Christmas Day, December 25, 2024

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”.

Luke 1: 41-42

 

As a woman, it is not lost on me how frightened Mary may have been given her dire situation. An unwed, pregnant woman in her time would not only face hate and scorn but would also risk being stoned to death under the law.

 

I imagine that Mary sought out her older, wiser cousin, Elizabeth, because she too had experienced a miraculous blessing from God. Elizabeth, who had been childless and was beyond childbearing years, was now six months pregnant—seemingly defying nature. Surely, Elizabeth could relate to Mary’s extraordinary circumstances.

 

When Mary arrives, the Spirit of God moves Elizabeth to extend the love and grace Mary desperately needs in that moment. Her warm welcome and kind words reassure Mary that she and her unborn child are indeed blessed by God.

 

On this day, we celebrate the birth of Mary’s baby—Jesus—who dramatically changed and continues to change the world. His ministry revealed to us that God desires to bless everyone with love, grace, and mercy.

 

The pastor at my church recently emphasized that God will work through whoever God chooses to accomplish God’s will. In that moment, it dawned on me that in Luke 1:41-42, we witness how God worked through Elizabeth to give Mary the reassurance she needed.

 

On this Christmas Day, may God’s Word remind us that the Holy Spirit is ever-present with us, waiting to work through us. May we, too, be vessels to bless others in whatever way God desires.

 

Loving God, as we celebrate the birth of your son today, may we feel your presence and hear your call. Grant us the wisdom and courage of Christ to humbly bless others with your abundant love, grace and mercy. We give you thanks, Immanuel, for showing us the way. Amen.

 

Patty Cline is Director of Advancement at Liberty Lutheran.

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.

Romans 8:19

 

Paul’s epistle to the Romans reminds us how much of our lives we spend waiting. It seems these days we are all waiting for something, or for someone. It could be something as seemingly small as being put on hold on the phone or standing in long lines at the grocery store. It could be that we’re waiting to improve a skill, for a friend to visit, or even to become a better person.

 

At times, we may strive for perfection, getting caught in a web of self- doubt and feeling that we are lacking in some way. Yet, this passage

in Romans reminds us that we are already God’s own, created in God’s image. And though we may fall short, disappointing ourselves and others, we are still God’s children. We are the beloved whom God loves so much that God gave God’s only son for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

Advent is itself a time of waiting. We light the candles each week, and we wait in community to hear the gospel proclamation of Jesus’ birth. When we gather, we do so in hope of what is to come. Indeed, the entire creation waits in eager anticipation of the glory of God.

 

This verse calls us to focus on the bright future that awaits us in God’s loving embrace. What we wait for, long for, along with all of creation, is nothing compared to what God has already prepared for us to share in, the gift of eternal life.

 

Along with all of creation, we eagerly await the birth of Jesus. The hope this brings fills us with God’s grace and inspires us to be better stewards of God’s creation as beloved children of God. And just as we wait, God waits with us, in times of sorrow and in joy, in eager anticipation of what is to come.

 

Let us pray. Lord, be with us as we prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus’ arrival. Help us to nourish the earth as good stewards of your creation, just as you feed us daily. Fill us with your grace, so that we might share your love with our neighbors. Your love is ever-present; always doing something new for us, within us, and with us. Amen.

 

Rachel Zimmermann is Disaster Case Manager for Hurricane Ida. Her home church is St. John’s Lutheran in Phoenixville.

Monday, December 23, 2024

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:15

 

In the early 90s, my life felt like it was spiraling out of control. I was struggling to manage everything, from my personal life to bills, and it felt like I was constantly being overwhelmed.

As someone with a choleric temperament, I thrive on being in control and having everything in order. The chaos and lack of control during that time were incredibly challenging for me. However, that period of turmoil taught me valuable lessons that have had a profound impact on my life.

First and foremost, I learned to place my trust in God and not to rely on my own abilities. This newfound reliance on God became a cornerstone of my Christian journey, and I found strength in looking to Jesus Christ as the embodiment of the invisible God. This experience fundamentally shaped my perspective and approach to life.

In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul articulates a profound revelation about God that has deeply impacted my perception and strengthened my reliance on Him. He eloquently portrays Jesus Christ as the visible representation of the invisible God.

Through my faith in Christ, I have gained a clearer understanding of God’s divine nature and His boundless capabilities. This revelation has brought me immense comfort and reassurance, especially during times of personal struggle and moments of feeling overwhelmed.

I have come to recognize that God, once invisible to me, is now perceptible through His son, Jesus Christ. As a result, my faith has been fortified, and I am continually reminded that what was previously unknown about God has been graciously unveiled to us through His word.

Dear Father, I thank you for revealing yourself to me through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. This understanding is the foundation of my faith and gives me strength, despite the challenges I may face. Please bless my day today and help me to take each day as it comes. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

Vernon Nyangulu is Disaster Recovery Case Manager, Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10

 

The Gospel of John tells us that the last words of Jesus were “It is  finished”. God’s judgment and punishment of sin was finished upon Jesus’ death on the cross—once for all!

 

Prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus, atonement for sin was made by offering animal sacrifices. But, once Jesus died and rose to life again, no longer was sacrifice required to gain forgiveness from our merciful Father.

 

What greater gift is there than the son of God’s death on the cross? How can we possibly repay God for such a gift? We cannot.

 

No sacrifice, no works, no donations, no deeds--nothing can repay the precious gift we have been given in Jesus’ death and resurrection. But, in response to such a gift and showing of love and mercy from God, we can offer ourselves to the works of God.

