As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before my face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

(Mark 1: 2-3) Begin now to think about preparing for the miracle of Jesus’ birth. The Arts Enrichment Ministry Team is pleased to present to you this Advent Book. Each day during the Advent season you will find a devotional that will help prepare your hearts and minds for this very important time. As you go about your preparation for the holiday season, we hope these daily messages will make you stop and think about the true meaning of this period: JESUS IS COMING! The Team would like to thank the writers of the devotionals and especially Donna Baun for her skillful ability in organizing the Advent Book. We would also like to thank our children in the Children’s Department who submitted drawings for our daily email reminders.

1st Sunday of Advent: Hanging of the Greens

and Fellowship

6 PM

Buy canned food & take

to CCC

Snuggle with a loved one

Christmas Party at the

Downs 3 PM to 5

PM

Put money

in a bell ringer’s

bucket

Buy at least one present that doesn’t

have batteries

Christmas 2013

Read Luke 1:5-25

Watch a Christmas

Movie

2nd Sunday of Advent: Clemson University

Singers 7 PM

Sponsor a child: Collins

Children’s Home or

Helping Hands

Send a gift or card to a shut-in

Invite Someone to lunch

Check Christmas list

twice

Drive to see lights and

decorations

Order take-out and play a game

Listen to Christmas

music

Read Luke 1:38-80

Last Wednesday night supper for the year

3rd Sunday of Advent: 10:30 AM

FBC Christmas Choir Presents Night of the

Father’s Love

4th Sunday of Advent:

Bake or buy treats for neighbors

Read Luke 1:26-37

Organize your 2014 calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15

16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

Call an old friend to say

Merry Christmas

Re-read Christmas

cards

Church Office Closed

No Sunday School

1st Sunday of Christmastide:

Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Make plans for Christmas

Day

Start an exercise program

Church Office Closed

Candlelight Communion

Service 6PM

Donate warm

clothes to Helping

Hands and Salvation

Army

Make New Year’s resolutions

Merry Christmas

Church Office Closed

Celebrate the New Year!

Church Office Closes at noon

Read Luke 2:1-20

Church Office Closed

Count your blessings

Family Night

Sunday, December 1

Morning Worship at 10:30AM Sermon: “WATCH” Mark 13:32-37 Hanging of the Green Service at 6:00PM Church-wide Reception at 7:00PM New Member Reception at 7:00PM

Doing the Hard Work Rusty Brock

"When are we getting the decorations down?" This was the question I posed to my parents each year around Thanksgiving as I anticipated my dad getting the Christmas boxes down from the attic." I also remember his response being less than enthusiastic, "in a few days" followed by him saying to my mom, "It seems like I just put the boxes back in the attic." Now that I am the dad and the one hauling the boxes out of the attic, I realize that while preparing for Christmas is exciting for my kids, it is work for me." Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and all the tinsel and mistletoe that comes with it, but getting prepared for the transformation that is Christmas requires doing the hard work and heavy lifting. As I reflected on this memory and my current reality, I realized that preparing our hearts to receive the miracle of the Christ Child also requires work. I doubt John the Baptist would have been shouting, "Prepare the way of the Lord," if the way to the Lord was going to be easy. John called out in the wilderness for people to prepare their lives for the coming of the Lord because he knew that most people were not prepared to receive the Messiah and it would require a lot of spiritual work for their hearts to be open to the message Christ would bring. Likewise, each year we must prepare our hearts to receive the miracle of Christmas by doing the spiritual work required for us to receive Christ and have our lives transformed. Yes, I know it seems like we just put the Advent Candles away and packed up the Chrismons, but once again let us hear John calling out to us, "when are we getting our hearts prepared?" And may our response be, "It starts today!"

