Author: Owner

Welcome to this special project! Each day of Advent and Christmas, we share inspiring thoughts, stories, and prayers with one another. The variety of things shared on these pages is wonderful. (Yes, a few days are blank - so you know, next year there will be a space for you.) Thanks to everyone who submitted a devotional. Let us simply use these pages to devote ourselves to Christ, and make quiet space in each day for the Spirit to speak.

First Sunday of Advent, November 27
Isaiah 2:4-5
4 He shall judge between the nations
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation;
neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Our World: COVID-19, Massacre in Portapique, N.S., War on Ukraine. Tragedies, we often ask ourselves as well as others why does God allow tragedies to happen. Why Lord Why? Why? The world God’s creation, Adam and Eve brought original sin into God’s perfection.
The passage comes from around 740 BCE. Assyria was threatening to overrun Syria and Palestine. Throughout history each generation has often asked God the same questions. Isaiah, the prophet, clearly spoke out against military coalitions. He called on people to trust God. He called on people to walk in God’s way. God’s way: a world where relationships between people are restored. There will be no hunger, no war. All the weapons will be turned into tools for food production.
Walking in the light means to be prepared. Walking in God’s light requires we put our hope in God alone. When we walk in God’s light we live each day as if it were our last. It means looking for signs of God in the everyday events in our lives. It means taking the opportunities, which God gives us, to help others see His light.
Come, let us walk in God’s light. Let us put our hope in God, our Saviour.
- Rev. Marlene Quinn

Monday, November 28
Psalm 122:1-4
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together.
4 To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
I awoke very early this morning thinking about decorating the house for Christmas. Many of the decorations have memories - some happy, some silly, and some very sad. Every year I look at them and remember a different time and place. Like small gifts from our children and grandchildren made by them to decorate our Christmas tree, to a note on an old box of lights written by my father in the last year he was on earth with us.
Christmas is like this: everything is accumulated in a very short time but the baby Jesus is always there smiling and you know everything is the way it should be and life with Jesus will keep us stronger and on the right path of life.
Prayer: Father, help me to remember the reason for decorating our home, not for my glory but to the glory of God, from which all good is born in the form of a baby - “Jesus”. Amen.
- Nancy Allen

Tuesday, November 29
Romans 13:11-12
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
It is time to rouse our minds from slumber, to be alert to what God is doing in the world, and to live in accordance with God’s coming salvation.
The time has come for believers to cast off any works of darkness, including drunkenness, immortality, and jealously.
Prayer: Let us light up every day with thanks and salvation for us believers and followers in the days ahead, now and forever more. Amen.
- Deane Allen

Wednesday, November 30
Matthew 24:42-44
Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Jesus lived and died a long time ago and for a lot of people He is no longer foremost in their minds. It is easy to get caught up in our busy lives and forget that our life is brief and nobody knows what day will be their last.
The Bible says that Jesus will one day return to us to establish His kingdom on Earth. It could be during our lifetime. We should prepare daily and live with expectation. When we stand before Christ, all that will matter is what we did for Him while we lived. So live your life full of good deeds and expectation. Ready or not, He IS coming.
Prayer: Jesus, we stand before you today asking for you to remember us during your second coming and judgement. Prepare us for the new Heaven and the new Earth where you reign with righteousness. Help us to prepare others with excitement about your return. In your name we pray. Amen
- Karen Fraser

