Ocome,Ocome,Emmanuel…Adventisatimeofpreparation,notmerelytoprepareourselvesforChristmas,buttoprepareourheartstoreceiveChrist,ourSavior,whoreceivesallofusintoHislovingembrace.Andonewaytohelpusprepareisthroughthespiritualdisciplineofprayer,Scripturereading,andmeditation.Wehopethisdevotionalcanhelptoservejustthatpurposeaswecollectivelypray,“Ocome,Ocome,Emmanuel.”Althoughmanyofourdevotionalwritersmayfocusonafewversesasthebasisoftheirreflection,weencourageyoutoreadeachpassagelistedinfullbeforereadingwhateachpersonhastoofferaswejourneythroughtheseasonofAdventtogether.Churchmembersandfriendsofallages(alongwithafewspecialanimalfriends!)fromBoontonUMCandMontvilleUMCofferedtosharetheirreflectionsononeofseverallectionarypassagesprovidedforeachday.Thankyoutoallourcontributorsforyourwitnessandministryinthisendeavor.WearealsogratefultoLindaBrennanwhodesignedourbeautifulAdventcoverthisyear.Now,weencourageyoutograbyourBibleandthisdevotional,perhapswithajournalandpeninhand,andfindaquietspacewhereyoucanfocusonGod.Bycarvingouttimeeachdaytoconsidertheperspectivessharedinthisdevotional,maywefindourselvesmoremindfulofourEmmanuel,Godwithus,inourmidstwitheachandeverypassingday.PastorDonaldKirschner

Sunday,December2,2018Psalm25:1-10Myfavoritepartofthisreadingis“Makemetoknowyourways,OLord;teachmeyourpaths.Leadmeinyourtruth,andteachme,foryouaretheGodofmysalvation;foryouIwaitalldaylong”(25:4-5).Itmakesmethinkofthepeopleinthetimethispsalmwaswritten,waitingforthecomingoftheLord.WesometimestaketheteachingsofJesusandhisfollowersintheNewTestamentforgranted.IknowIdo.WehaveneverknownatimebeforeJesushadcome.AswebeginthisAdventseasontoday,letusrememberthatGodgaveushisSonthatwemightlearnfromhim.Andletusalsorememberwhatourpassagegoesontostate:“GoodanduprightistheLord;therefore,heinstructssinnersintheway.Heleadsthehumbleinwhatisright,andteachesthehumblehisway”(25:8-9).Prayer:DearGod,thankyouforsendingusyourSon,Jesus,thatwecouldgrowandlearnyourwaysthroughhisexampleandteachings.Helpustounderstandwhatpathyouwouldhaveusfollow.BewithusthroughthisAdventseason,asweonceagainawaithiscoming.Amen.KarenKing,Boonton

Monday,December3,20181Thessalonians3:9-13PaulistalkingtotheChurchatThessalonica,explainingthatheisjoyfulandwantstothankGodforthecontinuedfaithandeffortsoftheThessalonianchurch.Paulandhisfollowerswanttoassisttheminstrengtheningtheirfaithfurther.Paul’sdesireisforthemembersoftheThessalonianchurchtogrowintheirlove,notonlyforeachother,buteveryoneelse.Atthistimeofyear,theseversesremindusofGod’sloveinsendinghisSontoteachustoloveandcareforeachother.PerhapsthisisalsoamessageforustoassistandencourageothersintheirfaithbecauseGod’spresencebringssuchjoytous,asevidencedinverse12:“MaytheLordmakeyourloveincreaseandoverflowforeachotherandforeveryoneelse.”TheGospelisnotonlywhatwebelievebutalsowhatwemustlive—livesthatarefaithfulandbold,yetsensitiveandself-sacrificing.Prayer(verse13paraphrased):MayGodstrengthenourheartssothatwewillbeblamelessandholyinthepresenceofourHeavenlyFatherwhenourLordJesuscomeswithallhisholyones.Amen.FaithandFellowshipSmallGroup,Montville

Tuesday,December4,20182Samuel7:18-29Intoday’spassage,DavidpraisesGod,againandagain.HeisthankfulforGod’sloveandgrace,andtheblessingofhishouse,andthefamilyforgenerations.Godissogreatthatitmayseemlikeasmallthing,butitisbig.Myself,whenIturnonmycomputer,smartphone,radio,orTV,Ihearofterriblesufferingfromdisasters(andImeanjustintheUnitedStates;thereismuchintheworldIknownothingabout).IshouldsayI’mremindedofthesuffering,becausewhenI’mjustgoingaboutmyday...doingthings...thatneedtobedone...I’mnotthinkingaboutit.SoitoccurstomethatIamsoblessedtohaveahouse.It’samess,butit’saplacetobesafe,andit’sours,andwearefamily.Andyes,Iamsoblessedwithfamily.IappreciatethefactthatIamabletodosimplethingswithpeopleIlove,andI’mremindedthattherearesomanystrickenpeoplewhohavelostlovedones,andwhoarenotabletodothesimplestoftasksordonothavearooforasafeplace.Prayer:Letmeremember,overandover,howblessedweare,tokeepmyeyesopentosmallandlovelypleasures,andtovalueeverydaywithfamilyandfriends.Thankyou.Thankyou.Amen.AmyWhitmer,Boonton

