Friday, December 20 – SPEND LESS

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.    –Luke 2:16 (NRSV)

Those nomadic men of the fields had little with them besides their garb, scrip (carry bag), sling, rod & staff and a flute.  When they followed the calling of the angel, they hurried to find the promised Savior.  [It is told that some later travelers came long distances and brought the finest gifts to the little Christ child.]  Yet the shepherds are not remembered for bringing any gift at all:  well, not one of monetary value that is.  I wonder if they brought something even more precious.  Is the giving of yourself maybe priceless? 

What do you have to offer your Lord?  Here I am, Lord. Lou Hanson

Thursday, December 19 – GIVE MORE

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.             –Luke 2:10-16 (NRSV)

The shepherds were working in the dark of night: a cold, hard job protecting their charges.  Suddenly the entire sky lights up with the glory of the Lord and an angel appears telling them not to be afraid.  RIGHT!  No fear in that spectacular event!  They were just guys out doing their normal job.  What will we be doing when our call comes?  Will we recognize it?  Have we been waiting and watching?  When it does come will we keep on doing our job or “make haste” to answer that call?  The shepherds “made haste” to find Jesus.  It doesn’t even mention if they took their sheep with them or not!

Watch & be ready.  Here I am, Lord                                Lou Hanson

Wednesday, December 18 – WORSHIP FULLY

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.    –Luke 2:8 (NRSV)

The shepherds!  Who were these guys?  It is told that they were the youngest sons with a work that was arduous at times.  They worked all during the night to keep their flocks safe from predators.  Many other Jews had more knowledge, wealth, were more pious, had more stature in the community, yet the first call to worship the little Lord Jesus was sent out to these boys of the fields.  Why?  Or maybe more important, why not?  These were the small group of boys blessed with the first Good News of their Savior’s birth.  God seems to have some sort of plan to use the smelly, unlovely, lame, meek, poor, young --- you get the idea.

Why? Here I am Lord!                                                 by Lou Hanson

Tuesday, December 17 – Vulnerable and Worthy

Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' ²² But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴  for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.             –Luke 15:21-24 (NRSV)

Are we ‘worthy’ to be called sons and daughters of God?  Not in and of ourselves, but when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to the power and presence of God in our lives, then God makes us worthy, like the son in the parable of the Prodigal/Lost Son.

Brene Brown gives a TED Talk: “The Power of Vulnerability” that is worth watching ...several times.  Google “Brene Brown TED talk” or put in your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

In her research she discovers that people who are vulnerable (open to love and being loved) find a joy and worthiness in life that escapes those who have to control and order everything.

Her talk is humorous and candid...and full of grace.  You will be blessed...and challenged.  God is at work in our world.

Monday, December 16 – It’s a matter of choice

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. –John 15:16 (NRSV)

Are you a passionate evangelist?  Most of us would say, “No.”  But God has chosen us to share the Good News of great joy that comes through Jesus.  God chooses flawed, imperfect, and mistake-prone people to share the message with a flawed, imperfect, and mistake-prone people. 

As someone has said, we are beggars telling others where to find bread.

We share the message in many ways:  speak it, sing it, write it...but we are all chosen to live it...that we might receive and bear its fruit...lives that express the grace and presence of God.  It’s a matter of choice...