Doing the Hard Work Together,

Monday, December 2

Preparing for the Miracle Wynne Morris

Cooperative Student Fellowship Member

I can’t deny that some of my favorite things about Christmastime are festive decorations, seasonal drinks at Starbucks, and tacky sweater parties. However, many of my most treasured Christmas memories involve traditions centered on helping others. We talk a lot about the fact that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the arrival of the Christ Child, but it seems to most of us that it just wouldn’t be the same without presents and a special dinner. I think this is because Christmas is a holiday we don’t just experience; it’s a holiday we “do.” In our homes we “do Christmas” by decorating a tree, exchanging presents, and decorating gingerbread houses. Traditions like these are part of what make the Christmas season special, but where “doing Christmas” really transforms, and becomes about Christ rather than cookies is when we “do Christmas” in the world. This is when we make boxes for children we’ll never meet, work at the soup kitchen, adopt a family, and become the hands and feet of Christ. Participating in family traditions and creating my own traditions with friends and roommates in which we “do Christmas” for those in need, keep me immersed in the real meaning of Christmas and not just the materialistic holiday hype. “Doing Christmas” keeps us mindful of the fact that the best way to celebrate Christ’s arrival is by showing Christ’s love to one another. I hope that this Christmas can be a reminder for all of us to “do Christmas” for others, not just during the season when we’re taken by the Christmas spirit, but all year long. Christmas is just one day a year, but we should let our generosity and caring extend into the entire year. Jesus’ arrival is just the beginning!

Tuesday, December 3

The Christmas Guest Hope Selicki

Our family gets ready for Christmas like many others: buying and wrapping presents, decorating trees, baking goodies, mailing Christmas cards, attending parties, etc. With how busy we are during the Christmas season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, and forget the real reason for season. One of my favorite traditions is reading the poem of “The Christmas Guest” adapted from Edwin Markham. I have read it every year since I was little. It begins with a shoe cobbler who has a dream that Jesus is coming to visit him on Christmas Eve, so he begins preparing for Jesus. To prepare, he makes a small pair of shoes for Jesus. He chops wood for a fire, and prepares a royal feast. Then he begins to wait. While waiting for Jesus, three strangers visit him. One is a beggar who has no shoes and is out in the cold rain. He invites him in to warm by the fire, and gives him the shoes he made for Jesus. Next, an old starving woman comes by and he offers her some of the feast he had made for Jesus. Lastly, a lost child comes by. He brings the child in and feeds him and warms him by the fire. At that point, the shoes he made were gone, there was very little food left, and the fire was dwindling. The cobbler wondered to himself why Jesus never came. A voice whispers “Three times I came to your door, and three times you helped me.” Jesus kept his promise, as he always does. He doesn’t always show up how we “think” he should, but he’s always there.

Wednesday, December 4

Preparing for the Miracle Margaret Hurley

People in Jesus' time were preparing for a savior in the form of a king with great riches and great presence. These preparations were prefaced from the prophets of old....especially Isaiah.... These prophets knew details of the coming of Christ hundreds of years before he was born. So when Jesus was born to a lowly servant girl who had never known a man...this couldn't be the savior. His earthly father was just a carpenter and the Savior couldn't come from the likes of this. They thought the Savior should come in royalty and associate only with the Godly people. Does this sound familiar to us today? Do we expect miracles to come with the trumpets blaring acknowledging big things are going to happen? Do we turn away if it does not suit our fancy? If so, then we've missed the boat...Miracles happen in ways we never expect and in ways that humble us as never before. We miss miracles because we're looking for something else in a different place when we should let God do his job. I love Christmas and the preparations for the celebration of the greatest miracle of all time. God gave the world his Son to live on earth so that He would take the blame for our earthly transgressions. What else could we ask for? Lord, we thank you for your greatest miracle because of your love for us. We pray that others may know and trust you so that they may have the peace and happiness of Jesus' birth.

