Tag Archives: Christmas

Devotional

Making room for Jesus

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res Luke 2:1- 7

Prayer for the day:
Lord, you came to a family who was welcomed into a home when there was no room. On this day when we celebrate the gift of salvation in the miracle of life, open our eyes to those around us seeking welcome. May our homes and our churches be places of refuge and rest. May our embrace be one that reflects your love made tangible in the welcome of a child. Amen


Question for reflection:
Who do you need to make room for today?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

A love so strong

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res    Luke 2:1- 7

Prayer for the day:
God, we have domesticated you. In Jesus you came into the uncertainties of a young family, far from home, alone in a stable. We overlook that you came to an unwed mother, in the midst of an occupied people. Instead, we gather in comfortable homes and churches singing comforting songs all the while forgetting the cold night of Jesus’ birth. Help us, we pray, to recover the challenge of the incarnation. Help us recall that faithfulness was the measure for choosing Mary and Joseph, and not comfort in their current way of life. Amen


Question for reflection:
Do you still affirm the vows of your baptism? Are you at peace with those around you? What must you do to reclaim those vows and to live at peace with others? How does Jesus Christ challenge you beyond the comforts of your life to grow in faithfulness?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Misunderstanding Jesus

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   Isaiah 9:1- 7

Prayer for the day:
Lord of peace, we too often confuse your kingdom with the ways of coercion and force. Along with the generations who have awaited your reign, we confess that our imaginations fail us and we assume that you will come in the might of violence rather than the embrace of love. Forgive us for misunderstanding the nature of your kingdom and help us to see the way of Jesus as the way of peace. Amen


Question for reflection:
Many Brethren wrestle with our testimony to peace and the nonviolent kingdom of God. How do you witness to the peace of Christ? What do you believe is the Christian response to war and nationalism?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

More challenging than we imagine

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 2:7

Prayer for the day:
O God, who came in the vulnerability of a child, we so often sing of silent and restful nights as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. We confess that all too often we fail to imagine what the peacefulness of that night has to say to the madness of our day. Open our eyes to the grace of the nativity in our everyday lives. Amen


Question for reflection:
Where have you seen the peace and calm of the infant Jesus in the past few weeks?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

The places Jesus appears

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:46 – 56

Question for reflection:
“…. for the Mighty One has done great things for me …. “     Luke 1:49a

Close your eyes. Envision the plight of those who’ve undergone devastation this year. What would a day in their life be like? What can we do to help?

Ponder this: how do we connect with the invisible people whose paths are mingled with ours? Can you take a next step of catching their eye with a smile, a greeting, and warm acknowledgement? What stories would they share … if they were given the opportunity?

Prayer for the day:
Lord,
give us the courage and patience to move beyond our comfort zone;
give us eyes that recognize those that are
lonely.
downtrodden.
worn.
… and live with a heightened sense of uncertainty.

Prompt us to bring the message of your presence and love from the storehouse of blessing you have bestowed on us …. and maybe …. we can witness the resulting light.
Amen.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Nothing is impossible with God

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:34 – 38

Prayer for the day:
God of wonder, help us to wake up to the unexpected blessings you provide and accompanying joy – and express your faithfulness to others in ways that would ring clear to their hearts.

Question for reflection:
How do you respond to the miracles that start to nudge us from just below our radar to a place of transformation? What stories can we share with ourselves and others to build trust in the One who loves us insatiably?

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant, Congregational Life Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Saying yes to God

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:26-33

Prayer for the day:

Beckoning God,
You call me to a life of sacrificial discipleship. Guide my footsteps – that I may say “Yes” to you and your plans. Give me strength to trust especially when I am afraid.


Question for reflection:
In what ways am I ignoring God’s call because I am afraid to give of my whole self?

~ Katie Cummings, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Do saints whine?

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 1:24-25

Prayer for the day:
God, I have questions every day. It’s not for me to know all the answers. Help me to trust in each moment. May I seek to have the faith and wisdom of the saints who have come before me.

Question for reflection:
In what ways can I seek to be more faithful in my own life each day?

~ Katie Cummings, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Protecting the vulnerable

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 1:18-25

Prayer for the day:

Protecting God,
I ask for seeing eyes to take in the vulnerable people in my midst. May I have a heart of compassion, like Joseph, that is open to the moving of the spirit in my life and those around me.

Question for reflection:

Who are the Marys, the vulnerable people, in my own life?

~ Katie Cummings, National Youth Conference Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Insignificant?

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Micah 5:2-5a

Prayer for the day:
God of the great and the small, so often we feel powerless, unable to really make a difference in the world. What can one person do? Help us to remember the world-changing difference just one person made, despite his humble beginnings in the tiny town of Bethlehem.

Question for reflection:
What one small step might you take that would make a difference in someone else’s life?

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.