Wednesday,December5,2018Luke11:29-32Thisscripturepassagecanbeentitled“TheSignofJonah.”Inverse29,Jesus,speakingtothecrowd,pointsoutthattheyareawickedgeneration,askforasign,andthattheonlysigntheywillgetisthesignofJonah.AsJonahwasasigntotheNinevites,wholistenedtohispreachingandrepentedoftheirevilwaysandwerenotdestroyed,Jesuswouldbeasigntohiscurrentgeneration,whichdidnotrepentandwhowerecondemnedbytheQueenoftheSouth(Sheba),whodiddestroythem.Insummary,historycouldwellberepeatingitself.OurpresentgenerationinthiscountryisturningfromtheteachingsofGod,andwetoocouldbedestroyed.Prayer:Lord,helpustounderstand“TheSignofJonah”andunderstanditssignificancethatwetoomustrepentandlivelivesclosertoyourteachings.Onlywiththisunderstandingcanwehavechangedheartsandlivestoserveyoubetter.Amen.RichardStone,MontvilleThursday,December6,2018Philippians1:12-18aEveryChristmassincemymid-teens,Iover-plannedforChristmas.Soitseemsthatthe“reasonfortheseason”wasabitshovedintothebackgroundasIworkedthroughmy“to-do”lists.Iworkedhardandlate,forgettingsomethingsandsearchingtoofarandwideforaspecialtoy,andsometimesgettingimpatient.ButPaulremindsusofthespecialgiftthatcameatChristmas.So,whileitcanbefunto“shop‘tilwedrop,”itisimportanttokeepourSaviordeepinourheartsatalltimesandthankGodfortheGreatestGiftofallthatwasgiventoeachofus.

OneChristmasatcollege,ItookaseasonaljobatwhatIcalleda“miniatureFortunoff”inMillburn,NJ.IwasexcusedfromafternoonclassesandexamsuntilaftertheholidaysbutIwassotiredthattheChristmasspiritjustdisappeared.Iwatchedpeoplebuyingexpensivejewelryforthemselvesaswellasotheritems.IhadtoanswerthephonefortheservicedepartmentandtellcustomersthattheirengravedorderspromisedforChristmasdidnotcomebackintime.Tome,manyofthepurchaseswereasymbolofgreed.Ilearnedalotfromthoseweeks.AndIhadtogiftwrap24largeSaltonhottrays(“thegiftoftheyear”forthatyear).AsIgrowolder,mylistshavebecomeshorter,butIstilltrytodotoomuch.AswegetfurtherintoAdvent,taketimeforyourselfforquietreflectionaboutGod’sgiftandwhyitwasgiven(thisAdventbookletisagreattoolforhelpingus).TellthepeopleyoumeetthatitistheseasontocelebrateChrist’sbirthday,notjustasanyholiday,notjustatimetoshopandparty.Wish“MerryChristmas”toallandthankGodandpraiseHimwithallyourheart.Prayer:DearLord,aswegoaboutallourChristmaschores,wethankyouforthewonderfulgiftyougavethroughyourSon.HelpusnotforgetthatthisiswhywecelebrateChristmasandhelpustaketimetoreflectupontheGiftandpraiseyouforourSaviorthroughouteachday.Helpustomakegivinganimportantpartoftheseason.ForasyougaveusJesus,ourgivingneedstobeanimportantpartofourthankstoyou.Helpustoremembermembersofourfamiliesandfriendsnearandfarandshareourjoyandthankfulnesswiththem.HelpustomakeourreflectionsonJesusmoreimportantthanallthelistsofchores,shopping,cards,etc.HelpustomakethisChristmasatruereflectionofthanksforyourgreatgift.InyourSon’snamewepray.AmenLauraBeyer,Boonton

Friday,December7,2018Philippians1:18b-26Inverse18,Paulsays“theimportantthingisthatineveryway…Christispreached.AndbecauseofthisIrejoice.”Paulfrequentlytalksofjoyeventhoughheisoftenfacingdifficulttimes—asatthistime,heisaprisonerinRome.Intheseverses,healsotalksabouthisbeing.IndeathhewouldbeinChrist,whichishisultimategoal.But,ashehasnotyetbeencalledhome,heisdeterminedtogoonservingGodbyencouragingthechurchatPhilippi.Heseeshispurposeasguidingthemsotheymayprogressandfindjoyinthefaiththroughhisefforts.WemightevensurmisethatPaulwouldwantthoseheknewtoliveinharmonywithothersaswellasinobediencetoGodandknowthejoyinChristJesus.Asjoyisathemeintheseverses,letusremembertofindjoyeachdayofAdventandinthecomingyearnomatterhowdifficultthingsmayseem.MaywealwayssearchforthelightandseeChristamongus.Prayer:DearHeavenlyFather,pleasehelpustofollowChristinourdailyliveswithhopeandjoyandpraise,nomatterhowdifficultthingsare.MaywefollowPaul’sexampleandliveinChrist.Amen.FaithandFellowshipSmallGroup,MontvilleSaturday,December8,2018Luke9:1-6“ThenJesuscalledthetwelvetogetherandgavethempowerandauthorityoveralldemonsandtocurediseases,andhesentthemouttoproclaimthekingdomofGodandtoheal.”-Luke9:1-2

• Who’syourfavoritesuperhero?MermaidArielo Why?Sheusedherpowersandisnice.

