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Written by Trevor Hudson, a contemporary South African pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “Seeking God.”

MEDITATION:

I am sure you are familiar with God’s word that comes from the prophet, Ezekiel; “I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). These words remind us that our heart has many stony bits and pieces. This hardness can range from dark feelings of uncaring, or anger and arrogance towards those in need around us, to deeply ingrained prejudices towards those different in class, culture, and color.  Sometimes this hardness of heart exists even in our most intimate relationships. We simply become unresponsive and withdrawn. Looking back, I realize that my greatest failures have been failures in compassion towards those I love most deeply.  If we want God’s compassion to flow through us, we must face honestly our hard hearts. Otherwise, they will not become hearts of flesh.  We cannot change our own hard hearts. What we can do is acknowledge our stony bits and pieces, bring them to Christ, and share them with him, as honestly as we can. Wonderfully, our compassionate God meets us in our hardness, welcomes us as we are, and offers us, with crucified hands, the gifts of loving forgiveness and transformative grace. Our hard hearts become softer. How would you describe the stony bits and pieces of your own heart?

PRAYER:

Written by Trevor Hudson, author of today’s devotional.

  Lord Jesus Christ, give me the grace to be with you in your suffering on the cross and whatever you suffer today. Free me from my tendency towards self-absorption, self-centeredness, and self-interest, so that space can be created for your compassion to flow into me and through me. Help me to freely lay down my life, with the same Spirit in which you gave up your life for me, that I may take up whatever fuller and richer life you have prepared for me. And I confess that I do not find this easy. Please renew within my heart the assurance that your compassion is like a mother’s womb love that will never forget me, no matter what happens. Help me now, by your Spirit, to enter your sacred mystery of dying to live, that I may be the fruit of divine compassion towards each person in my life. May my heartbeat echo yours only. Amen.

Today’s devotional is from Theodyssey, an organization for growing spiritual leaders. It is from their devotional series “Heart’s Desire.”

MEDITATION:

Poverty forced a young Nicholas Herman into joining the army for survival. A war injury and a failed attempt as a footman led him to join a monastery in Paris where, as Brother Lawrence, he could “suffer for his failures.”  Throughout his day, whether cooking, cleaning floors, or mending sandals, he simply glanced over and noticed God with the eyes of his heart. Like a parent continually aware of the whereabouts of a toddler (whether at church or in a shopping mall), Brother Lawrence became mindful of the nearness of God in all of his daily activities.   In his classic book, Practicing the Presence of God, he wrote about how to return the gaze of God and remember him in the ordinary moments of the day. He called these occasions “little interior glances.” “Little interior glances” are moments of remembering, noticing, or seeking God’s presence in the midst of whatever is. It might be a memory, the sensation of hope, awareness of an abiding Presence, or subtle joy at being alive. Like air bubbles surfacing from the bottom of a fish tank, these noticings emerge into our conscious awareness within the ordinary activities of our daily lives.  “Little interior glances” are responses to our heart’s desire, feeding and encouraging the soul, pointing us toward home. The length or form of these times is not as important as how often you can find them. How often you find them is not as important as finding them at least now and then. And even finding them now and then is not as important as wanting them. Pray for them. And, as best you can, remember how much you want them.

PRAYER:

Written by Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) an English priest and later elected as the Bishop of Chichester, but Henry III would not recognize him.

 Awaken, O Lord Jesus, our hearts and minds to your presence in the world of your love’s creating. Forbid that we should stumble through this day oblivious to the wonder in the ordinary. With your grace, startle us into faith’s perception of your continuing creation in our lives. Amen.

Today’s devotional was written by M.S. Lowndes, a contemporary Christian songwriter, poet, and author.

MEDITATION:

The events leading up to the birth of Christ weren’t coincidental but were put in place by God, so that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled, in Isaiah 7: 13-14. Isaiah 9: 6-7, and Micah 5: 2-5. Everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone returning to their own city to be registered, and then the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town in the City of David, came the Messiah. This event was the beginning of something so incredible. Jesus Christ left His throne in glory and took on human form just to bring us reconciliation to our Father God. He came into the world, miraculously conceived, and then born as all humans are. He was first a baby, then became a toddler, then grew into a child and went through adolescence before becoming an adult. He experienced humanity at all levels. He truly can identify with all people at all stages of life. This very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift ever. His Son! And His Son gave the gift of His life – which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God as His children. Through Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God. So this Christmas, bear in mind the ‘True’ Christmas story, which led to the ‘True’ Easter story. Let us give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for these events, which have changed our lives forever.
 No matter how ‘secular’ the world is becoming, disregarding the truth of Christmas, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season.

