Second Day of Christmas Devotional

Tuesday, December 26, Isaiah 9:6  For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

What’s today? The second day of Christmas. (Ten more to go!) The feast day of St. Stephen. (Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen…) My cousin’s birthday. Boxing Day. 

For many, it is a quieter day than the previous few. I like so much to celebrate twelve days of Christmas. I remember a wise and unusual friend, who lived alone, and would spread out the opening of his gifts over a week or two. He might not even get around to opening one on December 25th! I don’t do this, but I do like to stay in the joys and wonder of the Jesus birth stories. I like to keep the decorations up until January 6th. I like the freedom from all that advertizing and shopping that happened in the six weeks before. Now, I can spend quality time with beloved people, and with puzzles and crosswords and board games. 

So, try it out. Spend twelve days with some time to ponder the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He’s a newborn. He’s two thousand twenty-eight years old. He’s more ancient than the known universe.

PRAYER: Abba God, Your Child is one of us. Thanks be! Praise be! And in His fragile weakness is a great strength, a beautiful healing, a welcoming kingdom. Now, as years end and begin, may there be some serenity for us all. Amen.

      - Jeff G. White

Christmas Day Devotional

Luke 2:16-18  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,

By now most of us have shared in the excitement of Christmas day.  The opening of gifts, the festive dinner, visits with friends and family have been parts of the traditions that make up our celebrations.  As we pause to reflect upon Christmas 2023, let us take a few moments to think of those in our church family, community and the world of which we are a part of.  We pray that the message of peace on earth and goodwill to all has some place in this topsy-turvy time in which we live.

The shepherds of old went home to their families and communities to share what they had experienced - the  announcement that God’s child had arrived to give hope to the world.  They didn’t know how it would manifest itself in their lives but they believed in the message of the angels.  May we feel that same presence and excitement in our lives and in our world as we reflect on this another Christmas day.

Prayer: Loving God, may the peace of Christ be in our hearts and actions throughout the year and like the shepherds of old may we share the good news of your love.  Amen.

   -The Rev. Byron Corkum

Christmas Eve Devotional

Isaiah 9:2  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

         According to my optometrist I have been walking in darkness, getting deeper and deeper as I age. Although I know that Isaiah was not writing about cataracts when he wrote these powerful lines, but they jumped out at me in this season of light.

As I sat in a hospital waiting area after my first surgery, I shut first the original, then the improved eye. To my amazement, the lights on the ceiling turned from white to yellow before my very eye. So the doctors were right when they said I needed the surgery.  Susan was right when she told me that my Sunday shirt really was white - not yellow. I was wrong in my perceptions of reality.  I think I have been taught a couple of lessons – gratitude towards medical competence and that I don’t see nearly as well as I believe I do.

A couple of prayerful verses from the old Clara Scott hymn won’t leave my head:

Open my eyes that I may see / glimpses of truth Thou hast for me. / Place in my hands the wonderful key t? hat shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my mind that I may read / more of Thy love in word and deed.  / What shall I fear while yet Thou dost lead?  / Only for light from Thee I plead.

Silently now I wait for Thee, / ready my God thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, / Spirit divine!

     -Ed Colquhoun

Sat, Dec 23 Devotional

John 1:14  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As we all know, a newborn baby can certainly dominate a group of people. It may be asleep in its mother’s arms, but the minute it enters a room full of adults, suddenly it is the focus of conversation. People use baby talk and make strange faces at the baby and speculate as to which parent it looks most like. In effect, the baby is like a magnet, drawing all attention to itself.

This being the case with babies in general, how much more was it true of the Baby born so long ago in Bethlehem. The angels took special interest in His coming; the shepherds searched for His manger; Mary and Joseph rejoiced in the birth of the promised Son; and God Himself looked on with approval. Mary’s newborn Son was very much a dominating presence.

And we, two thousand or so years later, continue to stand by the manger in awe of what God has brought about through the Babe of Bethlehem.

Prayer: Our God, help us to keep Jesus at the centre of our attention each and every day of our lives. We are forever grateful for Your amazing gift to us. In His name we pray. Amen.

- Greg Wilson

Fri, Dec 22 Devotional

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

      In this world of war, hate, violence, poverty and unrest, we need to show kindness, love, and respect for everyone.  Pray and be thankful for all the blessings God has sent our way.  Especially at Christmas time.  Be thankful for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

 A poem by Helen Steiner Rice

Thank you God for little things

that often come our way.

The things we take for granted

but don't’ mention when we pray.

