by Pastor Dan Chun

Isaiah 58:1-12 (NLT)

1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. 3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.

4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

Ouch! This passage is like a punch into the stomach. The Lord is challenging us to fast for the right reasons and is condemning those who fast for the wrong reasons! What a gut check as we start our 40-Day Fast for Lent to make sure we are fasting with the right motivation.

God said these are the wrong reasons for fasting:

1.     We ask God to help us while pretending that we are near Him. (v2)

2.     We fast to impress God and others. (v3)

3.     We fast but still fight and quarrel. (v4)

4.     We dress to impress (in fasting clothes). (v5)

But then God says I only know that you are truthfully fasting if your attitude and actions move towards this:

1.     You want to free the imprisoned and lift the burdens of people who work with you. (v6)

2.     You want to help the homeless, oppressed, poor and your family members who need help. (vv7-9)

ONLY THEN, will the Lord hear our prayers (v9), and the darkness in our life will be lifted (v10), and our life will be like a well-watered garden and a fresh-water spring (v11). Then we will be strong enough to rebuild the community and our homes (v12).

Golly, when I read this passage, it shakes me up. I REALLY need to be fasting with the right motivation to truly be in the presence of the Lord. For only then, as verse 9 says, will God hear my prayers.

Join me in this endeavor. It may not be easy, but I know that after reading this passage, I shall make a course correction in my mind and soul when I fast this Lenten season.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this Ash Wednesday and the first day of our 40-Day Fast, please purify my motives for fasting. Help me not to do it for show. I want to be more proactive in meeting the needs of those who need help. You have blessed me in so many ways that I want to be a blessing to others as well. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

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by Pastor Steve Peich

John 1:1,14,16–– “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen His glory, the glory that belongs to the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth… From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” 

In my favorite Christmas hymn are contained these lyrics, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth” (From “O, Holy Night”). Have you ever been on that journey of struggling to experience the worth of your soul? 

I’m not sure where it dropped out for me, but somewhere in my youth my sense of worth took a severe blow. I’m not sure if it was that loss of worth that flung me headlong into delinquent behaviors, or the delinquent behaviors fueled my lack of worth. All I know was, my life experienced a precipitous decline on all fronts – morally, relationally, spiritually, and academically (it is difficult to feel worthy and feel stupid at the same time).

The word we use in psychology to describe that sense of a lack of worth is shame. Shame is that gnawing feeling that we are defective, deficient, hopelessly flawed, rejectable, and ultimately unlovable. We have this deep seeded belief that people, and perhaps even God, Himself, does not want to give us grace. 

As a result, to protect our hearts from being crushed under this graceless story, we do all kinds of things to keep shame at bay. We become perfectionists so no one can criticize us. We become people-pleasers to stave off rejection. Or we may reach for booze, or prescription drugs, or buy the next shiny thing that we cannot really afford, all to numb and keep at bay, at least for a little while, the feelings of worthlessness. And you can be sure that as we use these coping mechanisms, our inner world does indeed become “weary,” as the hymn says. 

This is why the words of John chapter one, John’s rendition of Christmas meaning, are so powerful. When John writes that Jesus came to us ‘full of grace and truth,’ he is not simply trying to sound spiritual about Jesus. He is highlighting two of the aspects of Jesus’ life that powerfully heal the soul.

Let me share how powerful the grace and truth of Jesus can be for a soul from a situation that happened here at our church. One day a person in our church, burdened by anxiety borne out of what she perceived as a deeply embarrassing situation, called the church looking for me. I was out of the office, but one of our admin staff asked how she could help. The caller shared about the incident that caused paralyzing embarrassment. Our admin person talked with her a bit and then prayed for her.

Later that day I finally had a chance to talk to the caller, and she told me this: “I’m so thankful for that woman whom I talked to. Her prayers were so powerful. She prayed the ugly away.”

Isn’t that such a great expression? “She prayed the ugly away.” I love it because it captures what so many Christians often and tragically feel about themselves––ugly inside. Yet it also captures what can happen when the grace and truth of Christ become flesh (yet again) through the prayers and words of His people. For so many of us, this is exactly how “the soul feels its worth.” 

The divine grace and truth that arrived in human form in that manger, rewrote human history and infused this weary world with the power to break the chains of one of the most crippling experiences of the human soul. 

So as you wade through all the gifts and parties and flashing lights this holiday season, I ask, how is your soul? Beneath all the adrenalin of Christmas, do you know God’s grace and truth about you? Do you need your story to be rewritten because you are exhausted by the one you have been living? 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, this Christmas Eve I am so grateful for how You continue to pour out grace upon grace on my life. Please use me this season to be Your words of grace and truth to a weary world so I can help other souls find their worth in You. To You be all the glory. Amen.

BTW, here is a great rendition of that classic Christmas hymn, O Holy Night: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1kXGXwT1fU

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by Pastor Dan Chun

Hebrews 10:5-7 That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”

Hebrews 10:8-10 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then He said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.  For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

It’s almost Christmas! As we can think about Christmas trees, ornaments, pretty lights, and gifts, we can forget that Christmas is primarily about God coming to earth in human form. But even more, when He came, it meant we were made holy. Holy?

