Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” – Philippians 2:15
It was December and I was a long way from home and miserable.  More lonely and miserable than I could ever remember being.  Walking down the hall of one of the university buildings, I passed a room with a Christmas tree.  Whoever had put up that tree had left it lit up when they had headed for home.  The tree was lit with red and blue and green lights and I suddenly remembered that Christmas was coming.  I still remember.  How that tree shone.  How my heart was eased.  How much I needed that tree and the joy that it gave me.

People need to see that Christmas is coming.  They need to hear it and see it and smell it and know it.  I often wonder if God ever uses me to be a reminder that Joy is coming.  To everyone.

We need to be the ones to put up the trees, sing the songs, say “Merry Christmas” and offer what we know about God coming to dwell with us. To shine like stars in the sky.  Or like Christmas trees!

Becky Ferguson, Cornerstone Class

What is Christmas?

 “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”- John 10:10b

Weeks before Thanksgiving my anxiety level kicks up several notches as I think of Christmas! In my mind I see miles of preparation as I think of cards to be mailed, gifts to be bought, decorations to be displayed, rehearsals to be attended, social engagements to be entered on the calendar, etc. And the week after Thanksgiving my heart is stilled as the ADVENT of Christmas enters my frenetic mind. This preparation helps me answer the question, “what is Christmas to me?”

Christmas is indeed giving, and those gifts and cards and invitations are part of that giving. But my heart says to look beyond what family and society want and expect. look gof the needs. Christmas is indeed serving, and those cantatas, committee plans, and potluck meals are part of that serving. But my heart says to look beyond pageantry of the season. Look for the One who was sent to serve.

What is Christmas to me? Christmas is the GOOD NEWS. Christmas is the birth of the Light. Christmas is God come down.

Prayer: Dear Lord, in these weeks of preparation, open our hearts to new ways of receiving and living the meaning of the Word made flesh. In Jesus’ sweet name we pray, Amen.

Carole Armistead, Wesley Forum Class

An Encouraging Word

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6

A month ago, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with many college students while representing my company at a job fair on a local campus. The students were full of questions about what the best method was for landing their first full time position following graduation and how to write their resumes, complete applications online, etc.

One student in particular talked with me for quite a while about his disappointment in the positions that were available and their starting pay. He said that he was completing an intensive course of study in which he had excelled only to learn that prospective employers weren’t impressed or even interested. It saddened me to see this young man so despairing when his life held infinite possibilities that he couldn’t fathom at this point. I suggested that he accept the best position available, do excellent work, and his experience would take him in the direction that he wanted to go. A few days later at work, I read an email that he had sent saying that my words were  exactly what he needed to hear and that they had encouraged him greatly. I then recalled Romans 12: 6-7 when Paul tells the early Christians that we have different gifts given by the grace of God, and if our gift is to encourage, then we need to give encouragement.

Thought For the Day The ability to encourage one another is a gift from God that we need to put into action.

Prayer Dear Lord, In your infinite wisdom and through your grace, you have bestowed on each of us gifts that will help establish your kingdom upon the earth. Help us to see the personal struggles that others face as opportunities to use these gifts so that both the giver and receiver of the gift may be blessed. Strengthen and guide those who feel hopeless in the pursuit of their career goals so that they may find employment that is both productive and fulfilling, and live life abundantly.

Susan Vogt, Faith Class

Turning from Addiction
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions – Psalm 25:7

I recently read about the life of rock artist, Joe Walsh, one of the world’s greatest guitarists who was once part of the legendary band, the Eagles. For many years, Joe struggled with alcoholism and cocaine addiction which was destructive to both his personal life and career.

Then in 1989, while he was on tour in New Zealand, friends of that country brought him to an ancient place called Otatara Pa. Upon reflection on his experience, there, he said, “…up on the hills, [that] I had a moment of clarity. I don’t understand it, but I reconnected with my soul, and I remembered what I used to be.”

Joe’s sentiments brought to mind those that David expressed in Psalm 25, when David prays that the Lord will have mercy on him, a sinner, and direct him in the paths of steadfast love and faithfulness. Joe has since shared many times with audiences that great courage and strength are needed to begin the long journey back to health following substance abuse. As Christians, we should look for opportunities to lend support to people who are battling addiction.

Thought For the Day: The Lord is merciful to those who have lost their way, and we need to show mercy, too.

Prayer Dear Lord, In your infinite mercy and steadfast love, strengthen those who struggle against addiction. Enable them to gain that moment of clarity that begins the process of regaining control of their lives. Help them to find the support and resources that they need to overcome unhealthy lifestyles and learn to follow your paths. Bring comfort and encouragement to their families and loved ones while they travel this very difficult road together.

Susan Vogt, Faith Class

Old Age and Gray Hair

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old”. – Proverbs 20:29

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained by a righteous life”.- Proverbs 16:31

“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” – Psalm 71: 9

As I was looking for a topic to include in the devotions I was thinking about my Mother, Grandmothers and Dad.   I had one Grandmother pass away at 69, one at 82 and Mother at 73 last year and my Dad at 61. Death happens sometimes when you least expect it.

My Mother had many health issues over her life that began in her 20s and her life was not easy.  As the saying goes “this will give you gray hair”.   She worked hard many times having 2 jobs, she did not care about material things and was the first to give you what she had.  Her final gift was to donate her body to UAB Anatomical Donor Program in hopes of helping others.