The unexpected courtesy,

the thoughtful kindly deed.

A hand reached out to help us

in a time of sudden need.

O make us more aware, dear God,

of little daily graces

that come to us with “sweet surprise”

from never dreamed of places. 

    -Pauline Lusby

Thrs, Dec 21, Devotional

Luke 1:46-48  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

         I will be honest, I couldn’t come up with a thought on the scripture given to me.  What came to my mind is how the churches have changed, more acceptance and not so rigid. 

My first experience to the Roman Catholic Church (which had some different rules than the Baptist Church on the “hill”) you couldn’t enter the church without something on your head.  So, my best friend gave me a hanky and all I worried about was, was it used?  Also the service was in Latin, I barely knew English, and sore knees up and down so much.

My other experience with the Catholic Church was my strong Baptist Aunt and Uncle, who lived on the “Hill”.  They had a younger son who was going to marry a Catholic girl, not from the “Hill”.  She was a lovely girl!  But her parents were every bit staunch Catholic as my relatives were Baptist.  On we go to the Highland Baptist Church on the “Hill” but her parents wouldn’t attend the ceremony in the Sanctuary.  They did come for lunch and pictures.  I was quite baffled about this (how things have changed). 

The “Hill” was nicknamed “Sand Hill” and yes, Rev. Jeff, you live smack-dab in the middle!

  -Liz Hickey

Wed, Dec 20 Devotional

Psalm 126 :5-6        

I always love to learn a new lesson.  This is what I learned from Psalm 126 :5-6

 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Sometimes it seems we have more than our fair share of problems.  We feel so submerged in them it is hard to get out.  We can get out however by believing in the unseen.  We learn to use the leverage of Gods help.  When we use this help, we can see beyond what seems to be. Start with some tasks to unlock your mind from confusion.

What ever happens today we can see it as a challenge that we are able to meet.  If it is good, it can be a gift.  If it is difficult, this too shall pass.  Do not let good make you complacent and not good drown you in despair.  We need to let our life be guided by God’s will.  In quietness and trust shall be our strength.

Prayer:  I pray that I may welcome difficulties.  I pray that I never question God’s plans, but accept them gladly.  Amen.

    -Verna VC

Tues, Dec 19 Devotional

Psalm 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

         This verse is often interrupted as a reflection on the joy and gratitude that come with experiencing God’s blessings and deliverance.

When considering this verse in the context of Christmas, it can be connected to the joyous occasion of Christ’s birth. Christmas is a time when many people reflect on the idea of God’s great gift to humanity in the form of Jesus. The birth of Jesus is seen as a moment of great significance, bringing hope, joy, and salvation to the world.

Throughout this Advent season, may God fill our hearts and homes with joy and laughter. And may we be ever mindful of His blessings and the great things He has done.

   -Bev Curry

Mon, Dec 18 Devotional

Isaiah 61:11  For as the earth brings forth its shoots
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to spring up before all the nations.

Five years ago, my sister and I began the task of moving my mother and father from their home of sixty years.  It involved difficult decision making that, at times, was overwhelming for the two of us.  There was also the sorting through many items with attached memories.  After a long and tiring day, we both looked at Mom’s spider plant and said “no” to keeping it.

Last summer we visited our new granddaughter on Vancouver Island.  When I commented on the beautiful spider plant that my daughter-in-law had, she replied, “That is your Mother’s.”  Unbeknownst to me, she had earlier cut some baby spiders from Mom’s plant.  She and my son traveled 6000 kilometers with them in their car from NS to BC.  I asked for a baby spider plant that went into a tiny pot with some garden soil and a plastic bag, which then accompanied us home on the floor of the plane.  I, along with my Mom and sister now proudly have “Mom’s” spider plant back and it is flourishing.

God’s plan for us as Christians is to flourish and spread his love to others.  As the familiar hymn “They will know we are Christians by our love…”

Prayer: Our God, help us to share your love not just at Christmas but throughout the year.  Even small acts can make a difference in the lives of other.  Amen.

 -Sandra Corkum

Sun, Dec 17 Devotional

Isaiah 61:1  The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
    because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
    to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and release to the prisoners.       

Good News, these are the two words that I, and maybe others, notice when reading Isaiah 61:1.  The news we get today...TV and printed sources has been a bit heavy as we enter this Advent Season.  Yet, the promise is there...a promise foretelling the birth of Jesus, seven centuries before Jesus was born.

Jesus actually made reference to this passage (Luke 4:18-21); essentially affirming he is the Good News.  The oppressed, and broken-hearted will experience relief. Captives and prisoners will be freed.  This is the Christmas gift.  The Christ gift!