• IsJesusasuperhero?No• WhatpowersdidJesushave?AlotlikeElsa’spowers.

“Hesaidtothem,‘Takenothingforyourjourney,nostaff,norbag,norbread,normoney—notevenanextratunic.’”-Luke9:3

• Ifyouwentonatrip,whatwouldyouwanttotakewithyou?Elsa,Anna,Olaf,andMommy

• Whatwouldyousayifyouweretoldyoucouldn’ttakeanything?Iwouldbesad.

“Whateverhouseyouenter,staythere,andleavefromthere.Wherevertheydonotwelcomeyou,asyouareleavingthattownshakethedustoffyourfeetasatestimonyagainstthem.”-Luke9:4-5

• Whatdoestheword“welcome”meantoyou?Hello• Howwouldyoufeelifsomeonewasn’twelcoming(nice)to

you?Sad,becauseIdon’tlikebadpeople.Ionlylikegoodpeople.

• Doyoulikeshakingthedustoffyourfeet(orscrapingyuckythingsoffyourshoes)onawelcomemat?Yes

o Why?It’simportantsowedon’tgetgermsinside.• Ifyouhadadancemovethatinvolvedshakingsomething

off,whatwouldyoucallyourdancemove?Dancemover• DoesJesusliketowelcomepeoplewhocometohis

doorstep?Yeso Why?Becauseheisnice.

• DoesJesuseverhavetoshakethingsoff?No

“Theydepartedandwentthroughthevillages,bringingthegoodnewsandcuringdiseaseseverywhere.”-Luke9:6

• What’ssomegoodnewsyouwanttosharewithotherstoday?Kisses

• WhatdoyouwanttopraytoJesusabouttoday?:JesuslovesmethisIknow(singing).

Kara(age3),Boonton

Sunday,December9,2018Malachi3:1-4TheAdventSeasonisatimeofpreparationforallandMalachiemphasizedthisinthisreading.Malachiwasaprophetaround500yearsbeforeChristandaftertheTemplehadbeenrebuilt.ThisreadingreferstothefactthateventhoughtheTemplehadbeenrebuilt,justiceforthepeoplebythepeoplewasnothappening.Also,thepeople’sbehaviorhadbroughtintoquestiondivinejustice.ThepassagesaysthatGod’smessengerwillbecomingsuddenlyandwhenleastexpectedtorefineandpurifyGod’speople,astheyhadagainlosttheirwaytoGod.Messengerscanbringgoodnewsorpainfulnews,orthenewscanbeawesome,yetproducefear.Theexampleheusesistherefiningprocess of preciousmetals. The process removes the impuritiesthrough fire and the process could be repeated several times.Likewise,God’speoplearerefinedforGod’sworksthroughoutourlives.AsChristians,weshouldbeabletoacceptthismessagewithjoybecauseweknowthemessenger, in thiscase Jesus,bringsusGod’ssalvationandHispresenceinourlivesandintheworld.Therefining process for us brings us to focus on others more thanourselves.Thisprocesscanbeeasierforsomethanothers.YoucanreducetherefiningprocessbystudyingtheBible,listeningtoGod’sdirectioninourlives,andthenbeingamessengertoothers.Thequestionthenis:HowwillyourespondtoGod’smessenger?Prayer:HelpusthisAdventseasontoprepareourheartsforJesus’comingasHEistheonlypuretotallyrefinedgiftofGod’slove.HelpustoshowthisloveeachdaytoothersandtolookfortheopportunitiespresentedtoussowecanbethemessengersofGod’sandJesus’love.Amen.ReneeandRonGilbert,Montville

Monday,December10,2018Psalm126Godrescuesusfromtribulationsandanxieties.Whatdoyouneedrescuingfromtoday?"TheLordhasdonegreatthingsforus,andwearefilledwithjoy.Restoreourfortunes,OLord,likethestreamsinNegev"(126:3-4).Ingratitudeforhisgifts,weshouldexpressourownjoyandglorifyhim.Weshouldactwithpatienceforhishelpandsustenance.God'spowerreleasesusfromsinandbringsusbacktohimasheshowsusmercy."Thosewhosowintearswillreapwithsongsofjoy"(v.5),andthisisbecauseofhisloveandcompassion.Godpromisesushewillneverabandonusorfailtocometoouraidinhisowntimeandhisownway.AreyouinneedofaskingGodtodirectyousoyoucanconquerchallengesinyourlifetoday?Godisalwayspresentwaitingforourprayers.HisultimateexampleofgenerosityandunconditionalloveisdemonstratedbyJesusChrist'ssacrifice.Prayer:DearFather,thankyouforbeingwithusinthemidstofcrucialtimes.Openourheartsingratitude.Letuspraiseyouforyourabundantblessingsyoubestowuponus.Amen.LarryKorinda,Boonton

