moon and the stars. Jesus was there in the promise of the baptism that came after the flood of Noah. Jesus was in the hearts of the patriarchs, judges, and kings as God guided them. The righteousness of those in the Old Testament who trusted God was theirs by faith, and Jesus is in the midst of any faith that focuses on the Father. Jesus was in the words of the prophets who proclaimed that one day there would be a King who is Lord over all. Jesus was with them all even though He had not yet been born. The Jesse Tree not only shows us the story of God; it shows us the character of Jesus, the one who is, was, and will be forever.
We live in a broken world; it is not as God intended it to be. So, He promised that He would provide a Messiah who would make all things right. The images in today’s Old Testament lesson seem unbelievable to us. The lion will lie with the lamb? Impossible! I have a friend who has gone on safari in Africa several times and he has captured some amazing photos of what lions do: they kill their prey, and they eat whatever they catch. A lamb could not possibly survive a lion encounter.
This image is one of the most common religious Christmas card designs. This beautiful image brings to mind the ideal peace for which we hope during this special season. It is a peace without violence and fear, where the strong stand with the weak. This is what it will be like during the reign of the Messiah. The lamb will lie with the lion, the bull and the bear will eat together. The world will be at peace; there will be no more enemies, no more hunters and prey. This is a world we long to experience, but it is a world that will not come by means of human will or flesh and blood. Only Jesus can fulfill this promise. As we wait the coming of the Christ child, we are reminded that we also await a second coming, for only in that advent will everything be complete. That time is not now.
During Advent we wait for His coming. As Christians we know He was born more than two thousand years ago, but even as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity, we are called to live in the hope of His second coming. During Advent we await the shoot of Jesse that was promised by God through the prophet Isaiah and live in the hope that He will come again so that we will know forever the peace of God.
Paul wrote about the harmony that exists in a kingdom where God rules. Like the promise in Isaiah, the people join together as one voice, glorifying God. We can’t do it without God’s help. Jesus came at Christmas as a down payment on the promise, to give us a glimpse of what it will be like in the day when He rules over everything. Until that day we dwell in the tension of Advent. We know Christ has come. We know the Kingdom of God is near. But we still long for Christ to come again. We are still waiting for the king who will bring peace to the earth so that the lion will lie with the lamb and the powerful will lie with the powerless. We live in this hope even though we see the disharmony that surrounds us each day, the disharmony of which we are a part. That disharmony comes because we do not judge righteously. This is why we need to continually repent, because we fail to live according to God’s Word.
I repent whenever I realize that I, too, make mistakes. When I am afraid of dangerous drivers and judge them with harshness, and when I grumble about others on the road, I see my own sin and seek God’s grace. I am sure that many of my neighbors grumble when I make the same minor infractions that make me judge them. I pray that God and my neighbors will have patience with me, and I ask God to help me do better the next time. I don’t know joy and peace when I’m judging and grumbling. It is only found in God’s grace and forgiveness. Paul echoes the promise from Isaiah. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” This joy and peace won’t come from our work or our own righteousness. It is a gift of God. When we live in this hope, we can even find harmony where there is disharmony.
There will come a day when the entire world is in harmony again. The wolves and the leopards will lie with the sheep and the goats. There will be no need for animals to kill, for they will be satisfied by God’s provision. In that day even human beings will live in harmony with one another. No longer will men and women harm others. There will be no need for war or hatred. We will be restored to our God and will live in His presence for eternity; we won’t need anything because God will provide everything. Our work will be to praise God, and our joy will be everlasting. It is no wonder that we sigh with anticipation, especially since our human leaders so often fail us.
In the Gospel lesson from Matthew we hear his voice, the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” John the Baptist knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees who were the leaders of God’s people were not taking care of God’s people. Israel’s history was filled with leaders who sought their own righteousness, their own power, their own glory. They were called to rule with justice and peace, but they failed. Nothing was different in John’s day. John spoke to those that had followed him into the wilderness and asked, “Who told you to come here?” The Pharisees and the Sadducees had their history, the same history that we read in the Old Testament prophecies, but they did not understand.
John promised the coming of the One would have the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, authority, righteousness and faithfulness that Isaiah described. He would also have a humble relationship with His Father. He would come and He would make all things right. He would baptize with more than water and feed His people with more than bread and wine. He would give His Spirit and remove the imperfections that bring His people down.
It won’t happen overnight. It won’t happen in the next few weeks. It’ll take a lifetime for each of us and it will happen in God’s time. It won’t be until Christ comes again that everything will be restored to the perfection that God intended when He created the world.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees went to the river because they were curious about the ministry of John. They wanted to know if he was claiming to be the Messiah. They wanted to squelch his ministry before it got out of control. They wanted to destroy him. John was talking to them when he said, “You offspring of vipers,” but this word cuts to our hearts too. We have our facades, our masks, our sins from which we must repent. We are arrogant and haughty. We do not bear the fruit worthy of repentance. We judge according to what we see and hear rather than according to God’s Word. This is why we remember John’s call for repentance each year, inviting us to prepare the way of the Lord. Though Christ has already come, we are still longing for the fulfillment of the promise of a world fully restored to God. We remain sinners even while we are saints. We have been baptized with the Spirit, but we still need daily repentance.
We dwell in the time between the already and the not yet. We know that the Christ child has come, but we wait for Him to come again as King. We know that Christ has died, but we long for the day when the forgiveness that came with His blood is fully realized. We wait for that which already is but is yet to be.
The psalmist prayed that God would give the king justice, that he would dwell in God’s righteousness. Every good and perfect thing that can come to a nation and a people begins with the goodness of the king. Today’s psalm was written by Solomon, and during his reign the nation of Israel did prosper. He had a heart for God and a desire for wisdom. He pursued justice and brought a golden age to the land. The world sought Solomon’s wisdom and the kingdom benefitted because Solomon stood as a leader and the people followed. They did what was right. They listened to his wisdom, experienced his understanding, sought out his knowledge. They respected authority and had a healthy awe of the Lord. Together they lived in God's blessing.
But even Solomon was not perfect, and his kingdom didn’t last forever. The offspring of Jesse - David, Solomon, and the kings that followed - failed to be all that God intended for His kingdom. Only Jesus could fulfill the promise. Only when Jesus truly rules will peace abound and righteousness flourish. Until that day, however, we can try to be wise, understanding, knowledgeable, seeking counsel and might, fearing the Lord. Perhaps, just maybe, we’ll experience a little bit of that promised peace.
The world as God created it to be will not be restored until Jesus’ second coming. Until that day, the lion will not lie with the lamb. However, in Christ we can live in harmony with one another, the powerful with the powerless. We still live in an age of repentance as we wait for the coming of our King. In the meantime, we can work for justice, caring for the poor and the weak. We can be heralds of God’s grace, proclaiming the coming of the kingdom so that others might prepare their hearts to receive Him now. Through our witness, God will be glorified in this world.
“Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19, WEB
We don’t have many little ones in our family anymore, so we’ve “adopted” several families in our church and act as an extra “grandma.” The list of these children is growing, and so are the children. It is getting harder to buy presents for them because it is so hard to know what they would enjoy. We have budgeted much less for each child this year since there are so many. I finished that shopping today, and hope that they will enjoy the gifts. I love to buy Christmas presents; I guess that's why I’ve “adopted” those families. It is a joy to think about my little friends as I am shopping and to see their smiles when they open their presents. Sometimes I have to remember that the dollar value is not the real focus, that gift giving is really about “the thought.”
There was once a commercial for a local jeweler that asked if the listeners were having trouble finding the perfect gift for their loved ones. The speaker then assured us that we would find the perfect gifts at the store. “Diamonds, gold, silver...” they have it all. Every other store makes similar appeals to the shopping public. They all have the perfect gift. They all have the one thing that will make all our loved ones happy. The ads are filled with claims, “Best presents” and “Perfect gifts!”
It can be hard to decide which gifts to give. It is even hard to decide for whom we should buy presents. When Bruce and I were first married, we purchased gifts for everyone in our families. That was eventually reduced to family gifts and then the family gifts became homemade ornaments. We bought gifts for the nieces and nephews when they were younger, when it was easy to purchase a small toy or book. It became much harder as they grew older. We did not know them very well since they live so far away, so we had no idea what things they had or their interests. We eventually stopped buying gifts and sent money or gift cards instead. We all went through the transition because we had ridiculous piles of presents under the tree and shipping became much too expensive.
Sometimes it felt silly to send those gift cards. None of us could afford so many presents; it was a struggle to buy for every child. Besides, our gift cards just passed in the mail. We’d send gifts cards to their kids; they’d send gift cards to ours. This is not to say that gift cards are bad gifts. Sometimes money and gift certificates are the perfect present, especially for those who have very specific needs. By giving them a gift card from a store where they can purchase exactly what they want, you’ve remembered them in a very special way while giving them the freedom to have the right thing.
The problem is in our motive. Why are we buying these gifts? Are we buying them out of duty or for some reward? Do we purchase gifts for someone in the hopes that they’ll give us something back? Or are we repaying a gift with our gifts? Are there better ways to share our love with our friends and family? Do we really need to find the “perfect” gift to continue having a relationship with them? I love to give presents, and I particularly love to give presents that I know will make people happy.
So, as we work out our preparation for Christmas Day, it is good to think about the gifts we give and the reason we do so. It has long been said that children prefer the boxes to the presents. Sometimes they do, because a box uses imagination. Many people would rather a handmade ornament than an expensive piece of jewelry. Do we really need to buy a big dollar gift for our friends, or would it be better to spend time with them? What is the perfect gift, really? Is it an item that fulfills some duty or reaps us enough praise? Does saying “I love you” require a lot of money? And do we really need to buy things for everyone we know? Are we really making them happy?
So, let’s remember what it is all about. Yes, the greatest gift is Jesus, and the season is about Him. But we can’t forget that giving gifts among God’s people has been a long-held part of the celebration. The wise men gave gifts. People from every generation have had traditions they have upheld from year to year. But we need to remember why we give gifts. We share what we have to make others happy. We give as we have been given to glorify God. We don’t have to buy that big screen TV or that diamond necklace. The gift that will really make a difference is love, time, and presence in the lives of those we love. We can follow the example of God, who has not promised us castles and gold, but a babe in a manger. He gave us His son to dwell among us, to love us and to lay down His life for us. So, too, we can be generous and willing to share all we have with those we love, not just at this time of year in packages covered with bows, but with our lives and resources every day.
“Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. Yahweh’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them. His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful. He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
John Jacob Niles, folklorist and singer, was in Appalachia when he overheard a young girl singing a few lines from an old folk song. He took those words and expanded them into a song for Christmas in 1933. “I Wonder as I Wander” is a haunting melody, which draws the listener into the wonderment of the reason for Jesus' birth.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on’ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow’s stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God’s angels in heav’n for to sing,
He surely could have it, ‘cause he was the King.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on’ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
It is so easy for us to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. I was thinking about my schedule for this week, all the things I have to get done, and I don’t know how I'm going to finish all my preparation Oh, I’m sure that a few things on that list can wait, but I’m sure I’ll push myself into a frenzy until it is all complete. I’ll forget to spend time in wonderment, considering all that Jesus gave up to be my Savior. He left heaven for a stable, the glory of God for the company of men. Isn’t this an amazing thing to ponder? Shouldn’t we stop during this Advent season to think on these things?
All the while, however, we are also reminded by Bing Crosby of the beauty of the season. His song “White Christmas” has been a favorite for generations. Yet, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, let’s remember that it is not just about the stuff we do or the stuff we buy or the stuff we make, it is about the people with whom we get to share those blessings. Bing once said, “Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white.’”
