connecting individuals to Jesus
O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence and to further the mission of Bethlehem’s star; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
This year was like the last few Christmases. When family members asked me what I would like for Christmas, nothing came to my mind except sox and underwear – and this year I didn’t even need underwear! Fortunately for me, my family is both generous beyond what I deserve and very creative. I am truly blessed … and always come away feeling inadequate in the “gifting” department.
When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. … Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
I knew Sunday was going to be a busy day. After worship we were having dress rehearsal for Christmas Eve’s 4:00 p.m. service. Then, from noon until 1:00 p.m. I was hosting “Drive-up Communion” in our front parking lot. After that I would drive home, change my clothes, and Monica and I would hop in the van for a quick trip to the funeral home in Frankenmuth. Afterwards we would visit a little with her sister and brother-in-law and then return home.
When you pray about your financial support for the mission of STL, which topics tend to be in the forefront of your thoughts? God’s faithfulness … your trust how God uses your financial resources to fulfill his mission … God’s word and promises… your fears and family needs … Biblical stewardship principles … your personal resources and budget … God’s priorities … or perhaps a complaint or two about the church asking for money! The list goes on and on…
MOST Ministries Mission Center in Ann Arbor will be closed from December 17 – January 2. The staff will be taking this time off to celebrate Christmas with our families.
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
The thought came to me rather spontaneously. It was a new angle on an old story that seemed to fit the circumstances perfectly. In retrospect I believe it was a God@Work moment. And an illustration I expect to use many more times in the future – with the full knowledge that most every time I try to form earthly pictures of biblical truth there will be some sort of shortcoming in the story.
Rejoice, rejoice, believers, And let your lights appear; The evening is advancing, And darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising And soon is drawing nigh. Up, pray and watch and wrestle; At midnight comes the cry.
On Monday I had a topic in mind for today’s Thursday’s Thirst, but I cannot remember what it was. Tuesday brought another idea that has also vanished in the wind. Wednesday early morning it was the same. How do the lyrics from the Beatles’ White Album go? “When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide where I stop and turn, and I go for a ride till I get to the bottom, and I see you again! … Look out! Helter skelter! Look out, ‘cause here she comes!”