Thursday, December 5

Friday, December 6

Preparing for the Miracle Caroline Terry

One afternoon a shopper at the local mall felt the need for a coffee break. She bought herself a little bag of cookies and put them in her shopping bag. She then got in line for coffee, found a place to sit at one of the crowded tables, and then taking the lid off her coffee and taking out a magazine she began to sip her coffee and read. Across the table from her a man sat reading a newspaper. After a minute or two she reached out and took a cookie. As she did, the man seated across the table reached out and took one too. This put her off, but she did not say anything. A few moments later she took another cookie. Once again the man did so too. Now she was getting a bit upset, but still she did not say anything. After having a couple of sips of coffee she once again took another cookie. So did the man. She was really upset by this - especially since now only one cookie was left. Apparently the man also realized that only one cookie was left. Before she could say anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to her, and proceeded to eat the other half himself. Then he smiled at her and, putting the paper under his arm, rose and walked off. Was she steamed! Her coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how she would tell this offense to her family. She folded her magazine, opened her shopping bag, and there discovered her own unopened bag of cookies. I like that story - it makes me think about how well God treats me and how much He is willing to give, even when I am undeserving. I am so thankful in this season that He sent His Son and gives Him freely to all of us.

Preparing for the Miracle of Christmas Tiffany Hamilton

“Don’t touch the ornaments, the tree might fall over.”

“Please leave your stockings alone.”

“No, you can’t pick the petals off of the Poinsettia.”

“The candy canes are JUST for decoration.”

These expressions can often be heard at our home when preparing for Christmas. As a mother I sometimes feel like the most important part of preparing for Christmas is protecting the decorations. One year, I was confessing to my sister-in-law, Shelley, that I felt like I was taking all the fun out of Christmas for my kids. They want to touch and play with everything.

A few weeks later, we opened a gift from Shelley and inside we found a manger scene complete with stable, Mary holding Jesus, Joseph watching over them, shepherds caring for the sheep, an angel proclaiming ‘Glory to God’, and a donkey resting. There was a sweet note attached which read, “The manger scene cannot be easily broken. It is meant to be used.” I was relieved to have a Christmas decoration that would be difficult to break. However, my greatest joy came when I realized the truth behind her note. The manger scene was the sturdiest of all our decorations and was meant to be enjoyed. Over the years, we have used the manger scene to reenact the first Christmas, discuss why Jesus was born in a stable, and reveal the significance of the shepherds. The manger scene has made the Christmas story tangible for my family. They can touch Jesus. They can admire Mary and Joseph. They can imagine what it was like to see and hear an angel.

Now, while preparing our home for Christmas, I find great joy in answering my children, “Yes, you may play with baby Jesus. The manger scene is for you!”

Luke 2:10 – 11, “But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.…

Saturday, December 7

Sunday, December 8

Morning Worship at 10:30AM Sermon: “PREPARE” Mark 1:1-3 Clemson University Singers Concert at 7:00PM

Miracles Alvon & Ruby Elrod

Some two thousand-plus years ago a baby was born subject to conditions carefully reported to the then-word as miraculous and announced by simple shepherds, wise men, and angels singing in the sky. When this miracle child matured, he became spokesman for God and performed many miraculous acts of kindness to people to demonstrate his supernatural powers as the son of God. While one cannot witness Him healing today, there are instances wherein people recover miraculously against all medical predictions from extremely severe accidentally damage or illness so serious that the medical people conclude that a miracle has happened. Examples of a different nature of miracles include the transformation of a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, the birth of a colt that immediately gets up and runs around, and the beautiful flowers and foliage all over the world. Different sounds relate to miracles: the sound of thunder following the flash of lightning, rain (that awe-inspiring view of a rainbow that is symbolic of the promise that God made to Noah that He would never again destroy mankind with a flood), blowing of the wind, crash of a falling limb, calling of birds to each other, purring of a kitten, and the calming effect of the sound of music. Many miracles occur, however, the GREATEST MIRACLE is the GIFT OF JESUS.

