advent devotional

Waiting with Joy!

Advent Reflections

2025

Zion Lutheran Church 1300 Edgewood Dr. Lin1a, OH45805 zionlin1a.org

This year, we tried something a little different�an experiment: could we create our very own devotional? Well, we�re thrilled to say it worked! And here it is, in your hands. Thank you for joining us in this journey and helping bring it to life. We hope this becomes a cherished tradition for years to come.

Each day includes a scripture, a devotional, sometimes a reflection, and a closing prayer�each lovingly written by members of our Zion Church Family.

You�ll also notice that on the days Cheryl Grant selected, she added a special QR code. If you have the Google Earth app on your phone, you can scan it to see the region where the scripture takes place�a beautiful little extra touch!

The last two pages are intentionally left blank for notes, answers to the questions and extra prayers.

May God bless you as you read these devotions. We hope they inspire, encourage, and bring warmth to your heart.

November 30, 2025 Matthew 24:36-44

36 �But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37

For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

This is one of those scriptures that can leave us anticipating when that day will come or who those women and men might be in that field. Right now we are in the waiting times or the time of the unknown. A time where we might be filling out that list of questions we want to ask Jesus, or a time where we find ourselves in constant prayer. We are the ones in the field waiting.

Being someone who came from the city I had no idea what volunteer corn was. Pastor Jim Brown, a pastor friend of mine recently explained what volunteer corn is and how it connects to us as Christians. He said �It is those corn stalks you see in the bean fields. Those stalks of corn are us. We are waiting for the arrival of our savior by voluntarily being his hands and feet�. When you think about it, even though we are waiting in the field, we are being active Christians by serving, praying and teaching. In the days leading to the birth of Jesus they waited. They waited for the miracle that only they seemed to believe in until that miracle became the talk of the town.

In this time of waiting, take the time to help someone who needs help or be that volunteer corn who is not afraid to share the Gospel to the flock awaiting their shepherd. Many times when I walk into work I see a guy who is homeless. He sits in the back so that he can be unnoticed. Every time I see him I smile because I know he doesn�t always get a friendly smile.

Let us pray:

God, Teach us to be volunteer corn in the field as we await your son�s arrival.

Amen

Kara Manning

December 1, 2025 John 1:35-42

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, �Look, here is the Lamb of God!� 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, �What are you looking for?� They said to him, �Rabbi� (which translated means Teacher), �where are you staying?� 39 He said to them, �Come and see.� They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o�clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter�s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, �We have found the Messiah� (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, �You are Simon son of John. You are to be called

Cephas� (which is translated Peter).

To me this story is about faith and patience. Jesus publicly approaches his cousin, John the Baptist. The Baptist calls Jesus �The Lamb of God�. Andrew overhears and is curious. He spends time with Jesus and discovers The Messiah. He tells his brother, Peter. Peter converts and becomes the leader of the 12, yet fails Jesus at His most horrible moment. Yet he sees the risen Jesus and founds Jesus�s church. He

blesses Paul�s mission to take Jesus beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. Billions of souls are saved, all after Andrew�s death. He never sees God�s mighty church in his life.

But the chain of events includes him overhearing one thing and bringing one other soul to Jesus.

Let us pray:

Lord help us to remember that souls are saved, one at a time, lives are redeemed, one at a time, the poor are fed, one at a time, that you work through each of us, that each of us is important to you, that you love us one at a time. Amen

Bob Sielschott

December 2, 2025 Genesis 9:1-17

1 God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, �Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you, and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 Only, you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life. 6 Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person�s blood be shed, for in his own image God made humans.

7 �And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and have dominion over it.�

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 �As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.� 12 God said, �This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.� 17 God said to Noah, �This is the sign of the covenant that I have

established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.�

After the flood, God spoke to Noah and his family, blessing them and giving them a new beginning. The world had been washed clean, and this moment marked a fresh start for humanity. God established a covenant�a sacred promise�that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. As a sign of this everlasting covenant, He placed a rainbow in the sky.

The rainbow is more than just a symbol of beauty; it�s a reminder of God�s mercy, faithfulness, and grace. Each color reflects hope after hardship�a message that even when storms rage, God�s promises still stand.

Noah�s story reminds us that God restores what is broken and brings renewal out of devastation. When we feel like our world has been flooded by difficulty or failure, we can look up and remember: God is not finished with us. His covenant still holds.

Just as Noah was called to step forward into a cleansed world, we are called to live as people of renewal�walking in trust, hope, and gratitude for God�s faithfulness

What �new beginning� might God be inviting you into today? How can you live as

a reminder of His faithfulness to others?

Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for Your unchanging promises and Your mercy that renews my life each day. When I see the storms pass and the sky clear, help me to

remember that You are faithful. Teach me to live in gratitude, hope, and obedience to You. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE FOR MAP OF THE REGION

December 3, 2025 Matthew 24:23-35

23 Then if anyone says to you, �Look! Here is the Messiah!� or �There he is!��do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, �Look! He is in the wilderness,� do not go out. If they say, �Look! He is in the inner rooms,� do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of

Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the eagles will gather. 29 �Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 30 �Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see �the Son of

Man coming on the clouds of heaven� with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 �From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

This passage from the New Testament in which Jesus speaks to His disciples about the signs of the end of times, and His second coming. He warns His followers, He warns all of us about deception, false teachers. Be watchful! Jesus warns us against false prophets or dramatic claims about His return.

Dramatic is where my life experience comes in. When I was just a young girl, 16 years of age, my older sister was led into bad place. A cult if you will, the Way, from New Knoxville, OH. She was fragile and vulnerable and they used that to get their claws into her. She knew her Bible, she knew better, but the evil one took over her mind. She invited me to a revival they were going to have. She begged for me to visit her �new home�. I joined her in the tent. My spirit could absolutely feel the evil in the tent. People screaming, shouting scripture, speaking in tongues, but all in anger and rage, not love and peace. I couldn�t wait to get out of there. I looked at my sister and ran! I couldn�t get out of the tent fast enough; the devil was surely there. I prayed all the way home. Guidance, protection, safety from the evil that was present there! Truly they were false prophets as Jesus warned us of.

Maybe it�s a good thing we don�t know when the exact time of Jesus return is because then we may become lazy in our work for God, slacking in our Bible reading. We could become sinners thinking we have time to make it right with God.

The return of our Lord will be clear to all, and His promises will stand forever.

Let us pray:

Lord, we pray for your guidance, for your protection from false teachers. Be in our hearts, souls and mind to know the difference. Amen.

Beda Sielschott

December 4, 2025 Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day�s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 �Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus, 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.� 21 �So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us�one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.� 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, �Lord, you know everyone�s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from

which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.� 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.

After Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples faced an important task: replacing Judas. They prayed, seeking God�s guidance before choosing Matthias. This reminds us that God wants us involved in big decisions, but He also wants us to re- ly on Him, not just our own judgment.

Through prayer and wisdom, they chose a leader according to God�s plan, showing that God works through ordinary people when they trust Him. It�s a reminder that leadership in God�s kingdom is about obedience, faith, and humility, not personal ambition.

Even in the small choices of life, we can ask God for guidance. When we do, He

shows us the right path and uses us for His purposes.

How can you invite God into your daily decisions, big or small? Are you willing to

follow His leading even if it�s different from what you expected?

Let us pray: Father, guide my decisions and help me seek You first. Give me wisdom to follow Your plan and courage to obey, trusting that You are always faithful. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE for a map of the region.

December 5, 2025 Acts 13:16-25

16 So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:

�Fellow Israelites and others who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 After he had destroyed seven peoples in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20 for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22 When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, �I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.� 23 Of this man�s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 24 before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his work, he said, �What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of the sandals on his feet.�

Saint Paul needed to proclaim the Good News of Jesus--to tell of God�s Gift. A firebrand who originally opposed the early Church, Paul had been seriously humbled on his journey to Damascus. Up to that point, he was a man to be feared by Christians. But, ironically, while still carrying a slight vision loss from his Damascus experience, Paul was able to see, more clearly, God�s truth. He was able to see Jesus.

Paul began to preach his sermon in our devotion text with a good introduction as any good speaker is taught. While being among a number of Jewish inhabitants of Antioch, the Apostle begins with the ancestry of their faith. Tracing one�s lineage back to the time of the Old Testament and even to Abraham, was particularly important for Jews. But, even more so, to Paul, was the connection of Jesus, now, to that ancestry. So important was this connection that Paul continues to introduce

himself, in his New Testament letters as �Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ.� Still Jewish by birth and education, he also wanted his readers to know he was NOW an apostle, as well�one who had seen the resurrected Jesus.

Eventually the Apostle lost everything as he tells us in his letter to the Philippians�

-for the sake of Christ. You might ask, �What else could God ask of Paul?� Well, nothing. His life was coming to an end. He had given his all�for Jesus. I am reminded of an oratorio by John Stainer that I sang while a teenager in our church choir, �All for Jesus.�

Let us pray:

All for Jesus. All for Jesus. This our song shall ever be.

For we have no hope, nor Savior,

If we have no hope in Thee. Amen.

