Tuesday, November 30, 2021

COME to BETHLEHEM and be NOURISHED - ADVENT/CHRISTMAS 2021

COME to BETHLEHEM and be NOURISHED

Advent Hunger Gives Way to Christmas Fulfillment

Advent/Christmas Devotional Prayers 2021 

By Donna Frischknecht Jackson,

Editor of Presbyterians Today

Plus Howard Thurmond’s Poem “The Sacrament of Christmas”

Week One: An Act of Faith

I make an act of faith toward all humankind,

Where doubts would linger and suspicions brood. HT

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28 - FOUR CANDLE ROOM CHARGE


Jeremiah 33:14-16

Go back to the simple

Appreciate candles lighting darkness

Hope in the midst of gloom

Break bread in the calm of expectation

Truly experience Advent

and not just Christmas chaos

Help me slow down, Lord, and, in small unseen ways, be hope in this hurting world,.  May my bread nourish others.  Amen. 



MONDAY NOVEMBER 29 - SLEEPING WITH BREAD


Isaiah 40: 1, 11

A second pandemic advent beckons

With the world in despair -

Infighting, division, brokenness

May we hold on to the bread of life

And listen to the whispers of our heart

Reminding us that hope is always present

God, nourish us with the spirit of hope alive within as we are filled with gratitude for your many blessings. Amen.



TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30 - ONE WHO COMES WITH BREAD


Psalm 85:10-13

We all need companionship

Latin com-panis – with bread

Seek the lonely, the forgotten

Offer companionship of self

With or without the loaf


Lord, help me take the time to be a difference to another with a visit of love. Amen.





WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 - THE BREAD SONG


John 6:5-11

Whose bread I eat, his song I sing”

An old German proverb asks questions of priority

What tune is humming in my head this Advent?

What In It for Me?” in this Pandemic Me-First World?

Or do I sing the bread song of one who wants

To feed the five thousand like Christ

God of miracles and abundant grace, create in me a selfless heart singing a song of generosity. Amen. 




THURSDAY DECEMBER 2 - ALERTLY RESTING


Psalm 62:5-8

 “I abandon all that I think I am,

all that I hope to be,

all that I believe I possess.

I let go of the past,

I withdraw my grasping hand from the future.

In the great silence of this moment,

I alertly rest my soul.”

-Howard Thurman

God, help us turn off the chatter of the world and find the holy silence we need to be renewed. Amen.


FRIDAY DECEMBER 3 - BEAUTY OUT OF ASHES


Isaiah 61:1-3

Over and over

God takes our messes

The ashey remains of our fires of discord

And turns them into something beautiful

Potash leavens bread

Hardship breeds hope and trust

May we allow God to be at work


Redeeming God, our hearts thank you for the many times you have brought us out of trials, through suffering and restored our brokenness. Amen.



SATURDAY DECEMBER 4 - NEEDING ONE ANOTHER

Genesis 2:18

To ask for help is not a sign of weakness

It is the strength of recognizing our interdependence

Our need for community to work together

Where might I be the strength for another?

When and where should I be relying on the gifts of another?

Love is communal

Forgive us when we become so self-reliant that we shut others out. Forgive us when we are afraid to admit when we need help. Turn our eyes to see the helpers in our lives. Amen.




WEEK TWO: An Act of Joy

I make an act of joy toward all sad hearts,

Where laughter pales and tears abound.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 5 - THE HEEL OF THE BREAD


Micah 5:2

A crusty heel that so many discard

Unworthy of a true sandwich

But not in the eyes of God

God chose Bethlehem to birth a Savior

God works through those we deem unworthy

Over and over again

May we have the eyes of God

To see the worth and value in one another

Help us to see the value, the potential, the goodness and the worth in all that we are too quick to judge and discard. Amen. 



MONDAY DECEMBER 6 - A PLATTER OF FORGOTTEN JOY


Leviticus 24:5

Not ev’ry loaf will have outside beauty

But lingering inside is mouth watering delight

We cannot judge bread, people, or events

By what appears on the surface

Seek the joy, the gifts, the heart, the potential

And give thanks to the Creator

Help us to remember what is ordinary can become extraordinary. Every moment is a moment in which joy can be rekindled in our hearts. Amen.




TUESDAY DECEMBER 7 - HOPE FOR TOMORROW


1 Kings 17:14

Share freely and the cupboards will not be bare

Elijah brings hope to the widow and son

The same hope Christ brings to our hoarding world

A cup of flour or sugar for the neighbor?

A loaf of bread, a coat for the homeless?

What is in our cupboard that could be an offering of joy?