So, let us wonder as we wander through the holidays what it means to be a Christian. Who is Christ, what has He done, what is He doing and what will He do in the future? What did He give up for our sake? How can we follow in His footsteps? I don’t think that Jesus was thinking that our holiday schedules should be filled with things to do, but instead be filled with music as we sing His praise. Take time this advent to just wonder and wander, to commune with God in silence and prayer, praise and son, and then share God’s grace with the world.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, WEB
I worked in retail when I was younger. I started as a cashier and floor clerk and went through a management training program for two different companies. I eventually worked my way through the ranks into a leadership position in whatever store where I worked. I loved it, but I worked incredibly long hours. My hours some weeks were as much as two full time jobs because I was not only working in my store, but I joined a store remodel project at another store. I was salaried at my store, but I earned overtime for the work I did at the other. It was good money, but it was exhausting to work seven days a week and as much as twelve hours in a day. In one three-week period I put in more than three hundred hours. I had no life outside my job. My only time of relaxation was during my hour-long commute, and I hit my bed as soon as I got home at night. It was a good thing that I was not married at the time, because I had no time for anyone.
I decided that I did not want another managerial job after I got married. I was happy to be a cashier and serve customers, to work a few hours a week. My resume made it easy to be hired, as a matter of fact, the home fashions department manager at a large mid-level retail chain snapped me up immediately. I loved it. I served many small business owners and enjoyed helping them make choices about color and fabric. I was very good at my job, and it didn’t take long for the general manager to take notice.
One day I spent hours helping a woman who was decorating a bed and breakfast. She walked out of the store after spending thousands of dollars, confident that her rooms would be beautiful and welcoming to her guests. She was so happy with her purchases that she wrote a thank you letter to the store manager, singing my praise. He called me into his office one day and thanked me for making such a good impression on our customers. He told me that her letter was not the first time he had noticed my hard work and enthusiasm. It made me feel good to know that I was doing my job well.
The department manager was not so thrilled. She was happy to hire me when she thought I could make her look good, but when my work brought attention to my own abilities, she began to worry. Despite my repeated assurances that I was only interested in a part time position, she was convinced that I was trying to steal her job. After all, why would I work so hard if I weren’t working to rise in the company? She was never happy about the job she had; she was constantly trying to work her way up to the next rung on the corporate ladder. Instead of being happy that I was making her department look good, she began to undermine the work I was doing. She found ways to make me fail. She gave me the worst hours and rejected any requests for time off. She stuck me in the warehouse as often as she could so I couldn’t work with customers. She had the power, but she was so frightened that she would lose her power that she destroyed herself in the process. I eventually quit that job and I heard that she was fired a short time later.
We live in a world where we are expected to strive to be the best, the highest, the strongest. We live in a world where we are expected to work not just to live, but so that we can move up the ladder. It is a world where accepting to be less than our potential is seen as weakness. Could I have been a good manager at that department store? Yes, I believe so. But I was happy with my job; it was enough.
Paul knew what it was like to live with “enough.” He recognized that true power was found in God’s grace. He didn’t need to strive according to the expectations of the world; he was happy to embrace weakness and let God’s strength shine through. As we journey through Advent, are we willing to be weak so that God can be strong? Are we willing to be less so that God can be more?
December 9, 2025
“So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries. Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man’s judgment. Yes, I don’t judge my own self. For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, WEB
For today’s devotion, I am going to share an old, familiar story.
“On a beautiful spring day, the animals gathered together to enjoy some fellowship. Skylark was singing, Squirrel was nibbling on some seeds, and the fawns were romping together. Tortoise slowly arrived and greeted the group with a cheery, ‘Hello.’ It was a peaceful time until another friend arrived. Bursting out of the bushes flew Hare who was filled with energy and enthusiasm. He hopped circles around Tortoise, bouncing here and there and everywhere. The rest of the animals were tired just watching him.
“‘What are we going to do today?’ asked Hare. The other animals did not have any ideas that satisfied the active Hare. ‘Let’s have a race!’ he said. Squirrel answered, ‘A race? We do not like to race against you. You are too fast and no one else gets to win.’ Hare hounded the animals until they began to get angry. Finally, Tortoise said, ‘I will race you.’ The whole group got very quiet, then suddenly Hare burst out in laughter. ‘You? You want to race me?’ asked Hare. Tortoise said, ‘Sure, it’s all about having fun anyway, isn’t it?’ Hare said, ‘Of course.’ He was still giggling as he sauntered to the starting line. ‘Well, this will be an easy race to win!’ The animals lined up at the starting line, Hare impatient as Tortoise slowly approached. Wise Old Owl laid out the path of the race and explained the rules.
“‘On your mark, get set, GO!’ hooted Owl. The animals took off. Hare was far down the path as Tortoise barely got off the starting mark. Hare ran back and taunted Tortoise. ‘Are you coming or not? Is that as fast as you can go? You can never win at that pace!’ Tortoise continued on his way. Hare stopped and nibbled on some clover while Tortoise continued on his way. Hare stopped at the pond for a cool drink of water while Tortoise continued on his way. Hare even got behind Tortoise and pushed him further along the path. ‘Just thought I’d give you a bit of help, since you need it.’
“‘I might as well take a nap since Tortoise will take all day to run this race.’ So, Hare found a shady spot along the path and fell asleep. Hare did not realize that while he was running back and forth, eating and drinking, that Tortoise continued to get closer to the finish line. Hare woke to the sound of cheers and applause. He shook his head, rubbed his eyes, and looked in the direction of the noise. There, Tortoise was just walking over the finish line.
“Hare ran to the finish and said, ‘Hey, it’s not fair. He must have cheated. Tortoise could never beat me!’ Wise Old Owl said to Hare, ‘Slow and steady wins the race. Tortoise did not let anything distract him from the task at hand. He proved himself faithful. Not even your taunts about failure would stop him. You could have easily completed the race and then did everything you wanted to do. Instead, you let your arrogance get the better of you.’”
We know the moral of the story, but what does this mean for us as people of faith? As Christians, we run a race against the world. Satan taunts us with accusations of imperfection, pushes us along the way, and attacks when he does not get his way. Yet, we must prove faithful through it all, continuing along the path until we reach the finish line. We should be like the tortoise, with constancy, integrity, and hope. In the end we will know and understand all that we faced, and we will enjoy God’s glory.
December 10, 2025
Lectionary Scriptures for December 14, 2025, Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-11; Matthew 11:2-15
“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God.” Psalm 146:5, WEB
It is said that there has been no year in recorded human history that there has been no war between nations. There hasn’t been a global war for many years, but there is always some battle waging between neighboring countries or clans or kingdoms. If there isn’t war on our continent, there’s war somewhere. Violence between enemies takes lives every day. Perhaps there have been years when those wars were minor with few deaths, but conflict is always a part of life. Unfortunately, it seems that even individuals these days make it a habit to find a reason to argue. It seems we are constantly looking for an enemy.
It is no wonder that we find great comfort in the words of Isaiah, “Tell those who have a fearful heart, ‘Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.’” We want God to do away with our enemies, to punish them for the harm they have inflicted on us. It is particularly strange, though, when the enemies fighting one another both believe in the same God. Take, for example, the wars in England between the fifteenth and seventeenth century. Those wars were about power and control, mostly between family members, but there was often an underlying question of religion, specifically which type of Christianity would be followed.
People were beheaded because they wanted to follow the ideas of the reformers and people were beheaded because they wanted to follow Rome, it all depended on who was in power. The years during Henry VIII’s reign were particularly difficult because he was so easily swayed by whoever was in his favor. If he liked you, he believed you, and you could convince him to implement policies favorable for your point of view. But the minute you did something to fall out of favor, and it could be the silliest thing, you were out and the next guy moved in to implement the policies favorable to his point of view.
This meant that the average person never knew what was in favor and what was not in favor at any moment. There was confusion not only in the court, but in the streets. It was the death sentence to disagree with the king, but how do you agree when you don’t even know what he believes today?
I read a lot of historical fiction from that time period in English history. I am fascinated by the relationships within the courts of the kingdom. I read a book that centered on Henry VIII’s sixth wife Katherine Parr. While the book was fiction, historical fiction writers try to stay true to the historical evidence of what happened. This particular book showed the constant jockeying between courtesans to be in favor not only with Queen Katherine, but especially with King Henry. After all, if the queen falls out of favor, you better have your foot in the next door. And with King Henry, we know the queens fell out of favor. Katherine did eventually lose favor, but she kept her head because Henry died first.
The passage from Isaiah brings light to the real question: who is my enemy? What is interesting is that the religious wars among the English always quietly disappeared when the county was fighting France. As they say, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. It was easy to love one another as they faced a common enemy. But as soon as one war was settled, the old disagreements rose to the top and the infighting began again.
We are human. The reality is that no matter what we believe, there are always human beings that just can’t get along. We have conflicting personalities. We see the world differently. There are just some people who rub us the wrong way. This happens within the closest groups, even families. As Christmas draws closer, many are dreading the impending gatherings because it is almost certain someone will say something to make someone else angry. There is no way to escape, especially when you are visiting distant family and friends. We are human and even the best of us simply do not get along with all the other humans.
But does that make them our enemy? We might not agree about the issues, the big and the little ones, and we may even get into heated discussions with them, but does that make them an enemy? Sadly, I have to admit that I have cried out to God about those who have hurt me. Did I want Him to hurt them? I wish I could say I didn’t...
But when God says that He will deal with our enemies, He’s not really thinking in terms of those neighbors with whom we do not agree. We have greater enemies about which we should be concerned, i.e. the devil. When we disagree with our neighbors about the silly things, and even the big things, Satan takes advantage of our weaknesses. He makes us think that those people are our enemies. He wants us to hate them. He wants us to divide. He’s done a pretty good job.
In the days when Jesus was born, the people were waiting for a Messiah, a savior or liberator. They wanted someone who would defeat the Romans and return Israel to the Golden Age of David. They wanted God to take vengeance on their enemies. But the Jews faced the same question as we do today: who was the enemy God would destroy? Jesus came to save the people not from the threats in this world but from the threats that keep them from God. Jesus is the Way that will make the desert a land of flowing blessings.
Isaiah says, “The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.” Isn’t that a beautiful image? I see these words come to pass happen each year in Texas. If the conditions are perfect, the rains of October and February as well as the cold of December will bring out the Bluebonnets in such numbers that the fields turn to blue. There are other wildflowers, too, and for a time the dry, brown landscape is filled with color. Isaiah says, “It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.”
Isaiah was telling the people that something spectacular was about to happen. This promise was given to the exiles as they waited to be released from captivity. It must have been difficult to wait. We know that God is faithful, but we begin to doubt when things don’t happen in a timely manner. We forget that everything happens in God’s time for a reason. Perhaps they weren’t ready. Perhaps they did not fully understand the depth of God’s grace. Perhaps there were still some that needed to be cleansed of the attitudes that sent them into captivity in the first place. The people were there to be transformed, to remember the God of their forefathers and the power of His Word. The promise would be fulfilled when the time was right, when God was satisfied that all were ready to return into His presence.
God’s people would return home with shouts of praise and song. When it happened, extraordinary things would occur: the blind would see, the deaf would hear, the speechless tongue would sing and the lame would dance. They shall see the glory of God. But this promise was not for all men, it was for God’s people. The highway leads directly to the gate of Zion: the unclean would not walk the Holy Way.
Though the words were spoken to those in exile, these words spoke also to another day, a future time when God would redeem the world and transform His people forever. Can you imagine a world as is pictured in the text from Isaiah? We might catch glimpses today, but there are still those who are blind, deaf, dumb, and lame. The lions and jackals still roam. Was the world really different when the exiles returned to Jerusalem? People still became sick and children were born blind. The unclean were still walking into the gates of Zion.
They were looking for the Messiah in the days of Jesus. John leapt in joy in his mother’s womb and did not want to baptize Jesus because he knew that he was not worthy to even touch His feet, but even he wondered whether Jesus was the One for whom they were waiting. Matthew wrote that John the Baptist heard stories about Jesus. He was imprisoned by Herod and could not go see it for himself, so he sent some of his disciples. “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” they asked Jesus. Jesus answered, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see,” and listed the same promises as we hear in Isaiah. Jesus was opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. He was making the lame walk and the mute sing. He was raising the dead. Jesus was fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament in their presence, proving by His works that He was the One for whom they were waiting. Most importantly, Jesus was preaching the Good News of God’s grace.
Jesus was the Messiah, but He wasn’t going to be the Messiah they wanted Him to be. He was going to be what God intended Him to be. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” His true purpose would cause the many people to stumble.