As her body and mind began to fail over the years she would always say “it is just old age”. Memory, heart issues, loss of a son to suicide, many things can make a person “old” at a “young age” and cause gray hair.  If a person with memory loss asks you the same question a dozen times, just keep answering the question.   You may laugh, you may cry and it could be you one day too.   Mother would read her Bible and Sunday School lesson on Saturday and many times read it again because her memory was not great.  She believed you prepared on Saturday for church on Sunday.

My thought to share is: spend some time with an “old person” as often as you can and don’t take your parents/grandparents health for granted.  I have been honored the last few months to bring my 93 year old Great Aunt Laura Boren to church when she is able and enjoy just listening to her share about our family, BPUMC, the community and her life.  You just never know what you might learn!

Prayer;  I pray that old people with gray hair are not forgotten and feel loved.  I pray that people are more accepting of others who may be a little different and love them regardless.   AMEN.

Jan Harris

Thrive During the Holidays!
READ Philippians Chapter 4

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your thoughts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

As a therapist at Pitts & Associates who attempts to help depressed and grieving people get through the holidays, I was asked to speak to a group at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church on “Surviving the Holidays.” As I prepared my presentation, I realized that I too become rather anxious when thinking about the myriad of things that must be done in preparation for our family’s celebration of Chistmas.

The first time that I experienced that panicky, “Oh, no” feeling—“Here it all comes again. There’s absolutely too much to do, and I will never be ready,” –this year was toward the end of August and I was in Belk at the Galleria. They had put up a number of Christmas trees, decorated them, and dedicated an entire section of the store to Christmas. At that moment I resolved that this year would be different—that even though the Christmas decorations were in the stores long before Halloween, with God’s help I would embrace it, be thankful, and enjoy every day living in the moment.
In the Pitts & Associates Holiday Newsletter Dr. Bert Pitts offers a very helpful list of ways to not only survive but thrive during this holiday season. The one most meaningful to me reminds us to focus on the birth of our Savior and to remember that “holidays” mean holy days. Attend as many worship services as possible; read Scripture; pray more often; spend some of our holiday time making a plan about how we want to live a more Spiritual, more purposeful life, By focusing on Christ’s birth and following the instructions of Philippians 4:6-7, we find relief and solutions for our anxiety, depression, and grief.

PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the gift of Your Son whose life shows us The Way. You know each of us—our needs, our hurts, our stressors, our hopes. Renew our hearts and minds as we journey through the holidays. May we not only survive but thrive as we “put off the old” and “put on the new” growing in His likeness.

Jo Ann Huddleston, D.Min., L.P.C. – Wesley Forum Class

 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.- 1 John 4:10-11  (NIV)

Several years ago a friend shared with me an article he had taken from a magazine. (Sorry the source is unknown.)  It was a story about a foster parent couple.  On the day of the story Mary was in the kitchen busily preparing dinner when her husband Bill arrived from work.  She told Bill that they had a new foster child, Philip.  She asked Bill to go upstairs to meet Philip and bring him down to eat.

However, when Bill went into Philip’s room he was nowhere to be found.  A quick search didn’t help!  Then Bill knelt down and looked under the bed.  There was Philip.  When the young boy saw Bill he pulled back deeper under the bed.  Bill noticed a small tear in his eye.  So as gently as he could Bill stretched out beside the bed and reached out his hand.  He told Philip it was OK, he understood.  “When you’re ready, we’ll go to eat.”  Slowly and cautiously Philip came out from under the bed.

Isn’t this very close to what God did for us at Christmas?  In love and grace God sent us a savior who could say, “It’s alright, I understand.”  For sure: “Love came down at Christmas.”

Wayne Williams, Friendship Class

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. – Matthew 2:10

This year I started thinking about the season of Advent early because I needed to prepare a devotion for a group of ladies.  I wanted to talk about how to survive this season of holiday busyness, not get stressed out and stay focused on the true purpose of advent.  I reached out to others for suggestions on books or other resource material that I could use to prepare my talk.  I searched the internet for helpful material.  But then I found what I was looking for in books that I already had.

I truly enjoy and just completed my third year of reading “Hope for Each Day”, a book of daily devotions written by Billy Graham.  As the title indicates, the book is chocked full of words that help me be hopeful for the future and live joyfully each day.

In the words of Billy Graham:

Don’t let this Christmas season overwhelm you.  Don’t feel you have to do everything, or go into debt just to impress other people.  Focus instead on Jesus.  Take time every day to read the prophecies of His coming, and the wonderful story of His birth.  Make this Christmas one of “exceedingly great joy”!

Our senior minister Mike also suggested that I read the book “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday” by Mike Slaughter.  This author writes:

For our lives to be meaningful, however, we need to give them away.  Meaning is not found in personal comfort and material luxuries.  So, it should be no surprise that a meaningful Christmas is not found in mindless spending, eating, and stress.  Rather, we find meaning when we give sacrificially to those in need, because by doing so we are giving to Jesus himself.  It is his birthday, after all!

For a more meaningful Advent season let’s follow the advice of these two gentlemen.  Keep the true purpose for the season close to our hearts and reach out to those in need just as Jesus did.

Sylvia Sumners, Fisherman Class