We were made holy because Jesus gave His life for us. We now can be in the presence of God. It means that, according to this passage, we no longer need to do animal sacrifices or sin offerings, or burnt offerings to cover our sin in order to be in the holy presence of God. We no longer need to work long hours trying to please God, or hoping that He will finally love us. 

He already loves us so much. Jesus sacrificed His life to show God’s love, and that we would not have to work to please God. We are accepted already. We just need to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

You know, the more I think about those who follow Christ, the ones who cling the closest to Jesus, are those who are aware of their sin, and they know they literally need a Savior. Those who don’t think they need a Savior tend to use  Jesus for perks in this life—help them get richer, be more popular, get better jobs, and have all of their requests answered the way they want them answered.  

But the Bible has always taught us that it is by God’s grace that we have been saved, not by our actions.  When we truly know that Jesus paid the price for our sin, then we get teary eyed about Christmas because His coming to earth, His being born in a manger, His teaching us how to love and live, and then later sacrificing His life for us, is truly the greatest Christmas gift of all time. 

Prayer: Lord, please help us remember the real reason for this season. May our hearts be full of mirth for Your birth and for what You have already done for us. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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by Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

There is a wonderful Christmas Peanuts animated TV special where Charlie cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about!!!?” 

His friend Linus replies, “Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about,” and proceeds to take center stage providing us with a touching reading from Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” 

In the past I have heard an observation about Linus’ actions and was reminded of it again in a devotional I read recently. You may have heard it as well but it is a great reminder for us all. In these verses, when Linus gets to the words “Fear not,” he drops his blanket to the floor—the blanket that represented security, comfort, and peace to him. He lets go of the very thing he held so close and was always with him.

It made me ask myself, “What am I holding on to? What is taking the place of what Jesus wants to be for me? Those are good questions we can all ask ourselves.

No one, no thing, absolutely nothing in this world will provide the security, comfort, and peace of Jesus … the One who will always be with us. May we keep our eyes on Him this CHRISTmas and hold Him close as we celebrate His birth. And may we willing to let go of anything that is trying to take His rightful place in our lives …including our fears and worries. “Fear not … for our Savior is born.”

Prayer: Lord, may we experience You in a special way this Christmas. I know my life is so different from past ones, and I greatly miss spending it with the one I love. But I know You are with me always. Thank You for being that blanket I can wrap myself in to provide comfort, peace, and hope. May I never let go of You. In the Name of our loving Savior, Jesus … Who is Christ the Lord. Amen.

Please click on the link below and enjoy Linus’ rendering of Luke 2 for “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1odLOHFX7o

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by Gary Toh, Director of Prayer Ministry

Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. 

Of all the people that God could have revealed the birth of Jesus, He chose to go to the shepherds. He did not reveal it to the religious leaders - the Pharisees, the Sadducees, or people of influence. He chose to reveal it through the angels to the shepherds, who were not held in high regard by society back then.

Yet God chose to use the shepherds to proclaim to others about the birth of Christ, that the Messiah had come. The shepherds were more than happy to tell people what had happened. Donʻt we sometimes feel that we need to be people of influence or status for us to tell others about Jesus?

Most of the people I have met had come to know Christ because someone had invited them to church or an event to hear about Jesus. God uses ALL of us to bring the good news to people. It is our role as Christ-followers to share this hope and joy that we have in Jesus.

With Christmas fast approaching, please pray about who you would like to ask to come to join us for our Christmas worship services. We will have five in-person services, all of which will be streamed live online. You could even take it a step further by inviting them to the church-wide Alpha course that we will be doing in January 2022. It is a great resource for people who have questions about the Christian faith. 

Prayer: Lord, please show me who You would like me to invite to the Christmas worship services, and then please give me the boldness to invite them. Amen.

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by Luke Shin, Middle School Co-coordinator

It is that time of the year again where we get to reflect upon the Nativity story. Now maybe you can relate, but after being a Christian my whole life and hearing the same story over and over again, it can get a little stale. Hearing the Nativity story every year, it just becomes another story. 

This week I got to ponder on Luke 1:35-45 (NIV), where Mary visits Elizabeth. I would like to focus on verse 44, which says:

“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

What fascinates me is that baby John (the Baptist) in Elizabeth's womb jumps for joy for being in the presence of Jesus. It almost reminds me of a Doritos commercial, where a pregnant woman was receiving an ultrasound, and the baby was jumping around for Doritos. Of course, the presence of the Lord is way better, and just knowing that the Savior was going to be born gave baby John much joy. 

So the question I find asking myself is—Am I jumping for joy during this time of year? If I were to honestly answer this question, it would be “no.” I think I have fallen away from the truth of this AMAZING story. The Christmas season is more than just going to church for Christmas service, volunteering at church for Christmas worship services, or even watching a Nativity-related movie or show. This season is about finding joy in the presence of the Lord, who came to this world to be our Savior. 

Finding joy, though, is no easy task, especially if you are in a tough and hard situation. For me the reason Iʻm not jumping for joy is that Iʻm busy this time of the year, especially since I work in ministry. Iʻm feeling so stressed and busy that I forget to be joyful.

Which is why I am excited that in middle school, we got to celebrate the birth of Jesus this past Sunday. We get to celebrate Jesus’s birth and the joy He brings to us. 

