Tag Archives: Christmas

Devotional

O little town of Bethlehem

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res   Micah 5:2

Prayer for the day:
Holy God, it is easy for us to be taken in by those whose voices we hear the loudest and the most often. Let us step back and watch and listen to those whose voices are softer. Better yet, let us seek out the quiet persons, encouraging them to use the voice you gave them, reminding them that their voice is needed in the Kingdom.

Question for reflection:
Who in your faith community may have gifts you are overlooking because they are quiet and unassuming, “insignificant” people?

~ 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.

Devotional

Enabled to serve

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:67- 80

Prayer for the day:
God, calm our fears. You gave us breath: remind us to stop and breathe. Give us your peace, and help us find ways to share it. Amen.

Question for reflection:
It has been said that the words “fear not” appear somewhere around 365 times in the Bible. Yet we are such a fearful people! What are you afraid of?

~ 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.

Devotional

Maturity

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:67- 80

Prayer for the day:
God who hears the words of our hearts, help us make space for others to speak. And, in that space, give us the patience to truly listen to our sisters and brothers, even if it means leaving our own words unsaid. As we learn to listen, may those learnings also help us hear your voice more clearly, O God.

Question for reflection:
How might becoming better listeners “guide our feet into the way of peace” (v. 79) more readily than making sure our own words are heard?

~ 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.

Devotional

“It’s the most ‘noisiest’ time of the year!”

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res Luke 1:57-66

Prayer for the day:
Peace be still and know that I am God
Peace be still and know that I am
Peace be still and know
Peace be still
Peace be
Peace Peace Peace

Question for reflection:
Where do you find clarity and peace, amongst the noise and chaos of your life?

~ Sarah Neher, 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

Doubt

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res Luke 1:18-25

Prayer for the day:
Adamant Lord, I praise you for your constant presence, even when my belief becomes mute. Let me cling to you in my darkest hour. Not turning my back to you, the candle of hope.

Question for reflection:
What could your world look like if you cast your doubt aside?

~ Sarah Neher, 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 not be afraid

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res Luke 1:13-17

Prayer for the day:
Present spirit, move within me to quiet my fears. For Lord you have already heard my prayer. Give me patience in my anticipation of what is yet to come.

Question for reflection:
What is your deepest fear? Where do you see hope that washes way your fear?

~ Sarah Neher, 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

Barrenness

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:5-7

Prayer for the day:
God, help us to have eyes to see those places in our lives where your Kingdom is breaking in, and let those glimpses fill us with joy and hope, even as we wait for the Kingdom to come in all its fullness. Amen.

Question for reflection:
In what areas of your life are you still waiting for God’s promises to be realized?

~ Tim Heishman, 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

Fear not

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Luke 1:12

Prayer for the day:
God, surprise us this week with your hopeful presence, in an area of our lives where we doubt and are fearful. Help us to notice and not be afraid. Amen.

Question for reflection:
In what areas of life do you have doubts, concerns, and fears? How can you share those with God and invite God in to walk with you through them?

~ Tim Heishman, 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

When God moved into the neighborhood

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  John 1:14

Prayer for the day:
Jesus, help us to slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing around us, so that we may re-organize our lives and be ready for the good news that you are bringing to our neighborhood. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What new practices, patterns, or routines could you establish to help you “peel back the layers” and see your neighborhood with new eyes? Or what might you give up in order to make time to pay attention?

~ Tim Heishman, 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

A genealogy of grace

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 1:17

Prayer for the day:

Surprising God,
like those who experienced the first Christmas so many generations ago, we stand amazed in your presence. Thank you for giving us the gift of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate and whose life we emulate.

God of grace,
help us to use this Advent season to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ into our world and into our lives.
Amen

Question for reflection:
Tim Harvey shares the story of how his great-grandfather, an outcast, was welcomed into the community of faith. This Christmas, how are you and your congregation welcoming people who are marginalized by our society?

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult 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.