Jesus’ ministry did not make sense to the religious elite of His day. He touched the untouchables. He brought wholeness to the outcast. He gave life to those who were dead to the world. He set the prisoners free, opened the eyes of the blind, and made the lame walk. He did not do good things for the righteous; He did great things for the sinners. It made no sense in Jesus’ day and does not make sense today. Human nature expects reward for goodness, but Jesus gave gifts to the humble. No wonder so many people doubt that He is the Messiah, even today.
The central theme of today’s texts is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the ministry of Jesus. Isaiah tells us that the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf will be unstopped, the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing. The psalmist wrote about the same promise. We see these promises being fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus.
After sending John’s disciples back with the good news, Jesus spoke to the people about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.’” Jesus pointed to the Old Testament prophecy to show the fulfillment of God’s promises.
John was truly a great man, how could he be lesser than the least in the Kingdom of Heaven? The point of this verse is that John was of the Old Covenant, a covenant based on a different kind of promise. He was looking for salvation in flesh; the New Covenant promises a greater salvation. The power of the Old Covenant was fire and brimstone; it was destructive and judgmental. Jesus came to bring healing and forgiveness, restoring people and making them whole. His work is complete, but we do not yet see the fulfillment of all His promises. We live in hope, trusting that the day will come when the ills in Isaiah will be gone forever.
We are still waiting for the fulfillment of these promises even now two thousand years after the birth of Jesus. The blind are still blind. The lame are still lame. The wicked still walk in our midst. The day will come when we receive the eternal life where all these things are gone forever. That day will come in God’s time, not in our time. Will it be today? Will it be in a thousand years? We don’t know. What we do know is that God is faithful.
James tells us to be patient. “Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.” God knows what He is doing. He is longsuffering. He is forgiving. He wants all to know Him. He wants everyone to walk on the Way. It is all about God’s mercy. He is the One who will make it happen. He has made a plan that will fulfill all His promises, and one day we’ll know what it is like to live in that wilderness that has been transformed into a garden of life. The water will flow.
The water will flow. Actually, the water already flows. While we are still waiting for the promises of God, they were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the Living Water that makes the desert bloom, and He is already doing so through His people. Though He never defeated the Romans, He did defeat the real enemy: death. The devil is still wandering around, trying to convince us to hate one another and taking advantage of our faults, but God is still in control.
James wrote, “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” The language of the New Testament has a sense of immediacy that seems to contradict the reality. Two thousand years is a long time since the first disciples followed Jesus. It is enough to make us doubt what we believe, just like John the Baptist. It makes us ask, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” In this world many people look for salvation in so many places. They cry out to God for all the wrong reasons. They don’t even realize why they need to be saved. They see enemies in every person who disagrees with them but do not see that the real enemy has been defeated by God.
The psalmist wrote of the hope we have in Jesus. “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God.” This is not good news for the righteous; it is good news for the sinner, because it points us beyond ourselves to trust in a higher power. That higher power, by virtue of His greatness, must know better how things should be accomplished. We are still waiting for the fulfillment of the promises two thousand years after the coming of Christ because God still has work to do. There are people that need to be saved and we are called to wait both patiently and expectantly while God finishes what He has started.
What are you waiting for? Does your impatience make you doubt the truth of what God is doing? Do you wonder if Jesus really is the One, or if we should be looking for another? The answer is the same for us today as it was for John. “Go and tell the things which ye hear and see.” The blind see God, the lame go forth in faith, the filthy are cleansed, the deaf hear God’s word, the dead are raised to new life in Christ, and the poor are given the treasures of the Kingdom. This is truly good news.
Now is the time to trust in God, even as we wait. We might be confused, like John, and wonder if we are really seeing the work of God. Despite our doubt we can know that God’s promises are real and He is faithful. That’s what makes us greater than John. We live in the New Covenant; God has redeemed His people and restored us to Him. He will make the world right, in His time and in His way. Jesus is coming, not just as a babe in a manger, but as the King of Glory. One day God’s creation will be as Isaiah imagines. Do not be afraid. He is here now and will be here then. Even now His Spirit is sweeping across the land, transforming the dry land with His Word.
December 11, 2025
“The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course. His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; there is nothing hidden from its heat. Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple. Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19, WEB
The days leading up to Christmas is full of parties and preparation; it is a time of joy and friendship, of happy times, and pleasant experiences. We are waiting for the coming of the Christ child, but while we wait, we gather with friends and family and attend programs starring our little ones who sing with great passion and gusto even if they are a little out of tune. We light our homes with twinkle lights and fill our kitchens with the most delightful smells of Christmas cookies, cakes, and other goodies. We listen to and hum Christmas songs all day long. I can’t help thinking, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” as I go through my day.
We host an open house for our friends on the second Saturday of December every year. It takes a lot of work: cleaning, decorating, shopping, baking, and cooking. We always give a homemade ornament to our guests, so we’ve had that work to do, too. It is a crazy time. It seems as soon I finish one task I find a dozen more to do. I clean up clutter and discover dust. I clean up the dust and realize I need to vacuum. By the time I finish those tasks, something else pops up to be done. It takes constant vigilance to complete the work. The party is as late as it can be, yet I feel like I’m so far behind. Every year I promise I won’t do too much, but every year I get excited about sharing my blessings with family and friends, so I go overboard.
What does Christmas look like? For me, at least this weekend, it looks like a house filled with laughter and happy bellies filled with good food and great conversation. To the world there are Christmas trees and Santa Clause and perhaps even a nativity scene here or there. It is “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night”. These are wonderful aspects of Christmas.
I have to confess, though, that my preparation for the party and for Christmas keeps my focus on the fun and it is hard to spend time considering the purpose of Advent. See, according to the Church year, the Christmas Season does not even begin until after Advent, but we can’t possibly wait until Christmas Eve to begin to prepare. It takes time to decorate our homes, bake cookies, and buy presents, so we miss Advent by paying so much attention to Christmas and nearly forget that these weeks are meant to be a time of preparing our hearts for the coming of our Savior. In the earliest days of the celebration of Christ’s birth, Advent was a time of repentance. It is hard to remember our need for the Christ when we are so focused on the glitz and glitter of Christmas.
Many people look for happiness and inspiration in Christmas lights and pretty packages. They try to find joy in the celebrations. Those who do not believe in God see the way we spend these weeks and never really understand what it means to the believer that Jesus was born to save us because they see us partying and laughing.
They are looking for something they can’t define, but never realize they will not find it under an evergreen tree. It is true that the psalmist tells us to look toward the heavens and hear God’s voice in His creation. We can see Him in the flowers and know that the Creator designed each one out of love for you. We can look toward the rivers and know that the waters flow endlessly to bring life to the earth. We can see even see God in the laughter of our family and friends as we gather to have fun, but true joy comes to us through the water of life that flows from our Lord Jesus Christ.
The psalmist then reminds us to see God in His Word. His Law is perfect; His Testimony is true. His Word restores our soul. December makes us think of many things; some of it is unselfish, but much is self-centered as we write our wish lists and search for happiness in parties. It is fun to find a piece of chocolate hidden behind a paper door in an advent calendar or add another ornament to a Christmas tree, but Advent is about more than planning parties, baking cookies, and shopping for gifts. It is a time to look toward Jesus Himself, in scripture and revelation, and know that God is not found in glitz and glitter and self-centeredness, but rather in the hearts of those who humble themselves and seek God’s grace.
December 12, 2025
“Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9, WEB
I saw a story about four teenage boys who became heroes. They were surfing the waves along a shoreline when they heard the cries of two brothers who were struggling because they were caught in the currents of the ocean. The surfers knew that they had to go help or the boys would drown. One paddled to shore to get someone to call 911, and the other three went directly to the brothers. The younger brother was easily lifted onto a surfboard but the older brother was much larger and was very afraid; he was desperate and grasping for anything that might save him. This made him dangerous.
The fourth surfer returned to the group, and they calmed the brother down enough to get him on a board. The paramedics were already on the beach when the four surfers worked their way through the waves to the shore. The paramedics said that they usually arrive too late to save victims like those brothers, but thanks to the speedy response by the surfers, they lived. One teenager said that they were afraid, but they didn’t have time to think about it. They did what needed to be done, and it saved two lives.
I’ve noticed that there is focus these days on being brave. I think it began with the Disney movie “Brave” that came out a few years ago, but there are a number of publications centered in helping young people become brave. I am sure some of those books were written because of the fear we experience with the pandemic of illness and violence. We are encouraged to be brave, but I wonder if perhaps it is more important to be courageous.
Bravery and courage might seem like the same thing, but I found this on the Internet, “Bravery is the ability to confront something painful or difficult or dangerous without any fear. It’s a quality, not a state of mind; it doesn’t need a cause to awaken it. Someone is brave - full stop. To the person who has it, it’s effortless; it’s eating a caterpillar on the playground because a friend dares you to, without a second thought. It’s jumping from the highest diving board without any hesitation.” I know people who are brave. It is not always a positive quality in some people because it leads to unnecessary risk.
The article continued, “Courage, on the other hand, is the ability to confront something painful or difficult or dangerous despite any fear. It’s not a quality, but a choice; a person feels the fear or pain or danger, but chooses to persevere anyway. Unlike bravery, courage is driven by a cause; the courageous person believes that cause is worth standing up and fighting for, despite all the clear reasons not to. It takes a great effort, because what’s on the other end merits it.”
I can’t be described as brave. I would rather hide my head in the sand like an ostrich than face something that makes me uncomfortable. The writer of the article compared the roots of the two words. “Brave” comes from the Italian word “bravo” which means “bold.” Courage, however, is from the French word that means “heart” which is “coeur.”
It will never be effortless for me to be bold, but I can be courageous. I can face painful or difficult situations despite my fear. There might be some heroes who are brave, but I imagine that most of them are more like those teenagers on that day in the ocean. There was fear, but they were also courageous. They were willing to face the danger because they knew that the outcome was worth their effort. We need more courage in the world today, not bravery.
God called Joshua to do something and promised He would be with him always. When He gives a command, He provides all we need to obey. When He sends us into the world to preach the Gospel, He provides the voice and the ears to hear. It does not matter who walks in front of us, who we follow through life. God is with each of us in the here and now, giving us His grace that we might serve according to our own gifts and abilities. We might not need the courage to save drowning brothers from the ocean, but we can have the heart save a drowning sinner with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
December 15, 2025
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered him, ‘Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.’ When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.’” Luke 5:4-8, WEB
Jesus probably didn’t know much about fishing. He was probably a carpenter, but we don’t really know how much He knew about carpentry. He probably learned at the feet of His father, but did He ever work as a carpenter on His own? The scriptures do not tell us what happened to Jesus between the ages twelve and thirty. He probably followed His father into the business, and might have done well, but we don’t really know. Whether He was a carpenter or not, it is highly unlikely that Jesus understood the business of fishing. This is pretty obvious from Simon Peter’s response, “Hey, we’ve worked all night and didn’t catch anything. My experience tells me it is time to pack up, go home, rest and come back when the conditions are better.” You can almost hear him grumble under his breath, “What do you know about fishing?”
Yet, Simon Peter sees something in Jesus: authority, power, and control. He addressed Jesus as “Master,” a sign of respect and the recognition of Jesus’ right to command him. Peter might have heard Jesus speak, but the encounter on the shore seems random. “Hey, you with the boat, will you take me out a little so I can teach?” I can imagine Peter wanted to ignore Jesus’ advice. But he didn’t. He obeyed. He took Jesus out onto the water and listened as Jesus taught the crowd. Then Jesus told him to go fishing again. Despite the ridiculousness of the command, Peter obeyed.
And he was blessed by that obedience.
Jesus is our Master. He has the authority to command us to continue His work in this world. He has the power, which He passes to us, and He can have control if we let go and let Him. The question is whether or not we are willing to obey. Do we see Jesus as having the authority, power, and control worthy of our time and attention. Do we wonder whether He even knows what He’s talking about? Or do we see something in Him that causes us, like Peter, to do what He says no matter how ridiculous it might seem? He is Master, and He is the One who can make our life and our ministry a blessing to us and to the world.