Tuesday,December11,20182Peter1:2-15Self-SacrificeAfamilyconsistsofalotofdifferentpersonalities.Welivetogetherandhavetogetalongtoco-exist…ifwedon’t,wehaveturmoilandunrest.Youwouldthinkthatifwelovedeachother,wewouldsurelygetalong.Really?Recently,Ivisitedanearbyzoo,andbecauseitwaslateautumn,manyoftheanimalswerenotthere.Icameuponaporcupineandwasamazedtoreadthataporcupinehas30,000quills!Whenaporcupinegrowscold,heseekswarmthbyhuddlingwithanotherporcupine…andastheydo…unfortunately,theyneedleeachotherandpullapart…onlytobecomecoldagain.Theyhaveapredicament—theyhavetolearnhowtonothurteachother.Personalitydifferencesarelikethequillsofaporcupine.Theycangettangledandcausehurt.WemustworkatourrelationshipstodemonstrateChrist-likequalitiesoflove,compassion,self-sacrificeandaforgivingspirit.Self-sacrificeislovingsomeoneunselfishly.Self-sacrificeisagainstourhumannature,yetitshouldbepartofour“newnature.”Ifeachofushadanattitudeofself-sacrifice,whatachangewouldcomeaboutintheatmosphereofourhomes.Prayer:CreatorGod,weaskthatyoucontinuetoshowustheway,toaccompanyusonourjourney.Pleasebewithusalongthetwistsandturnsofourlives.Enableustoshowcompassion,forgivenessandlovetoeachother.DuringthisAdventseason,helpustolearnself-sacrifice,toprepareourheartsforthebirthofJesus;yourSonandourSavior.AmenAnnetteThurkauf,Boonton

Wednesday,December12,2018Isaiah35:3-7WhenwethinkabouttheChristmasseason,dowestopandthinkaboutwhatthisseasontrulymeans?DoweunderstandthatGodhasalreadygivenusthebestgiftwecouldeverbegiven,whichissalvationthroughthebodyandbloodofJesusChrist?Ordowe,instead,stressourselvesoutwithtryingtofindtheperfectgiftsforfamilymembersorfriends,whenperhapswhatweshouldbedoingissharingtheGoodNewsofJesusChrist,especiallyaswepreparetocelebratehisbirth?ImagineaChristmaswithnoperfectlywrappedpackagesunderthetree.But,instead,spendingthedaysharingthejoy,love,andpeaceofthismiraculouseventwiththosewelove,andembracingthetruemeaningofChristmas.Idoubtmanyofuswoulddojustthat,myselfincluded.ButwhatwecandoistakesometimeduringtheAdventseasontoletGodknowhowthankfulweareforthegiftofJesusChristbyspendingtimeinprayerandmeditation.AstheprophetIsaiahproclaimedtotheIsraelitesincaptivityallthoseyearsago,“Bestrong!Don’tfear!Here’syourGod,comingwithavengeance;withdivineretributionGodwillcometosaveyou”(35:4).OpenyoureyesandlookdeepwithinyourselvesforthespiritofGod,andletitworkwithinyou.LetyourearswelcomeGod’swordsasyoupray.LetallofusleaplikedeerandspeakofGod’shopetothosewhodonotknowChristasweprepareforthebirthofourKing.Emmanuel,Emmanuel…Godwithusforalleternity.Prayer:Lordyouhavegivenuslifeandblessedusabundantlywithyourlove.HelpustorememberthatthebestgiftwecouldshareisthegiftoftheGoodNewsofJesusChrist.Bewithus,Lord,aswecelebrateyourbirth.Andprovideforusaheartthatiswillingtoloveallpeople,regardlessofrace,color,orcreed.Emmanuel,Emmanuel…howblessedarewetobecalledyourchildren.Amen.DebraCatena,Boonton

Thursday,December13,20182Corinthians8:1-8Eveninthemidstofgreatafflictionandextremepoverty,peoplecanfindabundantjoyanddisplaygenerosity.Thiswasthecaseforthepeopleinourpassagetoday.Thesegenerousbelieverswerealsodescribedasnotjustgivingaccordingtotheirmeans,butbeyondtheirmeans,anddoingsogladlyforthesakeofothers.Howmightwebecalledtogladlygivebeyondourmeansforthesakeofothers,especiallyaroundoneofthemostgivingholidaysoftheyear?Thegenerosityofthepeoplewasasignofthegenuinenessoftheirlove,anditwassomethingtheyconsideredtobeaprivilege,ratherthananobligation.AsChristmasDaydrawsevercloser,howcanyoudisplaygenerosityasasignofgenuineloveforGod?Andwhatwoulditlooklikeforyoutoembarkona“generousundertaking”thisseason(v.7)?Whateverembarkationyoudecideupon,letusrememberthatJesusembarkedonthemostgenerousundertakingofall:becomingpoor,sothatwemightbecomerich;dying,sothatwecouldfindlife.Andthatgenerousactofloveiswhatkeepsusspurredontowardgenerosity,whetherwe’reagiraffeorafriendofMontvilleorBoontonUMC.Prayer:God,stretchournecksandheartstowardalifeofgenerousliving,wheresharingisviewedasaprivilege,andwhereallourgivingstemsfromourdeeploveforyouandourdesiretohelpothers.Amen.GeraldtheGenerousGiraffe,KenyaHighRiseUMC