During this season I encourage you to intentionally practice being in​ the presence of the Lord. Find 10 to 20 minutes in your day to pray, read scripture (maybe the Nativity story), or sing some praises to the Lord. Please feel free to email me because I would love to hear the experiences you have during this time. 

Let’s find the joy in the presence of the Lord together. Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help my heart, mind, and soul to focus on You during this season. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ on Earth. I am forever thankful because Your presence alone brings me joy. I pray that everyone who comes into Your presence will recognize that You are moving them. Help me to also share this joy with others around me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

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by Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

Matthew 1:18-23 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

In Matthew 1:20, we read how the Lord used an angel to speak to Joseph in a dream. It was a crucial message. Joseph needed to be on board with Godʻs plan to take Mary as his wife, even though she was already with child. The dream mustʻve been so vivid that Joseph couldnʻt deny the message was heaven-sent. If God spoke to the people of old through dreams, I believe He still does to us today.

But before we can even dream, we need to sleep first, right? Sleep (and rest) is one of the top things Americans are most deprived of, according to the Sleep Foundation. The thing is, when we are rested, we are more alert of whatʻs going on around us. We are better prepared physically and mentally against temptations. Rest is a weapon. How many times have we forgotten our niceties when weʻre so tired and worn out? Kindness just goes out the window, doesnʻt it? When we rest and sleep, we give ourselves more opportunities to hear from God, even through our dreams.

Joseph also found rest in Godʻs faithfulness. He trusted God enough to risk his reputation by taking pregnant Mary as his wife, and believed that what the angel told him in the dream was true. We, too, can find rest in Godʻs trustworthiness by what He says in the Scriptures. Trusting God is resting in Him. Instead of being in panic mode, we choose to be at peace. Rest is a weapon against the enemy.  

With only eight more days before Christmas, letʻs pause, ponder, and find rest in verse 21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” God sent Jesus to our world as a baby many Christmases ago to be our Savior.

He is Immanuel. God with us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to make time for rest so I can be better armed against sin and be better prepared for the work You have set for me to do. Help me to also find rest in Your promise that Youʻll take care of all my needs. All praises to You, My Savior! Amen

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by Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 NIV)

Have you ever had a night of worry and sleeplessness, when everything seems hopeless? That no matter what you do, you don’t think things can ever be right again? 

And then morning comes and with it the beautiful first rays of the dawn. In that moment you feel a new hope for your situation. In my wildest imagination I could never have thought the light of the world would come in the form of an infant. And yet, God’s word tells us, ‘for to us a child is born.’ 

This sparks memories of Christmas Eve year after year when my mother would read to us the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2. She would point out the different characters in the manger from our little crèche purchased from Sears & Roebuck. Using those figures, she painted a picture of what it might have been like on that night in Bethlehem. I remember how she would then talk to us about what this little baby Jesus would do as He grew up and why He was so important in our lives.
 
In verses 6 and 7, the prophet Isaiah was doing the same thing to Israel. Israel had been under judgment from God, and God used Isaiah to bring a glimpse of hope; some good news within a prophecy that would change the world forever. 

These two verses are about the same baby named Jesus that my mother shared with me and my sisters every Christmas. Isaiah’s prophecy describes the child with names that speak to the attributes and characteristics of Jesus that are so real to us today. 

Jesus is Wonderful Counselor that leads you into wisdom and discernment. Jesus is Mighty God whose dominion holds power over the enemy and your problems. Jesus is Everlasting Father that protects and loves you because you matter to Him. Jesus is Prince of Peace who will bring a calm to the storm in your life with His righteous and faithful nature. 

Through Isaiah’s prophetic words, God brought hope to the people of Israel––a hope that, according to verse 7, will last ‘from that time on and forever.’ Forever includes today. The hope we have in Christ is one that can carry us through the loneliness of a pandemic, the bad news of disease or loss in our families, the sin that tries to bind us up. These things don’t have to define us when our hope is in the Son who was given to die for you and for me to live in freedom forever. 

Prayer: Abba, Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be born among us, to serve us and to die for us. Lord, may Your nature as a Counselor, as Mighty God, as Father, and as a Prince of Peace become real to us. Even right now I pray and ask that You help us see You as these things. From that place, God, may we rest in the hope that doesn’t disappoint. Thank You for your faithfulness and for loving us first. We love You, and we need You in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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by David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

“Adonai  your God is in your midst—a mighty Savior! He will delight over you with joy. He will quiet you with His love. He will dance for joy over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, Tree of Life Version)

My three-year-old granddaughter has opened up a new world of worshiping God for me. She recently started ballet class at Prisma Dance, which offers Christ-centered dance training. On the occasions when my son and daughter-in-law had scheduling challenges, I would pick up Daralyn from school and take her to dance class. 

The first time I went, I was curious as to how the class would express its Christ-centeredness. It was cute to see the class begin with prayer, and then have Bible stories used as a vehicle to learn dance movements. But God had more in store for me. 

At Daralyn’s Christmas recital, there was the familiar portrayal of the Christmas story. And yes, it was so cute to see Daralyn dressed in her sheep costume, joyfully prancing about in celebration of the birth of Jesus. But then the program took a surprising turn. Instead of another group going up on stage to continue the Christmas story, they took a break. In the middle of the program.