Monday, December 9

The True Gift Heather Rochester

Daughter-in-law of Gene and Phyllis Rochester

My Dad's parents made Christmas a real celebration. With their seven kids and then their kids, they went all out with my granddad dressing up like Santa and delivering gifts while we hid in the other room fighting to take a look through the key hole. My dad continues that with my niece and now my children. All that anticipation over gifts. Will they be disappointed or will it fit? The good news is that the best gift you could ever get is free and fits everyone. No one has to fight mall traffic or long lines - just believe and repent. My family is reminded of this when my Dad reads the story of the true gift in Luke - the Christmas story. This part was left out of his childhood celebrations but not mine, and I hope to continue it with my own children and generations to come.

Tuesday, December 10

Preparing for the Miracle Molly Hampton

What is Christmas? Why do we give gifts? Why do we tire ourselves out each year with so much "busy work"? The answers to the first two questions are simple. Christmas is the celebration of our Savior's birth, and we give gifts because God gave the greatest gift of all-- His son, to live on earth. The answer to the third question is not so simple. Every year I promise myself that "next year I am not going to wear myself out with all this ‘busy work’ getting ready for Christmas" But, alas! the next year I do it all over again! Gifts must be bought and wrapped, baking must be done, the house must be cleaned before decorations can go up, and forbid that you would put wreaths in the windows before cleaning the windows, boxes going out of town or the country must be assembled and mailed, and on and on the list goes. Is this REALLY what Christmas is all about? No, I don't think so. In 1990, Jim had a business trip to the Soviet Union, and I accompanied him. While he was in meetings all day, I was escorted by Ena, an employee of the Nuclear Power Plant there, who was fluent in English. Even though Ena and her husband both worked, they had very little materially. Later that year, Ena was chosen to visit Duke Power Company in Charlotte. She would be arriving in December. One evening, prior to her arrival, Jim and I were talking about what we would give each other for Christmas. It was going to be a difficult Christmas for us, because all three of our sons were in the military, and not a one of them would be coming home. Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb came on in our heads. We really didn't need anything, so we would give gifts to Ena and her family. So, when she arrived in the U. S., we had her to our house for a "Southern" home cooked meal, she spent the night with us, and the next day, she and I went to South Park in Charlotte. She got clothes for herself, her husband and two children. She was so appreciative of everything, and the day was an unforgettable one. What we thought would be a sad Christmas for us, turned out to be one of the best we've ever had. We were reminded of the scripture found in Matthew 25:40."Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me." This is truly what Christmas is all about! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Wednesday, December 11

Preparing for the Miracle Roger Lovette

Somewhere I heard a story about the day after Christmas in a Department store. The store was closed--but the watchman was on duty. Everywhere he went there was disarray. The store looked like a cyclone had hit. Every Department of the store was turned upside down. Christmas had left the place in a mess. He went from floor to floor just examining the debris of Christmas past. Under one counter he thought he saw something unusual. Moving closer he saw it was a man. It looked like he was dead. There was no identification in the man's pockets. The only description he could give the police was that when he examined the man he found the man had nail marks on his hands and his feet. It seems he had been trampled to death with shoppers in the Christmas rush. It is easy for any of us to miss Christmas. Last year the Lovette's made a decision. No presents. None. Except for the two grandchildren. None of us needed anything. Besides it was getting harder and harder to get something special for each person. Not to speak of the ordeal of shopping, shopping. So--we cancelled the presents and concentrated on being together and enjoying one another. Christmas is really about relationships. A baby. A mother and a father. Wise Men. Shepherds. Elizabeth and Zechariah and the baby John. However we do it--let's recover the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus should not be trampled under the busy-ness and commercialism that sometimes turns this holy season into a real time of drudgery.