Pastor Bob Gibson

December 6, 2025 John 1:19-28

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, �Who are you?� 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, �I am not the Messiah.� 21 And they asked him, �What then? Are you Elijah?� He said, �I am not.� �Are you the prophet?� He answered, �No.� 22 Then they said to him,

�Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?� 23 He said,

�I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, �Make straight the way of the Lord,� �

as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, �Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?� 26 John answered them, �I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.� 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

In John 1:19-28, we meet a man who had every reason to take the spotlight: John the Baptist. Crowds were flocking to him in the wilderness, and the religious leaders were genuinely curious if he was �the guy�, our Messiah.

Imagine the temptation. A chance to step into a massive role, to be the headline.

Who wouldn�t be tempted to say, �Yeah, I�m kind of a big deal.�?

But when they asked him straight up, �Who are you?�, his answer was a display of humility. �I am not the Christ. I am the voice of one crying out in the Wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord�.

John wasn�t interested in being the destination; he was a signpost. He wasn�t the

light; he was just a finger pointing to the True Light.

We often feel pressure to be the answer or the solution. We forget that our true, highest purpose is simply to point to Jesus or look for Jesus. Our job isn�t to draw a crowd to ourselves, but to redirect their praise to Jesus. We�re just the friend who says, �Hey, look over there! That�s the one you need.�

Let us pray:

Dear Jesus,

Sometimes I get caught up in who I think I need to be. Sometimes we are a little too loud, a little too proud. Help me be more like John. Let my life be a simple, steady arrow pointing directly to You. Strip away my need for applause and replace it with the quiet joy of being just a voice for the True Word. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE for link to a map of the region.

December 7, 2025 Matthew 3:1-12

1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 �Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.� 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

�The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

�Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.� �

4 Now John wore clothing of camel�s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, �You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, 9 and do not presume to say to

yourselves, �We have Abraham as our ancestor,� for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 �I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.�

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, calling people to repent and turn back

to God. He said, �Change your hearts and lives! Get ready for the Lord!�. John reminds us that faith isn�t just about believing, it�s about action.

Repentance means taking a hard look at our choices and turning away from anything that separates us from God. It�s not about fear, it�s about preparing our hearts for Him and walking in his footsteps. John also warned that God�s judgment is real, but His grace is greater. Just like the people in in this story, we are called to prepare for Jesus in our daily lives. It could mean forgiving someone, choosing honesty, or putting God first. When we make room for Him, God transforms us from the inside out.

What areas of your life need a fresh start or realignment with God today?

Let us pray:

Lord, help me to prepare my heart for You. Show me where I need to turn away from sin and draw closer to You. Thank You for Your mercy and guidance. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

December 8, 20251 Thessalonians 4:1-12

1 Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. 2 For you know what

instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passion, like the gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this

matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

9 Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you

yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Mace- donia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.

The season of Advent has always been considered a season of preparation. Whether in the church or in the community people ready their hearts and their homes to celebrate the day we call Christmas. In our communities we find decorations and music everywhere. In our churches we find not only bright lights and beloved music, but messages of hope that are to last throughout the year to come.

Saint Paul could have greatly expounded upon any one of the many sins he mentions in our Bible text. But, instead Paul compliments the church on �learning how they ought to live.� While he does so, however, he is reminding those of us

who are reading his letter that we need to examine our hearts regarding these sins as well. And, what better time for us to do so than during a season of preparation like Advent. We clean our houses, so why not our hearts, souls, and minds as well. Remember also, that Advent is a time for hope. While the Apostle commends the people for their love of others, I�m sure he would remind them that God first loved US because of Jesus Christ. It is because of Him that the world has hope. And we have hope. And our children have hope. And so�hope begets hope.

Let us pray: Prayer: Let us remember those who have lost hope in our world and those who have only hope to live on. Help us remember those who do the work of the church for us as well, such as Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Social Services. Amen.

Pastor Bob Gibson

December 9, 2025 Romans 15:14-21

14 I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. 15 Nevertheless, on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. 18 For I will not be so bold as to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the gentiles, by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else�s foundation, 21 but as it is written,

�Those who have never been told of him shall see,

and those who have never heard of him shall understand.�

Paul writes to the believers in Rome, encouraging them and reminding them of their calling. He says he has written boldly to them �because of the grace God gave me.� Paul wasn�t showing off�he was living out his purpose. God called him to bring the message of Jesus to those who hadn�t heard it yet, and he took that seriously.

What�s powerful about this passage is that Paul never takes credit for his success. He says he only boasts about what Christ has done through him. Every victory, every new believer, every miracle�all of it was God�s work through Paul.