They made time for praise and worship! Led by anointed worship leaders, the audience soon joined in an enthusiastic song. But then it went up another level for me. Dance students went on stage and began to worship through dance. Their steps were not choreographed. No, their movement was an outward expression of what the Holy Spirit was doing in their hearts and minds. They were receiving God’s blessings, and then reflected it back to Him through their movement. Some were leaping in exuberance; some were prostrate in surrender; others were scribing God’s beauty in the air. It was an amazing, soul-filling time.

When given the choice of scripture to write about for this devotional, I immediately grabbed Zephaniah. I knew there was a verse in there about God singing over me. I have always loved this verse because it so encourages me to know that God is singing over me. And then I discovered that in some translations, it also says that God is dancing over me.

In more familiar translations, the phrase is: “He will exult over you with singing.” It turns out that the root of the Hebrew word for “exult” or “rejoice” means “to spin around with violent emotion,” or, “to dance with joy.” Wow! God is not just singing, He is dancing! And what is motivating God? Is it because I’ve done some great work, or maybe some little work? I don’t think so. God is singing and dancing because He loves me. That’s it. It is enough for God to break out in song and dance because He loves me.

Prayer: To my Heavenly Father, the One who is singing and dancing over me—help me to sing and maybe even dance to show my love for You. You said that my singing can be joyful noise, so maybe my dance can be a spastic stumble, but I know it will please You just the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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by Chris Pan, Executive Director

And the crowds asked [John the Baptist], “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” (Luke 3:10-14)

What I love about the gospel is that it is eminently practical. Yes, the gospel is full of deep theological truths about the mystery of the universe, the purpose of our lives, and the scope and grandeur of all creation and time and matter. But, sometimes, it’s just very practical and real advice about sharing your extra coat. 

The crowds flocked to John the Baptist, and asked, “What then should we do?” And John told it to them straight. If you’ve got two coats, share with someone who has none. Share your food. Don’t cheat or steal. Don’t extort or lie. Be satisfied with your paycheck. 

John doesn’t tell the crowds to go on some long, interior journey to search and discover their heart’s true calling. He doesn’t tell them to listen to the answer that can be heard only as it is borne on the morning wind and the summer rain. Nope. John tells them: If you’ve got two coats, share one. Share your food. And don’t steal. 

I like it! It is straight to the point and actionable. If I don’t do this, it’s not because I don’t understand it; it’s because I don’t want to. Especially during the Christmas season, it’s a helpful reminder that the call to follow Jesus is a call to very practically help those in need. I certainly have two coats. In fact, I have more than two coats. So, my kids and I are headed down to the Salvation Army today to drop off some donations. I pray they will be a blessing to someone this Christmas season. 

“What then should we do?” 

Prayer: God, You are the God of all creation: the big things and the little things too. Thank You for giving us practical guidance on how to live in this world. May we be generous, and fair, and kind to a world in need. May You watch over and bless and provide for everyone who does not have a coat this Christmas season. May You use us to love the world well. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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By Julie Lockyer, Receptionist/Scheduler

Not too long ago my husband Bob and I went on a whale and sea mammal excursion during a cruise to Alaska. I was hoping to see humpback whales and sea otters, as well as other animals. We came upon a humpback whale fairly quickly. I enjoyed watching it, but then after a while, I was ready for the captain to move on. We finally got on our way and the captain said he was going to take us to a place where we would see other types of sea mammals. I was so excited! 

Not too long after we headed out, he saw another humpback whale and slowed down so everyone could see it. It dove down pretty fast. I thought, “Yay, let’s move on!” But the captain decided to try to go out deeper to see if the whale would come back up. We got further and further away from land. I was not happy. I sat there and sulked! I was pretty irritated and was getting anxious. This was not the direction we were supposed to go! The captain spotted another whale, this time a teenage humpback, and I thought, “So what! I want to see otters!” I kept trying not to sulk and just enjoy the trip, but it wasn’t working. 

All of a sudden the captain spotted three orcas! I was up out of my seat in a flash! Who can say they have seen orcas? They were beautiful! It was such a wonderful experience! 

God reminded me that He is the Captain, and we need to follow His direction. Sometimes He changes the course on us, but it’s for our good. I was so happy the captain of the ship changed direction. Had he not, I wouldn’t have seen those beautiful whales. It was an amazing trip and one that I will always remember. 

How many of us find ourselves sulking when life doesn’t go our way? We wallow in our anger or frustration (like I did on that trip). We want to go in our direction and sometimes close ourselves up to God. But the apostle Paul reminds us to:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Can you imagine what would have happened had Mary not followed what the angel Gabriel had told her about becoming the mother of the Messiah? Or if Joseph had not listened to the angel who spoke to him in a dream to take Mary as his wife? (Matthew 1:18-25)

When our plans change, let’s keep following the Lord. Let go and trust God, our Captain, and rejoice in life’s journey.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that when I start to get anxious, I will remember to turn to You. Help me to be in prayer at all times and lift everything up to You. Help me to remember all the times You got me through my trials and brought me to a better place. Thank You, Lord, for always being there for me, leading me, and guiding my ways. Amen 

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By Pastor Tim Shaw

In Luke chapter 1, Mary the mother of Jesus has an encounter with an angel that throws her life into what I like to call the “rookie zone”.