 

The giving of our time to others in love, leading others to the truth of God’s Holy Word, giving to those in need, spending time with the lonely, helping others in their earthly walk---these things reflect the gratefulness we have to God for His mercy and love. What greater gift can we offer to someone than eternal life?

 

This Christmas season, let’s make a point of sharing the news of the gospel with others so that they too can look forward to eternal life with Christ, knowing He gained forgiveness of sin once for all!

 

Merciful God: There is no way to thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus, and the forgiveness of our sin. We humbly offer our daily prayers and works in thanksgiving to you for mercy and love. Help us to be your hands and feet to the people around us and beyond, so that they can know the truth of your word and live out eternity giving glory to you in heaven. Amen.

 

Christine Naessens is Staff Recruiter, Liberty Lutheran.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

…and he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed for he will be highly honored around the world.

Micah 5:4

 

When I think of Micah, it reminds me of how much God loves us. Although the people were in exile because of things they were doing wrong, God made a way to redeem them by setting them on their own land so they could be free to serve him and no other god. Micah’s mission was to instruct them to get rid of the pagan worship and to worship the one and only true God.

 

We put things before God and sometimes don’t notice it (i.e. social media) that’s a big thing that will take you down the rabbit hole and before you know anything, several hours have passed you by and you would not have accomplished anything.

 

God desires to have a relationship with us. God told Micah to warn the Israelites to let go of the Asherah poles, (social media) and all other idols they may be holding onto. He gave simple instructions on what it would take to follow him and do what is good:

 

Do justice, be fair to everyone, not just to those we love.

Love mercy, have passion and forgiveness to those you have the power to punish.

Walk humbly with God, seek God daily and he will speak to you, he will give you instructions on what to say and do in every situation.

 

The same rules of instruction stand for us today. He redeemed us with the blood of his son, Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son and whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16) It is up to us to make the decision to believe.

 

Most gracious and loving god, we come to you today asking that as we seek to do your will daily that you will draw near to us and help us to be all that you want us to be. We want to be pleasing to you in all that we do and say. Thank you for your love, grace and mercy you show us even when we do not deserve it. We want to live a life that is pleasing to you so we ask for your help. Thank you that you hear our prayers when we call to you. In Jesus name, Amen

 

Areatha Dorsey is Center Counselor at LCFS’ West Philadelphia Senior Community Center.

Friday, December 20, 2024

For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you

cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that boldness of yours; it brings a great reward.

Hebrews 10: 34-35.

 

When I was in high school, sitting around with the girls on my basketball team, someone showed us an old picture of her grandmother who had recently died. As we all offered our sympathies, one of my teammates shared that she never had a picture like that of her grandmother, for all of their old photos had been destroyed in the big flood that had gone through our community when we had been in early elementary school.

 

She remembered how, as the water quickly came flowing down their street, her family had to flee from their home with only the clothes they were wearing and, so, they lost all of those possessions and photos that might serve as memories now. Many of us remembered that flooding, but few of us had ever met anyone who had suffered through it.

 

Someone asked how she had managed to deal with such a loss and she told us. As they returned home to begin the cleanup, her aunt stopped by to help. But, she also brought her camera and a photo album to take pictures of the devastation and the progress they made in their recovery.

 

She took pictures of neighbors and family who came to help. Those were their pictures of promise and hope. Those were their new memories.

Memories that showed how they had stood firm in their suffering and how those survivors had found strength to offer compassion and sustenance to others around them who also endured hardship.

 

In these final days of Advent, may we remember that God does not abandon us in our times of trial. God sends others to accompany us through our suffering, reminding us that this is what our God has promised. And, it came to us, as a tiny child laid in a manger.

 

O God of promise and hope, you hear the prayers of the whole world – prayers for help, for love, for mercy, for safety and relief. Help us to respond with confidence and compassion. Make us an answer to someone’s prayer.

Amen.

 

Rev. Paulette Obrecht is a retired pastor in NEPA Synod and a member of the Advisory Board of Lutheran Congregational Services.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

This new plan I’m making with Israel isn’t going to be written on paper, isn’t going to be chiseled in stone; this time “I’m writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.”

Hebrews 10:16

 

This verse from Hebrews is striking to me, because it reminds us that  we all have a very deep relationship with God. God’s plan isn’t about the

sacrifices that we make or the words that we speak, but the plan is in us. (In this case, we are Israel).

 

In the Old Testament, there were always sacrifices being lifted to God, but then Jesus came and made the ultimate sacrifice, and everything changed from that point on. We no longer have to offer sacrifices to please God.

 

God’s plan is deep-seeded in us, carved in the very lining of our hearts, so deep that we can’t even fathom it, and we can’t discard it. This word in our hearts then reminds us all the time to do what God would have us do, to feed the hungry, care for the sick, help those in need, etc.

 

The ELCA calls one Sunday in September God’s Work Our Hands Day, but the plan carved into our hearts makes us understand that our hands should be doing God’s work every single day, because THAT is the plan.

 

I am forever grateful for all of our Lutheran social service agencies who every day live out this plan that is carved into their hearts and ours.

 

Wonderful God, help us to daily live out the plan you have carved into the very lining of our hearts. Amen.

 

Pastor Sandra Brown is Interim Pastor, Good Shepherd Southampton, trainer for LCS Lay Eucharistic Visitor training, and serves on LCS’ Advisory Committee and Liberty’s Advancement Committee.