God, forgive us for the many times we have hoarded in fear of not having enough. With trust, may our hearts become ever more generous. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8 - HUNGERING FOR GOD'S WORLD


Amos 8:11-12

Windmills of days long past

Grinding, producing flour in abundance

No longer needed, but still we hunger

For the bread of the Word

God longs to feed us with love, with hope

If only we will come to the mill

O Come, O come, Emmanuel and feed us. Nurture and revive us with the bread of your love. Amen.





THURSDAY DECEMBER 9 -  I WANT TO BE AMISH


Acts 2:46

I want to be Amish”

We hear the voices exclaim

Voices that yearn for a simpler life -

A sacred life lived in community

Sharing possessions and tasks

Breaking bread in unity together 

God, help us to widen our circles of community. Help us to honor the sacredness of living together in peace and with joy. Amen. 




FRIDAY DECEMBER 10 -  BREAD, THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF LOVE


1 Corinthians 10:17

Mantou, nann, pandesal, tortilla

Green mealie or chapati

Bread is universal

A love language of welcome and community

Removing barriers of division into solidarity

Share bread

Share love

May we remember more the many things we have in common with others rather than focus on what keeps us apart. Amen. 



SATURDAY DECEMBER 11  -  ANGEL BISCUITS


Psalm 30:5

Treasured memories

Like old family recipes

Hold fast to the love shared over time

Angel biscuits or pippernutters

Funny stories retold with joy

All reflect love held deep within

And God’s blessings over all

We thank you, Lord, for the many ways we remember with love and joy the heart of those who have passed. Amen.


WEEK THREE:  AN ACT OF STRENGTH

I make an act of strength toward feeble things,

Where life grows dim and death draws near. (HT)

SUNDAY DECEMBER 12  -  THE PIE MAKER


Isaiah 12:2-4

Life in community brings forth

The strengths of each individual

But do we get possessive

And fail to nurture those roles in others?

May we be quick to praise, to smile,

To share God’s grace with all


Lord, Help us to see the potential in everyone we meet and bring harmony back into our lives. Amen.





MONDAY DECEMBER 13  -  THE SONG OF THE BREAD


Luke 2:10-14

Have I ever listened to the bread

As it cools fresh from the oven?

Have I stopped to listen to the hawks

Or the tiny chickadees in the feeder?

God is singing, the angels are singing

And the noise of our hectic world

Drowns out the holy music

Stop and listen...really listen


Ever-singing God, may we listen this Advent to the divine melodies that are all around us. May our ears tune into the holy rather than the hectic. Amen.



TUESDAY DECEMBER 14  -  THE PINK TULLE CHRISTMAS TREE


Matthew 24:36-44

Childhood memories of salvaged décor

Moments of delight and despair

Elicit reminders to take each day with hope

Gratitude for God’s abundant blessings

Knowing God-strength will get us through

All the unknown tomorrows


God, you tell us to not be afraid of what tomorrow might bring, yet we continue to worry and fret. Bring peace to our fainting hearts. Amen.


 


WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15  -  GREEN BANANAS


Psalm 147:1-6

A symbol of hope

within pandemic despair?

Buy green bananas -

A promise they will ripen

God’s promise the world will

Once again see the light

Make banana bread and

Strengthen others with HOPE

God, renew our fainting spirits, for we are tired of living in a pandemic world. We hold on to the promise of the Light of Christ. Amen.


 

THURSDAY DECEMBER 16  -  CANDLES IN THE WINDOW


John 1:1-5

A single window candle glows

Guiding the way to safety,

Welcoming the stranger, the lost

Proclaiming the light of God

Dwells within these walls

Come in – Take rest

And dwell in the Spirit warmth

God of eternal light, help us to see your light shining bright when we are overwhelmed by the darkness of despair and doubt. Amen.

 



FRIDAY DECEMBER 17  -  ONE CUP, MANY HANDLES


1 Corinthians 12:12-14

One cup, many handles

One body, many parts

One world, many nations

One loaf, broken for all

One faith, united in community

One God, One Son, One Spirit

We are all ONE in our many

May our hearts open to the message of the season, that we are not meant to go through life alone. Amen.



SATURDAY DECEMBER 18  -  THE REAL BLESSING IN THE BOX


Matthew 25:34-36

When I reach out to serve others

Are there strings attached?

Do I have hidden motives

That even I don’t always understand?

Give with no regard

If the need is really there

If the gift is used as YOU intended

Or if someone you don’t agree with

Accepts the gift

Give like Jesus...unconditionally.

O God, may our hearts grow more generous, removing the many stumbling blocks we create when seeking to reach out to those who need a blessing. Amen. 