Friday,December14,2018Isaiah12:2-6“Inthatdayyouwillsay:‘GivepraisetotheLORD,proclaimhisname;makeknownamongthenationswhathehasdone,andproclaimthathisnameisexalted.SingtotheLORD,forhehasdonegloriousthings;letthisbeknowntoalltheworld.’”-Isaiah12:4-5AlthoughweknowthatsalvationisonlyobtainedthroughacceptingJesusChrist,livingthatinthedaytodayisharderforsomeofusthanothers.Wetakehimforgranted,knowinghewillbethereforus,butwhathavewedoneforhimlately?Givehimpraise,proclaimwhathehasdone.Weshouldnotbesittingidlyby,quietlybeingthemeekchurchmouseChristian.Instead,weshouldbesingingoutallhehasdoneforus.HowhaveyousungoutyourpraisesforGodtoday?Didyoushare,didyoupray,didyoureadyourBible,didyougiveuntotheleastasifitwashim?Didyousingtohim,tellhimhowmuchyoulovehim,askwhatyoucandoforhim?IfyouwenthometobewithGodtoday,wouldithavebeenalongtimesinceyourlastlovelettertohim,youlastsongofpraise?Remember,arelationshiptakeseffortfrombothsides,notjustone.Ifsomethingislacking,itisnotonGod’spart;maybeyouaremissingout.Prayer:DearLord,letmesingtoyoudaily.LetmeproclaimyourwondersandloveinallIdotoeveryoneImeet.Letyourexampleofgraceandloveshinethroughmedaily.Amen.LisaLoper,Boonton

Saturday,December15,2018Luke1:57-66Iinviteyoutoreadthefollowingpassagethreetimes,followingthepromptsprovidedbelowforeachreading:57NowthetimecameforElizabethtogivebirth,andsheboreason.58HerneighborsandrelativesheardthattheLordhadshownhisgreatmercytoher,andtheyrejoicedwithher.59Ontheeighthdaytheycametocircumcisethechild,andtheyweregoingtonamehimZechariahafterhisfather.60Buthismothersaid,“No;heistobecalledJohn.”61Theysaidtoher,“Noneofyourrelativeshasthisname.”62Thentheybeganmotioningtohisfathertofindoutwhatnamehewantedtogivehim.63Heaskedforawritingtabletandwrote,“HisnameisJohn.”Andallofthemwereamazed.64Immediatelyhismouthwasopenedandhistonguefreed,andhebegantospeak,praisingGod.65Fearcameoveralltheirneighbors,andallthesethingsweretalkedaboutthroughouttheentirehillcountryofJudea.66Allwhoheardthemponderedthemandsaid,“Whatthenwillthischildbecome?”For,indeed,thehandoftheLordwaswithhim.

1. Readthetextoutloud.Whatwords,sentences,ideas,orimagescametoyouaswordsofhopeandencouragement?

2. Readthetextoutloudasecondtime.Whatwords,sentences,ideas,orimagesdidyoufinddisturbing,challenging,orbeggingforfurtherelaboration?

3. Takeafewmomentstoreadthroughthetextsilently.WhatisthelessonyouthinkGodwouldlikeyoulearnfromthisreadingtoday?

Anonymous,Montville

Sunday,December16,2018Luke3:7-18Theseversesgofromharshchastisementstotheaffirmationofthelong-awaitedpromiseofthecomingoftheOnetobesenttothepeoplebyGod.JohntheBaptist’sannouncementoftheGoodNewscomesinwhatwemightcalla“mixedbag,”withwordsofcondemnationandwarning.WerecognizethatJohnisdemandingrepentance,andhetellsusthattheonetocomewillbaptizewiththeHolySpiritandfire,willseparatethechafffromthegrain,andburnthechaffinanever-endingfire.HowdifferentthisisfromourvisionofthebabyJesus,bringingpeaceandjoy.Weliveinatimewhenweareencouragedtorepent,tochangeourways,sothatwemaybetruefollowersofJesus.Wearenolongerthreatenedwitheternaldamnationandpubliclychastised,butinvitedtobeincommunitywithoneanotherasChristians.TheministryofJesusChristwasverydifferentfromtheministryofJohntheBaptist.Johnmayhave“preparedtheway,”butJesus“showedusTheWay”.Jesusshowedusthewaytolivealifeofoutreach,service,caringandlove.LivingtheChristianlifedoesbringusthatpeaceandjoythatweenvisionlyinginthemangerinBethlehem.Prayer:Lord,weacknowledgethatweneedtoexaminethewayweliveourlivesandneedtomakechangesinordertobeinarightrelationshipwithGod.Helpustocontinuetolearnallthatyourlifeonearthbroughttous—fromthebabeinthemanger,totheteacherandhealer,toyourastoundingsacrificeonthecross.Amen.LeeVink,Boonton