Luke 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Mary is suddenly in the rookie zone. She doesn’t understand what the angel is saying to her. She’s got questions. She hasn’t shared any of those questions out loud yet, but it’s my bet that she’s begun to honestly ask them to herself.

30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. I think the angel Gabriel understood what Mary was going through. Being in rookie mode can sometimes make us nervous, even afraid. So, the angel speaks to Mary’s fears. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary now reveals that she knows that she is in rookie mode. “How can this be? I don’t understand what you’re saying to me. What you’re saying is impossible. I’m not going to have marital relations with my fiancé, Joseph, until after we’re married. So what are you talking about?” Having the freedom to voice our questions, seek input and ask for help is part of the beauty of rookie mode.

35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” Now watch Mary pivot. Watch her embrace her rookie status and simply entrust herself to God. 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Mary probably still doesn’t understand what the angel is saying to her. How could she? Nevertheless, right there in rookie mode she says, “Yes” to God’s will for her life.

There are all sorts of pressures on us to avoid admitting how much we remain rookies in life in general and as followers of Christ in particular. Many of us don’t like being rookies. But could it be that God might have some of his best gifts for us that he can only give to us if we are in rookie mode?

It’s true that nobody wants a rookie airline pilot flying the 777 you’re on from Honolulu to San Francisco. No one wants to be seen by a rookie cardiologist when you show up at the ER with chest pains. BUT, at the same time, you also don’t want an airline pilot who has stopped learning or can’t hear the warnings the first officer sitting next to him in the co-pilot’s seat is trying to get him to understand. You don’t want a cardiologist who is so cocky that they are not continuing to develop their skills. I want people, who are in positions of great responsibility, to be people who can pivot from their experience to learning mode.

Rev. Roger Owens from Pittsburg Theological Seminary said this about the birth of Jesus, “At Christmas we will be remembering that God came as a weak, vulnerable child into our world. And He came into this world, not a perfect world safe enough for a child God. He came into our world, a dangerous world. A world that knows how dark the darkness can be, how deep the pain can go, how gripping the fear can become, how endless the grief. This is the world He entered as a child. And we call this child the light, the light that shines in the darkness. And as hard as it is to believe sometimes, the darkness did not overcome Him, and it has not, and it will not.”

The amazing news of Christmas is that God deliberately made Himself a rookie. Thank God that He did because His willingness to enter our broken human story as a rookie has made our forgiveness, our healing, and everlasting life possible. God became a helpless child growing up in a poor family. He entered our world as a child who needed to learn how to eat solid food, to dress Himself, to learn to speak, to throw and catch a ball, to learn everything that you and I had to learn how to do. God deliberately made Himself a rookie. He fully entered our human experience. He chose learning mode and I think God did that for many reasons. And I’m convinced that one of the reasons He did was to set us free to be rookies as well.

Mary had at least three potential responses to the promises made to her by the angel. First, Mary could have said, “Nope! That’s impossible. There’s no way that is going to happen and I want nothing to do with it.” Mary could have chosen to walk away from it all and sadly, that is the choice many make when they hear about Jesus and His claims. There is a second possibility. Mary could have said, “Yep, I’ve got this. Now that I have this promise of a child, I will get to work on that and in my own efforts I will bring forth the Son of God.” That was never going to happen. Many of us chose this option. We will redeem ourselves through our own human efforts. We will try and save ourselves. That only leads to frustration and exhaustion. We can’t save ourselves.

But there is a third option. This is the one Mary chose. It’s an option that is available to us only when we’re in rookie mode. Mary recognized how great her need really was and simply took God at His Word. She admitted her utter inadequacy and chose to entrust her life to the God Who promises. She says, “Here I am Lord. There is no way I can make this happen but even though I don’t understand how, I know You can fulfill your promises. So, I give myself to You. Would You fulfill Your Word in me?”

Could it be that one of the best gifts you and I could receive this Christmas is the freedom to admit to ourselves, and to other trusted people in our lives, just how much of a rookie we remain in many areas of our life, including our relationship with God? The great God who created the universe, the one who has all knowledge chose to make Himself a rookie for our sake. No matter what our age or life experience, whether we’re younger or older, could it be that you and I will begin to find the healing and the hope we seek this Christmas when we embrace the truth that we are indeed still rookies with so much to learn and room to grow?

Prayer: Loving God, how thankful we are that You chose to come to us as a child. May we come to You as a child would come to their parent, entrusting ourselves again into Your compassionate and wise care. May we find deep rest and peace in your never-ending love. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

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          By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator & Campus Pastor to The Vine

God used the apostle Paul to plant and expand the landscape of the early church, planting fledgling congregations in many of the cities across the Mediterranean. No matter what he was going through, Paul communicated his love for God’s people and wrote many letters to encourage, embolden, and remind people to persevere in the midst of persecution, pressures, false teaching, and conflict. 

In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul communicates his heart of gratitude and fervency in prayer for the people. “In all my prayers for all of you, I pray with joy…” Paul says that they are in his heart, and that he praises God as he prays for them. There is such care and joy embedded in the letter, and I have no doubt that Paul would have used any means necessary to communicate with the people of God. Yes, Paul would have used Zoom and any other resource to exhort, encourage and spread the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

In this advent season, as we remember our Savior Jesus Christ and why He came to us, let us exhort and encourage one another in prayer and thanks. Let us become a community that gathers around prayer and thanks, spreading the hope and love of Jesus in our Christmas letters, our Zoom meetings, phone calls, and in-person gatherings. May we thank God each time we think of each other as we partner in the good work of the gospel until the day of our Lord's return.