December 17, 2025
Lectionary Scriptures for December 21, 2025, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14, WEB
What does it mean to be righteous? Most people define it as doing what is right. As a matter of fact, the dictionary definition is: (of a person or conduct) morally right or justifiable; virtuous. Some people use it to describe something that is especially good or excellent. This is the law centered definition, which is the way the people in Jesus’ day understood righteousness. Those who lived according to the Law were righteous. The truth is that it is impossible for any of us to live perfectly according to the Law. We fail every day. We sin in many ways: big sins, little sins, obvious sins, and hidden ones. We might be more righteous when we compare ourselves to our neighbors, but we are nothing but corrupt, perishable flesh when we compare ourselves to our God.
The Bible teaches righteousness from a completely different point of view: we are not righteous because we have done what is right, we are made righteous by what God has done. Those who are righteous in God’s eyes are those who trust in Him. Righteousness is being right with God, something we’ll never do on our own.
Today’s lessons include the tale of two men who are faced with tough decisions. Ahaz had to deal with an oncoming invasion from Israel and Syria against Judah. God is faithful to His promises, and all He asks of His people is that they trust in Him, but Ahaz sought the help of allies to help him with his war. He went to Assyria for strength. Isaiah spoke to Ahaz with a promise: “This is what the Lord Yahweh says: ‘It shall not stand, neither shall it happen.’” And a warning, “If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.” The decision facing Ahaz was to believe in God and to trust in Him.
God even offered to prove Himself. “Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” It isn’t very often that God offers to prove Himself, but He did so with Ahaz. Ahaz, however, feigned righteousness by refusing. “No thanks,” he told Isaiah, “I won’t test God.”
How many of us would love to have proof that something we’ve heard is really from God? I know that there are times when I just wish He would speak more clearly so I can be sure. When we are making career decisions, considering marriage, or making a move to another city, it would be so much easier if God said, “Yes” or “No.” But we are left without such clear guidance. We don’t have Isaiah to tell us when we are going the wrong way. We just have to trust that God is guiding us in ways or people we don’t always see and that He can use even our wrong choices to do His Work in the world. We glorify Him by our trust. Ahaz didn’t trust God, and He didn’t want the proof of God’s promise because then he would have to do things God’s way. God sent the sign anyway, and in the end, Ahaz was not established. Ahaz faced war and God was prepared to save Judah from destruction, but Ahaz seized control and his plan failed.
God promised to send a son. The immediate fulfillment of the promise was probably a child born to Isaiah’s second wife. That child suffered from the devastating invasion of Assyria, which decimated the countryside and made fresh food impossible to produce. That child also saw the destruction of Israel and Syria before he turned twelve or thirteen. That child was called Immanuel (God with us) as a reminder that God is truly with His people, inviting them to turn to Him, trust in Him, and believe that He does have everything under control.
That child was a foreshadow of the ultimate plan of God. From the beginning of the world, He planned to send His own Son to be the true Immanuel. Jesus was in a right relationship with God, trusted in Him and obeyed His commands. Jesus willingly lowered Himself, giving up the glory of heaven to take upon His shoulders the burden of our sin. He was righteous so that we might become truly righteous, not by our own actions but by His grace. Jesus, Immanuel, would make an eternal difference for God’s people. Jesus, born of Mary, was set apart from all others, including the son of Isaiah. Mary was the virgin in Isaiah’s prophecy. The first Immanuel was a reminder that God is with His people, but the Immanuel we look forward to greeting on Christmas Day is truly God with us.
Ahaz chose to go his own way, do his own thing, follow his own path, but in the Gospel story we another man who trusted God. Imagine the scene: you are legally bound to a woman who becomes pregnant. This doesn’t seem like a scandal these days, but it was catastrophic for Mary and Joseph. Not only would they suffer the ridicule of their community, but there were legal ramifications for this kind of unfaithfulness. Joseph could insist Mary be stoned to death. He did not want to do so, but there was still a problem: the child in Mary’s womb belonged to another man. That man had all the rights and responsibilities of the child. That’s why he felt he should divorce her, to free her to marry the father of her child.
God appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” God was in control. The child was not the product of infidelity, but of the Holy Spirit. God is the Father, and in this dream, He invited Joseph to act as His legal guardian. “You shall call his name Jesus.” By naming the child, Joseph became His father with all the rights and responsibilities. Jesus became his son, with the heritage of the House of David. It was all in the plan.
Just like Ahaz, Joseph faced a dilemma: to believe or not believe? Joseph chose to believe. He did all that the Lord told him. He took Mary as his wife and cared for her. And when the child was born, Joseph did what God said. He named Him Jesus. Joseph could have taken matters into his own hands and done what was within his rights according to the Law. He could have sent Mary. The choice to take Mary, to live with the ridicule and raise a child that was not biologically his seems crazy. Just as the choice to face the enemy without allies seemed crazy to Ahaz. God calls us to trust Him and do the crazy because He is able to make it all work out right. God makes His plans succeed when we don’t trust but, but ours fail. We think we know better than God, but we always discover that we don’t know much. We try to succeed by doing things our own way, but blessedness comes when we are obedient to Him.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises, including this one from Isaiah. He is Immanuel, “God with us.” Sometimes we prefer Him to be a far-off God, separate, out of touch, because we want to be in control. We want to do what we think is right and follow our own ways. We are more like Ahaz than Joseph. I don’t know many people who would be so willing to follow a dream. We prefer to do what fits in our character or the expectations of society. We act with a righteousness on our own terms, not God’s.
We might say or do what we think God expects, claiming like Ahaz that we don’t want to test Him, but this is not true humility or obedience to God. Trust means acting according to God’s Word. God knew that Joseph’s righteousness was not false humility or self-righteousness according to the Law as he understood it. Joseph had a right relationship with God, a heart to do God’s will, and a spirit that discerned that what he heard was true.
God does not leave us to our own faithlessness. He chose to come and dwell among us. He sent Jesus, His Son, our Lord. It is for this Immanuel that we wait. It is for this Messiah that we watch. He will be all that God has promised, all rolled up in a tiny baby born in Bethlehem. This is the most extraordinary aspect of our Christian faith: God came down to be born of the humblest circumstances and live among us. He took the risk that His chosen helpers would do what He asked of them. What other god would become like his creation rather than demand creation strive to be like a god? He saw our heartache close-up. He experienced our temptations. He is Immanuel.
We are like Ahaz, trying to solve our own problems, turning to allies instead of God. During Advent, however, we are invited to look toward the sign He sent in promise. “A child will be born.” We wait for that child each December, remembering for a brief season that God did all that was necessary to make us right with Him. If only we could remember every day of the year, not just at Christmas. If only we could live consistently as the disciples God has called us to be. God knew from the beginning that we couldn’t, or wouldn’t, live this way, which is why Jesus came. We are not able to be right by our own power or ability. So, let us trust in God and dwell in those promises, living in the faith that God now dwells among us. That is the only way we will ever be righteous.
The Christmas miracle was an incredible risk. Jesus did not just appear one day in flesh and begin preaching. He came into the world in the normal way: through the birth canal of a woman. Infant mortality was high; many children never made it to their first birthday. Jesus lived in a world with disease and was threatened by the sword of the Herod. He faced the dangers of the road when Joseph took his family to Egypt.
God risked everything by trusting the faith of one human man whose ancestry was vital to the fulfillment of the prophecy and promises. Joseph was from the House of David and by that heritage, Jesus could become the King of the Jews. It was worth the risk; God’s choice of every aspect of Jesus’ life removed the wall that separated us from our Creator. We trust in ourselves because we are sinners in need of a Savior, looking to everyone and everything but God. Grace set us free from the bondage of our flesh.
In a book about Martin Luther, Martin E. Marty wrote that Luther saw God as contradictory. “He makes most sense to me as a wrestler of God - indeed, as a God-obsessed seeker of certainty and assurance in a time of social trauma and of personal anxiety, beginning with his own. However you choose to explain his life, it makes sense chiefly as one rooted in and focused by an obsession with God: God present and God absent, God too near and God too far, the God of wrath and the God of love, God weak and God almighty, God real and God as illusion, God hidden and God revealed.” Unlike humans, however, God’s opposites are not contradictory. They encompass the wholeness of His character. He is a God who is bigger than any human understanding.
Unfortunately, we see things from our own perspective, a view that is a fraction of God’s omniscience. We try to fit God into a box, to limit His character and nature to fit our own needs and desires. We want God to be what we want Him to be. Yet, God can’t fit into any box. He is all that He is and all that He does is within His character. He can only be true to Himself. The God that Luther sought was a God of seeming contradictions, but the reality is that He is present and absent, near and far, wrathful and loving, weak and almighty, real and illusion, hidden and revealed. He is more than we can ever imagine, but always the King of Glory.
The psalmist knew that only God deserves our praise. There are many Christians who are immature in their faith. They confess the saving forgiveness of Jesus and yet often look to themselves to accomplish the work. There are too many Christians who think too highly of themselves and their righteousness. There are people who preach and teach a gospel that makes people equal with Christ. They believe that humans can reach the level of perfection that we will have when we live in eternity. They think they are sinless and know all that needs to be known about God and His kingdom. This makes them irresponsible, taking chances that can lead to destruction.
Human beings never reach the point of perfection by our power or ability. We cannot approach the throne of grace with our own righteousness. We must look to Jesus Christ who can ascend the hill, receive the blessing and vindication as described in the psalm. As His followers, believers in His name, we can go with Him before the throne. He clothes us in His righteousness; we are called to simply believe.
Joseph was the adoptive father of our Lord Jesus Christ because by his heritage our King was a son of David. He was the true Messiah that would save His people from their sins as promised throughout the Old Testament. He was not only the son of David through Joseph and Mary; He was the true Son of God. He was flesh and blood, born of a virgin and claimed by a man. But He was also Immanuel, God with us and by Him we have life and faith and hope and peace.
This message, this Gospel, is often lost in the midst of the Christmas celebration. There is symbolism in the things we do to honor our Lord’s birth. The lights on our houses and in our tree remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. The tree, an evergreen of some sort, reminds us of the everlasting love of Christ. The wreaths and poinsettias, balls and ribbons, even the candy canes have some deeper meaning to those of us who believe that Christmas is more than a time to party and give presents.
Yet, the world does not always see the Gospel in our festivities. They might know that Christmas is about Jesus. They might even know about the kings, the stars, the shepherds, the virgin on a donkey, the birth in a stable among the beasts. As we celebrate, however, we need to remember that they do not see the Gospel in our glitz and tinsel. They will only know that righteousness comes from God alone if we go out in faith and obey the command of God to tell the world that Jesus has the power to defeat sin and restore all men to God. It is risky. Evangelism is rejected more than it is received. Faith is ridiculed. In some places, even today, faith will bring persecution and death. But they will only hear the Gospel if we tell them. Without the words of grace, the glitz of the Christmas season is worthless.
Are you going to be like Ahaz, taking control of your world and ignoring God’s word, trusting only in your own plan rather than God’s? Or will you be like Joseph, who despite the risk offered by God’s Word, walked in faith and saw the fulfillment of God’s promises in his own home as he cared for the son of God as His earthly father? We have been restored to our Creator, and we now live in a world where the God of all creation dwells in the hearts of all those who believe. This is truly Good News which we can trust now and forever. It is in this message that we will find true peace.
Advent is almost over; our wait is almost complete. It will soon be Christmas Day, and we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. But Jesus came for more than a holiday. He came to call His people to lives of discipleship, lives of sharing the forgiveness, compassion and hope that comes from God through Christ Jesus. It might seem like the world is against us. It might seem like the world has rejected God and wants to destroy God’s message. It does, because the message of God is that He is greater than the world. The world wants to stop what God has done, is doing, and will do, but God always has a greater purpose. Now is the time for us to trust that He is in control. We are called to be like Joseph, responding to God’s word with faith. We should not be tempted to take the battle into our own hands but instead learn what God would have us see in the circumstances that surround us. He took the risk for our sake. The only risk we take is to let go and believe that He has heard our cries and has come to save us.
December 18, 2025
“Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31, WEB
It is only two weeks until 2026, and I am sure you are beginning to think about changes you want to make in the new year. Will you commit to healthier living? Better time management? A new attitude about money? Work on your relationships? There are so many ways we can change our lives, transform us into better people. Some ways are easy and small; others are so big that they are overwhelming.
