Devotional Journal
INTRODUCTION
What you hold in your hands is the product of prayer and relationship. The clergy of Partners for Transformation labored together to produce this booklet of brief Advent meditations for the faithful of Southern York County and beyond.
Partners for Transformation has it roots in the Southern York County Ministerium that met for decades on a monthly basis for prayer and mutual support. About ten years ago, it was decided that the meetings needed to be weekly and have a renewed mission to impact our community together for the Kingdom of God. Partners for Transformation was birthed.
“Partners for Transformation is a collective of local pastors and congregations in Southern York County, Pennsylvania. Pastors meet weekly for mutual edification, prayer and seeking God for what He is calling congregations to do together for the building of His Church. Partners is built on four pillars – Humility, Presence, Unity and Authority – as God as presented in His Word.” (taken from Pray SYC Facebook page)
Over the years, PfT has not only met together for prayer, fellowship, and study—we have also cooperated on occasional community worship services, the yearly National Day of Prayer, Community Lenten Services, the PA March for Life, and the rollout of #PraySYC (A prayer movement mobilizing the Church to pray in unity for Southern York County).
This year, PfT determined again to put together a simple booklet of Advent meditations to help prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. This is our second year.
The booklet is designed to be read daily from the first Sunday of Advent (December 1st) through Christmas Eve (the last day of Advent). These meditations will also be posted at www.facebook.com/pray-syc. Enjoy hearing from the varied clergy and the churches they serve toward growing God’s Kingdom in SYC.
May the anticipation of Christ’s coming draw you deeper into the love and majesty of God this season and throughout the coming year!
Partners for Transformation
Southern York County, PA
November 2024
December 18 – EXPECTATION – Luke 3:15
“Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.”
John the Baptizer clarifies who was coming after him. He was preparing the way of the One true Messiah. In the last chapter of the last book in our Bibles, Jesus says, “I am coming soon” three times. As we prepare our hearts for this Advent season, we should have an expectation that not only has He fulfilled the prophecy of coming down to earth through a virgin, He WILL fulfill the prophecy of His second coming.
If we are living in the last days, which we are, the question becomes: If Jesus is coming soon, how should we conduct ourselves? The Bible emphatically says we need to wake up from our slumber.
Knowing Jesus fulfilled what was prophesized through His birth, how might that increase our faith and dependency on Him today?
Rev. Nabil Hirji-Walji
Shrewsbury Assembly
Shrewsbury, PA
December 19 – MERCY – Luke 1:78-79
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
What kind of a Christmas are you going to have this year? A Very Mercy Christmas! We are used to hearing the phrase “Have a Merry Christmas” in our favorite carols, cards, and greetings, but have you ever considered why we should reflect on mercy during the Advent season?
Mercy is at the heart of the Christmas message, because Jesus came as an act of mercy, in order that the world could be redeemed just as Isaiah prophesied “God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. He will rule with mercy and truth. He will always do what is just and be eager to do what is right.” (Isaiah 16:5)”
Zechariah prophesied over his son, John, that God would use him to announce the coming Messiah because of God’s tender mercy! Mercy is receiving what we do not deserve and in our sinful nature we do not deserve all that God has given us. During this Advent season, take a few moments to thank God for his mercies that are new everyday and enjoy a merciful Christmas!
May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 1:2)
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for mercy! In you I receive what I do not deserve and yet you lavish your love upon me even more. Help me to remember Your mercy throughout the Advent season and every other day of the year. Amen.
Rev. Tom Herbert
Freedom Community Church
Shrewsbury, PA
December 20 – FULFILLED – Micah 5:2-5a
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And He shall be their peace.”
Waiting on something is hard. How much more so when we’re waiting on God? We can be impatient, frustrated, and even doubt His goodness. Yet even though it required a few hundred years of waiting, and a lot of faith, God fulfilled His promise to Israel, exactly as He said He would.
As we get ever closer to this year’s Christmas celebration, do you believe that Father God will fulfill what He has promised? Just as He fulfilled His promise in the first Advent, so, too, we can trust that He will send Jesus again, but at the time of His choosing. What will be the result? An even greater promise fulfilled: “He shall be their peace.”
May each of us and all of us together entrust our waiting to our Heavenly Father, that when the time is right, Jesus, our peace, will return.
Rev. David Feiser
Round Hill EPC
Felton, PA
December 21 – REDEMPTION – Luke 21:27-28
We end the church calendar with celebrating the Reign of Christ Sunday (the last Sunday of the Church calendar), as a reminder in our lives that Christ is King and Lord. Yet, this year’s Advent commences with the Gospel lectionary reading these words, “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:27-28, NIV).
The time leading up to the Nativity of our Lord, we reflect on Christ, who humbled Himself and became one like us (Philippians 2:6-11); yet, He truly remained Lord, thereby making our salvation complete. So, by the time of His Nativity, may the prayer of our hearts confidently be “Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by Your daily visitation, that Your Son Jesus Christ, at His coming may finds in us a mansion prepared for Himself; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever” (Collect for Advent 4 – BCP).
Rev. Michael Annis
Holy Trinity CEC
Stewartstown, PA
December 22 – HELP – Luke 1:39-45
As Luke details the coming birth of John and Jesus, he records this: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting she was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke1:41) Gabriel spoke; “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (Luke1:30b) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:33)
We, too, are chosen, just as Mary and Elizabeth were chosen. We always need HELP to glorify God and to do His will, just as they did. Emmanuel is: God with us! Our help is in: His Presence, His Favor, His Holy Spirit living within us. May our prayer echo Mary’s: “May it be to me as you have said.”
Rejoice and be glad! “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1a)
Rev. Peter Mayer
Grace Church Shrewsbury
New Freedom, PA
December 23 – SMALL – Micah 5:2-5a
“But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me One who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
I have always been called “Smallie” or Shorty. Sometimes outrightly called Zacchaeus. So, I am used to the idea of being belittled. As I read this passage, however, I see a humble town, bringing peace to the nations.
In Advent, we celebrate the surprising ways God fulfills His promises. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, was the promised ruler, yet He came not in grandeur but in humility, bringing lasting peace to all who trust in Him. Although being called those names didn’t deter me from pursuing my life’s calling and feeling loved and accepted, this passage reminds me that even out of what we consider “little”, God can bring great things forth.
This season invites us to see God’s power in unexpected places, to welcome His peace into our lives, and to remember that God’s plans transcend our understanding. May this Advent fill us with hope in God’s faithfulness to do mighty things through the little we think, say, or do.
Rev. Mwat Asedeh
Stewartstown Presbyterian
Stewartstown, PA
December 24 – FILL – Luke 1:53a
“He has filled the hungry with good things…”
In that most magnificent of hymns known as The Magnificat, Mary the Mother of our Lord exults in God’s imminent salvation of the world through the baby she is carrying. She speaks of the “mighty” being humbled, the “rich” being left in want, and the proud not being at the center of everything. But she also tells us that God will fill the hungry! In those places of need, of want, of lack – God wants to (& will) fill. He says it of His creation in Habakkuk 2:14, “But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” And, He desires it for us! To fill us with “good things”. And is there any higher good than Himself?
The question for us is, “Are we hungry?” Do we desire the advent of Christ, not just as the Babe from Bethlehem, but as Lord and King in our life and in our world? Do we dare say to the Holy Spirit, as Mary did, “let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
May this season find us participating with God in bringing His glory to the world around us through our lives of holiness and godliness.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, fill me in the strength of Your name, grant me the sure hope of Your coming, and prepare me to do Your will.
Rev. Mark Nelson
Holy Trinity CEC
Stewartstown, PA