Paul prays this beautiful prayer in our verses for today…and it is my prayer for you:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)

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By Shelley Germain, Elder

If I allowed you to open the boxes of my collection of jewelry pieces, you would probably call me a "blingaholic". My history with jewelry began in high school when I was fortunate to work in my uncle's jewelry workshop watching the well-trained artisans create beautiful designs in gold and silver. There were flattened or tubular metals pounded and shaped into leaves and branches or polished circles for ring mountings and necklace links. The favored metals of gold and silver are still standards in jewelry because they are so malleable, don't rust, and can be polished to shine. 

The first precious metal mentioned in the Bible is gold. (Genesis 2:11-12). The ancients used gold for many valuable purposes...personal ornamentation, worship statues, wall decor, etc. The Bible mentions gold 417 times, silver 320 times, and the refining of them is directly mentioned or contextualized in about 100 verses. 

There is an intense refining process for how gold becomes useful from a misshapen lump of ore to a final product. The most ancient of methods is an extraction by fire...almost 1064 degrees Celsius (1947 degrees F.) of heat. The craftsman refiner sits stirring the crucible of molten gold and skims the impurities off such as zinc, copper, silver, and iron. (See the photo below) 100% purity is too soft for shaping so some impurities can remain to create a 99.5% gold content labeled "pure" 24 karat gold. What does all this have to do with Advent?

In the Book of Malachi, the Prophet prophesies about a Messenger of the covenant (Jesus) who will ask:

Malachi 3:2, "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;..."

In connecting the dots of my life, I can relate when I have personally felt like I was in the "fire". I believe many of us can testify to "fire" dots in our lives. Even today we are experiencing the "fires" of Covid 19, political and family divisions, tainted water, mass shootings, chronic illnesses, etc. Like you in reflection, I have come through many fires and as my trust in Jesus has grown, I realize that He was always there with me. I was his lump of clay not knowing Him until He melted and molded me and continues to shape me as His 24 Karat precious child. There will probably be more fires for you and me but Malachi reports "Behold, He is coming, Says the Lord of hosts." Advent will always be this remembrance that He first came as a baby and will come again. Let us continue to expect Him to sit with us in our fires.  

Prayer: Dear Jesus, we forget that we are but lumps of ore in need of cleansing, shaping, and polishing. Thank you for refining us in the fires to help us become the pure gold You intend us to be. Thank you for even accepting our impurities. May we always see Your love that abides with us in our fires and may we always glitter for You. Amen.

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by Jeremy Lim, Elder

John the Baptist was an…interesting guy. He was a prophet who lived in the wilderness, dressed in weird clothes and had a strange diet. But aside from how he looked and lived, he said some pretty extreme things. He took seriously God’s call on his life to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, and he didn’t pull any punches. We get a taste of this in Luke 3:9:

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Luke 3:9)

Those are some strong words, but the fascinating thing is that people were still drawn to John. Crowds flocked to him to hear his message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins and to be baptized by him. Despite John’s blunt language, people wanted to know how they should live in response to everything he was saying.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”  “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.  Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Luke 3:10-14)

How far would you travel or how much money would you pay for advice like this? I have to admit that as I’ve read these verses over and over, I couldn’t help but think of Robert Fulghum’s 1990 instant bestseller, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. You don’t have to read the book to have a pretty good idea of what it’s about: some of the most basic principles of life—principles we expect five-year-olds to understand—can go a long way in helping us successfully navigate a complicated world. 

These verses do not downplay how hard it can be to respond to difficult situations. But John gave this advice knowing that while the crowds may not have fully understood everything he was preaching, they could understand this. John tapped into the unbelievable excitement the people were feeling in anticipation of the coming Messiah, and he gave them difficult, but incredibly practical ways they could respond to that excitement. 

As we anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus this year, let us consider John the Baptist’s words—words that were preached to people who were eager to meet their coming Lord. How might we choose to focus less on ourselves in order to make room to recognize what God is doing in the lives of people around us? May we follow John’s advice and the spirit of its simplicity, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because of our immense love for Jesus and out of anticipation for all He wants to do in and through our lives. 

Prayer: Jesus, the world seems so messed up and complicated sometimes. Show me how I can be—through simple acts of kindness, love, selflessness, and common decency—a beacon of your hope to those around me. I love You, Amen.

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By Marianne (Deacon) & Scott Schultz (Elder)

“For here is the way God loved the world—He gave his only, unique Son as a gift.  So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life. 17 “God did not send His Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!” - John 3:16-17 (The Passion Translation)

The Christmas season brings many emotions to people from various backgrounds and beliefs. Many people are familiar with John 3:16 (Max Lucado calls it “The Hope Diamond of the Bible”). But decidedly fewer know 3:17. Giving and receiving gifts is a common practice. Giving one’s son as a gift to humanity?  Judging and condemning are also common. Realizing the need for rescue by a Savior?  