Thursday, December 1
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanual shall come to thee, O Israel!
Do you enjoy singing Christmas carols? I certainly do! And childhood memories in church with my family, singing carols in many choirs, and carolling door to door with church groups (Explorers, C.G.I.T., Young Peoples) all bring feelings of warmth and joy!
This carol above (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) was originally written in Latin during the 12th century. John Neale (England, 1860s) made it accessible to us by translating it into English. Sung in Advent, the carol anticipates the first coming of Christ to earth. The old term “Dayspring” can be translated as “the rising sun” and is a metaphor for the coming or birth of Jesus, “Emmanuel”.
Hunger, poverty, sickness, greed, materialism, war, and natural disasters of our current world feel like the “gloomy cloud of night”, as sung in this carol. But we can welcome Jesus, the babe, once again! The hope and joy that He brings can “put to flight” these “dark shadows”. So let us sing this wonderful old carol and “Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come!”
Prayer: Dear Lord, as we listen to carols and raise our voices in song in anticipation of Your coming, the “Dayspring” of our challenged world, may we experience in our lives the joy, hope, and love that You bring. Amen.
- Susan Colquhoun
- Susan Colquhoun

Friday, December 2
O come, Thou key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
As I picked this date I picked it because it was our second daughter’s birthday. I did not look at the verse until later, I realized ‘Rejoice! Rejoice Emmanuel’ I have sung several times over the years and I should be able to write something.
I’m not sure if it was God, Jesus or Emmanuel that was with us on December 2nd when my wife was to be the bridesmaid at her sister Carol’s wedding. Our friend and doctor, Donachie, told us not to worry the baby would be here before December 2nd. He apparently didn’t know God (Emmanuel) had a different plan.
The wedding was at 2; in case she was unable to be the bridesmaid a friend was standing by and she would be an honorary bridesmaid. First thing that morning as she got out of bed, bent over with pain, just a cramp and then another, so off we go to the hospital. However, I am in the wedding party, so I head to the church to be told my wife delivered before I hit the first floor. After the wedding ceremony the entire wedding party march into Highland View Hospital to the third floor to be welcomed by Mom and Julie Arlene. God works in mysteries ways but he always has a plan.
Prayer: Dear God you work in strange ways and make life interesting. Thank you for a life full of challenges and love. Thank you for being a part of or life. Amen.
- Roy Pettigrew

Saturday, December 3
Isaiah 11:1-2
1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
People find meaning in work which calls one to the service of others, or in rich human connections, or in following a leader or cause that can give purpose to living. When these diminish or fail, some have the good fortune to discover a cause and a leader that enhance that meaning. As they struggle for answers to personal and social problems, as they realize that respected politicians and celebrities have feet of clay, they hope to find again that Jesus who gives purpose to their lives. They need the wisdom he will share with them if they welcome his coming.
These words of the prophet Isaiah leapt from the pages of the scriptures of the first followers of Jesus. They had seen Jesus’ compassion and power over “evil spirits” that immobilized people. They had witnessed his wise teachings. They realized that this was the leader for whom their nation longed.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you that in Jesus we will find someone whose spirit radiates wisdom and understanding. Help us once again to welcome His coming in this Advent season. Through Him, give our lives meaning and purpose. In His name we pray. Amen.
- Ed Colquhoun

Sunday, December 4
Psalm 72:1-3
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
The first church service for a four year old: It was a glorious Sunday. The first day of church ever for Elizabeth. A new coat that was fit for a princess, white ankle socks (but still had to wear the brown Oxfords), patent leather probably had not been invented yet. She couldn’t remember what she wore under the coat, but it didn’t matter, she was never taking it off. But the hat...she was sure the Queen had never worn finer! The soft silky gloves that only a movie star would wear, with the ruffle around the cuff. Such finery to be worn at this Highland Baptist Church on Park Street.
The grand finale: Her dad gave her a quarter to put in the plate. What on earth was the plate? So off to church they walked, Elizabeth and cousin Marie, the quarter clutched ever so tightly so it would never come out of that glove. They made it to church, the steps up to the main door (oh so regal) then inside. The pews must have came from heaven.
The service went on and on. What the minister said did not matter, just that Elizabeth looked wonderful and cousin Marie didn’t look so bad either. Then it happened…”The Plate” and it was getting closer and closer. Money was going in it, oh dear she thought what shall I do? I cannot part with this money. The plate got to her and Marie gave her the nod to drop the money into the plate. Look, well there was a lot of silver in “The Plate” so Elizabeth dropped the quarter and took a dime back! Needless to say, she got a sharp slap on the wrist, no quarter or dime to be had.
Elizabeth wasn’t sure if God would spend it wisely and it really didn’t hurt to give as it was not her quarter to begin with.
- Liz Hickey

Monday, December 5
Romans 15:12-13
12 and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our family's Christmas story: 25 years or so ago a young couple with two small children were worrying about how they were going to get through this Christmas. The children were off playing in another room as mom and dad were cleaning up the supper dishes. What are we going to do? Will we have enough to pay the bills and still have money left to get the children some gifts for Christmas?
There was a knock at the door and the wife went to answer it. There was a kind looking older man wearing an overcoat and hat. She said “can I help you”? He asked, “is this the home of the Miller family?’ “Yes, it is” she answered. He then handed her an envelope and said “Blessings to your family and Merry Christmas.” He turned and walked away.
Her husband came to the door and asked who was at the door. She said I don't know. I didn’t recognize him. They opened the card and couldn’t believe what they found. There was around $300.00 inside of the envelope. They were so happy and relieved. They now could pay the bills and still have money left to buy the children some Christmas gifts.
She said, “I have to call mom and tell her what happened.” When her mom answered she began to tell her. “Mom, how did he know our name, where we lived and that we needed help?” Her mom said, “it doesn’t matter how and why but just say thank you Lord.” Mom said “I think you had a special visit from a Christmas angel.” We have retold this story every Christmas and that is why we call it our Christmas Angel Story.
Prayer: I believe in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and the heavenly angels. Thank you Lord for watching over us all and thank you to the heavenly angels. At our time of need you are with us. Amen. - Norma MacGregor

Tuesday, December 6
Matthew 3:1-3
3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
Those days: refers to the time just before Jesus started his ministry, around 26-27 AD and John the Baptist was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, all across the Judean wilderness. Repentance is about changing your ways, not just feeling bad about them. John is telling his followers that they need to turn from their old ways because there's going to be someone else in charge, someone the prophets had spoken about and He's coming now.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Gospel of Matthew and how it helps us understand the time when Jesus lived, and for the ministry and message of the faithful John the Baptist. Make our path to you straight during this Advent season, and instead of rushing through the season buying gifts, help us instead to proclaim to the world the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen
- Bev Curry

Wednesday, December 7
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus! Born to set Thy people free,
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Charles Wesley’ lyric brings into our lives the experience of ancient peoples, who were even of a different religion than ours. They have the foundation, we the pinnacle: Jesus. One of the names of Christ in this carol catches my attention: ‘Desire of Every Nation.’
Why would we call Him this? As we read on Sunday, November 6th, it says in Haggai 2:7, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come. This line even got used by G. F. Handel in his oratorio, Messiah. Is it true that people of every nation can treasure the One we celebrate in Advent and Christmas? Let us pray, using words of another carol.
O come, desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee... Amen.
- Rev. Jeff White
Thursday, December 8
Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring,
By Thy own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thy all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne

Friday, December 9 ~ Isaiah 35:1-3 - Gillian Strong
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.
For many, myself included, this is not an easy time of year. Days are short, nights are long. The wear and tear of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can sometimes leave me feeling enfeebled, hardened, maybe even a little grumpy.
To read these words from Isaiah is like taking a first sip of a favored hot beverage on a cold, blizzardy day. It's jarring, bracing, but deeply pleasant. The dry land rejoices and is glad! Crocuses are blossoming! The abundant glory of Yahweh is to be seen in full majesty! As opposed to the eventually emptied Tim's cup, Yahweh's promises are abundant, reaching out to people across all nations.
The prophet Isaiah is vividly reminding us of Yahweh's covenantal promise to His people, who, time and time again have wandered away from their own part of the covenant. They rebelled, lost faith in Yahweh's promise, falling into sin, and out of right relation with Yahweh. Isaiah prophesies these times of great abundance as the reward for His peoples' faithfulness.
To read these words in the context of advent, as our weak and weary hands are often caught in the busy work of the holiday season, need to be guided to find strength and restoration in prayer, stillness, presence, and quiet. Our enfeebled knees need to be guided to kneel, sit, or rest in prayer and meditation. The whole of our bodies hunger to find rest and restoration, to find the newness again that comes with new life in the form of God's promise made flesh, in the form of a small infant, born so humbly, loved so deeply. A gift from God so profound and swaddled in mystery, born to unharden our hearts and signify a new covenant, remind us of promises made years ago.
This is the time to look inward, towards our own hearts - to find our own wildernesses, our own dry lands and imagine the love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit pouring in, allowing love to blossom abundantly, like those pesky crocuses that poke out of crunchy cold lawns in the spring. Even those crunchy and old brown leaves shelter bees and other critters who will do the hard work of helping things to grow after the winter thaws. Hope is everywhere. Let us draw nearer.

Saturday, December 10
Psalm 146:8-9
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
It was a sultry summer night as two young men lay under the stars exchanging stories. It was in Afghanistan, one a Canadian soldier and the other, Afghani, an English/Dari interpreter for the soldier. A promise was made that night to bring that Afghani to see Canada.
Six months later his dream was realized when he came to Amherst to spend Christmas with us and our son, Peter. It became a joyous, memorable time for all of us.
When I prayed for Peter’s safe return to Canada those seven months, God was also watching over a stranger, “Steve” the Afghani, who became our friend and is now living in Canada with his family.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for watching over us and “strangers”. May we all enjoy the peace and joy for the season and be there for those who need our help. Amen.
- Sandy Corkum

Sunday, December 11
Luke 1:46-49
46 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.
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
Mary sings of her great joy with Elizabeth, being happy and blessed to confirm the news Mary will bear the son of God in her womb. Reflecting on this scripture, it reminds me that I to should learn to be joyful and blessed, having a part of God inside myself to help rid of my burdens and sorrows. For the last few years I have been struggling with myself, figuring out who I am as a person and where I fit in throughout society. Even Mary had her struggles as well during her pregnancy with Jesus.
If it wasn’t for the Lord that came to Joseph in his sleep stating for the ‘righteous man’ to take Mary as his wife, Mary would have been seen as betrothed and unfavoured upon in society. Also, Mary would have been put to shame, ruining her chances of entering remarriage and having her life condemned in isolation. Because of God’s plan to send a message to Joseph, Mary was saved from her life being turned into ruin.
I pray that I to will be able to figure out what God has planned for me in this time of turmoil, but I must continue on this long journey just as Mary has done in the scriptures, and continue to rejoice in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. For the Mighty One will have great things for me in store, for holy is his name. Amen.
- Kevin Dupuis

Monday, December 12
James 5:7-8
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
We waited for six years to welcome Coleridge into our lives. Those years were filled with hope, anxiety, sadness, gentle quiet, and excitement depending on the season of the waiting. Sometimes patience was near impossible and sometimes it came with ease and acceptance. In the almost 11 years since God blessed us with the precious gift of a child, I have understood a small fraction of the myriad of emotions Mary must have felt as she waited to meet her baby boy and the saviour of our world.
Every one of us has a story of patient waiting that we have been called by God to endure. Each Advent season we witness many forms of waiting: a child’s excitement as she waits for Christmas morning; a parent’s anxiety as he waits to know if he will be able to afford the Christmas meal; the pastors’ hopes as they wait for one of God’s lost children to walk through their doors to discover the gift of Jesus. Yes, waiting certainly strengthens our hearts.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the times you have asked us to be patient and wait. These times remind us to trust in you and let go of our own meagre plans. We are so thankful. May you grant us the patience to continue waiting on your timing. Daily we remember the perfect gift you gave us in Christ Jesus. Amen.
- Danielle Shelley
Danielle Shelley

Tuesday, December 13
Matthew 11:3-6
3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Wednesday, December 14
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as us with us to dwell;
Jesus our Emmanuel!

Thursday, December 15
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings
T’was the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker and baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be the day!
The light of His face made me cover my head.
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, “it’s not here,” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call,
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!
- a traditional poem, submitted by Pauline Lusby

Friday, December 16
Isaiah 7:13-14
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.
At times of uncertainty, we may look for a sign from God to guide us. There are moments in our lives when we may reflect on having little faith and not trusting. At these times, we may pray and ask God to show us the way to restore our faith. However, we may be uncertain of whether to ask for guidance, and if so, how?
Signs from God can appear in many ways before the reveal themselves to us. They may be subtle and appear ordinary or they may be obvious, as in the scripture referred to above. Patterns may develop that point us in a particular direction or we may notice signs shortly after praying for guidance. Signs may occur as passive observations or they may occur by suddenly surprising us.
Are you open and receptive to receiving signs from God? Are you able to recognize them when they present themselves?
It is important to regularly take time to be thoughtful and reflective. Create quiet time and a clear mind so that God may speak to us. God may send messages through various ways - whether in church, through another person, while connecting with nature or other means.
I invite you to practice meditating regularly, if only for a minute or two, allowing you to create inner peace-a time to be present and attentive to signs. Start now by taking a few deep breaths and actively paying attention to the signs around you.
- Tammy Allen

Saturday, December 17
Psalm 80:1-3
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might, and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
On October 16, 2015, my family and I received the call no one wants! “Your husband had a bad work accident and is being life-flighted to Halifax.” He had fallen 17 feet from a ladder and had crushed his skull, crushed his pelvis and broke ribs, his shoulder and bones in his back and neck. He had three brain bleeds.
As we sat together in the family room the doctor gave us the bad news that he had 99 percent chance that he would not survive! At that moment I felt a peace come over me and a feeling that everything would be alright. We prayed every hour and had people praying all over the world.
By December 24, he was giving a day pass to spend Christmas with our family. The doctors call him the “miracle man” because they have no scientific how he survived. He is our “Christmas miracle”. God is with us not just through the happy times, but also through he darkest times. When we call to Him he answers.
Prayer: Thank you for always being there for us and hearing our prayers. Because of you, we are never alone. As we celebrate another Christmas may we always remember your gift to us of your precious son. Amen.
- Tammy Arseneau

Sunday, December 18
Romans 1:3-4
3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Monday, December 19
Matthew 1:19-21
19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
My Poem: Joseph was worried about his dear wife
Because she was ‘bout to give birth to a life
But she was a virgin and he was ashamed,
He’d divorce quietly and not be to blame
But that night on high, an angel came to him,
And said that the child would clear man of sin.
The angel also said that he should not leave his son
Mary was to name him Jesus and he’d be the only one;
To save all God’s people from the sin that they had done.
My Reflection: Frankly, I’m impressed at how brave Joseph would’ve had to be to face that he might have been publicly disgraced. But, he was brave, and in the end, he chose the option of protecting and raising his son - at the risk of being mocked - instead of the latter. I, in this position, would have found it very hard to decide. Of course, I don’t have any experience raising a child, but I bet it was hard for Joseph.
Prayer: Lord, help us today to make good decisions even if we don’t want to. Help us also to be brave like Joseph and the unfathomable decision that he was told to make. Many times in the day we do not follow this, and choose not the right path but the most convenient option we see. In Your name, Amen. - C. W. SHELLEY

Tuesday, December 20
Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains.
And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The angels sang. The mountains replied - heaven & earth harmonious! The familiar carol recalls the experience of the trembling shepherds' from Luke's Gospel, so vivid and gripping it prompted them to search for the birth of Love.
On Christmas Eve morning 2020, fleeting as it was, I experienced a heaven-and-earth moment myself. Out early to complete last minute errands, I was grumpy - a pandemic was messing with family plans. In seeming accord with my frame of mind, the most dreary Christmas carol I'd ever heard was playing on CBC.
In its rhythm, the traffic light flashed green. At the same time I registered the only clear lyrics from the grating carol, ..."dreams do come true"...hmp. Making a left turn onto Robert Angus Drive I noticed, for the first time that morning, a clear azure sky. Straightening the car, now heading directly East, that sky was lit by a brilliant white flash, then a cascading watercolour vapor trail: blue to aqua to green to pink before fading.
It must have all happened in a moment , but at the time I felt transported to the heavens. I'd become a part of the splendour of a rare daylight fireball! As the heavenly body vanished my heart sang a new song - gratitude and love. Like the shepherds of old, I would praise the day knowing: a young couple can surmount daunting circumstances; a stable can be a home for a time; & a little child can lead us.
Prayer: Wondrous God, open our hearts to perceive the glory of your presence in our everyday lives. We need to hear the Angel choirs singing peace to troubled minds; breathing softness and compassion. And hearing the songs, we ask your guidance to act in harmony. Amen - Cynthia McCarthy

Wednesday, December 21
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen: it had been just as the angels had told them.
When the shepherds returned to their flock of sheep after seeing the baby Jesus, do you think they may have been singing Gloria in Excelsis Deo? The same song they heard the angels singing.
Sometimes a sing gets into your head and you can’t stop yourself from singing it. The song may make you happy, it may make you sad, or it may have you remembering someone you love. I truly believe God likes to hear us sing. He doesn’t care how we sound, it just makes Him happy. It doesn’t matter whether we are singing about Him, singing a popular jungle or a lullaby to soothe a crying baby. Sing it loud and proud God and you are enjoying it and He loves to hear you sing.
Prayer: Dear God we have so many reasons to sing your praises. As this Christmas season draws near help us to be grateful for all you do for us. Always remembering Your son Jesus is the true reason for this season of great joy for over 2000 years. Amen
- Sherrill Pettigrew

Thursday, December 22
Isaiah 9:6-7
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. 7 Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The moment I read the words “for unto us a child is born” I begin to sing them in my head, doing my best to capture the sprightly cadence of the 12th part of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah. I do not possess a talent for recounting scripture, but I am confident I can recite Isaiah 9:6—sing it, even. My familiarity with these verses is because my father listened to the entirety of Handel’s Messiah every Christmas Day while we cleaned up from the morning’s activities.
My father also made efforts through the years to attend live performances of Messiah with me, each of which occurred during the days leading up to Christmas. As such, Isaiah’s foretelling of Jesus’s birth and establishment of His kingdom, and the zeal by which the Lord (Jesus’s father!) will perform these feats, is as much a part of the Christmas story for me as the account of Jesus’s actual birth as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. With each line, Isaiah’s words impress upon me the love of a father, whether it be my earthly one or my heavenly one.
Prayer: Jesus, during this season of your birth let us remember the love of fathers, as Your father loved You and as You love us as our everlasting Father. Amen.
- Joshua Shelley

Friday, December 23
Psalm 96:11-13
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.
When we read a bit of this Psalm, I think of church services. Our whole plan can be seen in the 13 verses of Psalm 96. Here is: singing, saying how amazing God is, telling what God does, and bringing offerings/gifts. Author, Marva Dawn, has written a whole book about Christian worship, modeled on this text.
What we usually do in Churches is a far cry from what ‘worship’ was for Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth in the Middle East. The traditional Christmas Eve Service in our pews tomorrow evening will draw a large crowd. It is nothing like the animal sacrifices or ceremonial washing prescribed in the Old Testament. Yet the Psalms - and other texts - are filled with words of praise that still inspire our singing and talking and praying when we worship God.
One interesting image at the end of Psalm 96 is that mention of the trees (of all things!) singing for joy: God is arriving to make things right! Let’s pray for this.
Holy God, do you really bring joy even to the trees? In these days may we join all creation and all Christians in loud praise of Jesus, making things right. And give us quiet moments amid the hustle and bustle to rejoice as quietly as the trees do. - Rev. Jeff White

Saturday, December 24 ~ Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In the midst of all the busyness of this evening it is important that we pause and remember what we are celebrating. It is not the gifts under the tree, or even the gathering of the family- it is the wonder of the love of God for his people manifested in the birth of a child. This child would be born of earthly parents, grow up among other children to experience life among us.
Christmas Eve is a time to set aside our worldliness and become one with our God in the stillness and beauty of the season. It is the realization that even today God is with us in the turmoil, the silence and the pressures of daily life. Peace on earth begins with peace within. May the spirit of the season bring you both comfort and joy.
Prayer: Grant us hope for tomorrow and joy in each moment and may Christ be our guide and nurturer in all we do and say. Amen
- Rev. Byron Corkum

Christmas: Sunday, December 25th
Luke 2:6-7
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
Whether it is an unexpected visit at just the wrong time, an unscheduled meeting in the middle of the day or a flat tire on the way to hockey practice, life is full of interruptions. These unplanned and unwanted little inconveniences alter our plans and change our agenda, often leaving us irritated and upset.
Jesus was born amidst just such an unplanned and inconvenient interruption. I am sure that the unscheduled trip to Bethlehem or the added inconvenience of sleeping in a stable were not in Mary and Joseph’s plan, particularly in the ninth month of pregnancy. Yet, what seemed an unwelcome interruption to Mary and Joseph was really a part of a much bigger plan. The journey to Bethlehem and birth in a stable were necessary parts of fulfilling the prophesies concerning the Saviour.
It is my belief that God has a purpose and plan for our lives, that plan being to create in each of us the very character of Christ. Ordinary, everyday problems have a way of forming our attitudes and shaping our reactions. If we have God’s perspective, it is in the unexpected that we can expect to see Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to see You in all circumstances in our lives. Thank You for making our lives a part of Your plan. Teach us always to follow the footsteps of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.
- Greg Wilson

Monday, December 26
Unto us a boy is born!
The King of all creation,
Came He to a world forlorn,
The Lord of every nation.
Christmas is past, the tree and decorations are put away. Many days and money were spent for yesterday’s big party. For what reason-just to have a big party, or was it for another reason? Did you open your Bible and read Luke’s account of the birth of baby Jesus? Did you bow your heads and thank God?
The baby Jesus grew to manhood to be our Saviour. At the age of 30, He started His three year mission of teaching, preaching and healing. Great crowds followed HIM. The religious leaders hated Him and made plans to crucify Jesus. Besides being our Saviour, Jesus gave us three more gifts.
Death: Jesus died on a cruel roman cross bearing our sins in His body and shedding His blood to wash away our sins; so we can stand before God the Father - justified - just as if we had never sinned.
Resurrection: After lying in the grave from Friday sunset to sunrise Sunday, Jesus arose and appeared to His disciples and faithful followers. Someday, we too shall arise to be with Him.
Ascension: Jesus told His disciples to go to a nearby mountain where He would meet them. He spoke His last words and told them “...go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19. He ascended through the clouds and is seated by God, His Father. One day we shall ascend to be with Jesus in that most beautiful placed called HEAVEN.
Is Jesus your Saviour? He’s mine!
- Eben Lennox

Tuesday, December 27
Now may Mary’s son, who came
So long ago to love us,
Lead us all with hearts aflame
Unto the joys above us.
Wednesday, December 28
Isaiah 63:8-9
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not act deceitfully,” and he became their savior 9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and pity it was he who redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
For he said “surely they are my people, children who will not act deceitfully,” and he became their Saviour in all their distress.
It was no messenger or angel, but his presence that saved them; in his love and pity it was He who redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
- Barb Lowther

Thursday, December 29
Psalm 148:13-14
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
Friday, December 30
Hebrews 2:11-12
11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
Saturday, December 31
Matthew 2:13-15
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy
him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
(2nd edition)

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