WEEK FOUR:  AN ACT OF TRUST

I make an act of trust toward all life,

Where fears preside and distrusts keep watch.


SUNDAY DECEMBER 19 -  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE


Zephaniah 3:14-18

A load of bread, hunger no more

A pinch of salt to add zest to life

A bottle of wine for prosperity

Gifts to welcome a new home

Thank you George Bailey and movies

Do we welcome enough?

To the outcast, the refugee, the homeless?

What gifts might I bring?


As you open our eyes to the “inns” that are vacant, open our hearts as well so that we become more loving and more generous. Amen. 



MONDAY DECEMBER 20 -  OUR DAILY BREAD


Matthew 6:11-13

Four hundred plus times in scripture

Bread is mentioned

A feeding trough birth,

In a lowly village meaning ‘House of Bread’

Is it really food we hunger for?

Or the ‘bread of life’ itself in Christ-form

May we feed daily on Jesus

On his actions, his message….

And then feed others

Sustainer God, give us this day not just a yeasty loaf to ease our grumbling stomachs. Give us daily the Bread of Life — Jesus. Amen. 



TUESDAY DECEMBER 21  -  THE COMMUNAL BREAD OVEN


Luke 1: 41-45

Mary and Elizabeth met in community

Sharing a common gift from God

What brings us together as One?

The communion of bread and wine

The community of bread baking together

Sharing joys and concerns

Living life connected with one another

Dear God, it is too easy to shut ourselves off from each other. Help us gather together and be nourished. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22  -  GLAD SURPRISES


Genesis 18:3-6

Visits from angels in disguise

Glad surprises that offer much more

Than what we see on the surface

Moments when God reaches deep within

To offer peace, assurance,

To stretch our faith, our trust

Be open, be receptive, and welcome

The unexpected visits

God, you who know the plans you have for us, may we not be hesitant or fearful to accept the life-changing, glad surprises you gift us with. Amen. 



THURSDAY DECEMBER 23  - TEACHING OUR CHILDREN


Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Does Santa Claus bring Christmas?

Or does it come with gifts from the heart -

Gifts that share the love of Christ

With those less fortunate

Teach the children ‘Joy to the World’

And bless others in the celebration

God, no matter our age, we are all your “little children” in need of being reminded every day to keep your commands, especially the one in which you ask us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Amen.



FRIDAY DECEMBER 24  -  SEARCHING FOR ANGELS


Luke 2:8-12

Why do we search for angels

Miracles to come down from heaven…

And fail to see the wings on our neighbor,

The flutter of grace surrounding us

Every day and in so many ways?

Angels ARE among us

With often familiar faces

We must open our eyes and recognize

They might look like you and me

May we hear the words of hope, love, peace and grace that come from friends, loved ones and even strangers. Amen. 


CHRISTMASTIDE - AN ACT OF LOVE

I make an act of love toward friend and foe,

Where trust is weak and hate burns bright.

CHRISTMAS DAY - LONGING FOR HOME


Titus 2:11–14 

What means Christmas to me over the years?

What says HOME in the deepest of ways?

The smell of cardamom?

The banter of sons who love each other dearly?

The warmth of fire and friends?

Hunting for my stocking because Santa sent the Easter bunny?    (I LOVED my dad!)

Christmas is LOVE -

the Love of family and friends,

but mostly the LOVE that came down to earth to dwell among us.

May I be LOVE today. 

God, on this Christmas Day, may you take the longings and aches of our hearts and transform them into something beautiful. May peace and joy fill our homes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26  -  BOWLS OF WARM PORRIDGE


Luke 2:25-32

Bringing cold chickens a warm meal

A loaf of bread to a shut-in elder

Un-self and reach out to others

Put their needs ahead of your own

Step outside your own world

And you’ll find in the process

Your world has become brighter

The LOVE a little stronger

God, Help us this day to share that gift of care with others who might be blessed by the warmth of being seen, heard and loved. Amen.



MONDAY DECEMBER 27  --  GIVING OUR BEST TO GOD


1 Corinthians 10:31b

What gift can I bring to the God of Love?

What gift will I bring to the baby child?

Our gifts need not be expensive or even special

But they must be from the heart

Our truest gifts are those given of our time

Our talents, and perhaps our treasure

Our best gifts are when we give to God

The very best of ourselves

The very best God gave to us

Giving God, may all our gifts today be the best we have to offer, knowing you gave the ultimate gift to us. Amen.


TUESDAY DECEMBER 28  --  I SHALL NOT LIVE IN VAIN


Psalm 146:5–10 

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not have lived in vain”

Words from poet Dickinson echo true today

Will the simple act of baking bread

Sustain a broken heart,

an imprisoned heart,

Or a broken body?