For most of us, those New Year’s resolutions begin strong because we are passionate about the new person we can become. Then we get stuck. We miss a couple days at the gym because the weather is too bad, then it is hard to be motivated to go back when the weather is good. We say “yes” to too many projects and suddenly every hour is filled with work. We can’t deposit in our savings because we have car trouble. Something happens and the differences in our relationships causes the work of reconciliation to stop. We fail and we give up.
Another resolution many people are making in their relationship with God. What will you do to enhance your prayer and devotional life? Will you begin a Bible reading program? Will you start a 365-day daily devotion? Will you promise to make it to church every Sunday or join a Bible study? There are so many choices. How do you begin?
This may seem hard to believe, but I have never read the Bible cover to cover. I have read every book, every word, several times, and studied much of it in depth, but I have never actually read it from the first word of Genesis to last word of Revelation. I once read Walter Wangerin’s book “The Book of God” which is the Bible in novel form. I’ve heard the stories many times through the lectionary readings in church. I know several people who have read the Bible cover to cover (some more than once!) and they were greatly blessed by the experience.
Some of those daily readings set up unrealistic expectations. They are designed to get it done in a year, meaning it is necessary to read about three chapters a day. This is easy on some days, when we our schedules aren’t filled with too many activities, but it gets harder when we are busy. It becomes almost impossible to catch up when we get behind. I have bought books to follow and even given myself the grace to read when I have the chance, but I haven’t managed to finish. I have given up on those programs after just a few weeks, often because I am overwhelmed by the long stretches of non-narrative texts.
Lynn Bowen Walker in her book “Queen of the Castle,” admitted to having a similar problem. She decided not to try to follow one of those unrealistic programs and read as she was able. It took her seven years. I think her encouragement will help others try to read it at a pace that leaves room for those busy days. If something happens and I can’t read one day, it isn’t too hard to recover.
I’ve read through the Bible in a year through other programs that skip around the Bible. There is nothing wrong with this approach, after all, the Bible is a library. A library is a collection of books, often so large that it would be difficult to read them all. A trip to the library means making a choice as to what book you'll read. But with so many to choose from, how do you select? The Bible is a collection of books gathered that tells the story of God from the beginning of time to forever. I like a program that looks at a different genre each day of the week: epistles, the law, history, Psalms, poetry, prophecy, and Gospels. I have read through that plan several times; there’s something about the variety that makes it more manageable for me. (https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans, it is the first one on the page, but there are other choices available.)
The Bibles most of us use are not in chronological order, although some versions have tried to organize it in that manner. This is difficult to do because some of the books tell parallel stories. Other books are hard to place in history. The Psalms skip all over the timeline. The Jewish scriptures place the books we know in the Christian Bible in a different order. Different genres are peppered throughout the canon. There are many writers with many different perspectives.
The books of the Bible have a common purpose, but each book also has a unique purpose. Some show us what God has done. Others tell us who God is. Yet others help us to see what God is doing. The books reach out to different audiences, and though the entire book is meant for all, the books speak to us in particular ways at specific times. I think sometimes we assume that reading the Bible from cover to cover will make us know and understand everything there is to know about God. It will certainly help us to grow. Every moment we devote to reading and studying God’s Word helps us to grow in faith and in knowledge of God. However, we will never fully know Him. Yet, of all the resolutions we can make in the new year, the most important is to enhance our knowledge of God and we do that by spending time in the Bible.
Even though the Bible is the most accessible revelation of God to His people, there is much more to know about Him than could have been written in any book, even the Bible. Imagine what it would be like if everything about God could be written! However, we are called to keep the Bible near to us, to open it daily, to read as much as we can. God speaks to us in many ways, but it is through the words of the authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write His story that He has revealed Himself to our hearts and our minds so that we will know His grace and apply it to our lives.
Where should you begin your daily routine of reading the scriptures? When selecting a book at the library, I might get a book recommended by a friend or some other source. I may also go into the library with a subject in mind, so search the card catalogue for the proper book. Sometimes I just scan the shelves for a favorite author or a title that seems interesting. The book I choose at the library depends on the reason I’m there. Sometimes I need some reference material. Sometimes I just want a book to read for pleasure. The library we call the Bible is no different. Sometimes we need to read the scriptures for a purpose: for wisdom, comfort, encouragement, or edification.
A good place to begin a daily routine of scripture reading is with a daily devotional of some sort. There are many books available on the market, and daily readings available on the Internet. These readings help you to establish a habit of daily reading. Do not solely rely upon the writings of the author, though. Open your own Bible to the scriptures they use. Read and study the whole chapter in which the verses appear.
Reading the Bible from cover to cover is an honorable accomplishment, but the Bible is not necessarily meant to be read as you would read a novel. It is a library, and nobody goes to the library with the goal of reading every book on the shelves in the order they are displayed. Let us also remember that we don’t have to accomplish our reading of the scriptures in a certain amount of time. It is best to commit to daily reading, hearing God’s Word and learning to apply it to our lives. Whether we read and meditate on one verse, or read through multiple chapters, the purpose of daily reading is to spend time with God.
There may be days when you just don’t have the time. We do get busy, and sometimes our busy-ness is exactly where God is calling us to be. However, it is important to commit to spending time with God each day. If you miss a day, pick up the book the next day and begin again. If you get too far behind, then allow yourself the grace to go beyond the plan. Whatever you do, do not give up. And most importantly, whatever you choose, always seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit through prayer - before, during, and after - and let Him write the Word on your heart so that it will always be available to you when you need the comfort of God’s presence in your everyday life.
December 19, 2025
“One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:5-9, WEB
Today is the last day of school for many schools in our area. The children are excited about the extended vacation and the fun of the holidays. Many classrooms are celebrating with parties. Teacher’s desks are filled with gifts. In the last few days, teachers have asked students about their plan for the holidays, traditions that they follow, and other things that make their family unique. They use these questions for writing or art projects, so while it is fun to look forward to Christmas, they are also learning during the activities.
Christ is the reason for the season, and the world waits expectantly through Advent for the coming of the King. Traditions make families and cultures unique. Every country has its own Christmas traditions. It is fun and amazing to see the different traditions from around the world, to see the ways in which other people celebrate the coming of the Savior. In every country, people are preparing for their feasts and festivals, decorating and baking, shopping and wrapping gifts to give. Every culture presents the Gospel in a way that helps believers remember and non-believers hear the story of Jesus including pageants and programs with children, musicians, and others participating. I’ve written about many of these traditions in the past.
Some traditions are secular, such as the Santa Claus type figure that is found in almost every culture. Other traditions focus on the religious aspects of the season. Some places celebrate Christ’s birth on different days. Other places commemorate different aspects of the Christian story. Each custom has special meaning for those who practice it year after year. Are they necessary? No, they are certainly not necessary for the salvation of God’s people. Yet, when these traditions are given to God, they do well to draw us closer to Him and help us to grow in faith and live in hope in this world.
Christ will come whether we count down the days to Christmas or not. Christ will come in His glory whether we are hearing His story or not. God will save us despite the pathetic effort we make to do His will in this world. Many of the traditions of our past, culture, and family help us to keep our hearts and minds in what truly matters in this life: our faith in God and our hope in His promises. What matters most is that the traditions we keep and the days we celebrate point to the One who is our Savior. Do we live for the Lord and glorify Him in all we do?
December 22, 2025
“He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:1-5, WEB
In the midst of the glitz and glitter of the holidays, we are reminded that the reason for the season is to celebrate a most extraordinary event: Jesus Christ was born. We celebrate His birthday with parties and give gifts to one another. We also share the message of hope an love that He brought to this earth. Most of our celebrations don’t look much like religious experiences. We drink in excess and spend too much on presents out of duty rather than love. It is a time when many people face depression and anger. Families argue over trivial matters. Divorce is rampant. Sadly, too many people suffer illness and die, making it a hard time of year for others. This time that should be devoted to worship is a time when human frailty is most pronounced.
Jesus has a way of revealing our weakness. We’ve been counting down the weeks to Christmas with an Advent wreath. We begin the season in darkness and light a candle each Sunday. The light grows week by week, filling the world with light. That light, however, makes us see the reality of our human failures. We time we spend reading devotions, hearing the scriptures from the lectionary reminds us that we are sinners in need of the Savior. We humble ourselves before the throne of mercy and grace and ask for God to forgive our sins and make us new again.
A baby was born in humble circumstances two thousand years ago to show us the truth. The truth is that we are focused on self when we should be worshipping God. The truth is our human nature is imperfect. The truth is that we will die because of our sin. However, that baby was more than we could ever hope for or expect. He was the perfect Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus taught us how to live, but He knew we could never live according to God’s will. In the stable on that first Christmas day, Jesus humbled Himself and became man. About thirty years later, He humbled Himself again by dying on the cross. We rejoice during Christmas because our Savior was born, but that was not the end of the story. It is in the death and resurrection that we find the grace, hope, peace, joy, reconciliation, forgiveness, and life God promised ever since the moment we fell from grace in the Garden.
Each Christmas, we linger for a moment over the infant Jesus in the manger. We sing a few carols, say a few prayers, and spend a few moments honoring the God who came to save us. In our celebrations and gift giving w shine the light of God’s gift with the world. Sadly, during those celebrations we also act in ways that are not worthy before the Lord. As Christmas Day quickly approaches, remember to spend some time with the One who came to die for your sin. We focus this week on the manger, but it is the cross where we see the true purpose of His life. It is wonderful to look forward to our holiday celebrations but now is the time to also look forward to the future hope that came wrapped in swaddling clothes on the first Christmas Day. Someday there will be no more darkness, but only light and life as God and the Lamb will reign forever and ever. Now is the time to join John and all the hosts of heaven in worship of that baby who came to be our King.
December 23, 2025
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:7, WEB
I remember as a kid going door to door in the days before Christmas, singing songs to bring joy to the neighbors. Christmas Caroling has been around for a long time, hundreds of years, and was a common activity for youth groups in my day. Our church joins a couple of others in town for an evening, but it just doesn’t seem as common these days. Of course, the school and Sunday school at our church do Christmas programs, and we sing a lot of carols during worship.
Carols have been around for a long time, first written around the fourth century. The first Christmas songs were written to counter to heresies of Arian and others, at the same time as the writing of the Nicene Creed. They weren’t very popular in those days because they were theological hymns written in Latin. St. Francis of Assisi is considered the "Father of Christmas Carols" because he popularized singing sacred songs in the vernacular (local language) for Christmas, starting with the first live Nativity scene in 1223. Francis believed music was a powerful way to teach people about Jesus's birth, leading to the first carols sung during these popular Nativity plays, which then spread through Europe as street-caroling. St. Augustine said, “He who sings prays twice,” and that’s the joy of the Christmas carols we sing at this time of year.
Carols were not for Christmas only, but most of the carols we sing these days are focused on the birth of Jesus Christ. A carol is a festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with Christian church worship and sometimes accompanied by a dance. Carols weren’t always popular. In the UK, Oliver Cromwell outlawed the singing of carols in 1644. Many of the Christmas carols we love came out of difficult times for the writers. They were influenced by the Bible, and used music to bring peace in their chaos and joy in their sorrow.
Christmas caroling in my youth was a bunch of people walking down the street, going door to door, singing our favorite songs, but many traditions with Christmas music are more elaborate. Las Posadas, religious and cultural festival celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and elsewhere in Latin America, as well as in some parts of the United States, between December 16 and 24.
Las Posadas means “the journey” and is a reenactment done by the children of the town. They dress up in costumes representing the Christmas story and go door to door, singing and searching for a place where Mary and Joseph can stay. In some cities, the children are welcomed into a different house each night. In others they end up in a different church. The festivities follow with prayer and singing and a telling of the Christmas story. After the story the children smash piñatas which are filled with nuts, fruit and sometimes candy. The Santos Pereguinos, or holy pilgrims, re-create the journey until Christmas, stopping at a different house or church each night.
