Week 1
Advent Devotional
Asbury First Devotional
2023
I LOVE Advent – our church calendar’s season calling us to remember and respond to the coming Light of Christ into the world and our lives. I LOVE words – researching their origin, definition, and how they are used biblically. I discovered that anticipation is one of the words frequently associated with Advent and that, biblically, to anticipate is not limited to a feeling, but an action and preparation. Yes, anticipation, derived from the Latin anticipation, speaks to our response as we are “driven by the Spirit of God†in preparing our hearts for the coming of God…the incarnation, in our everyday and that God will come. And anticipation is more than expectation; it is faith in motion. Friends, knowing that God has granted us Light, lavish gifts, promises and amazing grace, let us ask ourselves what will living our faith in action look like as we prepare for the coming of Christ anew? *Paraphrased from Anticipation is Powerful, Plez Lovelady, Jr, PhD
Reflection One: Be creative as you let the Light shine through you. Set time aside to paint, draw, mold build, write, sing, dance, walk, run. Look for the Light of Christ in these. Be intentional; devotional reading, journaling, writing prose or poetry, meditation, praying, etc. Reflect on the Light of Christ. Regularly open your senses to beauty, nature, music, art. Receive the Light of Christ; give thanks. Reflection Two: Be faith in motion as you let the Light shine through you. Attend/stream worship, midweek Advent service other worshipful experiences. Volunteer your services, offer support to another, write notes, bake or cook , babysit, drive, shop, etc. Explore a new “faith in action†opportunity or renew, refresh, a“faith in action’ practice. Reflection Three: REFLECT When are you most open/closed to the Light of Christ? Name a time in your life when the Light of Christ came into a place of darkness for you. With prayerful hope and peace, Rev. Susan Shafer, Senior Minister Emerita Bonnie Matthaidess, Spiritual Director
“Everything was created through God; nothing -not one thing-came into being without God. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was LIGHT to live by. The Life-LIGHT blazed out of the darkness; the Darkness could not put it out. The Gospel of JOHN 1:3-5;
From darkness to LIGHT
Reflection three
With prayerful hope and peace, Rev. Susan Shafer, Senior Minister Emerita Bonnie Matthaidess, Asbury First member and local Spiritual Director
Reflection One
Be faith in motion as you let the Light shine through you.
Attend/stream worship, midweek Advent service other worshipful experiences. Volunteer your services, offer support to another, write notes, bake or cook, babysit, drive, shop, etc. Explore a new “faith in action†opportunity or renew, refresh, a“faith in action" practice.
Be creative as you let the Light shine through you.
REFLECT
Reflection Two
When are you most open/closed to the Light of Christ? Name a time in your life when the Light of Christ came into a place of darkness for you.
Set time aside to paint, draw, mold, build, write, sing, dance, walk, run. Look for the Light of Christ in these. Be intentional; devotional reading, journaling, writing prose or poetry, meditation, praying, etc. Reflect on the Light of Christ. Regularly open your senses to beauty, nature, music, art. Receive the Light of Christ; give thanks.
THE TRUE LIGHT In one of an artist’s rendering of the Annunciation, the artist has Mary seated in a garden like-setting . Above and to the right of her, is a dove and streams of Light are coming down upon her. The picture has always meant a great deal for me as a picture of how God’s Light in Jesus comes upon each of us if we are looking or ready. “In awe and in the stillness, Mary reached out, mind alive, memory reflecting, inviting her God to inspire. The ‘shadow’ streamed into her being. greeting the core of her soul, hearing, she stretched for the life source. Summoning cadences, ancient and deep, echoed the call of God’s peace. Mary arose and went out, holding the knowledge of change, went out. accepting the newness of challenge, went out. went out to begin the task. She knew her God lived within her.†The annunciation, God’s miracle for Mary may be not Mary’s alone… could it be a metaphor for us all? How Christ comes into our being making changes and streams of light? Thoughtful Questions: What do streams of LIGHT look like to You? Have you ever been aware that God in Christ lives in You? What was that experience? What would the streams of LIGHT look like for you? IN ANTICIPATION There is a piece by Barrie Shepherd that readily draws us to the present. He speaks of the anticipation of the Magi as they travel in anticipation; yet, he draws us toward now through his faith and inspiring words: “Our trade is in the future as a rule, charting the bright courses, channels, navigations of the distant lighted vessels of sacrificial beasts, observing birds in flight, relating visions of the night to what will come to pass in days and years to come. This white and mobile star, however, tells us nothing of what is to be, directs the sight instead toward what is. I mean the present, here and now, and what, or better, who is born within this tight yet waking moment. The Presence of new life awaits our presence and the precious gifts we too might bear inside the stable of the self.