Bread kneaded in community,

Hearts kneaded together…

One loaf at a time

God of all, Help our hearts awaken to the beauty in all your children. Lead us into ways we can heal this hurting world. Amen.





WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29  --  DARE TO LIVE AUTHENTICALLY


Galatians 1:10

Do I live my life restricted by the bounds of society?

Forced to update, upgrade,

Constantly on the move?

Or do I live with my deepest dreams at the forefront?

The gifts and desires God has planted within

Allowed to be nurtured and grow?

Do I have the faith, the strength to live a life

Authentically and in touch with my Creator?

God, you know the dreams we hold in our hearts because you are the one who has placed them there. Give us courage this day to live as the child you created us to be. Amen 



THURSDAY DECEMBER 30  --  THE DAY OLD BREAD BIN


Matthew 25:36-40

I once HAD to shop from the day old bins

When resources were tight

But I need not any longer as my wealth grows

Does my heart grow also

To remember those days and

Those who must now shop with price always in mind?

Can the bin remind me of a community

And be generous with all that I have?

Do unto the least of these”

God of plenty, Open our eyes to see who might be reaching into the day-old bread bin, and then lead us to ways we can feed your children. Amen. 


FRIDAY DECEMBER 31 --  MAKING A PATH


Proverbs 3:5-6

Like grooming a hill for a good sled run

We must make a path to the divine

We clear the time to spend with God

We climb the snowy hills to find the holy

We do what is hard

To make way for what is sacred

That is the only resolution we need

As we greet a new year


God, you who make all things new, help us clear the path to those blessed moments in our day when we just sit quietly with you. Amen.



SATURDAY JANUARY 1  -  HAVE A BLESSED DAY


Isaiah 43:18-19

Can we wish parting blessings

On one another rather than

A simple goodbye?

This coming year may be focus

On seeing the divine in all

The blessing of God’s presence

In every aspect of our lives

Can we BE the blessing for another

And share God’s love each day

In some small, but significant way?

God, let the mediation of my heart and the words of my mouth, be pleasing to you and to all who hear me. Amen. 


SUNDAY JANUARY 2  -  A TWIG WHISK


1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

Many small straw sticks banded together

Whisk up the cake batter light and fluffy

Many hands working in community

Can stir up hope amid despair

We must band together

Encouraging each other

For we all are stronger

When love ties us together

God, We are not meant to journey alone. Help us work together, especially for justice for the suffering and neglected. Amen.




MONDAY JANUARY 3 -  STIRRING UP OUR FAITH


2 Timothy 1:6-7

Anglicans make fruitcake on StirUp Sunday

A reminder to put our gifts into action

To get outside our comfort zone

And galvanize for justice

To be the spark that initiates change

To mix love and hope into the pot

And taste the results of faith

What can I stir up today?

God, stir up our faith today. Stir up our desire to speak boldly for those who have been wronged. Stir us up to work for justice. 



TUESDAY JANUARY 4 -  BRINGING GOOD TIDINGS


Isaiah 52:7-9

Where do my feet take me?

To those places hurting and in despair?

May my path reflect the song of the angels

May I bring good tidings to those I encounter

May I seek to proclaim God’s love,

God’s peace in our hurting world

How beautiful are the mountains!

How good when we bring God’s beauty

Residing within all to the surface

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!

God, guide our feet this day to where you want us to be and who needs to hear tidings of peace, joy, and love. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY JANUARY 5 -  HOPE NEVER DIES


John 6:35

In a year of dissent and despair

Where division seemed rampant

Hope blooms in unexpected places

One act of kindness and support

Can turn the tide of misery

In a new opportunity

The Bread of Life feeds us

With a diet of hope and love

We will never be hungry

God, on this Epiphany Eve may we be reminded over and over of your presence in the past and in the future. You are hope fulfilled. Amen


EPIPHANY IS HERE!

I make a deed to God of all my days –

And look out on life with quiet eyes.  (H Thurman)

THURSDAY JANUARY 6 -  OUR EPIPHANY MOMENTS

Ephesians 5:8

The wisemen followed the Light

Can we do the same?

To walk and live as children of the Light

To spread the Light of Love

The Light of Hope

The Light of God

In every action we take

The Promise of Christmas is still shining

We simply must look into the darkness

And see it

God of wonder, God of light, keep shining upon us as we seek to serve the lost, the lonely, the broken and the misunderstood. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 




I felt the need to gather up an individual wiseman and camel from each of my creches and create a photo collage of them all coming to the stable by the light of the star.  I hope that we are a people from such diverse backgrounds can come together within God's Light. 































































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