Thursday, December 12

Nevermore and Only Sandra Cassell

Nevermore would see His face, have a place-

Only fail to keep the pace

Nevermore His heart enfold, hand to hold-

Only deep within the cold

Nevermore His spirit sent, airways bent-

Only wondering what was meant

Nevermore of being led, guidance said-

Only know the sense of dread

Nevermore His cherished kiss, touch of bliss-

Only strangeness’ sizzling hiss

Nevermore His praise sublime, declarations always mine-

Only trampled thoughts in time

Nevermore His breath as near, whispered secrets then made clear-

Only shadows filled with fear

“Perish”—to be separated from Him FOREVER (the Nevermore and Only)

INCONCEIVABLE So, should we prepare for His birth in ourselves

and in others as He’s BEING born? Yeah, prepare for it— every day, in every thing,

in everybody—and hand it out. Anticipate the exuberance!

the wonderfulness of the pieces of Him in us --smiles, laughter, positiveness, gratitude, compassion, humbleness,

the telling of Him, the doing of Him-- It’s not difficult finding the pieces— (“Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”)

So turn the Nevermore and Only inside-out… …And get ready.

“God Bless You”

“And may the orange balloons in your valley always float up to the angels above.”

Friday, December 13

Preparing for the Miracle Slater Martin White

Our Christmas tradition changed forever on October 17, 2013 when my Uncle Alan passed away after battling Leukemia for six months. He was a big part of all of my Christmas celebrations since the day I was born. He, my Aunt Liz, and my cousin Emilee, who is seven months younger than I, spent every Christmas together at our house. To prepare for their visit, we would begin by buying our Christmas tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We always get our tree and wreaths from Michael Evatt's farm. Since we have an area that can accommodate a large tree, I always had to have one that was at least ten feet tall. One year I talked my Mom and Dad into buying one that was twelve feet. I learned some new words from my Dad while trying to get that twelve foot tree into the stand and trying to keep it from tipping over. Somehow, we managed to get that tree up, and when we finished decorating it, we would always say, "I think this is our prettiest one ever." During Christmas week we get together with my Dad's side of the family. I have ten cousins who live in Powdersville and we always exchange ornaments. First we draw numbers from 1-10 and start by having the cousin who has number one pick the first ornament. They can choose to keep, or steal an ornament that they like better. This continues until everyone has an ornament. Not everyone is happy, but, it is a fun tradition. On Christmas Eve my Uncle Alan, Aunt Liz, and Emilee would drive up to our house from Lexington, SC. Santa always came to our house for Emilee and me, but one year when we got up and looked under the tree, there were no gifts. Wow, were we shocked. Our parents said that we probably had been bad and Santa didn't leave us anything. We ran from room to room looking and finally found them in the Library. We were so relieved and promised to be good the next year. Later that morning we would open our family gifts. Uncle Alan loved to annoy me by taking as long as he could possibly take to open his gifts. So, that meant I would have to wait to see what my gifts were. This will be my first Christmas without my Uncle Alan. He always made it fun. He may be in a better place, but this place won't be nearly as much fun without him.

Saturday, December 14

Sunday, December 15

Morning Worship at 10:30AM Sermon: FBC Christmas Choir Presents Night of the Father’s Love

Preparing for My Favorite Season Jacob Barnes

Cooperative Student Fellowship Member

Celebrating the birth of our Lord is one of my very favorite times of the year. This time of the year is filled with gatherings of family and friends, decorating of homes, and just spending quality time together with the ones that you love the most. I look forward to spending an extended period of time with my family and friends, which really makes the season so special. As a college student I look forward to being home for Christmas because we spend a large part of the school year here in Clemson. Once arriving home for Christmas break my family just enjoys having me home because I’m an only child and have been gone away at school since the past summer. I can not say why, but I feel that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. My father and I spend most Christmas breaks hunting and being together around our family farm, while my mother seems to be decorating and always cooking something in the kitchen. A very special symbol of Christmas for me is the tree itself. My mom and I always put up my grandfathers tree, ours, and often time the tree for our church. A Christmas tree just seems to brighten up each and every day no matter how things are going. Our two cats love to play under and even sleep around the tree each year, which can be entertaining. Selecting ornaments to decorate with brings back memories of years past and is something I really enjoy doing. After the special day passes I really want to leave all the decorations up, because it represents the season I enjoy and the time spent with those I love.