†Thoughtful Questions: Do Shepherd’s words awaken something in you of God’s present to us? Take some moments to meditate on what you might bear or do bear in side the stable of yourself… are there words that come to your mind? Is there a picture in your heart of the stable of your heart? The Light that Never Goes Out Advent experiences include: singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, admiring Advent wreaths of fresh green boughs, each week lighting one of the four advent candles and hearing the scriptures proclaiming the Incarnation; God coming to be with us as Jesus, the Christ. These can be moments of experiencing the very presence of God. Our spirits are awakened emotionally, spiritually, and culturally and we are inspired to walk in the Light of Christ. And there are other Advent experiences in our everyday lives as we consider the critical, complicated, over whelming issues of our time. The list is long and to name a few includes: racial injustice, voting rights, equal education opportunities, healthcare, refugee crisis and immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, political divide, etc. The Light may seem to dim; the world’s darkness deeply influences our wellbeing. One such story, a true experience, comes from a confused and desperate teenager. He said that in the past, each day he confidently knew how much he was loved by God and he was filled with the Light. But then several hard challenges came his way – he couldn’t seem to get a break. Confused and with a heavy heart, he turned to his school chaplain and began telling her that experiencing the inner, intimate presence of God was waning. She quietly listened and then slowly turned off all the lights and they sat in the uncomfortable darkness. In time she lit one tiny match...and the room was filled with light from this one small flame. Their life-changing conversation continued and he says he walked away with a vivid comforting memory and a lesson for each day. He now knows that at times he may have inner eyes to experience the bright, shining Light of Christ...or have but a glimpse. In either case he says, he holds tight to the assurance that this Light is always present; it never goes out! Friends, the Light of Christ surrounds us and fills us. “God is with us†and in this Advent season, let us open our eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to receive the light that never goes out! Reflection One Remember your dimmed experiences of the Light of Christ. What, where, with whom? What was your response? Where, to whom did you turn or was this internalized? Did you feel alone? Were you comforted? What in your life right now are you and God in conversation? Prayers of thanksgiving, for others, for the church, for the earth, for the world. Prayers for discernment, for forgiveness, for comfort, for wisdom, for love. What are your prayers? Reflection Two As children of the Light, what is life like living in the midst of our world’s critical, complicated, over whelming issues of our time? How are you challenged? Knowing the Light of Christ is never extinguished, how do you press on? Reflection Three – Offering a Meditation As God has come to be with us, take whatever time is realistic for you to be WITH Comforting God. Be comfortable. Relax. Practice breathing. On a slow in inhale, take in the gift of God’s Light given for you. Hold momentarily. Then on a slow exhale let go or release for the moment what is heavy or dark. Repeat 3 times or if possible 7 times. Repeat this practice several times this week and throughout Advent. Reflect on this experience. A PRAYER FOR THIS SEASON Here we are, our Creator, all of us Thy children, each with our own life and world and need. We lay gently upon Thy altar our life as it is, and we hold it there, waiting for Thy Spirit to invade our spirits so that we shall be prepared for the living of our lives, whatever may be the circumstances by which our days, tomorrow and tomorrow, may be surrounded. For this, O God, we utter n the quietness our thanks and our praise. Dr. Howard Thurman THE CENTERING MOMENT How the Light Gets In Are you familiar with Leonard Cohen’s Anthem? “Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.†We learn Cohen was inspired to write this as his acceptance of imperfection.
 Another favorite is Edward Hays’, “St. George and the Dragon†about a dubious seeker, who embarks on a quest for the Holy Grail. He envisions sainthood, slaying dragons and other powerful knightly deeds. And then--George is greatly disappointed that his dragon, Igor, is slow, limps and carries multiple scars, but they seem to glow! Thankfully, Igor does have some fire left and is able to grant sainthood, but what about this wounds that light is shining through? In their conversations, St. George learns from this wise dragon that power, strength comes from many sources. For Igor, it is from life’s scars and wounds for that is where the light gets in and gets through. Yes, one never knows where your quest will take you. Be open to receive, to learn...for it is the commonality of being vulnerable that light shines through.