We had the honor of sharing our Advent testimonial in December 2011 (just seven months after we became members of First Prez). This presented the challenge and opportunity to reflect upon our journey to Jesus. That was much less arduous than the journey of Mary and Joseph, and Jesus!  Here are a few excerpts:

[Marianne]: “My journey this year has brought me inner peace through my commitment to Christ, and Scott and I joining First Prez. Our lives have been filled with many “small miracles”, beginning with our births. I was born to a teenage girl Myrna Penass—alone, scared, and penniless—who made her way to Chicago from the Menominee reservation to have her baby in a Catholic Orphanage. Months later I was adopted by Genevieve and Ervin Williams, who were unable to have children of their own.” 

[Scott]: “My father, Don Laflin, had a congenital heart valve defect and doctors advised my Mom Marcia not to have children with Don. They followed their hearts, and I was born in good health. Don died before I got the chance to know him. I was blessed with loving grandparents (Laflin & Grimm). A few years later Mom married Steve Schultz, the only Dad I ever knew. He followed his heart and adopted me (and I got another great set of grandparents). Steve always treated me as his son.”  

[Myrna, Genevieve, Ervin, Don, Marcia, and Steve each gave us a great gift!]

In closing, we said, “God keeps showing us that His love never fails, by guiding the important events in our lives. He speaks through love. He speaks to our hearts. Follow your heart, you’ll hear God talking. Listen carefully; He might be whispering.” 

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV)

After finishing the 8:00am service, we sat in the front row and Roz began to play “Christmas Lullaby”.  The beauty of her voice and the way the lyrics echoed our story brought us to tears (almost disrupting the service). 

 “How beautiful, how precious, The Savior of old
To love so completely, The loneliest soul
How gently how tenderly, He says to one and all
Child you can follow Me, And I will lead you home
Trust Me and follow Me, And I will lead you home"

After the services, several people told us how our references to adoption really touched them. We came to realize that was the “theme” of our testimony.  It is also what Jesus desires for His children. “Child you can follow Me…”

During the Advent season, we celebrate God’s greatest gift: Jesus…Immanuel…God with us. Jesus, the Light of the World, wants to “adopt” you…forever. Not to judge or condemn, but to rescue and offer eternal life to all who trust and follow Him. Share the gift, the thrill of hope, the Great News that is Christmas!

Amy Grant - Christmas Lullaby / I Will Lead You Home (almost as good as Roz’s version):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-gAPMo4SdI

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your gifts of faith, hope, and love that you gave to us through your only begotten Son Jesus. Help us to share Your greatest gift, the Light of the World, and Your great love with others during this season of light and love, and in times of darkness. Alleluia & Amen!

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by Shayna Kusumoto, Graphics and Communications

“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:1-2)

A shark photographer was asked a question—“What do you do when you’re in the water and a shark starts swimming toward you?” The answer was something I heard on John Ortberg’s YouTube channel BECOME, and I’ll never forget it. The shark photographer said, “I swim TOWARDS the shark. Everything else around me is swimming away from the shark. But swimming towards it triggers its defense mechanism that says ‘Hey this guy isn’t acting like prey—it must not be. I better get outta here!’ And the shark will swim away.” 

The shark in this story is analogous to shame. Just like a shark, shame comes into our lives to terrorize us—to send us running into hiding, avoidance, or escape. How do we overcome shame? It seems unintuitive, but the trick is to calmly and assertively, move towards it. 

When I heard this the first time, I immediately thought of what I am currently most ashamed of: gray hair. Yes, the most tell-tale sign of aging, and at this point in my life I can no longer say it’s premature. I used to compulsively color my hair to cover up the gray. When I see it in the mirror (and believe me I LOOK for it), I’m repulsed. 

But what does the shark photographer tell me to do? If shame is the shark in this analogy, I’m supposed to swim towards it. Does that mean never coloring my hair ever again (Lord, have mercy)? Maybe. But maybe not. I think it’s more about inwardly moving toward the thing that makes me feel shame. Facing what scares me. Not letting it triumph over me. Not letting it drive me to hide, avoid, or escape (via addictions).  

Jesus came into this world on Christmas to free us from shame, from the entrapments of sin, from fear, and everything the enemy uses to terrorize us. He came in the form of a little baby in a manger who would, 33 years later, be the atoning sacrifice for us. He is the only way out of this panicked life. He is the only One able to save us. So in YOU, Lord, I will put my trust. 

How does shame show up in your life? What do you feel “so shame” about? It might not be as seemingly trivial or vain as mine, but in all honesty, the trivial stuff points to something deeper (which I am investigating btw). Whatever it is for you, Jesus came to show you a new way—SWIM TOWARDS THE SHARK. It’s become my new mantra. 

Put your trust in the Lord—not in your ability to flee. As you do so, you will disempower the enemy and the triumph will be THE LORD’S. 

So next time you see me, and if my gray roots are showing, you’ll know my mantra is working. Swim towards the shark! 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this season of Advent, help us to not run away from the things we feel “so shame” about. But instead help us to face it with courage while putting our trust in You. Amen.