PRAYER:

Written by Emilie Griffin (1936-2022), an American author.

Lord, give me hope. Let me see your providential hand at work in every corner of society. And let me be refreshed by the innocence of children, Lord Jesus. Let me be amused by their antics, their sudden laughter, their glee. Help me to be touched by the naivete of the Christmas narrative, the angels bringing word to humanity, Mary and Joseph escaping with their child into Egypt. May the light of the Incarnation flood my heart. Help me bring your peace into the world. Amen.

Written by Nanci Hoffman from the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

I asked my daughter Tami, who now lives in the U.S. if she were asked to write something for a Christmas memory, what would it be?  Without hesitation, she said it would be about the Christmases we shared with our church in Tokyo many years ago. It was in the 70s and 80s when we attended the Tokyo Baptist church in Shibuya, Tokyo. I think the total attendance on a Sunday morning was about 100 to 150. Many of the congregants were young, new, Japanese Christians, the only Christians in their traditionally Shinto or Buddhist families. Some congregants were expats mainly from the U.S. or Britain, doing business in Tokyo with their families. The Staff of the church were missionaries mainly from Texas. Because we had what would have been considered over there a large home, we often opened it up to the church for Bible Studies and other activities. The happiest of all was when annually we invited the whole church by an invitation in the Sunday bulletin to our home for a Christmas Carol sing and fellowship. The church organist, Darrell Mock, would play my piano, and probably 60 to 70 of our church friends would sing around the Christmas tree, many sitting on the floor, all crowded together. We would sing from the little books of lyrics I typed up. Darrell would play some special music for us. Then we would share in the goodies that everyone brought. It was glorious. It is one of those memories that when brought to mind fill our bodies and souls with light, laughter, lightness and such thankfulness, as times with friends, music, good fellowship, and praise to our Lord evoke. Thank you, Tami, for bringing this memory to us again.

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 145:18

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by Judy Walters from the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

In 2022, the doorbell rings on Christmas Eve and we expect it to be Amazon with a last-minute gift.  Or Uncle Joe dressed as Santa Claus to surprise our grandchildren.  Back in the day, circa 1945, we had a different, but traditional visitor every year on Christmas Eve.  A doorbell ring or a knock on the door, and our special visitor arrived by taxi after traveling by train from New York City to Washington DC. Not Santa, however, she may as well have been. Anne Walters, my Godmother, was adored by all our family.  Although we weren’t blood relatives, we were related in our hearts.  Anne delighted my three sisters and I with some of the latest Christmas tree decorations and delicious candies from Macy’s Department Store on 5th Avenue.  Soon after she arrived, Anne donned an apron, becoming “Hazel” just like Ted Key’s cartoon housemaid character from The Saturday Evening Post magazine. Entertaining us by telling jokes in her New York accent, she vacuumed, washed dishes, and cooked alongside my mother. She was a great help to our family.

Anne first met my parents at First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan where they became friends and members.  Not only that, but she also worked for the Doctor who delivered me. When I was baptized, Anne became my Godmother.  She took her commitment seriously by always writing to me and taking a real interest in my young life.  Even though I drifted in my Christian walk, I knew that she was praying for me and eventually I came to know the Lord.  I’ll never forget her twinkling blue eyes, her kind and generous spirit.  She infused laughter, love, and joy in our home every Christmas.  There was no better gift than Anne!

SCRIPTURE:

Luke 2:15

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by Ace Collins. This is an excerpt from his book “Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas.