Monday,December17,2018Hebrews13:7-17“ReezusRisterisruhrameresterray,rooray,randrorever.”–Hebrews13:8(NRDV–NewRevisedDogVersion)“JesusChrististhesameyesterday,today,andforever.”-Hebrews13:8(NRSV–NewRevisedStandardVersion)AsIgofromkenneltofosterhomeuntilIfindmyforeverhome,andastheseasonschangearoundme,IfindmyselfgratefulthatJesusChristremainsthesameeveryday,nomatterhowmanychangesIgothrough.WhenhaveyoubeengratefulforChrist’sconstantandconsistentpresenceinyourlife?WhatisaboutGod’slove,aspresentedinChrist,thatyouclingtoasyougothroughlife’supsanddowns?“Rorreerreeravroerastingritty,rutreerarrookingrorrarittyratrisrooruhm.”-Hebrews13:14(NRDV)“Forherewehavenolastingcity,butwearelookingforthecitythatistocome.”-Hebrews13:14(NRSV)WemaynothavehadapermanentresidencywithDonaldandKatherine,muchlikehumansdon’thavepermanentresidencyonearth,butwearegratefultoknowthatwenowhaveapermanentresidencetocallhome,justlikeallhumanswillsomedayhaveapermanentresidencyinheaven(aplacewhereIheartherearedogstoo,andalltheglorifiedhumansfeedyouasmanyscrapsoffthetableasyouwant!).Lifeisn’tasruffaswethoughtafterall.Rare:ReerRod,rankroororruvingrusrandrivingrusruhrunderuhlrome.Ramen.Prayer:DearGod,thankyouforlovingusandgivingusawonderfulhome.Amen.Marco,Dugan,andBobbie

Tuesday,December18,2018Acts28:23-31“TheyarrangedtomeetPaulonacertainday,andcameinevenlargernumberstotheplacewherehewasstaying.Hewitnessedtothemfrommorningtillevening,explainingaboutthekingdomofGod,andfromtheLawofMosesandfromtheProphetshetriedtopersuadethemaboutJesus.Somewereconvincedbywhathesaid,butotherswouldnotbelieve.”-Acts28:23-24ThepassagespeakstohowPaulstartedpreachingthewordofGodandabouttheLordJesusChristfromhishometoanyonewhowouldlistenandbeopenminded.Pauldidsoboldlyandwithoutreservation.Despitesomedifficulties,Paulwaspersistenttoconvincenon-believersthatJesuswastheprophetwhowassentherefortheirsalvation.TheyremindmetodothesameasPauldespitethechallenges.Thattherewillbesomepeoplewhorefusetobelieveandthatweshouldprayforthem.Insomecases,itmaytakesometimeforpeopletoembracethewordofGodandtoacceptourLordJesusChristintotheirlives.Iunderstandthosewhoarenot“convinced”,butIhavehope.Prayer:DearLord,pleasehelpustospreadyourgoodwordandtohavefaithdespiteourchallenges.Amen.MichaelBolen,Boonton

Wednesday,December19,2018Isaiah11:1-9“Hewillnotjudgebywhatheseeswithhiseyes,ordecidebywhathehearswithhisears;butwithrighteousnesshewilljudgetheneedy,withjusticehewillgivedecisionsforthepooroftheearth.”-Isaiah11:3b-4a(NIV)Thepassageistellingustostopjudgingothersbywhatwethink,whatweperceivewesee,orwhatwethinkwemayhaveheard.Tonotjudge,buttoloveoneanotherasGodshowshislovetous.Toputasidepreconceivednotionsofoneanotherandtosincerelyandhonestlybesidebysidewithoneanother.Thispassageisaguidetoourmoralsenseofhowsocietyshouldbe.Thisisshowingustheneedforchangesinourandsociety.Toputourfearsasideandtrulyliveinharmonywithoneanother.Forthiswillbringusalltremendouspeaceandjoy.Prayer:DearGod,letusseethatthedifferencesamongracesandculturesaremanifestationsofYourdoing.OpenourheartsandourmindstocelebrateoursimilaritiesanddifferencesamongYourpeople.Wepraythatracialharmonyisshowntoourneighborsinouractionsandwords.HelpustoshowacceptanceandrespecttoallofYourchildren.MayeverypersonliveinpeaceandinYourlight.Amen.TammyMartone,Montville