We sometimes hold back from speaking about our faith because we don�t want to come across as too pushy or confident. But Paul reminds us that boldness in Christ isn�t pride�it�s obedience. When we act out of love and humility, our confidence points back to God, not ourselves.

You may not be called to travel across nations like Paul, but you are called to share Christ in your world. Maybe that�s through kindness, honesty, forgiveness, or simply showing up for someone who needs love. God can use even small moments of courage to reach hearts that haven�t heard Him yet.

What does �being bold for Christ� look like in your daily life?

How has God used you to show His love to others?

Where do you feel God calling you to take a small step of faith this week?

Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for calling me to live boldly for You. Help me to trust that Your strength works through my weakness. Give me courage to speak with love, act with grace, and point others toward Jesus in everything I do. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE for a map of the region.

December 10, 2025 Genesis 15:1-18

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, �Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.� 2 But Abram said, �O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?� 3 And Abram said, �You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.� 4 But the word of the Lord came to him, �This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.� 5 He brought him outside and said, �Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.� Then he said to him, �So shall your descendants be.� 6 And he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

7 Then he said to him, �I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.� 8 But he said, �O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?� 9 He said to him, �Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.� 10 He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other, but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, �Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years, 14 but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.�

17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, �To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates,

The Lord is our constant companion and source of hope, even when the future seems bleak. Abram, a childless man, is anxious about the inheritance of his worldly possessions, and about the legacy that he will leave once he has died. Instead of just reminding Abram that he shouldn�t worry about such things, God takes a real and compassionate interest in Abram�s concerns, using vivid imagery to describe the contributions that Abram will give to the world, even long after he is gone. The covenant that God makes with Abram is a strong reminder that we are eternally fallible human beings, who will never be able to perfectly keep our promises to God, but that he, unfailingly, keeps his promises to us. He knows that we cannot hope to live up to his goodness, but He, the Alpha and Omega, can and will prevail for us. Our omnipresent and omnipotent God will hold up His end of the deal, even when we don�t; this is where we place our hope and find our peace.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we thank you for your unwavering love of us. Everyday we fail to follow through on the promises we make to you, but we know that you hold us in the palm of your mighty hand. We thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to us as the most precious promise of your love and goodness. We ask for wisdom to trust in your promises even when our lives feel dark and uncertain. Amen.

Emily Hamric

December 11, 20252 Peter 3:1-10

1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you 2 that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. 3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, �Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!� 5 They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, 6 through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one

day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

Most of us have heard it said that �Christmas is for kids.� I disagree, but without becoming too judgmental of that viewpoint, I must say there�s at least a LITTLE bit of truth in that expression. We all know it�s fun to see the excitement and joy of young ones opening presents. So, running with that--if opening presents is the totality of the Christmas experience, then certain other behaviors occur. These start when the child writes their wish list to Santa or just tells their parents what they want for Christmas. For the child, the big challenge of WAITING begins.

Fortunately, many activities help children make it to December 25�baking Christmas cookies, participating in Christmas programs, Christmas shopping for others, TV programs and listening to Christmas music serve both to intensify the anxiety BUT ALSO keep the child busy during the wait. Waiting. Don�t we even as adults hate that?

2 Peter 3 speaks to the frustration of those waiting for the return of Jesus in the words, �With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.� The irony of that frustration for us is that these words were written several thousand years ago to address the concerns of Jesus� followers who were

thinking that not too long after he ascended into Heaven. And, here we are in 2025, thinking the same thing. We can be consoled by the words, �The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.� Ah�we get it now. The waiting is God�s grace. Can we really complain about waiting now? It�s Advent. Christmas IS coming.

Let us pray:

Lord, help us get past our human lack of patience and trust in the grace and wis- dom of your good timing. Amen.

Carol Gibson

December 12, 20252 Peter 3:11-18

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and de- stroyed and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Here we are--currently in the middle of Advent, waiting. The doctor says, �We can fix that knee.� You find out it will be months before anything happens, so you continue dealing with the pain and waiting. In 2nd Peter we receive an

exhortation. �Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be

found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, and regard the patience of

our Lord as salvation.� Isn�t it nice to know that we are �beloved� and the Lord�s patience is our salvation. It makes taking advice easier. Our assignment then is to be at peace. How do we do that? Meditation is society�s popular answer. Gazing at a beautiful scene in nature or an amazing blossom on a flower helps. Getting

our breathing under control helps. Mediation IS a good thing. Finding complete silence without interruptions is precious, helpful time. Our meditation can be a time to think about God, and we can find guidance through Scripture and prayer. 2 Peter affirms this approach: �But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.� If we take this advice, we might decide that repentance and accepting God�s grace might be in order. We still won�t be without �spot or blemish� but it�s a start

toward the �patience of the Lord� and peace.

