Hillside United Methodist Church Weekly Devotion: December 2009

Pastor's Weekly Devotion

December 23, 2009

"Nothing Like It"

Rev. Craig Duke

Rev. Duke is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana.

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The Weekly Devotion

Luke 2:1-12 (New International Version)

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

"Nothing Like It"

It was always special. My family were members of a large United Methodist Church in Carmel, Indiana. On Christmas Eve there were multiple services. I went to one with my friends, one with my family and sometimes I was a reader or candle lighter for another. But there was nothing like the late service. Driving to the church at night and, if we were lucky, in the falling snow. The sanctuary was filled with candles and the choir led us in the hymns of Christmas. When the service was over, it was Christmas morning. We all went home good and tired and tried to get some sleep before the excitement of Christmas morning.

I would never have had those wonderful memories if not for another special night. There is nothing like it. A young couple making an evening home in a stable made from the cave in a rocky hill. The husband watching over his young "bride" as she was giving birth to their first child. The animals would moo and bleat with the loud sounds of the young mother-to-be as she pushed the baby through the birth canal. Word spread through the small town as to what was happening. Unlikely spectators showed up. At long last it was the sound of the baby's first cry that brought a hush to the stable. The Word became flesh in the stillness of the night. The Savior of humanity had "moved into the neighborhood" and nothing would ever be the same. With angels singing in the background, the growing crowd gathered to see this special child of the Almighty.

Christmas Eve is tomorrow. There is nothing like it. We will have 2 services at Hillside: 4:00pm and 11:00pm. I hope you will be able to come and begin making wonderful memories for years to come. Come and celebrate the arrival of a child that the world has been yearning for. Come and sing the songs of praise and celebration. Come and share in Holy Communion as a way to grow closer to a very personal God. Come and sing "Silent Night" as we hold our candles. Come and welcome Christmas. There is nothing like it.

Sharing in Faith,

Rev. Craig W. Duke