We all have our favorite Christmas carols that we enjoy hearing: both religious and all the other fun songs that have come out of the season. St. Augustine said, “He who sings prays twice,” and that’s the joy of the Christmas carols we sing at this time of year. The people in Isaiah’s day had no idea how God would fulfill His promises, yet they worshipped Him. He spoke of an unfulfilled hope as if it had already come to pass. We have seen the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the birth of Jesus, and He calls us to share the Good News with all we meet. We can do by singing hymns of praise and jubilant song, as we do with our favorite Christmas carols that tell the story of Jesus and the salvation that He won for us from the manger to the cross. He is the King that reigns now and will reign forever. Our carols honor the Son and share the blessing of His grace. They remind us that every promise has been fulfilled in Him, and in Him we will have peace forever.
December 24, 2025
Lectionary Scriptures for December 28, 2025, First Sunday after Christmas: Isaiah 63:7-14; Psalm 111; Galatians 4:4-7; Matthew 2:13-23
“Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalm 111, WEB
On Christmas morning, the packages are beautifully wrapped and stacked under the brightly lit and twinkling Christmas tree. Everything is pristine at the break of dawn. It does not take very long, however, for the perfect scene to become a mess of chaos and clutter. Paper gets strewn all over the floor as new treasures are unpacked from boxes and bags. Empty boxes litter the pathways and bows get stuck on everything. Stockings are tossed aside as the chocolate hidden within is gobbled up, leaving only traces on cheeks and fingertips.
And then it is over. We spend a month or more preparing. We carefully choose and wrap the gifts only to have the whole thing over in a matter of minutes. Some presents will barely be a memory, especially foodstuffs which are enjoyed so quickly and then gone forever. We spend the month putting up decorations, but by December 26th many people are done with Christmas. They want it all to be over. They want to take the tree down and put all those decorations away.
But for the church, Christmas begins on December 25th. The twelve days proceed from that moment, not culminate on that day. Our celebration begins with the birth, but there's so much more to the story.
Yet, we find that the birth of Christ is followed immediately by chaos. Our scriptures tell the story of what happened after Jesus was born, after the wise men came to visit. On the day they left, Joseph was told in a dream to go to Egypt: Jesus was in danger. Herod was not thrilled to hear from the wise men that a new king was born. He told them that he wanted to go worship the newborn, too, and asked that they return to tell him where to go. In reality, he wanted to rid the world of his competition.
The wise men were told to go home another way, and they avoided King Herod, but it wouldn't take long for Herod to figure out what was happening. After all, the shepherds were telling their story all over the countryside. They may not have had the internet, but word of mouth is amazingly fast and Herod was bound to hear it sooner or later. Besides, the priests knew the prophecy: the babe would be born in Bethlehem. Herod sent soldiers to take care of the problem, and the innocent babies in Bethlehem were slaughtered. How can we go from the idyllic stable scene to his picture of blood and destruction in so short a time?
But isn't that how life is? We don't become poor slowly. Although it often happens slowly for a long time, we don't know it until that final moment when our world crashes around us. The same is true of drugs or alcohol. Relationships can last a long time, but one small moment or one tiny offense can shatter a lifetime of love. Goodness often becomes chaotic in a heartbeat. And that's what happened around Jesus.
We are reminded right from the beginning that the story of Jesus is not one of idyllic peace and joy. He came to die, but He would not die at the will of men, but according to the will of God. That moment was not the right time. Jesus had a lifetime to live first.
The Old Testament lesson for today is a prayer by Isaiah asking God to bring the salvation He promised. Isaiah knew that God loves His people and that He is faithful. Whatever they do, right or wrong, God is working out their salvation. He is in control.
I like the words of Isaiah in this prayer, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.” God joined in their suffering. If they cried, He cried. And He listened. He worked salvation for a people who constantly turned from Him, not because they deserved to be saved but because He loved them. It was love and mercy that provided for them.
God knew the plans of Herod. He knew the dangers that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus faced. He knew what risks He had taken by sending His Son into the world as a baby. By dreams and visions, God laid the plan to protect the child. He sent the wise men on another road. He sent Joseph to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. He called them home again when everything was safe. Joseph was still concerned about Herod’s family, so he took Mary and Jesus to Nazareth to live.
The Gospel lesson shows us that God knew all along the dangers that Jesus would face. We can look back to the Old Testament and see how God was working His plan all along. The New Testament writers certainly did. In today’s lesson, Matthew quoted the prophet Hosea, “Out of Egypt did I call my son.” The prophet Jeremiah prophesied the weeping mothers, the mourning of Rachel for her children. Isn’t it interesting that even when God did not specifically tell Joseph to take Jesus to Nazareth that is where they went to live? In these words, Matthew made yet another connection between Old Testament prophecy and the story of Christ. We can see other connections, like how Jesus was like Moses, escaping the slaughter of innocents. This just shows us how God has carefully woven His story from the beginning, to bring us to the moment of salvation.
Jesus was surrounded by promises that God had giving to His people throughout their history. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, which came true in Jesus. David was promised that his throne would last forever, which came true in Jesus. The book of Isaiah the prophet is filled with promises fulfilled in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is the culmination of all God’s promises. God spoke much more specific promises to the family of Jesus. Elizabeth and Zechariah were given John, the one who would make way for Jesus. Mary and Joseph were promised the incredible gift of a baby who truly changed the world.
We are skeptical about promises. Every ten minutes on our television sets we are bombarded by promises. “Buy our product and you will have the happiest kids, the whitest teeth, or the cleanest clothing. Our product provides the fastest connection, the most reliable service or the cheapest price. With our product, you will be more popular, more beautiful or more intelligent.” A promise is defined in Webster’s as “an assurance that one will or will not do something.” Companies around the world recognize the incredible power of a promise to today’s consumers. They spend billions of dollars producing and airing commercials that will attract the greatest number of people to their product. Unfortunately, these promises are often unfulfilled.
We even break personal promises, like those we make to our children. Unfortunately, there will be some little ones disappointed tomorrow when the toy they wanted is not under the tree. On more than one occasion I promised my children that we would do something, but life got in the way. We break a promise every time we drive our cars over the speed limit or run a red light. We have all broken New Year’s resolutions. Our own broken promises make us skeptical of other promises.
Despite our doubt, we know that God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. We trust God, but we often struggle with trusting ourselves. We wonder if we heard the promise or understood it correctly. We worry that it was all a dream or something from our imagination. It surely can't be real, we think. Mary may have had the same doubts.
Mary is among the most faithful of God’s chosen people, and yet I have to wonder if she ever questioned what was happening. Joseph, too, despite the dreams and his obedience. The whole thing was too extraordinary; it couldn’t possibly be real. Who were they? They were nobodies. Why them? Why were they chosen? What will become of their most miraculous child? I don’t know about you, but when something really spectacular happens to me, I often wonder how I could be so lucky. “Why me?” is a question we ask not only when something bad happens, but also when something good comes along. Why am I the one blessed with this good thing?
Faith in God does not mean that we never question or doubt; it is about acting on God’s promises even when we aren’t so sure. Mary and Joseph treasured every sign from God that validated their trust. The amazing things that were said about their boy strengthened their faith that this was exactly what God said it would be.
Even as we share in the joy and the miracle of Christmas, we have to face the lingering doubts of our own relationship with God, and Paul's letter brings these doubts to light. How affectionate is your relationship with God? Is He like a family member with whom you might sit around the dinner table sharing memories of your childhood? Or is the relationship strained and uncomfortable? It is interesting that the scripture for today looks at this relationship through the eyes of slavery. We were once slaves to sin, but now are set free to be sons of God. Yet, we tend to hold on to our sins. We are slaves to those things that keep us from knowing and loving God fully and freely.
Christ came, born of a woman: as human as you and I. But He is something much more. He is the Son of the Living God, as fully divine as He is human. He came to make us sons, setting free those who are burdened by the Law and opening the door so that we might also be adopted. The Kingdom of God belongs to us, we are His heirs. And as heirs we are called to be more than children. We have been adopted to live and laugh and love in that Kingdom for God’s glory. We live in an incredible promise.
We try too hard to fit God’s promises into our ideas and expectations. The whole Christmas story is ridiculous; no writer would have created a story with so many miraculous moments because they make it seem unbelievable. We want God to fit in a box we’ve created. It was no different for those in the days of Jesus. They were looking for a king, not a man from Nazareth. They were looking for a warrior who would defeat their enemies, not an itinerant preacher who would defeat their self-righteousness. They were looking for David.
The Jews didn’t see Jesus as the Messiah for whom they waited because He didn’t fit their expectations. Why didn’t they believe the shepherds? Or Simeon and Anna? They shared the good news. Perhaps people have not changed that much over these many years. Though we are inundated by promises, I wonder if we are all that different from them when we doubt a promise will be fulfilled. People are people, after all, and we don’t believe much without proof. We put our own expectations on those promises from God. Jesus didn’t seem like much of a Messiah even though everything about Him fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, but we know about Him because someone had enough faith to share their story. Those who saw Jesus die on the cross could not believe any stories that might have been passed from those who were there after Jesus was born. Those stories did not make sense in the context of their expectations. Jesus didn’t fit. How can the Savior die a horrific death? Why was that the plan of God?
Sometimes we doubt because we have a hard time believing that a loving God would allow such things to happen. Why do children have to die? Why should innocents suffer while Jesus survived? What kind of God is this and why would we worship such a God? We see in this story and others like it, that God is with us in the midst of tragedy. He doesn’t abandon us to the risks we face; He goes with us. Despite the chaos in these stories, we are called to join in the voices of upright, and in the congregation. He sent Jesus, our Savior, and through Him all will be well.
Will everything be perfect? Will our life be like that idyllic scene of wrapped presents under the tree? No, sometimes it will be like the chaotic moments after with pieces of our lives strewn everywhere. But all will be well because God is there, and He knows what He is doing.
In the story of Christ, we learn that Jesus experienced the same sort of struggles that we face. He didn’t have an idyllic life. He suffered. He went hungry. He traveled great distances and lived in unfamiliar places. He got dusty on the road and wet when it rained. He lost family and friends to sickness and death. He lived with nothing. Yet He had everything. He was the Son of God, sent from heaven above to be like us. He came to die, but before He died, He came to live with us, to walk in our shoes, to experience temptation and pain.
Many Christians would prefer to go from the manger to the empty tomb. We see them only at Christmas and Easter. They don’t want to experience these stories of tragedy. To them it doesn’t make sense to worship a God that would play out His story in such a sad manner. They doubt His promises because they don’t understand His way. Trusting in God means believing His story fully as it is, to see that His plan had a purpose and that His way is right. Without the messy in-betweens, the manger and the cross are meaningless.
And because of those messy in-betweens, we are His brothers and sisters. Isn’t that extraordinary?
David knew that the promise would have to be bigger than our expectations; he had hope that the Messiah would be all that God promised. When considering the work of God, we might want to reduce it to a few important tasks like giving daily bread and providing deliverance for those who seek His mighty hand. Yet, David saw that God’s work goes even farther than just what we can see happening in the world. He made His wonderful works to be remembered, passing the message of mercy and grace from generation to generation through faith. God remembers His promises, and if you are a parent, you know how difficult a task that can be. He not only remembers but He is faithful. He provides justice and displays His power for the sake of those He loves. It might seem unbelievable, but it is to be believed, for God always keeps His promises.
Those who were with Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born - the shepherds, wisemen, Simeon and Anna - were sent by God to strengthen their faith. The life of their child would be extraordinary but not always pleasant. Jesus would be rejected, persecuted, beaten, and crucified, a promise fulfilled that no parent would want to hear. Yet they treasured every word and sign; they pondered them, but they trusted God’s faithfulness even through any uncertainty. We can do the same. Our praise is our witness to the greatness of the God who has kept His promises for His people.
The lesson for us this first Sunday after Christmas, and every day, is that God remains faithful even when we are not. He does not desert us because we have doubts, He doesn’t reject us when we wonder. He fulfills His promises and He even reminds us over and over again that He has spoken. He tells us in the most incredible ways, through the most unexpected people. He reveals Himself to us so that we can see that it wasn’t a dream or our imagination. He really has promised these things to us. At Christmas we see the fulfillment of the greatest gift, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the stories of those who were there help us to know that it is real. This gives us reason to rejoice and to praise God today, tomorrow and always.
December 25, 2025
This is a repeat, but worth the time each year to remember. In the midst of the excitement and joy of this day, take a moment to consider the story that brought us here.