As I was considering this idea of this gift, I realized we must be part of the giving.  We cannot expect this gift will be given..without us also giving.  We must be there to comfort a neighbour, or possibly providing a meal for a homeless person.  We must speak out when people whose faith, or life style is different than our own are being demeaned or threatened. We must live the life of a Christian.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the celebration of the Good News is almost at hand.  Jesus has shown us the path.  Humans tend to be slow learners and strife, wars, and hateful behaviours seem to cloud our vision as to what can be possible.   Maybe we simply need to make the first words of the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi our goal.  Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Jesus came to teach us to love.  Help us understand his teaching.  Amen.      

-Shirley Ann Hallee

Sat, Dec 16 Devotional

Mark 1:1-2 The beginning of the good news[ of Jesus Christ. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare my way.”

In Bethlehem's stall, a tale unfolds,

Mark's words echo  the story to be told,

Isaiah said and Mark did too, 

A fresh beginning, a journey anew.

John the Baptist has a path to ford, 

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

It happened on a  wintry night, A

ngels and a celestial light,

Stars adorned the midnight sky, 

Guiding shepherds, drawing nigh.

A babe found in a manger low,

wrapped in love, the Saviour's glow.

So as snowflakes dance and carols ring,

Let joy and peace their chorus bring.

In Mark's prelude and Christmas cheer, 

The timeless tale we hold so dear.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in this season of anticipation, help us prepare our hearts to receive the light of Christ.  May the peace that passes all understanding  fill our lives and guide us in  the way of righteousness.  Amen.

      -Karen Fraser

Fri, Dec 15 Devotional

2 Peter 3:14  Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things,  strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish,.

         The Wait

Humming that tune we hold to the phone.

Fingers a-drumming we wait the green light.

Sighing then frowning we fidget and shift.

- The wait and the waiting are endless.

But what of The Wait

For the Promise of Life?

For the Peace of all things?

and the Land always green?

Not humming nor drumming nor fidgets will do it!

But  knowing  the worth

 in all of God's kin -

The grand and the low, equal gifts held within-

In  striving for wholeness we make the new earth.

Prayer: Advent God, every moment you arrive anew. Use  my hands, my thoughts, my actions - my offering to effect the coming new earth.  Amen.

            -Cynthia McCarthy

Thrs, Dec 14 Devotional

2 Peter 3:8   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.

   Time travel has always fascinated me. I’ve enjoyed science fiction, and movies like “Back to the Future,” “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and “I’ll FollowYou Down” stir my imagination about all the fun – and danger – of time travel.

As if. We have no time machines. We are walking through time in one direction, at one speed. Though it does not always seem quite like this. So, I guess my ‘science mind’ sometimes wonders about the God I relate to, as if my Master can be everywhere and every time at once. A friend sometimes prays for people with this phrase, asking Jesus to “reach back through time and….” Indeed, God touches our past: heals, reveals, and makes sense of things.

Looking to the unknown future, Peter and other early disciples understood that God’s life in time is not like ours. A thousand years like a day, and vice versa. The promises of good things for the world are still holy promises, no matter what our watches and calendars tell us today.

PRAYER: Alpha and Omega – Timeless Christ – to You we turn in this season of waiting and preparing. Show us how scripture is full of special time, not simple chronology in order. Give us patience, day by day.  Amen.

      -Jeff G. White

Wed, Dec 13 Devotional

Psalm 85:10  Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
    righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

      Just think about those words “steadfast love”.  Not just love, but steadfast love.  Love we can count on in a way that even health can’t be counted on, but God’s love is always steadfast.

He is always faithful when so much is failing around us.  God never fails those who trust in him.  Steadfast Love and  Faithfulness meet in God. 

Righteousness and Peace.  They kiss each other.  What a picture of God’s affection for us and how beautifully his righteousness and peace go together.

Prayer: God of steadfast love and faithfulness of righteousness and peace, we praise You.  Amen.

    -Jean Harrison

Tues, Dec 12 Devotional

Psalm 85:8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people,
    to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

         Centuries ago, the Israelites heard that the LORD would speak peace to them. This saying has a special resonance in these troubled times when conflict seems perpetual in the “Holy Land.” We have seen a number of faithful people who sincerely reach out to the “other side” only to be disappointed again and again. It appears that there are those whose hearts are turned towards the LORD and towards peace, but their attempts to share the land are thwarted by others who can see no way of reconciliation. {This is not totally unlike the Ukrainian war which drags on for another year.}

There are a couple of things that we who are outside the conflict can do in this season of peace. First, we can seek out credible media – written and other – that explain the deep and complex roots of the ongoing hatred. We can then listen with understanding to the deep hurt that underlies these conflicts. Our conviction is that the God of both Palestinians and Israelis who showed himself 2000 years ago wishes to speak peace to His people.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, who was a Jew who lived in Palestine, give us understanding of these difficult issues. Bring peace to all who need it so desperately.  Amen.