 For me these examples demonstrate how unique are our experiences AND that the quest for each of us is to be faithful to how the Light of Christ dwelling within shines forth. Christ’s Light shines through us in our authentic selves – through our imperfections, our wounds and scars and in our faithfulness. Let us draw dear to God.
 Reflection One Mother Theresa once was asked if she thought she was successful. Her response was that was not her goal, it was to to be faithful. Your thoughts. Being vulnerable is not often what has been modeled for us. What are your thoughts, experiences. What does “being faithful†mean for you?
 Reflection Two The Light of Christ shines forth as compassion, generosity, deep listening, service, music, art, writing, etc. Where/how is the Light shining through you? Can you speak of an experience of the light shinning through a wounded, scared experience of yours? Perhaps by connecting with someone with a similar experience.
 Reflection Three Prayer Exercise. Repeat at least 3 times Be Still and Know that I am God Be Still and Know that I am Be Still and Know that I Be Still and Know Be Still Be
 “LIGHT OF CHRIST, SHINE ON MY PATH. CHASE AWAY THE DARKNESS … AND … LEAD ME TO THE HEART OF GOD†The Gospel of JOHN 8:12 For some years now, I have found myself and encouraged and helped others struggling with darkness, (be it depression, sadness, grief, anticipated or already experienced Holy grief, broken relationships, disappointments, life’s struggles, the world’s troubles and inhumaneness to each other, change, or however you might name it) to use this prayer. I say this simple, easily memorized prayer and have given it to others to use daily or many times daily. It is like a mantra to me. We, God’s people, I believe, have a deep recurring desire to live embraced by and in the heart of God. For me and others, it has given the ability to be in that Embracing Presence known to us through the gift of Christ and the Light …It gives us the words to articulate our own hearts of struggle, the darkness, the fear or need for light in one’s life. Sometimes there are no words … only love and that LOVE is found in the space of the heart of God. Either way … God is among us in the LIGHT of Christ. In this Season of Advent, perhaps it is enough to know we ARE embraced in the PRESENCE of the gifting God in Christ. 

What do streams of LIGHT look like to You? Have you ever been aware that God in Christ lives in you? What was that experience? What would the streams of LIGHT look like for you?
“In awe and in the stillness, Mary reached out, mind alive, memory reflecting, inviting her God to inspire. The ‘shadow’ streamed into her being. greeting the core of her soul, hearing, she stretched for the life source. Summoning cadences, ancient and deep, echoed the call of God’s peace. Mary arose and went out, holding the knowledge of change, went out. accepting the newness of challenge, went out. went out to begin the task. She knew her God lived within her.â€
Thoughtful Questions:
THE TRUE LIGHT
The annunciation, God’s miracle for Mary may be not Mary’s alone… could it be a metaphor for us all? How Christ comes into our being making changes and streams of light?
In one of an artist’s rendering of the Annunciation, the artist has Mary seated in a garden like-setting. Above and to the right of her, is a dove and streams of Light are coming down upon her. The picture has always meant a great deal for me as a picture of how God’s Light in Jesus comes upon each of us if we are looking or ready.
IN ANTICIPATION
“Our trade is in the future as a rule, charting the bright courses, channels, navigations of the distant lighted vessels of sacrificial beasts, observing birds in flight, relating visions of the night to what will come to pass in days and years to come. This white and mobile star, however, tells us nothing of what is to be, directs the sight instead toward what is. I mean the present, here and now, and what, or better, who is born within this tight yet waking moment. The Presence of new life awaits our presence and the precious gifts we too might bear inside the stable of the self.â€
Do Shepherd’s words awaken something in you of God’s present to us? Take some moments to meditate on what you might bear or do bear in side the stable of yourself… are there words that come to your mind? Is there a picture in your heart of the stable of your heart?
