ADVENT Day 14 “Unto us a child is born…” Isaiah 9:6 Over the years I have enjoyed being Santa’s helper at the different parsonages where we have lived. Usually, a room would be designated as Santa’s workshop; the door would be locked, and various projects would be underway. There were lots of little fingerprints on the door, and letters to Santa would slide through the space beneath it. Our children…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 13 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Life has plenty of snafus. We want everything to go right and be perfect, but then “stuff happens.” It may be the weather, a sudden change in plans, a misunderstanding, or a long list of things. Looking back over the years we remember some that were heartbreakers that brought tears and…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 12 “And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying…These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus…” Acts 1:13-14 So much had happened in such a short time. Perhaps she would have been around forty-five. There she was in an upper room of waiting people. Her voice was silent, and…Keep Reading

ADVENT DAY 11 “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” Luke 1:39-40 “I was on the mountain side when I looked down below, And glory be I thought I’d better come and let you know, We got company coming, company coming, we got company coming up the road.” Anticipation of company coming can ignite hope;…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 10 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 “Oh I believe there are angels among us, Sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours, To show us how to live, to teach us how to give, To guide us…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 9 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 BOOM! What was that? I went out to see what had happened, but all seemed well. Then I remembered that the Space Shuttle was returning to earth. It was to enter earth’s atmosphere over NE Tennessee. The morning news confirmed that was what had happened….Keep Reading

Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church Link to YouTube Video – Luke 2 – 2nd Sunday of Avent: Peace Pastor Will Shewey Saturday morning worship was a time of deep reflection and enthusiastic celebration. There were several first time guests who attended today. Our virtual member Debbie from Pennsylvania attended and a virtual family of Miracles (yes, their last name is Miracle) came from Harlan County, Kentucky…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 7 “Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.” 1st Samuel 10:22 KJV There is a humorous story in the Bible about the first king of Israel. Saul was chosen to be the king, but he didn’t really want the job. The people went to find him, but they couldn’t, so they asked the Lord. The Lord answered, “Behold, he hath hidden himself among the stuff.” I imagine…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 6 Elizabeth said, “Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” Luke 1:43 There were two cousins who were vital characters of the Advent story. Elizabeth was described as getting on in years and childless, and Mary was young and a virgin. God had wonderful plans for both that would also bring His greatest blessing upon all humankind. Elizabeth conceived in her…Keep Reading

Advent day 5 “Then Joseph took Mary to be his wife….and he called her son, Jesus.” Matthew 1:24 There is not a single word recorded that Joseph spoke. Most of what we read about him is that of a difficult life because of his taking Mary to be his wife. Sometimes we say, “If it’s not one thing it’s another!” I wonder if Joseph felt that way. He had to…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 4 “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 A man was giving me directions to his house. “We live on the main drag,” he told me. It was a very small community, and I didn’t know that there was a main drag. Then he said, “The road is full…Keep Reading

ADVENT Day 3 “Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” Revelation 2:5 I have been called Mr. Scrooge a few times in my life. That’s not all bad. I like the way he ended up, and wouldn’t mind having a Christmas spirit like that. Charles Dickens was a master with words who first gave his story Advent and then…Keep Reading