Monday, December 16

Preparing for the Miracle

Casey Callahan

“Do you believe in miracles? YES!” That was the very catch phrase that boosted Al Michaels into sports broadcasting history. It was the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, set in the picturesque town of Lake Placid, NY, when the young, unknown United States Ice Hockey pulled off a stunning upset over the legendary Soviet Union team (who had maintained possession of the Olympic Ice Hockey gold medal since 1964.) The unforeseen moment of victory became captured in U.S. sports history as the Miracle on Ice. And what else could it be called? Al Michaels spoke for millions of Team USA fans who had no other explanation for their victory than the miraculous presence of the divine. It’s a long way from the Miracle on Ice to the shoddy feeding trough in Bethlehem, but the Incarnate Truth proclaimed that holy night still rings true today. We know it was revealed by the hand of God---a divine act in the company of angels that had cosmic ramifications. We know that. But we tend to forget that what was most abruptly exposed that night was the meager hand of humanity, equally essential in God’s miraculous work. Both the divine and the mundane were paramount that night. In fact, the nativity stories captured in Scripture place the greater emphasis on the ordinary. Mary and Joseph, simple shepherds, hotel managers, burdened animals, and even a classic census. It took the commonplace to reveal the miraculous, and that gives all of us a potential role to play in God’s work this new mundane moment of history. Do you believe in miracles?

Tuesday, December 17

Miracle of Life Gene Rochester

As we prepare for the miracle of Christmas, I can’t help but think about the miracle of life in general and the joy of sharing with others. For the past few years, I have had the privilege of sharing more simple daily pleasures with Phyllis’ mother, Anna, who is gradually leaving us by means of Alzheimer’s Disease. Some days we walk Downs Boulevard and enjoy God’s beautiful world--the large oaks, blooming flowers and shrubs, the scurrying squirrels, and the beautiful sky. She is thankful for each new day and the beauty of it—often commenting on a “beautiful blue sky” with billowy clouds. In the fall she enjoys a ride in the mountains seeing the leaves changing color. Even an outing to the doctor can be a pleasure. Family or friends arriving with a preplanned/precooked meal and eating and sharing together is a special treat—much welcomed by her caregiver as well. Many things she can’t remember, but she still remembers my name. When I visit her without Phyllis, she always asks, “What is Phyllis doing today?” First Baptist is still a big part of her life. She enjoys seeing the people at Church even though she retains little from the lessons. A “connecting” of a friendly smile and a reaffirming and gracious greeting of “Good to see you!” is always appreciated by her and her family. Let’s be sure that Anna knows that she is loved by all of us!

Wednesday, December 18

Leave it to God Lauren Evans

Prepare… Sometimes that word makes me anxious and nervous! Hectic thoughts begin to run through my head, “Prepare. Plan. Get ready! Put it on the to-do list. Don’t be late! Practice makes perfect. Get it done. Don’t forget this, and that! Time is running out!” I often immediately become overwhelmed by the busy-ness that comes with most preparation. Then, I remember that the word prepare is relative to what it is that needs preparing… Ahhh…Go ahead, you can let out a sigh of relief, too! We are preparing for a Miracle! How simple! All we have to do is believe and trust. Isn’t that what Mary and Joseph did that very first Christmas? It couldn’t have been their plan to arrive at Bethlehem with no place to stay, and to lay their newborn baby, the Savior of the world, in a manger. Yet, how fitting that the Bread of Life be placed in a feeding trough at His birth! Make no mistake--it was God’s plan that a baby lying in a manger would be the sign to the shepherds that they, had indeed, found the Messiah. And, that’s just it! When it comes to miracles, we can leave all the planning and preparing to God. For, His plans are far better than our own. Psalm 46:10 Lord, calm us and make us still. Prepare our hearts and minds for the miracle that is Christmas. Amen.