Sometimes peace doesn�t come immediately. Sometimes we must wait for peace to come to us. We�ve heard the expression, �Wait for it. Wait for it!� We�ve also heard that contentment comes from living in the present. When we learn to �wait for it,� we are adopting an attitude that is helpful in accepting the difficulties of life.

Let us pray:

May the peace of Christ be upon us and all in need as we wait for your good kingdom to come completely. Amen.

Carol Gibson

December 13, 2025 Luke 3:1-18

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high

priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

�The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

�Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight,

and the rough ways made smooth,

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.� �

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, �You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, �We have Abraham as our ancestor,� for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.�

10 And the crowds asked him, �What, then, should we do?� 11 In reply he said to them, �Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.� 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, �Teacher, what should we do?� 13 He said to them, �Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.� 14 Soldiers also asked him, �And we, what should we do?� He said to them, �Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.�

15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, �I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.�

18 So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people.

John preached a baptism of repentance and urged people to show �good fruit� in their lives. Words matter, actions matter, and God wants our lives to reflect His love. Whether it�s sharing, forgiving, or helping someone in need, our actions prove our faith. John reminds us that repentance isn�t just saying sorry�it�s a lifestyle of change, showing God�s love to others.

God calls us to be ready for His kingdom. By living faithfully, we become witnesses to His power and love.

How can your actions this week show that your heart is aligned with God?

Let us pray:

Father, help me produce good actions in my life. Teach me to act with love, honesty, and kindness so that others can see You through me. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

December 14, 2025 Matthew 11:2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, �Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?� 4 Jesus answered them, �Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind

receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.�

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: �What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

�See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.�

11 �Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

John asks, �Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?�

We might wonder why John would be asking this question, John, who�s the cousin

of Jesus, who probably grew up with Jesus, who had shared experiences with Jesus. And yet, John still wondered if Jesus is the Messiah.

Maybe John wondered, because Jesus was not doing what John expected, maybe John wondered because Jesus wasn�t freeing the captives (especially John), maybe John wondered, because the world sure seemed like it was falling apart.

Don�t we wonder the same thing?? In this time of Advent, when we are preparing for the Christ Child, we might wonder if what we are waiting for is real, especially when life seems to be difficult. Are we following the Messiah? Or are we

worshiping/following a false god - someone or something which makes us feel good in the moment?

And Jesus invites us to look and see what is happening� are others being cared for? Especially the ones the world looks away from? The hurt, the downtrodden, the sick, the ones who seem to be dead because no one notices them?

Hear the good news! Jesus, invites us into a world where all are noticed, where all are loved, where all will be made whole. And Jesus invites us to follow: feeding, loving, listening, noticing, sharing God�s love � and there, we will find Jesus.

So in this time of waiting and preparing, I invite you to ponder who you are following. Where are you spending your time and energy?

Let us pray:

Welcoming God, be with us in this season of waiting and wondering. Guide us to you so that we may love and care for others as you love and care for us. When the world tempts us with shiny, bright, new things that are only for us, guide us back to you and to your love which is for the whole world. AMEN.

Pastor Deb Monnin 17

December 15, 2025 Acts 5:12-16

12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon�s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter�s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. 16 A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

At this point in Jesus�s life, He and the apostles are performing a high volume of miracles, showcasing God�s power and goodness. The apostles show great courage and faith in their performance of miracles, not only because they believe that they can achieve these miracles through God, but also because they are performing these miracles in the large area outside of the Temple, which was the heart of the Sadducees domain. At this time, the very wealthy and powerful Sadducees controlled not only the Temple, but also the Sanhedrin (the governing body) in Jerusalem; the law was subject to their whims, and they had already arrested Peter and John previously for healing and preaching. The courage that it took for the apostles to continue to heal and preach directly outside of the workplace of their most powerful and brutal adversaries is nothing short of divine.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for those disciples and saints who have come before us, guiding our way towards evangelism and righteousness. We ask that you give us the courage of your apostles so that we might stand for truth, even when faced with ridicule, threats, or bodily harm. We believe in you and your healing mercy, and we thank you for sending your Son as an example of the ultimate act of courage for our faith. Amen.

Emily Hamric

December 16, 2025 Ezekiel 47:1-12

1 Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there water was flowing from below the entryway of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east), and the water was flowing down from below the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east, and the water was trickling out on the south side.