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by Roslyn Catracchia, Director of Worship

It hit me on Sunday like a lovely wave. HOPE! A wave of heavenly hope! It was the first Sunday of Advent, and I had been doing so much work rehearsing and preparing for the day that I hadn’t had time to really let it sink in. How ridiculous is that?! But on Sunday, it sank deep in my soul in many ways. From the beautifully decorated campus, to each song we sang, to the wonderful testimony Johanna gave, and in the silence as she lit the first candle on the Advent wreath, and then Chris Pan’s message! So filled with hope! 

I’ve thought about the words Chris spoke many times since then, how he taught us that “Advent is the few weeks leading up to Christmas where we expectantly wait for the arrival of Jesus.” He read from 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10, “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.”

On Sunday, more people were back at church, in person on campus, and it was SO GOOD to see people face to face in 3D! Not just on Zoom or on a screen, but face to face! As I was reading Chris’ preaching notes early on, I was excited to ask Joy to sing the prelude called You’re Here, remembering these lyrics of the song….

“You’re here, I’m holding You so near,
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator.
You could’ve left us on our own, but You’re here”

The lyrics are from the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus, looking into the face of her Son over 2,000 years ago. And now, 2,000 years later, we are still celebrating the arrival of her Son in countless ways. And one of the best ways that helps me to remember is through the gift of song. 

A song we are all familiar with was “born” in a monastery 1,200 years ago, in the 8th or 9th century. In 1851, the text was combined with the tune we are all probably most familiar with called Veni Emmanuel. I found the information in Wikipedia; hope it’s true! BUT the point I’m trying to make is that time is passing! 2,000 years! 1,200 years! And I remember Christmas and Advent from last year like it was yesterday. This year has passed in the blink of an eye. 

One of the very special things I remember from last year at this time was a video that Shayna Kusumoto created for us all, with Christina Souza singing the story to us all, and an awesome surfer riding freely in on a wave. Well, I certainly can’t surf anymore, but this past Sunday I did catch that wave of hope! And my heart is still filled to overflowing. 

Here are the lyrics to the song and the link to the video in case you’d like to remember Advent from a year ago, or 2,000 years ago, or for the first time☺ 

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

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! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
And order all things far and nigh.
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to ransom us all. Thank You for coming and bringing light into our darkness. Thank You for the traditions You have given us to help us to remember You! During this Advent season, give us ears to hear and eyes to see more of You. Amen

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by Adele Chong, Elder

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3: 12-13)

Thanks to the pandemic, weʻve learned new ways to show our love for each other these last two years.. We wear masks, we wash our hands often, we stay six feet apart from each other, we take other actions to prevent ourselves from becoming infected, and thus prevent others from becoming infected. Many of us still donʻt feel comfortable hugging our friends, even if weʻre both fully vaccinated. Iʻve seen elbow bumps return, even though the elbow-bumpers are not socially distanced during the bumping act.

We show our friends and family we love them by listening to them when they share their concerns, although these days itʻs often on the telephone, or a virtual call, or from chairs outside on the lanai six feet apart.  

When my six-year-old granddaughter comes to visit, I pay attention only to her. My phone is set to the side, and although she brings her iPad with her, she understands sheʻs not allowed to turn it on to watch videos or play games when sheʻs at my house. I show her I love her by focusing 100% of my attention on her – playing with the toys she may have brought, walking around the neighborhood with a net looking for lizards, playing a board game with her (remember Candyland?), telling her the stories behind the Christmas tree ornaments Iʻve accumulated over the years, doing crafts (which always involves a lot of glitter and rubber cement). I keep a box of popsicles in the feezer because when her other grandmother comes to pick her up, my granddaughter often whispers to me “Tutu, can I have a popsicle?”

This Advent season, we can show God we love Him by focusing all our attention on Him for some time every day. There are many things that demand our attention, and we need to pay appropriate attention to those things. But we need to set those to the side for at least a few minutes every day, knowing those things will still be there waiting for our attention later. We need to spend a few minutes loving God by focusing 100% of our attention on Him.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to be consistent in setting aside the demands on our lives to focus on You every day. We want our love for You to increase and overflow, just as it does with those we love. Amen

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by Michael Shishido, Elder

You know the fun Christmas carol Santa Claus is Coming to Town? You’re singing it to yourself now, aren’t you?

When I was a kid, I’d get to one line in the song and I’d begin to worry a little bit. Santa is making a list. I would reason in my head that I was a good boy, therefore, I’d get some presents this year. Santa is organized. He made the list. There were two columns. And he reviewed the list. He had to be thorough and efficient because that was a long list. At least every child on earth was on one of them.

There’s another “list” that we need to be aware of. This one is far more important. Thankfully, it has little to do with our daily behavior. In Luke 21:25-36, the Bible describes the Second Coming of Jesus, and it includes some outrageous activity. There will be indications in the skies, political upheaval, distress among people. And Jesus Himself will come on a cloud.

Jesus says this “list” of crazy activity will happen. “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:32)

All things. There’s the list. Except it’s not a list from Santa. It’s a list of activity to watch for as the precursor to Jesus coming again. When these things start happening, Jesus says the Kingdom of God is near.

He came once, having been born in a manger. It was a relatively quiet occurrence. Today we celebrate it and call it Christmas. The next time He comes, it’ll be far more grand.  

Are you ready?

Prayer: Jesus, as we look forward to celebrating Your birth this Advent season, let us also be mindful of Your return. We look forward to that day when we will be with you for all eternity. Amen

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