Thursday, December 19

The Gift That Keeps on Giving Winnie Williams

Christmas Eve is the most glorious and stirring night of the year for our family

as we gather to acclaim and commemorate the birth of Jesus. The

grandchildren eagerly await for sunset so we can begin the celebration.

Traditionally the evening consists of a meal of low-country boil, with a

“Happy Birthday Jesus” cake with candles (but not 2,000 that it deserves)

followed by a Christmas pageant until the grandsons became teenagers and

refused to be shepherds wearing bathrobes. Following the drama came the

reading of the memorable Christmas story and “exquisite” singing of Silent

Night. Then gift giving time arrived.

Our tradition is to open one gift at a time so all eyes are focused on the

person opening their cherished gift. One Christmas as my turn came I

gingerly opened a bejeweled box that reeked of jewelry store wrappings. I

was dismayed to discover that the embellished box from Woodie was empty.

I quickly glanced at his bewildered face knowing that he does not pull

pranks.

Later we discovered that the lady from whom he had purchased the beautiful

watch had reached under the counter and inadvertently wrapped an empty

box. Though my gift was delayed for several days my watch adorned my

arm for many years.

Because we have chosen not to receive empty boxes or “stuff” that we might

not need we have requested that our children give us gifts that “keeps on

giving.” For example, gifts of money is sent to organizations as The Heifer

International Program that provides flocks of ducks and chicks to families in

developing countries. There have been gifts of llama and goats to Peruvian

families as well as gifts to charitable foundation such as Safe Harbor. Jesus

stated in Matthew 25:40 –“whatever you did for one of the least of these

brothers of mine, you did it for me.”

Friday, December 20

Preparing for the Miracle Ryan Forbes

The Forbes household begins preparing for the Christmas season on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Like most families, we have our traditional decorations placed inside and outside our home, with usually one or two new items added each year. We are big on lighted flying angels or grazing deer on the front lawn. (Our first angel died last year! Oh, my!) Even with all our wild schedules, we’ve been able to find a time when all four of us gather to decorate the family Christmas tree. It’s one of those “special times” we share together. One decoration we place outside is a set of four small pre-lit artificial trees. They are located evenly spaced, with spousal approval, next to our front sidewalk. Setting up these trees became a source of frustration after a few seasons. Yes, it’s the dreaded “why are these lights not working” Christmas curse. At a Christmas party a few years ago, someone told me about this new gadget that magically fixed darkened Christmas light strings. I was extremely skeptical that something that life changing existed, but still, I reluctantly borrowed the gadget. I returned home with the supposedly miracle invention, which looked like a play toy pistol, quickly approached a guilty tree with dark spots, attached the plastic apparatus to the string of lights, pulled the trigger, and…the Mormon Tabernacle Choir began singing, “Hallelujah!” The lights magically began shining brightly for all the world to see! Somehow, it completed a disconnected circuit in the string of lights with a surge of power. It really worked. At the first opportunity, I found one at Home Depot and keep it in an undisclosed, secure location! Advent, for me, is sort of like that miraculous pistol. It triggers in me a completed circuit to the gospel story. It connects the beginning of the story with the end of the story. And, with a surge of power, it reconnects me to the family of faith through the discipline of worship. What does Advent trigger in you?