The Story of our Savior’s Birth
The Light, Genesis 1:1-5
The Fall, Genesis 3:8-15
The Promise, Genesis 22:15-18
The Prophecy, Isaiah 9:2-7
The Place, Micah 5:2-5
The Mother, Luke 1:26-38
Magnificat, Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46-55
The Birth, Luke 2:1-7
The Proclamation, Luke 2:8-16
The Mystery, John 1:1-14
On this Christmas Day, as we are buried in the piles of papers from the gifts of love and joy we share with one another, let us give thanks to God for the greatest gift of all, His Son our Savior Jesus Christ, light from light, who brings redemption to our fallen world. We have seen the glory, Hallelujah! Our Christmas wish, from our house to yours, is that you will have a blessed and bright Christmas Day.
December 26, 2025
“They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 8:58-60, WEB
Christmas is over; all that is left is the clean-up. The presents are unwrapped and put away. The leftovers are in the refrigerator. The decorations are a bit worse for the wear; the outside lights have been blown about; the tree is beginning to drop a few needles. There is no more shopping to do, presents to be wrapped, or parties to attend. Though many people will have the week off and New Year’s Eve is soon, the world is ready to pack away Christmas for another year.
I am sure that some people are relieved that Christmas is over. Christmas is supposed to be a time for “peace on earth, goodwill to men”, but I imagine that there at least a few people trying to get over struggles with family. We gather together because that is what we should do, but our differences often make those reunions uncomfortable. We open presents, eat a meal, and then run off to do other things because we just can’t deal with those differences. Jesus came to bring forgiveness, but on this day after Christmas, many have forgotten the purpose for Christmas, grumbling today about the things they don’t like about those they are supposed to love most.
We think of this day after Christmas in secular terms, as another shopping day or a time to clean up, but today is also St. Stephen’s Day. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, the first of the disciples to die for his faith in Christ. It almost seems odd that we would go from the peaceful story of the Nativity right into the martyrdom of Stephen. It seems too soon to be thinking about those who have risked everything for their faith. However, that is what it is all about. Christ died that we might live to forgive.
Perhaps it is good to follow the joy of Christmas with the stoning of Stephen so that we’ll remember that our faith in Jesus leads us to follow the example of people like Stephen. At the moment of his death, Stephen did the unthinkable: he forgave those who killed him. He asked God for mercy on them. Stephen gave a stirring sermon about the faith of their forefathers, and they lived to see the day of the Lord which had come, but it is in these words of forgiveness that we see the true witness of his faith. We can all be great evangelists, but the best way to live our faith is to forgive those who have hurt us most.
We use the word martyr in reference to those who have died for their faith, and yet the word simply means witness. The martyrs who have been stoned, beheaded, burned or who have died in other ways give us an example of extreme devotion to God. We are not likely to be asked to live or die in such extreme circumstances. We are, however, called to be witnesses. We are called to speak the story of God into the lives of those who are still living in darkness even while the light shines so brightly in the world. We might have to make sacrifices for our faith, but that is the cost of discipleship. It isn’t enough to celebrate the Nativity with a trip to church on Christmas Eve and a battle at city hall for a manger display. Our faith calls us to tell the story of Christ, to bring forgiveness and reconciliation to those who are lost and separated from our God.
The life to which we are called is never going to be easy. We may be taken out of our comfort zone and put into a position of risk and difficulty. We may have to do something that shocks and upsets the world around us. We may have to say the very things that will bring scorn from our neighbors, sometimes even from people who are meant to be most dear to us. We are not likely to be martyred, but Christians are dying for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. We cry out for peace, and we strive to work for peace, but the peace that God promises is not something we can achieve by doing this or that. It comes from God.
As we live in that peace, we are called to be holy and chosen people, growing in the grace of God and becoming the visible manifestation of His love in the world. We are told to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are told to bear with one another, to forgive as we have been forgiven and to put on love above all else. As the peace of Christ rules in our hearts and we live in thankfulness, the world will see the word of Christ dwelling in our lives, like Stephen. For some, this life of peace will be offensive, and they will seek its end. We might be tempted to hide that peace or to work toward a false sense of people, but as Christ dwells amongst us, we will grow in grace and will naturally live the life to which we have been called, the life of thanksgiving and praise, uttering the most difficult words, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!”
Most people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in simple, quiet ways. Many are taken to church as children and grow up learning the Bible stories in Sunday school. Some marry a Christian and tag along until they too come to love Jesus. Some stumble upon a church or a Christian at a difficult time in their lives and decide that it couldn’t hurt to try to find some comfort and peace through this thing called faith.
Though they are no more saved than the person who grows up knowing Jesus, the most exciting testimonies are those who come from people who have had incredible conversion experiences. Sometimes these folk become evangelists, sharing their amazing encounter with God with others in the hopes that they will hear the Gospel and be saved. We have heard these stories – people on the brink of death who see or hear Jesus, men or women who have led lives desperately seeking fulfillment in all the wrong things who suddenly know that Christ can fill the whole in their heart.
Jacob Koshy was one that came to know Jesus in that way. While living in Singapore, his obsession with success drove him, but it led him to a life of gambling and drug abuse. He eventually ended up in prison, a center that would not allow him to even have cigarettes. He smuggled in some tobacco and used the pages of a Gideon Bible to roll is cigarettes. One evening he fell asleep while smoking and the cigarette went out. When we awoke, he noticed the words, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” on the paper and asked for a new bible to read the story. It was the story of Paul’s conversion.
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18, WEB
The numbers are disturbing. Statistics show that about ten percent of children around our nation will be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday. In the state where I live in 2023, more than fifty thousand children were confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect, with more than a hundred fatalities. Too many of these children are not even old enough to attend kindergarten. Some of these children are sold as sex slaves. Not all child abuse is sexual, of course, but all abuse is heartbreaking and extremely damaging to the victims. Some children are abused physically, some verbally, some emotionally. Too many children are used as pawns for adults, particularly in broken relationships. Too many children are used around the world for political purposes, trained as babies to be suicide bombers or used as human shields. And of course, all too many children are never born because many are aborted for selfish and self-centered reasons.
The abuse of our babies is not new. Ancient religions used children in human sacrifice. Historically, the children of the powerful were used in their political games as they were given in marriage not for love, but to join kingdoms. Children didn’t matter; they were little more than property to be used for the benefit of the family, community, or kingdom. Children were beaten to teach them lessons or left to die when there was not enough food. I wonder, though, if we aren’t doing as much or more damage to our kids in modern times. It doesn’t seem like abuse to give our children everything they want or to tell them how wonderful they are, but it is possible to coddle our children into adults who do not know how to be responsible adults. They suffer at our hands; our over-protectiveness creates people who are selfish and self-centered, leading them to abuse others in other ways.
Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the day we remember the children who perished at the hands of King Herod. He heard that a new king had been born and he was so concerned about his own power and throne that he did whatever was necessary to ensure his legacy. Millions of children have suffered since the beginning of time, but we are particularly taken aback by the story of these babies. We imagine this to be a horrid event with blood running down the streets as thousands of children are slaughtered. The reality is that Bethlehem was a small town with an estimated population of just hundreds. Though some estimate the deaths in the thousands, it was probably far fewer. There are no secular historical accounts of a massacre, probably because it was not noteworthy that a local ruler would kill a few children. The numbers do not make the incident less horrific: one innocent life is one too many. One child suffering for whatever reason is one child too many.
What Herod did not understand is that Jesus was not born to rule as an earthly king; He was sent to bring forgiveness, to transform our lives, and reconcile us to God our Father. What we often forget is that the blood of those children is on our own hands. Our sinfulness brought Jesus into this world. We blame Herod for the death of the innocents, but he is no different than us; his sin is no greater than ours. I can’t imagine any of us laying a hand on a child to guarantee our job or position, but how often do we think of ourselves before we think of the effects of our actions on others? Do we accept that our own sin can cause another to suffer? Do we do what we think needs to be done for our own benefit, ignoring what we might be doing to our children?
As we recall those innocent lives lost, we should also remember the children who suffer every day in the violence and selfishness of this world. Even more so, let us pray that God will kill the vices in our lives that affect those around us so that we won’t bring harm to others through our selfishness. May God help us to understand how our actions affect others and think first before acting, especially when we might bring harm to an innocent child.
December 30, 2025
“But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.’ The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:1-9, WEB
Most people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in simple, quiet ways. Many are taken to church as children and grow up learning the Bible stories in Sunday school. Some marry a Christian and tag along until they too come to love Jesus. Some stumble upon a church or a Christian at a difficult time in their lives and decide that it couldn’t hurt to try to find some comfort and peace through this thing called faith.
Though they are no more saved than the person who grows up knowing Jesus, the most exciting testimonies are those who come from people who have had incredible conversion experiences. Sometimes these folk become evangelists, sharing their amazing encounter with God with others in the hopes that they will hear the Gospel and be saved. We have heard these stories – people on the brink of death who see or hear Jesus, men or women who have led lives desperately seeking fulfillment in all the wrong things who suddenly know that Christ can fill the hole in their heart.
Jacob Koshy was one that came to know Jesus in that way. While living in Singapore, his obsession with success drove him, but it led him to a life of gambling and drug abuse. He eventually ended up in prison, a center that would not allow him to even have cigarettes. He smuggled in some tobacco and used the pages of a Gideon Bible to roll his cigarettes. One evening he fell asleep while smoking and the cigarette went out. When we awoke, he noticed the words, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” on the paper and asked for a new bible to read the story. It was the story of Paul’s conversion.
As Jacob read Paul’s story, he suddenly realized that if God could save a man like Saul, then He could help him too. He knelt beside his bed to pray, asking Jesus to change him. He could not stop crying, but his pain was washed away with every tear. He stopped wasting his life in pursuit of all the wrong things, married a Christian woman and became a missionary in the Far East. When he told his story, he said, “Who would have believed that I could find the truth by smoking the Word of God?” God comes to us in the most unusual circumstances, always looking into the depths of our hearts and our everyday experiences for the change to bring change. Our experiences may not be so dramatic, but God is always at work in our lives and hearts to bring us closer to Him for His Glory.
December 31, 2025
Lectionary Scriptures for January 4, 2026, Second Sunday after Christmas: 1 Kings 3:4-15; Psalm 119:97-104; Ephesians 1:3-14; Luke 2:40-52
“Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.” 1 Kings 3:10b-12, WEB
Today is the seventh day of Christmas, although you would probably not know it from the darkening streets of my neighborhood. We have company visiting for the new year and we took them out to see some of the well-lit houses near us, houses that won decorating contests. They were already dark on Saturday night. Many other neighbors have been turning off their lights and removing their decorations all week even though it is not yet Epiphany. Most of my neighbors don’t even realize we are still celebrating Christmas. There is still a little holiday excitement in the world since we will be celebrating the New Year tomorrow, but I am sure a majority of the Christmas decorations will be taken down this weekend.
The world will be back to normal Monday. Vacations will be over. The children will be back to school. Workers will be back to the old grind. For Christians, however, the holiday does not end when the ball drops on New Year's Eve. We celebrate the birth of Christ through Epiphany. Even though the wise men have been in our nativities from the beginning, they don’t actually show up in the church year until January 6th. That’s why we have the twelve days of Christmas.
This has been an unusual holiday season. Some things have remained consistent, but we are an empty nest these days and so our children have lives of their own. Our daughter could not return home for the holiday, and though our son came for some time, it wasn’t a long day of enjoying each other’s company. Our usual guests had other things to do, so Bruce and I had a very quiet dinner and enjoyed an evening without the usual holiday chaos. It definitely was not the same as when our children were young.
I have loved my children through every phase of their lives, although I could have done without so many dirty diapers and the rebellion years. Yet, even though I was at times frustrated, angry, or worried, we were always blessed. We don’t want to let go, and yet the very proof of successful parenting is that our children can go off and become independent.
Twelve is one of those difficult years; it is a time when children seek more independence. Sit-coms often take advantage of humor of that age by showing pre-teen boys leaning away from a kissy mom and girls trying out mom’s make-up. They begin to do some of the things that are mother’s job, such as preparing lunch for school. They work on their homework with little or no guidance. They begin to test their rights and learn about responsibilities. It can be difficult age for both the child and parents, particularly when the child oversteps the authority of the parents.
