Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
This verse and these pictures bring to mind a project Trinity Stitchers did at the onset of the pandemic last year. At the time as I was contemplating the new reality of life, our son Andy popped in to share a concern. While nonessential businesses were being shut down, the large business he manages was deemed essential and would remain open. He wanted to protect his workforce with facemasks but none were available for purchase. He wondered if I could help.
Immediately I thought of my Stitchers friends and began formulating a plan. Many women (and my husband Larry) sprang into action. The goal was to make 500 masks in two weeks. We proceeded with determination and perseverance. Initially, we used items we had on hand but quickly faced challenges: finding needed items that were in short supply, standing in long lines to purchase fabric, spending long hours sewing and cutting and assembling kits, and driving around town to deliver them and then to pick them up when finished. Miraculously, we reached our goal!
Often, I was reminded of the story of Jesus feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes. With few resources initially, we were able to multiply our resources to complete the task. With much hard work and God’s help, we did it!
As we await the coming of Jesus this Advent season, let us be mindful of doing good knowing that we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music
Psalm 98:4
On a hot Friday in July, Nicholas Sofinski and I met with a group of young men, members of Scout Troop 799 and participated in helping them to earn a merit badge in music. Nicholas and I played a piece for flute and keyboard by J.S. Bach, asked and answered some questions about music and the flute, and then moved to Trinity’s sanctuary to have a look at the organ.
The Psalmist directs us to “burst in jubilant song” and the prophet Job tells us to “rejoice at the sound of the organ.” These scouts were fascinated as they saw and listened to the many sounds of the King of Instruments, learning about how different pipes produce different sounds, both by their length, shape and the material that they’re made of. And they heard how these different sounds come together to form one glorious voice of praise.
This isn’t so different from the people of the church or the people of scouting: many different shapes and sizes, many different colors and appearances.
No one knows what will happen with regard to the future of scouting, but what I do know is that a group of young men gained some knowledge and appreciation for one of the church’s oldest voices of praise. As J.S. Bach wrote at the end of many of his compositions – S. D. G. (Solo Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone!)
You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29
This verse from II Samuel is actually quoting Psalm 18 (Ps. 18:28), giving thanks for David’s deliverance from his enemies. But we get it too. Surely the Lord turns our darkness into light as well. That might be in terms of internal battles with personal demons. It might be a matter of trials or challenging situations in our lives and families. It certainly is true when we consider the condition of our world.
“…the Lord turns my darkness into light.” If you are reading this devotion you are already aware that today is the first day of our season of Advent, our season of preparing for the coming of the Lord in the Christ Mass – Christmas. The Lord turning darkness into light is not a bad definition of Advent. It is the divine breaking into our world, bringing hope, bringing life, bringing light. Consider the photo for this day’s devotion. We see one candle lit in the Advent Wreath. It is the first candle (the candle for today), the candle of hope. But if you look carefully you will notice that beside the candle is an open devotion booklet. The photo in that devotion portrays a scene of the Richmond skyline and the James River. The light of the candle is reflected in that photo of the city. That holy light is shining onto us. This is the truth of Advent, heaven comes to us.
Be attentive. Be open. Be quiet. Be hopeful.
The Lord turns my darkness into light. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
COVID-19 has been like a house guest who overextends a visit. At this point, we strongly state that this meanness needs to leave planet Earth. Hit the road. Don’t even think about coming back.
As you know, the pandemic has been hard on churches and their congregations. For an assortment of reasons, some members haven’t come back to church, and a few determined returning to church isn’t in their future. Natural born worrier that I am, I worry about those disconnections.
For a long, long time, something out there, something inside of us, keeps us connected to Advent to Christmas.
I wonder what brings us back?
Are we drawn to the traditions of the season, or are we pulled to the hope found in the birth of Jesus?
In truth, at times, I struggle with the predictability of the season.
I wonder how Advent and Christmas might acquire a new freshness or vitality?
Perhaps, avoiding the predictable comes down to this—how are the eyes in my heart seeing the world?
If I over-focus on the negative, then I miss out on the good generated by people.
Somewhere in that good, there is a trust, a hope, that the world will reclaim its goodness.
Perhaps, that is what grounded Mary in her circumstances—trust and hope.
As you come into the season, maybe these devotionals will restore your hearts with trust and hope for Christmas and beyond.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.”
Luke 2:10 MSG
I was struck by the language used in this translation of Luke 2:10 “a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody”. The Christmas season brings with it the opportunity to tell those around us why we celebrate the birth of Jesus and what that means to us personally. People, in general, seem open to love and kindness and faith during this time of year – so it’s the perfect time for us to share Christmas with those around us!
I want to issue all of us a challenge for this Advent season:
1. Take a moment to think about those you know and encounter in your everyday life. Neighbors, friends, co-workers, teachers, peers, etc. Who do you know that crosses your path that you can intentionally share your faith with?
2. Start to pray for that person and ask God to provide you with an opportunity to share your faith with them in some way. If no one specifically comes to mind, pray for God to open your eyes to opportunities to talk about your faith with those you encounter.
3. Pray for boldness when the opportunity arises to share your faith and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak.