MEDITATION:

The Nutcracker Ballet is perhaps the most unique Christmas tradition. Considering that this ballet was adapted from a morbid story written for adults, brought to the theater by a famous composer who had great reservations about the project’s merit and especially about its Christmas setting, and originally staged by students and opening to bad reviews, one would think the ballet would have been doomed to obscurity, lost in the maze of other failed holiday theatrical productions. But The Nutcracker survived, somehow hanging on to life in communist Russia and finally finding a magical platform in a place that rarely embraced classical culture – Cold War-era United States…Each year more than 200 American ballet companies pack theaters from coast to coast with their versions of The Nutcracker. The ballet creates the same kind of results in Europe and Asia. The Nutcracker does not embrace the scriptural story of the first Christmas. It is simply classic fantasy told in a childlike fashion., But in important ways, the Nutcracker accomplishes what the holidays are supposed to accomplish: it brings family and friends together to share in the wonder, joy, and magic of the season. Just like the bright-eyed expressions of 12^th century children as their fathers cracked nuts at Christmas, the looks of wonder in children’s eyes as they watch or participate in a much different holiday Nutcracker prove that the spirit of Christmas can be reborn in a wide variety of ways around the world each year. And that spirit is something worth celebrating.

SCRIPTURE:

James 1:17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by Margot Wallace from the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

One important feature of our holiday celebration took place on Christmas Eve when together we dressed up our carefully selected, perfectly shaped tree in complete joy and gratitude for the oxygen it provided all year!  With friends and neighbors, this ritual was accompanied by caroling, laughter, mince-meat pie, and, homemade ice cream, followed by attending Church service. This special tree-in-a-pot was planted in the yard shortly after the New Year. This image of the twisted branch belongs to the rarest pine in the USA, native to our coastline, notoriously hardy, sitting atop the ocean’s bluff, subject to all atmospheric conditions. Without the generous branches of Torrey Pine trees, we would have little shade from the Southern California sun; birds and other animals would be hard-pressed to find such solace from their predators. Their perky needles point to heaven, full of the hope that Christmas promises. Its’ spirit reminds me of “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer, which I memorized some time ago:

“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree;

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain, who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree!”

Painted by Margot Wallace

SCRIPTURE:

Luke 2:19-20

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by Christine Hecker, Director of Student Ministries at the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

When we were children, our father always set up the most adorable little Christmas Village every year. He would tell us stories of the villagers – where they were going; what they were doing; who was down on their luck and in need…each year the stories changed.

That tradition has continued as my siblings and I set up our own Christmas Villages each year and tell stories of the miniature people residing in their quaint cottages to our children. It is our hope to pass down our dearly collected villages to them and that the tradition will continue from generation to generation. As I look forward to setting up the Village this year with my now ‘young adult’ kids, I am reminded how fortunate I am to be a part of Village Church. We’re a Church that is very aware that there are many needs in our San Diego communities, and across the globe, and we work diligently to meet those needs with the gifts God has given us – time, talents, and treasures, at Christmas and throughout the year. 

SCRIPTURE:

Colossians 3:16

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by Irene Dickson from the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

When we lived in the Chicago suburbs we attended an old Presbyterian Church with a small congregation. Our daughter, Helen, attended Sunday School. In class, the children were asked to draw pictures about what Christmas meant to them. The artwork would be included in a visual presentation at the Family Service on Christmas Eve. Helen loved to draw and we were not surprised to see her ‘masterpiece’ included. But her drawings kept on appearing, and we were a little bit embarrassed as they were all variations of the same thing…. A heart and the word ‘love’. When we commented to the Pastor later that our daughter was an enthusiastic artist, but we wished she had included more
“meaningful” depictions of the Christmas season…. Perhaps the nativity scene, an angel, a Christmas tree, even a snowman.  “Ah,” said the Pastor, “we included so many of Helen’s pictures because not only was she joyful in her creativity but her drawings represent exactly what the birth of Jesus means ….. Love.”

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO:

Written by a student from the Village Church.

MEDITATION:

We do the white elephant game.  We get a bunch of funny gifts and put them in bags and boxes and wrap them. We draw cards and whoever gets #1 goes first. They pick a gift, unwrap it, and hold on to it. The second person choses either to steal #1’s gift or pick a new one. The game goes on until all the gifts are gone.

SCRIPTURE:

Romans 12:10

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

LINK TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC/VIDEO: