Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries

8 hours ago

"He will come and save you. Faith. It isn’t always easy. There are days where we may feel that we are lacking in faith. That we are on this journey alone. Never fear, He will come and save you. He knows our adversities. Today may be a challenge, tomorrow may be, too. However, there is good to come. It may not occur in our time, but in His time, if we believe.

BELIEVE. It is the theme of my children’s favorite Christmas movie, The Polar Express. Having faith in the unseen. The joy felt in anticipation of Christmas. In their young worlds, it is also the joy of Santa’s pending arrival. The joy of waking each morning as we get closer to Christmas morning, searching for their beloved “Elf on the Shelf,” Magic. I find joy each day in my children. I love watching their delight when the lights are hung, the tree is decorated, the cookies are baking and all of the holiday traditions they look forward to. The excitement in the house can be measured by the noise, with many deafening days, especially the last few before Christmas. These little boys know that Jesus is the reason we are celebrating, and anxiously wait to light the candles on the Advent wreath before dinner. They get ready for bed, offer their prayers, and say goodnight to their friend, Magic. Watching them grow in both faith and excitement for Christmas morning is perhaps the greatest joy for any parent.

Prayer: Dear God, please help us to keep the hope and joy that this holy season creates in our minds and hearts throughout the entire year especially during the trying days. He will come and save you. Amen."

Mrs. Andrea Schurr
Director of Mission Advancement
Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries

www.alsm.org/wp-content/uploads/Devotional2018.pdf ... See MoreSee Less

Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries

1 day ago

"In this passage from Isaiah, we read that both Egypt and Assyria will join Israel in worshiping the Lord who will bless all the nations. This is a surprising claim considering that the Egyptians and the Assyrians were bitter enemies of Israel, symbols of the enslavement and subjugation of God’s people. Yet, we hear the promise that the Lord will make himself known to these neighbors of Israel and that all three will one day stand together.

The psalmist reminds us how good it is when families live together in unity (133.1). What gives us cause for joy in these words of Isaiah is the promise that God will expand the “family” to include those who once were considered enemies. In our own time, we are all too familiar with the fear, hatred, and violence that result from division; it seems that what defines too many communities is a sense that they have enemies. We fail to live into God’s desired unity as long as the human family draws lines between nationalities, races, religions, genders, political parties...the list goes on.

As we look forward to Christmas, as we pray for peace on earth, we give thanks that God came to dwell among us, loving the whole world, erasing the lines that divide us, and teaching us to call no one an enemy. If God can heal the deepest hurts between Israel and her enemies, surely there is hope for us as well. With joy we prepare for the Advent of our God and the day when we fully realize that “our God” truly means “the God of all people” with no exceptions.

Prayer: Good and gracious God, in this season of hope and anticipation, allow us to look with confidence toward that day when the hurt and distrust that too often divide the human family will be replaced with forgiveness, grace, love, and unity. May your Spirit continue to work in us to make us agents of your peace that our hope may not be in vain. Amen."

The Reverend Traci Bowman
Pastor of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg

www.alsm.org/wp-content/uploads/Devotional2018.pdf ... See MoreSee Less