Thursday,December20,2018Jeremiah31:31-34HaveFAITHinGod…ReceiveaGift“‘Behold,daysarecoming,’declarestheLord,‘whenIwillmakeanewcovenantwiththehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudah….IwillputMylawwithinthemandontheirheartIwillwriteit;andIwillbetheirGod,andtheyshallbeMypeople.’”-Jeremiah31:31&33bTheprophetJeremiahwritestoremindusthatas“newcovenantpeople,”wecancomebeforeJesus,God’snewbornSon.AsChristians,wehavethisrelationshipthroughfaith.IamthankfulthatduringthisAdventseason,wehaveadevotionalbooklettohelpuscomebeforeJesusinthoughtandpraise.MyprayernowisthatalltheearthwillonedayhavethisfaithinalovingGod.Wouldn’titbeabeautifulAdventscenetoseealltheworldworshippingandadoringGod,wholongstobeinrelationshipwithHischildren?“…Iwillforgivetheiriniquity,andtheirsinIwillremembernomore.”-Jeremiah31:34bJeremiahalsotellsusthatweeachreceiveagiftfromGod.Thepreciousgiftofforgivenessfromoursins.TheprophetaddsthatGodwillnotevenrememberthosesins!Allweneedtodoishavefaithandopenourheartstoreceivethiswonderfulgift.Prayer:Thankyou,Lord,forbeingaGodwholovesHischildren.Mayyoucontinuetohelpusinourfaithjourney.Especially,Lord,leadustohelpotherswhodonotknowyou.AmenJanetBeam,Boonton

Friday,December21,2018Isaiah42:10-14WarriorandMotherSinging,shouting,roaringoutinbattle,cryingoutinchildbirth.ThispassagefromIsaiahisfilledwithsound.Godusesavoicelikeawarriorinbattleandlikeawomaninlabortocallouttousandmakeushear.ThepropheturgespeoplefromhighandlowtosingandshouttodeclareGod'spraise.Irememberasoneofourdaughterswasbeingborn,thedoctorsaidtome,“Focustheenergyyouareusingincryingouttopush.”ItwasatimewhenGod'spresencefeltveryclose.InmyworldIamoftensurroundedbysound,andIoftenseekoutsoundtofillthequiettimes—turningontheTVifI'maloneinmyhome,turningontheradiowhenI'mdriving.ButIknowthatmuchofthesoundthatisomnipresentdistractsmeratherthangivingmemomentsoffocusonwhatisreallyimportantandonthepresenceofGodthatisascloseasthenotesofasong.Prayer:GodofLove,helpustohearyourvoice,andhelpustofindasongofpraisethisday.Amen.Rev.LaurieZelman,Montville

Saturday,December22,2018Luke13:31-35

“Jerusalem,Jerusalem,youwhokilltheprophetsandstonethosesenttoyou,howoftenIhavelongedtogatheryourchildrentogether,asahengathersherchicksunderherwings,andyouwerenotwilling.Look,yourhouseislefttoyoudesolate.Itellyou,youwillnotseemeagainuntilyousay,‘BlessedishewhocomesinthenameoftheLord.’”-Luke13:34-35(NIV)Thispassageendswiththefamousline,“BlessedishewhocomesinthenameoftheLord,”andIwantedtoreflectonwhatsuchapopularlinemeans.Manyinterpretthislineinamorephysicalsense(e.g.“ThepersonwhoseekstotalktoandfollowGodisblessed”),butIbelieveitismoreimportanttointerpretitmoreliterally:“HewhocomesinthenameoftheLord”asareferencetoChristianity/Christians,thenameweattachtothosewhofollowtheteachingsofourLordandGod.“Cominginto,”inthissentence,wouldrefertoconvertingtoChristianity,buttheentiretyofthesentencewouldmeantoseekconversion.Incommonlanguage,“blessed”isusedtoreferto“goodfortune”or“luck”,whilstdefinitionallyitmeans“madeholy,”whichisaveryimportantparallel.Itiscommonknowledgethatonesimplyleadstoanother—followingthewaysoftheLordleadstogoodfortune,whetherearthlyorheavenly.So,perhapsthispassagecanbemoreaccuratelyinterpretedas“ThosewhoseektobecomeChristianwillbegrantedthegoodfortuneofGod.”Prayer:God,helpustocomethisdayandeverydayinthenameoftheLord,followingyouallthedaysofourlives,receivingyourgoodfortuneforus,whilealsospreadingthatgoodfortunetoothers.Amen.SeanGarry,Boonton

Sunday,December23,2018Luke1:46b-55AndMarysaid,“MysoulmagnifiestheLord,andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySavior…”-Luke1:46b-47

• MaryburstintosongwhenshefoundoutshewasgoingtobeJesus’mommy.WhydoyouthinkMarywassohappyandfeltsoblessed?Shewashappytobeaspecialmommy

o Whatmakesyouhappy?Mygrandma

• Doyoueverburstintosong?When?Yes,Isingallthetimeinthecar,athome,andinschool.

• WhatgoodthingshasGoddoneforyouthatyouwanttothankGodfor?Pumpkinpieandformyfamily.

• MarywasyoungwhenanangeltoldhershewouldbeusedasaninstrumentforGod.WhatdoesitmeantobeaninstrumentforGod?I’mgoingtosoundout“loved.”