Saturday, December 21

Sunday, December 22

Morning Worship at 10:30AM Sermon: “RESPOND” Mark 1:4-8

Faith versus Works Roy Young

The Christmas Season is characterized by preparation, more by some than by others. Who does not have a relative who is distraught if the Christmas shopping and preparations are not done by July? Yet others of us relish and have faith in the concept of Christmas Eve shopping. To prepare means to make ready. Between now and December 25 we will all be overexposed to the constant commercial bombardment to, “Buy this, buy that; shop here, shop there; attend this, attend that; go here, go there.” The call to action, or works, can get maddening. Where do we find time for faith? After all, isn’t this the Season that we Christians are called upon to highlight our faith? Our faith is “our trust in things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).” This concept sounds so foreign to our drive to work hard to do it by ourselves. How do we reconcile our cultural call “to do” with our Savior’s call “to believe”? We as Americans are conditioned to be self reliant, in control of our destinies, sufficient within ourselves. Able and responsible to look out for Number One! Where does this thing called God’s Grace fit within the world in which we live? Herein lies the conflict that so many of us feel during the Christmas Season. How can we reconcile the opposing tugs that we will once again feel this year? I submit that the concept of “balance” is crucial for us as Christians, especially during the busy season of Christmas. Paul reminds us that “Christ has set us free,…do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1).” Is our propensity to work potentially a form of slavery; can it blind us to the grace we experience through our faith in Christ? James, the earthly brother of Jesus who had his own struggles recognizing Christ’s divinity, advocated our need to find a balance when he advised, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Let us this year balance our faith with our works, leaning on God’s Grace. Be prepared and be blessed through Christ this Holiday Season!

Monday, December 23

Preparing for the Miracle Carolyn Mattox

I recently enjoyed Rusty’s and Roger’s CORD class on aging. We learned how to make the most of our later years and to take advantage of the good things about getting older. I have found that being flexible and giving myself permission to make changes has allowed our family to enjoy Christmas more. When I was younger and had more energy, I loved having everyone come home for the holidays. Since they lived at a distance and some had to fly home, I felt responsible for most of the preparations. As I grew older and the family numbered 17 plus a few visiting dogs and cats, Christmas was becoming hectic. I decided cooking and shopping took the most energy and time, so I pared both of them down. Now we have supper prepared in advance and frozen meals, and we eat out more. As for gifts, we’ve found that the children and grandchildren love little pieces of paper from our checkbook to buy those electronic games about which we know little. A wrapped gift for everybody completes our shopping. Sometimes we play the draw a number and choose game, which is fun. Just cutting back on the mundane and less important traditional preparations has given us time to create new fun traditions and concentrate more on spiritual activities that are pertinent to Christmas: more time for Christmas music, candle-light and other church services, reading the Christmas story, fellowshipping with family and friends, and sharing time and material gifts with those less fortunate than we. Best of all, these preparations lead us, well-rested, to the Christ Child and the miracle of Christmas--the real reason for celebrating.

Tuesday, December 24

The Face of God Virgil Quisenberry

Twice I saw Les Miserables. After the first viewing I believed it was the finest religious movie I had ever seen. My second trip to the theater confirmed it. Two men caught a glimpse of the miracle of Christmas. One man took the miracle deep into his heart and lived accordingly. The other man, even when he saw the miracle before him, could not accept it. Jean Valjean was released from prison on parole after 19 years. He drifted around France with seemingly no hope of a decent life before him. One night a kindly bishop took him in and provided food and shelter. Valjean repaid him by stealing the church’s silver. He was soon caught by the authorities and brought before the bishop. The bishop then lied. He said the silver had been a gift to the poor stranger. Valjean had seen and heard a miracle. He vowed to start an honest life with a new identity. And his life was indeed a reflection of that miracle. But in starting over, Valjean broke his parole. His former prison guard and then policeman, Javert, vowed he would bring him to justice. Years later during the French Revolution, they met. Valjean saved Javert’s life, and the officer began to get a glimpse of the miracle that Valjean saw so many years ago. But for some reason, he was not prepared to accept the miracle of love he had seen before him. He could not accept it. He could not reject it. He jumped into the Seine and perished. Valjean found that the miracle was all about love. When the kindly old bishop put the heart and soul of a bum before silver, he was reflecting the miracle, the life of Christ. And somehow, he prepared Valjean to go into the world and live the miracle. As Valjean said, “To love another person, is to see the face of God.” When we can do this, we are indeed prepared for the miracle.

Wednesday, December 25