There is a piece by Barrie Shepherd that readily draws us to the present. He speaks of the anticipation of the Magi as they travel in anticipation; yet, he draws us toward now through his faith and inspiring words:
The Light that Never Goes Out
Advent experiences include: singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, admiring Advent wreaths of fresh green boughs, each week lighting one of the four advent candles and hearing the scriptures proclaiming the Incarnation; God coming to be with us as Jesus, the Christ. These can be moments of experiencing the very presence of God. Our spirits are awakened emotionally, spiritually, and culturally and we are inspired to walk in the Light of Christ. And there are other Advent experiences in our everyday lives as we consider the critical, complicated, over whelming issues of our time. The list is long and to name a few includes: racial injustice, voting rights, equal education opportunities, healthcare, refugee crisis and immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, political divide, etc. The Light may seem to dim; the world’s darkness deeply influences our wellbeing. One such story, a true experience, comes from a confused and desperate teenager. He said that in the past, each day he confidently knew how much he was loved by God and he was filled with the Light. But then several hard challenges came his way – he couldn’t seem to get a break. Confused and with a heavy heart, he turned to his school chaplain and began telling her that experiencing the inner, intimate presence of God was waning. She quietly listened and then slowly turned off all the lights and they sat in the uncomfortable darkness. 
 In time she lit one tiny match...and the room was filled with light from this one small flame. Their life-changing conversation continued and he says he walked away with a vivid comforting memory and a lesson for each day. He now knows that at times he may have inner eyes to experience the bright, shining Light of Christ...or have but a glimpse. In either case he says, he holds tight to the assurance that this Light is always present; it never goes out! Friends, the Light of Christ surrounds us and fills us. “God is with us†and in this Advent season, let us open our eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to receive the light that never goes out!
Remember your dimmed experiences of the Light of Christ. What, where, with whom? What was your response? Where, to whom did you turn or was this internalized? Did you feel alone? Were you comforted? What in your life right now are you and God in conversation? Prayers of thanksgiving, for others, for the church, for the earth, for the world. Prayers for discernment, for forgiveness, for comfort, for wisdom, for love. What are your prayers?
As God has come to be with us, take whatever time is realistic for you to be WITH Comforting God. Be comfortable. Relax. Practice breathing. On a slow in inhale, take in the gift of God’s Light given for you. 
 Hold momentarily. Then on a slow exhale let go or release for the moment what is heavy or dark. Repeat 3 times or if possible 7 times. Repeat this practice several times this week and throughout Advent. Reflect on this experience.
As children of the Light, what is life like living in the midst of our world’s critical, complicated, over whelming issues of our time? How are you challenged? Knowing the Light of Christ is never extinguished, how do you press on?
"Hands", Auguste Rodin
Dr. Howard Thurman THE CENTERING MOMENT
Here we are, our Creator, all of us Thy children, each with our own life and world and need. We lay gently upon Thy altar our life as it is, and we hold it there, waiting for Thy Spirit to invade our spirits so that we shall be prepared for the living of our lives, whatever may be the circumstances by which our days, tomorrow and tomorrow, may be surrounded. For this, O God, we utter in the quietness our thanks and our praise.
“Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.â€
We learn Cohen was inspired to write this as his acceptance of imperfection.
 Another favorite is Edward Hays’, “St. George and the Dragon†about a dubious seeker, who embarks on a quest for the Holy Grail. He envisions sainthood, slaying dragons and other powerful knightly deeds. And then--George is greatly disappointed that his dragon, Igor, is slow, limps and carries multiple scars, but they seem to glow! Thankfully, Igor does have some fire left and is able to grant sainthood, but what about this wounds that light is shining through? In their conversations, St. George learns from this wise dragon that power, strength comes from many sources. For Igor, it is from life’s scars and wounds for that is where the light gets in and gets through. Yes, one never knows where your quest will take you. Be open to receive, to learn...for it is the commonality of being vulnerable that light shines through.
 For me these examples demonstrate how unique are our experiences AND that the quest for each of us is to be faithful to how the Light of Christ dwelling within shines forth. Christ’s Light shines through us in our authentic selves – through our imperfections, our wounds and scars and in our faithfulness. Let us draw dear to God.

Are you familiar with Leonard Cohen’s Anthem?
How the Light Gets In
Mother Theresa once was asked if she thought she was successful. Her response was that was not her goal, it was to to be faithful. Your thoughts. Being vulnerable is not often what has been modeled for us. What are your thoughts, experiences. What does “being faithful†mean for you?
Prayer Exercise. Repeat at least 3 times
The Light of Christ shines forth as compassion, generosity, deep listening, service, music, art, writing, etc. Where/how is the Light shining through you? Can you speak of an experience of the light shinning through a wounded, scared experience of yours? Perhaps by connecting with someone with a similar experience.

Be Still and Know that I am God Be Still and Know that I am Be Still and Know that I Be Still and Know Be Still Be

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Would you be willing to try it? Maybe you have a favorite prayer that leads you there. What are its words and what happens when you say it?