3 Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. 4 Again he measured one thousand and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand and led me through the water, and it was up to the waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, �Mortal, have you seen this?�

Then he led me back along the bank of the river. 7 As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 He said to me, �This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. 9 Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish once these waters reach there. It will become fresh, and everything will live where the river goes. 10 People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12 On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary.

Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.�

In Ezekiel�s vision, water flows from the Temple�small at first, but growing deeper and wider as it moves outward. Everywhere the river goes, life flourishes. Trees bear fruit every month, and the waters heal what was once lifeless. This passage

paints a powerful picture of God�s restoring presence. The river represents His Spirit, flowing into dry and broken places to bring healing, growth, and renewal. Just as the water deepens, our walk with God also grows deeper as we trust Him more

fully. The message is simple but profound: when God�s Spirit flows through us, life is transformed. Hearts that once felt dry are refreshed. Wounds begin to heal. What seemed barren starts to bloom again. We are not meant to stay ankle-deep in faith; God invites us to step deeper�into trust, obedience, and spiritual growth. His presence is not limited to sacred spaces like the Temple. It flows into the world, touching every life willing to receive it.

Reflection Question:

In what areas of your life feel �dry� or stagnant, and how might God�s Spirit bring

renewal there?

Let us pray:

Lord, thank You for the river of life that flows from Your presence. Let Your Spirit wash over my heart and bring healing where I am dry or weary. Teach me to step deeper into faith, trusting that wherever You lead, life and restoration will follow. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE for link to map of the region.

December 17, 2025 Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34

14 When Jesus entered Peter�s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15 he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons, and he

cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, �He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.�

28 When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two men possessed by demons came out of the tombs and met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, �What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?� 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from

them. 31 The demons begged him, �If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.� 32 And he said to them, �Go!� So they came out and entered the swine, and suddenly, the whole herd stampeded down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and, going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the men possessed by

demons. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their region.

In Matthew 8:14�17, Jesus heals Peter�s mother-in-law and many others who are sick or oppressed. His touch brings immediate restoration�fulfilling Isaiah�s prophecy that the Messiah would �take up our infirmities and bear our diseases.�

Jesus� healing power reveals His deep compassion and His mission to make people

whole in body and spirit.

Later, in verses 28�34, Jesus confronts two demon-possessed men. Even the demons recognize His authority, pleading before Him. When He sends them into a herd of pigs, the townspeople�fearful of His power�ask Him to leave. The contrast is striking: while the suffering find hope in Jesus, others push Him away out of fear or loss.

Christ still offers healing and deliverance today. His authority over sickness, sin, and evil is complete. The question is whether we welcome His presence with

gratitude or resist Him out of fear or comfort.

Do I invite Jesus fully into every area of my life�my struggles, habits, and fears� or do I hold back when His power challenges my comfort?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing our pain and freeing us from what binds us. Give me courage to welcome Your transforming presence, even when it disrupts my comfort. Heal me, cleanse me, and make me wholly Yours. Amen.

Terry Boop

December 18, 2025 Galatians 3:23-29

23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be reckoned as righteous by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham�s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Sometimes, it can feel hard to fit in. We might think that others already have �their people,� or assume they aren�t open to a new friend or helper. And sometimes,

we�re the ones who unintentionally make someone else feel like they don�t belong. We all have �our people,� and it�s comfortable to stay within that circle. It�s easier, I get it.

But imagine all the things the world could have missed if certain people had been left out like, Katherine Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, overcame

being left out but went on to calculate trajectories that helped send astronauts safely to the moon. Or Howard Schultz who grew up poor and was repeatedly rejected by investors, but he persevered and eventually turned STARBUCKS into a global brand. (you know how you love your coffee!)

These examples remind us that exclusion can mean missing out on something extraordinary. Luckily, when it comes to Christ�s love, we don�t have to face that kind of rejection. In Galatians 3:23�29, the Apostle Paul writes, �For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.� Through faith in Jesus, we are not outsiders or strangers�we are God�s children. We are part of His family, loved and accepted just as we are.

As we move through our week, let us carry this truth in our hearts: God�s love is

greater than our fears, stronger than our doubts, and bigger than anything that

makes us feel like we don�t belong. In Christ, we are home�and in Him, we always have a place.

Let us pray:

Dear God, thank You for welcoming us into Your family and reminding us that we all belong in Christ. Help us to love and include others as You do, offering encouragement and grace to those who feel left out. In Jesus� name, Amen.

Sheila Smith

December 19, 2025 Galatians 4:1-7

1 My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than those who are enslaved, though they are the owners of

all the property, 2 but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. 3 So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, �Abba! Father!� 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God.

