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3rd Week of Advent Devotions: Monday, 12/18/06

This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel” (which means, “God is with us”). So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to. But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus. (Matthew 11:8-25 TEV)

You may have been a part of this scenario once or twice since coming to Church of the Beloved. It’s Saturday night. You may be spending a quiet evening at home or be going out as a family or with friends. Then suddenly the realization hits...I have worship setup in the morning! Does that awareness change your mood?

I began with a positive attitude towards this time on Sunday morning but as weeks turned to months my attitude began to turn sour until our son, Ryan, wrote an essay for school. Here, in part, is what he had to say:

“Our family worships with a group of believers called Church of the Beloved...we do not have a permanent building. The facility is not the type that most people call a church. The cafeteria tables are pushed to the side and the volunteers set up folding chairs and construct the freestanding altar. The band brings in their instruments and speakers, the candles are lit, and the cross is in place. As the service begins, the scenery of the school fades away and my church is revealed...”

“At Church of the Beloved I have found a place to go where the community embraces me and I can learn how God’s Word applies to my daily life. It is a place that we feel love and the commitment to help each other.”

This was my wake up call. Worship setup is important! My commitment to this task was going to remain. Something had to change and that something was my attitude.

Since that time, the Holy Spirit has transformed my attitude to one of gladness. I’m now glad I am able to get out of bed. I’m glad that I can do this type of work for the church. I’m glad that I can spend some time with my brothers and sisters. I’m glad that this church is making a difference in my life. How about you?

Anna Moore

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being:

We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit,

that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you,

but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Schedule

Church of the Beloved’s 5^th Birthday Celebration will begin on Christmas Eve and will continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas ending with the Epiphany Pageant on January 7^th. Special birthday party favors will be an added treat. You are invited to be a part of any or all of these festive celebrations:

7pm, Christmas Eve “Christ Mass” (December 24: seasonal music begins 30 minutes before worship and hot cider and Christmas cookies will be served afterwards)

5:30-9pm, 5^th Day of Christmas Open House (Friday, December 29^th, Harbin home)

9:30am, 7^th Day of Christmas New Year Blessing (December 31: bring your calendars, planners or PDAs to be blessed)

9:30am, Epiphany Pageant followed by a birthday party for Jesus (January 7)

Please note: This year, December 24^th is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. Though Sunday morning’s worship will not be a Christmas celebration, please join us for worship and for the “Greening of the Church” (decorating) afterwards!