Yesterday's Christmas Devotional by Kathleen Schwartz December 25 – Come, Lord Jesus

Each of these Advent devotions has ended with “Come, Lord Jesus.”   Historically, Advent has been a time when we celebrate Jesus birth in Bethlehem, and anticipate the time when Jesus will come again.  But between the babe in the manger and the King coming on clouds, we are living.    We often believe that we have to ask Jesus to come into our situations.  But He is already there.  But we do need to ask for Him to come into our hearts, our minds, our emotions.  We hold the door to the rooms of our lives.  We need to seek His birth over and over again into the decisions we make, into the way we interact with others, into the things we do in our family, our work, and our community, and into the ordering of our time and lives. 

Celebrate this day with Joy and may this be either the beginning or the continuing of living lives as disciplined ones – disciples – helping to build His Kingdom here on earth until He comes again.   

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus

Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown

When Thou camest to earth for me.

But in Bethlehem’s town there was found no room

for thy holy nativity.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn

The bore Thee to Calvary.

When the heav’ns shall ring and the angels sing

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room-

There is room at My side for thee.”

O COME TO MY HEART, LORD JESUS-

THERE IS ROOM IN MY HEART FOR THEE!

The Advent Devotional by Kathleen Schwartz December 24 – Shepherds

Last night some of the boys came over, as they do every night, to help get the chickens into the pen. Off in the west there was a terrific light show. Lightening made designs, colors, and patterns in the dark sky. We turned off the verandah light and all watched. It was pretty awesome to see.

Can you imagine the awe of the shepherds on a dark night when the glory of the heavens was displayed? Most pictures that have been drawn or painted show the shepherds on their knees. How could you stay standing at such magnificence? How could your being even take it?

Who was witness to this event, this opening of heaven for a few short minutes? Shepherds – those on the low end of the socio-economic scale. This is just another reminder, through the Christmas story, that Jesus came for everyone. It’s not through riches, fame or success that we gain access to the glory of heaven, but by being available and standing in the awe and wonder of the magnificence of our God.
 
When God showed up, the shepherds could have run in fear. But instead they stood in awe, still afraid, but they stayed to hear the message and to respond. Much like our boys here, they could have run back into their homes for fear of the loud noise that would follow the terrific lightening. But, as they stood there they marveled at the beauty that was being presented to them, even though they weren’t sure what would follow next.

This Advent Season, are you available for God’s glory to appear? And when it does appear how will you respond?

Dear God of Glory, Come into our lives. Give us courage to face the light, the glory, the lightening, and the power. Give us joy to go tell the Good News of your Power and Glory. Give us awe to fall in worship before you. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Advent Devotional by Kathleen Schwartz December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Come, long-expected Jesus.

Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours.  Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God’s own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus.

Excite in me a hunger for peace; peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long expected Jesus.

Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father’s joy.  I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing, and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus.

Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord.  Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail.  Amen

(Unknown author)

Advent Devotionals by Kathleen Schwartz December 22 – Giving, Part 2

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

My thoughts for December 11 concerned giving.  As I shared then, the kids drew names for someone that they were to prepare a gift to give.   I thought I would update our saga of giving this Christmas.  On Friday afternoon, all the girls came to our house to use materials I provided to make a gift for their secret person.  By this time, almost everyone knew the names of each other.  Most of the girls wanted to draw again and really keep it secret this time.  So we began by redrawing names for those who wanted to. 

The girls (all 21 of them) made necklaces and bracelets out of beads, as the main activity.  Already some were knitting or crocheting scarves.  I also passed out old video tapes.  The tape, when crocheted, can make nice sparkly little purses.  It was a joy to see how everyone was busy, happily working away.  It was a lovely couple of hours.

On Saturday afternoon, the boys came over.  Although there was a bit more noise, it was pretty peaceful considering that there were 20 boys, ages 6-14.  The boys also liked the beads for making a bracelet.  I also had popsicle sticks that they used to make little boxes.  And some of the boys know how to crochet and knit so they had taken yarn and some took video tapes.

We are so used to giving, having our list, trying to get the “right” present, in some cases feeling obligated.  Let us all pray this Christmas for the joy of giving to embrace us.  May we never feel like giving is an obligation or unpleasant duty, but rather a gift in itself to be more like Jesus who gave his life for us.

Dear Jesus,  Help us to give with full hearts.  Help us to give without thinking about what we might receive.  Help us to appreciate anew all the gifts we receive each moment of the day from you.  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

An Advent Devotional by Kathleen Schwartz December 16 – Third Sunday of Advent

 “Master of both the light and the darkness,

                  send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces

                  to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward

                  to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for

                  the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!”

Mark Neilsen, 1948-

Advent Devotional by Kathleen Schwartz December 15 – Birth

“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.”  Luke 2:6-7

I had 4 children in modern hospitals, with nurses and doctors all around, pain medicine if I wanted, Benedict by my side, and family praying for me.  It seems that Mary had her baby in a barn with Joseph nearby.  I could hardly have imagined such a thing before coming to Zambia.

Many women here have their babies in their small huts all by themselves.  I know one woman who rode a bike the 5 miles to the hospital when she was in labor, only to be sent back home (another 5 miles on the bike).  A few hours later she had the baby by herself in her hut.  Benedict was called to take one woman who was in labor to the hospital.  By the time he got to the house, the baby had been born.  One of our employees did not go to the hospital.  She was carrying twins.  One died, one survived. 

The women around us think it would be a terrible idea to have their husbands in the delivery.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!  The women around us do not expect that they will have any help with their pain.  I was glad to know it was there if I needed it.  And the women around us take care of their newborns in their dirt floor, dark, small homes.

I believe that the circumstances of Jesus birth were very common for women then, and probably for most of the women in history when giving birth.  Which once again emphasizes that Jesus had no spectacular birth, surrounding by high-tec medical personnel, waiting throngs (as will happen when Kate has her baby in London), or worldwide new headlines.  He was born like almost everyone else has been born in history.

He is a King for all people.  He wants to be the Lord for all people.  And He died for all people.  That means you and me.

Dear Jesus,  Thank you for leaving the splendor of heaven for the lowest and most common person anywhere and at any time.  Thank you for coming for me.  Thank you for choosing that way and that place and that mother.  May I also live my life to be your disciple to anyone who crosses my path, rich or poor, sick or well, famous or unknown.  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

The Bwanga twins, Mr. Bwanga is in charge of our poultry production.