The year was 2002 and a new movie was coming out on VHS tape. It was a new Barbie movie called Rapunzel. At first, being so little, I didn't really get the movie. That was until I saw Barbie dressed as Rapunzel. Then I knew I wanted to be a princess just like Barbie! What made me want to be even more like Rapunzel was the fact that she had a pet rabbit and a pet dragon that was purple and pink! Oh how I wanted to have a pet dragon. Only in Sunday school did I realize I have been a princess my entire life. Just not like the ones in the books and in the movies. I am the daughter of a prince. A prince who is soon to be born.

We hear of the kingdom of God mentioned a few times through out the church year. If we are longing to be in the kingdom of God, does that mean we are

princesses and princes awaiting our coronation into God�s kingdom? What does God�s kingdom look like to you?

Let us pray:

God, teach us to be princesses and princess worthy of your kingdom. As we await the birth of the prince, let us get ready for our coronation. Amen

Kara Manning

December 20, 2025 John 3:31-36

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.

The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. 34 He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life but must endure God�s wrath.

This excerpt, either written as commentary on John the Baptist's preaching or as continuation of his lesson, is a succinct summary of the gospel; the gift of eternal life is received through faith in Jesus Christ. John notes the status and truth of what Jesus says, mentioning that, because He is the only being who has descended from Heaven, the authority for truth about God rests in Jesus alone. The gift of

sanctification through the Holy Spirit is limitless for those who believe Jesus�s

words, because when we believe Jesus�s words, we also believe in who God says he is. Jesus's authority in the Bible is without question and His words should be used as the only guidepost for our faith.

Let us pray:

Most high God, we thank you for the blessing of your Son whom you sent to this Earth to save us from ourselves. We are in awe of your love for us. We ask that you help us to stay focused on the one true meaning of this Christmas season now and throughout the year, and fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we might become closer to you. Amen.

Emily Hamric

December 21, 2025 Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and

unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, �Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.� 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 �Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,�

which means, �God is with us.� 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

There once was a little girl who at Christmas time was full of joy. Every year her church put on a Christmas play about the birth of Jesus. One year she played the lamb and another year she played one of three shepherds. She had always wanted to play one of the bigger roles in the play. Then one year she was chosen to play an Angel . She was not just chosen to play any angel; she was chosen to play Gabriel�s sidekick. She would be the angel that stood beside Gabriel and helped deliver the news to Joseph and Mary. The news that Mary would bore a son and he was to

be named Jesus. When the news was spread that Mary was expecting a baby, many people taunted her with hateful words and threw stones at her. Even Joseph was hesitant to help Mary at first. However the words of Gabriel helped him believe in the miracle that was coming. He became a protector of Mary and her unborn child. Joseph knew that in order to protect Mary they would need to leave Nazareth and head to Bethlehem. He knew it wouldn�t be easy because King Herod was

already after them and would do everything he could stop them. However, that

didn�t stop Joseph from trying. He took Mary on a donkey and fled Nazareth.

Beginning the journey to miracle we are all in the field waiting for.

That little girl that played Gabriel's sidekick also provided the doll that would be used as baby Jesus that year. I guess you can say she quite literally brought the

good news! Mary and Joseph�s journey was just the beginning.

Let us pray:

God, Help us to share the good news as we await the miracle. Amen.

Kara Manning

December 22, 2025 Revelation 22:6-7, 18-20

6 And he said to me, �These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.�

7 �See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.� 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this

book; 19 if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person�s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

20 The one who testifies to these things says, �Surely I am coming soon.� Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

John reminds us that God�s words are trustworthy and true. Jesus says, �Look, I am coming soon!�. Life can be uncertain, but this promise gives hope.

We live with expectancy, knowing Jesus will return. It�s not about fear; it�s about faithfulness, living every day in a way that honors Him. These verses encourage us to treasure God�s Word and share His love with others.

Are you living with the hope of Jesus� return? How does that change

the way you live today?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promises and for coming back for us. Help me live faithfully, share Your love, and look forward to Your return without fear but rather with hope. Amen.

Cheryl Grant

CLICK HERE for link to map of the region.

December 23, 2025 Luke 1:46b-55

46 And Mary said,

�My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.�

I�ve often wondered what Mary thought when the angel came to her and told her that she would be carrying the son of God. Was she scared? Did she feel that she was not worthy? I�m sure she wondered �Why me Lord?�. The scripture tells us that she went to see her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth must have been a mentor to her because it doesn�t mention that she went to her mother or anyone close to her where she lived. When it says that Mary pondered all these things in her heart I often thought that what she was pondering was all these questions. But Mary was a humble servant, and she just accepted and trusted what God had told her was going to happen. How many times in our life does God as us to accept and trust what he told us is going to happen? Also, I wonder if Mary knew what was to become of Jesus. What he was going to have to go through when he became a man and no longer a child in her arms. Did she know that he would be put to death?