Parents know their children will face dangers that are hard for not quite mature people to navigate, like peer pressure. While we understand that our growing children need room to mature, we do not want them to suffer the consequences of bad decisions. Children tend to see themselves as indestructible. They are looking forward to a long life ahead and think that nothing could possibly harm them. At times they take unnecessary risks that have the potential to harm their physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. They get involved in relationships with people who could lead them down a rocky path. They try new things, go to new places and do so without the constant supervision of their parents. We have to let them go and pray that we have provided the firm foundation to make the right decisions.
We often think of Jesus as some extraordinary child. Though Jesus was God incarnate, He was also fully human. We should not think of Him as the perfect child, never crying or getting dirty. He needed his diapers changed like every other baby. He fell when He was learning to walk, skinned His knees when He played. I’m sure He even dragged mud into the house after jumping in puddles, just like the other kids. He went through the terrible twos and every other stage of life, learning and growing every step along the way.
Jesus was different, though. He was the Word in flesh, the physical manifestation of the Lord God Almighty. His Father was not a carpenter; He was the Son of the Creator of all things. When Jesus’ mother taught Him the scriptures, as was practice in Jewish homes, the words had a deeper, fuller meaning for Him. He understood them. A day came when He had to test His knowledge by seeking the teachers who studied the scriptures. His mother and father loved the Lord and they knew His word, but He needed more.
In the Gospel lesson, we see the story of a boy growing in stature and favor. Jesus was twelve years old and His family traveled to Jerusalem for the annual festival. The pilgrims traveled in large groups, for safety on the road and because they stayed close to family. Uncles, cousins, grandparents were all together, enjoying the adventure of the journey. Their families we close because they lived close. Everyone cared for everyone. One child could easily be lost in the crowd. Jesus, at twelve, was old enough to be somewhat independent. It is no wonder that Jesus was not with Mary and Joseph during the trip. They thought He was in the crowd.
Eventually they went looking for their son and could not find Him. Can you imagine the panic? Most parents have had a moment like that. My moment came when my daughter, who was just two or three at the time, was playing in the clothing racks at a department store. I was looking through the racks and suddenly realized she was gone. I called and searched; others joined to help. I was in tears out of fear. It didn’t help that there had been a nationally reported kidnapping of another child just weeks before this incident. I couldn’t help but think about the worst possibilities. We eventually found her, crying hysterically in a dressing room at the other end of the store. All was well in the end, but for a brief period of time I was inconsolable. I know how Mary felt when she realized Jesus was gone.
I also know how she felt when she found Jesus. I was so happy that my daughter was found, safe and sound, but angry that she had wandered off. “How could you do this to me?” I asked. So did Mary. We often place Mary on a pedestal, forgetting that she was a normal woman and mother. And though Jesus was the Son of God, He was also her son and a twelve-year-old boy. In this story we see this holy family not as something extraordinary, but as ordinary as you and I.
However, Jesus was not quite ordinary. He wandered off, not because He was playing in the racks of clothes at a department store or stick ball in the streets with His friends. He was in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions. His questions were not like a normal child’s questions. They were thoughtful and intelligent. He amazed the teachers with His understanding. He amazed even His parents. Even so, Mary asked, “How could you do this to us?” He didn’t understand their concern. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Jesus was and extraordinary young man. He knew where He belonged, even if His mothers didn’t quite understand. We have to let our children go when they become adults, as they go off to college and adulthood, but Mary had to let her boy go at a much earlier age. But He was equipped for the work He was sent to do. His Father was with Him. Perhaps we would be more patient with our children if we could be so sure that God is with them, too.
Though Jesus was in many ways an ordinary child, He was also extraordinary. He was the child of Mary and Joseph, but He was the Son of God. The stories of His young life are filled with unusual circumstances: visits from shepherds and magi, a journey to a foreign land and then home again, prophets who sing for joy at His presence, and a lesson in the temple. Mary, His mother, watched Him grow through the normal phases of life, but she also witnessed all these incredible things. She treasured and pondered them in her heart and encouraged her Son through His life on this earth.
In today’s story, Jesus overstepped the boundaries established by His parents by staying in Jerusalem without their knowledge. They knew Jesus was God’s Son and had learned so much from all those who crossed their path: angels and wise men, prophets who had been promised an encounter with the Savior. Despite all they heard, they did not fully understand their son’s purpose. During that trip to Jerusalem, Jesus was a twelve-year-old who was testing His independence. When they questioned Him, He explained that He was where He needed to be, but He was obedient and returned with them to His home in Nazareth.
Tomorrow, we begin the new year. Have you made any resolutions? There are some who suggest that we should not make resolutions. They say it is pointless because we so often give up before we accomplish our goals. Yet, resolutions are about so much more than the accomplishment: they are about remembering our imperfections and working toward transformation. We may fail to live up to our resolutions, but that’s no reason to keep from making them. We take time at this time of year to look at ourselves to consider what needs to change. It is a humbling experience but can accomplish so much good. Even if we fail to change, we come to see ourselves clearly, which is the first step to true transformation.
New Year’s resolutions tend to be overwhelming. We set our goals too high to attain, and we rarely look at the deeper roots of the things that need to be changed about our lives. We resolve to lose weight, but we don't look for the reasons we overeat. We resolve to be better about money, but we don't consider the bad habits that have put us into financial straits. Our resolutions sound transformative, but they usually just touch the surface problems or change the appearance of our lives rather than truly change us in a lasting way. That’s why we fail.
Losing weight and setting our finances right are good things, but what we really need to do is to face the emotional and spiritual reasons we overeat and overspend. We have to look more deeply at ourselves, and search for the truth about ourselves. We might need to eat better and save money, but we will also recognize our need for God. We try to make these New Year transformations on our own. Sometimes we ask others to help. We’ll buy self-help books, find a coach or accountability partner. We rarely put God in the mix, but it is with His help that we'll truly succeed.
Transformation that comes from God will not only help us become better people, it will help us become the people that God has chosen to do His work in the world. Our resolutions are so often self-centered, seeking change so that we'll look or feel better, but God calls us to lives that are better for the sake of others. When we follow His ways, transformed by His grace and Wisdom, we will more willingly serve the world in His name.
This Sunday’s scriptures are all about wisdom, and perhaps that is what the New Year should be all about. Isn’t it funny how January 1st is really just another day. It is only special because of how we have divided the calendar. There are other calendars around the world that are based on different factors. They follow the moon phases or the seasons more closely. We have defined January 1st as a day of new beginnings, yet the date itself is not at a time of newness. The winter weather means everything is dark and most of the plants have died for the season. It doesn’t even line up to the first day of winter. Perhaps April 1st would make more sense, when the new grass is sprouting and the flowers are blossoming. Or perhaps our New Year should begin on March 20th, the first day of spring. The reality is that every day can be a day for a new beginning.
But we have made January 1st a day when we commit to a new year, a new body, a new life. We put so much pressure on ourselves to make and keep those commitments, and that’s why we so often fail. Wisdom calls us to think about this differently. Solomon understood the importance of seeing things from the right perspective. He could have asked for anything, and God would have provided it for him. Yet, Solomon didn’t ask for health or wealth. He asked for wisdom. God was pleased and granted him not only wisdom, but also everything else.
Solomon was humble; he knew that he was not qualified to lead the people of Israel. The nation had grown so great, fulfilling the promise given to Abraham that God’s people would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. How could a boy, barely twenty years old, lead a people so great? We might think that health and wealth are exactly what we need to accomplish our purpose, but Solomon knew that he needed something much different. He needed wisdom, and with wisdom came the rest.
The psalmist seeks wisdom, too. Psalm 119 is a devotional on the Word of God. It is divided into twenty-two stanzas, each focusing on a specific letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each line of each stanza begins, in Hebrew, with the letter of that stanza. Throughout the psalm, the writer repeatedly uses eight different Hebrew terms, which can be translated as “law,” “statutes,” “precepts,” “commands,” “laws,” “decrees,” “word,” and “promise.” Though these may seem redundant, there are subtle but distinct differences. Each verse in Psalm 119 refers to some different aspect of God’s Law: the spoken Word of God, the obligations of faith, the promise, the teachings, the rules, the judgment, the rituals and the authority each have a place in our life. We find a life blessed by God’s graciousness when we are obedient. It won’t earn us eternal life, but it will help us to live a life that glorifies God in this world as we wait for the promise He has won for us. The psalmist recognizes the importance of knowing the Word of God and living it obediently in every way.
I have often joked that my gray hair is a sign of wisdom. I suppose that is because it shows that I have lived a long life and that I have experienced many things with give me knowledge about how the world works. It might be somewhat true, but the psalmist wrote, “I understand more than the aged, because I have kept thy precepts.” Wisdom is not necessarily something for the old; the young, like Solomon, can be wise. Wisdom comes to those who seek God, humble themselves before Him, and live obediently to God’s Word.
It is that kind of wisdom we see in today’s Gospel story. Jesus, only twelve years old, sat with the elders in the Temple to discuss the things of God. It is hard for us to imagine a twelve-year-old theologian, but that’s exactly what Jesus was in this story. He was sharing with the learned men His thoughts and understanding about God. As the Son of the Living God, Jesus had more knowledge than any of the others. In this story, though, we see Him also being humble, asking them questions. They were amazed, not only that He was interested, but that He knew the right questions to ask. It was amazing that He had an understanding far beyond His years. Jesus had the wisdom that is more than knowledge and experience.
We will likely hear the question, “What is your New Year’s Resolution?” many times in the next few days. Let us consider that we are seeking the wrong transformation. Solomon knew that he needed more than health and wealth. He needed wisdom. We also need wisdom as we go into the New Year, as we look at the reality of our imperfection and think about ways that we need to be transformed. What changes are needed in our hearts and spirits to become the people that God wants us to be?
We are made citizens of the kingdom of heaven, children of the King, through our baptism into Christ. Yet, we still must live in this world, foreigners living in the midst of the sin and darkness that surrounds those who have not yet heard God’s Word. It would be very easy for us to say that it is not our problem, why take the risks necessary to share the Gospel? After all, it is dangerous business being witnesses for the Christ who is hated by the world.
I know a theologian who has a huge following on the Internet. He recently informed his followers that he has been inundated with negative posts from people who are uninterested in the Gospel message he shares. Some of the posts are disturbing: profanity-laden, blasphemous, and sacrilegious. This means that he must spend a lot of time and work hard to keep his page clean for his followers, a task that is difficult at times. There are certainly Christians around the world that are suffering physical persecution, even death, but most of us face more subtle persecution. He could become so discouraged that he gives us teaching God’s Word, leaving behind the calling and gifts that God gave him to use.
Our Lord has given us all we need to take the risks to share His Word so that they might hear and believe. Jesus Christ was born to die so that we could live forever, and now He calls us to die to self so that we can live for others.
That's why on this last day of 2025, with the scriptures for the first Sunday in 2026, we are asking ourselves the better questions. Rather than resolving to change, let us resolve to seek Wisdom and listen as God leads us in the ways that lead to true transformation. We might be able to fix the surface things, making changes on the outside, but God will help us change from the inside out. As we seek God and ask Him for wisdom, we’ll receive that and everything else will come with it.
Paul reminds us that we have everything we need to live according to God's Word. Sometimes we think we know what we want, or need, but we would do well to see Solomon and Jesus in light of our own spiritual journeys. They were young, but they had the mind of God. They were humble and willing to learn, to seek wisdom. They understood what was truly needed to do what God was calling them to do.
We aren’t Jesus. However, as children of the Father, we can be like Jesus. We can seek His wisdom, and He will give it to us. We can ask the right questions that will not only see change on the surface of our lives, but transformation deep into our very souls. Then as we live according to God’s Word, we will see the changes that will not only make us healthier and more responsible, but even more so, more faithful to God’s intent for our lives. It will take a lifetime, and we will fail time and again, but God will continue to work in us and through us to transform His children into the people He created and redeemed us to be. Until that day, let us be humble and faithful, recognizing our need for God’s grace, constantly seeking the word and will of God for our lives.