• Ifyouwereamusicalinstrument,whatwouldyoubeandwhy?Adrum,becausetheyareloud,andIwanttobeinaband.

• Whatdoyouwanttosay,“Yes,”toJesusfortoday?Thanksformystuffedanimal,Bell.

• WhatdoyouwanttopraytoJesusabouttoday?ForJesustotakecareofBeethovenandme.

Leeya(age5),MontvilleMonday,December24,2018Luke2:1-7TheRightTime“Whiletheywerethere,thetimecameforhertodeliverherchild.”-Luke2:6About30yearsago,duringmyfirstpilgrimagejourneytotheHolyLand,IvisitedthegrottoundertheChurchoftheNativityinBethlehem,aplacereveredsincethe4thcenturyasthepreciselocationofJesus’birth.Aswoodenbuildingmaterialswerescarce

inthisarea,naturalcaveswerecommonlyusedtoshelteranimals.Ourgroupofpilgrimsdescendedthewornstonestairsalongwithothersfromothergroups,allcrowdedintothisdarkandtightspacewhereasilverstaronthefloormarkstheplacewhereJesuswasborn.WebegantosingSilentNight,andtheotherstherejoinedwithus,singinginGerman,French,andatleastoneotherlanguagethatIcouldnotrecognize.ItwasanamazingmomentthatspokesoprofoundlytohowtheSaviorborninthisplacewasthesaviorofallpeoplethroughouttheworld.Wejusthappenedtoconvergeinthisplaceattherighttime.SomemightwonderwhetheritwastherighttimeforJesustobeborn.Afterall,hisparentswerefarfromhome.ThecityofBethlehemwascrowdedandfilledwithvisitors.TheregistrationwascalledforbyatyrannicalemperorinRomewhohadlittleconcernastowhetherthiswasconvenientorevenpossibleforpeopletotravel.YetthiswastherighttimefortheChrist-childtobeborn.Why?Wemightneverknow,butlookatwhathashappenedthroughouttheages.Ifyouarelikemanypeople,itseemsthatChristmascomestooquickly.Thereistoomuchlefttodo:packagestowrap,lastminuteshopping,cookingandbaking.SomemightfeelthatthereissimplynotenoughtimetoworshipwithothersattheChristmasEveservice.Butthisistherighttime,becauseitisGod’stimetomeetus,tocomeintoourlives,tostillourhearts,toenlivenourspirits,andtowelcomeusonceagainaswewelcometheChristchildagain.Nomatterwhatisleftundone,thisisstilltherighttime,justasitwastherighttimeonthatfirstChristmas.Howcoulditbethewrongtime?Afterall,Godisalwayswaitingtowelcomeusanewintothegreathumanfamily.Prayer:Godofgrace,maywefindexcitementandjoyonthisChristmasEvebecausethewaitingisoverandyoursonisreadyinthistimetocometousonceagain.Helpustowelcomehimwithopenhearts,readytobetransformedanewinthisChristmasseason.Rev.SteveBechtold,SkylandsDistrictSuperintendent

Tuesday,December25,2018John1:1-14It’sbecomeatraditionformetogoonarunwhenit’ssnowingoutside,especiallyduringorshortlyafterthefirstsnowfall.OneyearwhenIdidthis,whileIwasinseminary,Iwasrunningbeforethesunhadrisen.Tomysurprise,thewoodsandtrailsIwasrunningon,whichwouldnormallybepitchblackatthattimeofmorning,wereactuallybrighterandclearerthanIcouldhaveeverimagined.Thesundidn’trisetheentiretimeIwasonthissnowrun,butitdidn’tmatter,becausethesnowlightedmypath.John1:5tellsus,“Thelightshinesinthedarknessandthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.”Inthemostultimatesense,Jesus,theWordmadeflesh,theLightoftheWorld,theOnewhomwehavewaitedforthisAdventseason,isthebrightsnowonourpath.BecauseJesuscametotheearthandwalkedamongus,evenwhenit’spitchblackandthesunhasnotyetrisen,thereisstilllightonthepathwetread.Intheplaceswearemostfearfuloftreadingforalackoflight,Christbrightensourdarkpathstohelpussee.Whatarethosedarkplacesyouaremostafraidoftreading?ThisChristmasseason,Jesuswantstobethesnowonthepathyouwalkorrun.ButmindfulthatIwasalmosttemptedtonotgoforarunbecauseIthoughtit’dbetoodark,Idareyoutoboldlystepoutofyourplaceoffearandintothatdark,coldsky.ForIbetyouwillbesurprised,thatwhereyouexpectedthedeepestdarkness,youwillfindthelightofChristofferedinanewandunexpectedway.Thesnowshinesinthedarknessandthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.Prayer:Shineyourlightonus,OLord,andilluminateourdarkpathsbeforeus,remindinguseachdayofhowourliveshavebeenmadebrightbywayofyourSon,JesusChrist,ourEmmanuel.Amen.PastorDonaldKirschner

Christ,0urEmmanuel,hascome!