Recently my daughter sent me a quote she came across, �Before you ever held

them, God looked at the story of their life and chose you to walk it beside them�. I found comfort in that quote as I�m sure Mary found comfort also knowing that God had already wrote Jesus�s story.

Let us pray:

Father God, as we come to you humbly and in prayer, you already know our story and the story of our loved ones. Please be with us and give us peace, knowing that you have wrote their story and that we have nothing to fear because we are your children and you love us. Amen.

Sue Fifer

December 24, 2025 Luke 2:1-14

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, �Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.� 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 �Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!�

Can you imagine Mary�s �to do� list as she and Joseph were getting ready to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem? I wonder what they packed? I wonder what �Paperwork� they needed? I wonder who came with them? Maybe their parents? Maybe their siblings. I can�t imagine having a baby in a strange place without some help and reassurance from others! And yet, Mary and Joseph found themselves in a town filled with many people, all wanting to be registered and to go back home. I imagine it was a time of frustration, uncertainty, and worry.

And also we have this beautiful scene in our mind�s eye of all the people surrounding baby Jesus in the manger. Can you see Mary & Joseph, proud parents? Can you see the straw, the animals, the shepherds, and maybe even the wise men? All gathering around, bringing love and joy to this new family. Can you feel the warmth?

As Jesus grew, people continued to come together to meet him. People continued to come to find Jesus when they were tired and worried and hungry. Remember the feeding of the multitudes, or the noticing of the woman at the well, or the raising of the sick little girl. I�m sure you can think of a couple of more.

It doesn�t matter who you are � Jesus welcomes all. Jesus welcomes the leaders (wise men), the working class (shepherds), families, sick people, hungry people, people who aren�t sure that they have packed enough, people who aren�t sure if they have done enough, people who have tried the best they can and yet, don�t think they are

enough. Jesus invites us all to come and be filled with love and warmth.

On this Christmas Eve, when we are all scurrying around, and it feels like we are not enough, find a comfortable chair and be with Jesus for a few minutes � sit in Jesus� love and be filled.

Let us pray, Thank you Jesus. Thank you for finding us where we are � feeling not quite ready, feeling not quite prepared, wanting to scurry around and make things perfect. It doesn�t matter if we are ready or not, it doesn�t matter if we have all we think we

need. Because in you we are enough. Thank you for bringing us together, for filling us with love and peace. AMEN.

Pastor Deb Monnin

December 25, 2025 Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of

the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, �Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.� 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 �Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!�

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, �Let us go now to Bethlehem and

see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.� 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her

heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

We waited in the field as volunteer corn, sharing the Gospel and bringing the good news to those who needed to hear most. We shared the love with those who really needed it and brought love to those who haven�t experienced it yet. We followed Mary and Joseph�s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. In this passage we were joined by shepherds in the field as they cared for their sheep. Like those sheep we were waiting for our shepherd. Then finally after all that waiting our shepherd, our miracle, our savior has finally arrived! As I hear the good news brought to us by the angels I am reminded of a song. A song I listen to every Christmas. A song

without an author called �The First Noel�. This elegant Christmas carol talks about the shepherds in the field being greeted by the angels telling them of the good news of Jesus�s birth. As they were told this good news, a light shined from above over the entire land. We can only imagine how beautiful that night must have been through the words we have read.

When I was little and even now as an adult I love to listen to music. My mom has a music box that is kind of like a record player only smaller. It has a drawer below the player where there is a selection of Christmas songs on golden disks. None of the songs have lyrics, it is only instrumental music. Sometimes I just sit and listen to the music and remember how the magic of the birth of Jesus isn�t just for Christmas. It is for every day of the year!

Let us pray:

God, We thank you for your son our miracle and savior. Amen

Kara Manning

BONUS:

There�s a Wideness in God�s Mercy

The hardest times of my life have been the deaths of my father and my dear husband, Ron. God did a wonderful and kind thing for me at that time. He put the words of an old hymn into my mind and heart. I heard it when I woke, when I lay to rest and in my quiet times. The words were going through my mind without my bidding, bring peace and quiet joy. The main hymn is written below:

There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea;

there's a kindness in God's justice which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth's sorrows are more felt than up in heav'n.

There is no place where earth's failings have such kindly judgment giv'n.

For the love of God is broader than the measures of our mind; and the heart of the Eternal

is most wonderfully kind.

Judy Hagaman