    -Ed Colquhoun

Mon, Dec 11 Devotional

Isaiah 40:11  He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms
and carry them in his bosom
    and gently lead the mother sheep.

         Yesterday we had the opportunity to sing about preparing for our lord as he extinguishes our iniquities and bring us closer towards hope, peace, joy, and love. As I was reading this scripture, I am reminded that our Lord is my shepherd, and he leads me when I struggle in times of trouble. I think of the hymn that gets lost in time in many churches that don’t get sung often during the Christmas season, and that hymn is The King of Love. The text reminds me that even in our darkest moments, God will always be with us by our side so we may not fear anything that comes before us except our lord Jesus Christ. 

Just as before, let’s get out our phones, iPad, or computer, and type in the link below to hear this beautiful hymn. The text can be found in the video. Happy Holidays!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLdPoQnylnA

     -Kevin Dupuis

Sun, Dec 10 Devotional

Isaiah 40:3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

         As Christmas draws nearer, a lot of us celebrate the holidays through various traditions, with mine being the tradition of singing Christmas carols for the holiday season.  This hymn in particular may not be recognized as a Christmas carol, but still represents the essence of Advent and preparing for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us go on our electronic devices and sing our hearts in reflection of this scripture to the hymn, There’s a Voice in the Wilderness. The words are in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y8vcAXN7Xo

        -Kevin Dupuis

Sat, Dec 9 Devotional

Mark 13:35-37 Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

When my husband died thirty seven years ago I was devastated.  We had two small children, three and six years old.  At first I didn’t know how I would manage.  I was blessed I had a full time job, but still cried for help.  While reading my Bible, I found in Philippians this verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”  I prayed for God’s help daily and since then I have been blessed many times over.

I now have two wonderful young adults who have their own family and are doing well.  They look out for me and are always ready to help me.  With God’s help I am blessed and now I get pleasure in helping others, and each time I do, God rewards me and I am thankful for all of His blessings.

Therefore, I feel I am awake always and am ready to go whenever He calls me.

Prayer: O God, thank you for your love so great.  Christ died for our sins.  I pray you will continue to guide us through good times as well as bad.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

   -Carol O’Regan

Fri, Dec 8 Devotional

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the partnership of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 With the Sunday morning ‘Write-A-hymn’ peroject, Sharon H. got inspired to write a song:

Early in the morning when the sun comes up

I will dance and sing and

Praise the Lord.

Joy and laughter shall

Be my new song.

As I dance and sing and

Praise the Lord.

Love, Love, Love

Joy, Joy, Joy

All day long we will

Dance along.

Laughing and singing

To the music of

The love story. 

-Sharon Howard

Thrs, Dec 7 Devotional

1 Corinthians 1:4-7 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of[ Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When I signed up to do a devotional, it was this passage that stood out to me amongst the others –for two reasons, both from the very first line in verse 4; “I thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you…” (NLT).

Pastor Jeff and I moved to Amherst 18 months ago. You have accepted us into your lives and hearts most graciously! We have made many new friendships and rekindled old ones.

You see, I’ve moved a lot, 32 times across three continents, to be precise, and that’s left a longing in my heart for a place to call home, for a place with roots! Even though I lived in Amherst from 2001-2004, moving back to Amherst was difficult for me as we moved further away from my family. Yet, your acceptance of us into your hearts and homes has made this transition easier! Your love, support, and friendship for each other, this church, and your support of the community warms my heart and soul. I am humbly grateful for each of you and your friendship; as Paul writes in verse 4 - I thank God for each of you!

The second part of that first line… “the gracious gifts he has given you,” stirs my heart in excitement of what God can do…is doing…and will do through our gifts! Gifts of time, talent, and treasure. I thank God for how you use your gifts to spread His Good News of love, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance in our hurting community and world!

I sense more good things happening in our future! I look forward to the Advent season with you as we celebrate together the birth of a tiny babe, our Lord! I look forward to the day when our Lord returns, and I have faith that “He will keep you strong to the end….” (verse 8)          -Sharon White