December 14

December 14

When the Lord changed Zion’s circumstances for the better, it was like we had been dreaming. Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joyful shouts. Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.     —Psalm 126:1-2a, 3

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December is a joyous time at Trinity’s Preschool. Excitement abounds. Mornings may be filled with painting Christmas trees, molding mangers from clay, constructing Advent calendars, and singing holiday songs. Laughter resonates throughout the classrooms and hallways. The annual Preschool Christmas Program is the culminating event celebrating Christ’s birth.

Classes zealously prepare for each year’s performance. Songs, readings, and a living Nativity make up the program. Though approached with equal enthusiasm, rehearsals and performance days differ drastically. On practice days, one might witness angels excitedly chatting and forgetting to ring their bells, children tripping on steps, serious discussions between students on the proper portrayal of Mary and Joseph, and understandably, numerous bathroom breaks. At one practice, as children gleefully were singing the lyrics “Hurry, hurry to Bethlehem,” one very beautiful and very powerful voice sang out, “Hurry, hurry to pet the hen.”

On performance day, the excitement reaches a new level. Students in the Nativity are dressed in their costumes for the first time. Prior to one year’s program, a conversation between two costumed shepherds was overheard. “You look like a pirate,” commented one little shepherd boy. An aide quickly lifted the other shepherd’s silken headdress, which had drooped, covering one of his eyes. The two boys were reminded of the excitement that the shepherds must have felt as they saw the newborn baby.

Every year the Christmas Program is magical, like a wonderful dream. Yes, there may be a few cockeyed angel halos from happy, rigorous bell ringing. And no, fortunately, there has never been a pirate “Aargh.” The one constant year after year is friends sharing joyful shouts (singing), overjoyed expressions, and a caring quiet group huddled around a precious baby, our Savior.

Laura Schmitt

December 15

December 15

Lord, change our circumstances for the better, like dry streams in the desert waste! Let those who plant with tears reap the harvest with joyful shouts. —Psalm 126:4-5

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The season of Advent is about waiting for Jesus’ coming to save God’s people. This scripture verse is asking God to help us, make us happier, and restore our lives. God has done this in my life by introducing me and my family to Trinity UMC and some of the wonderful ministries offered here. In the picture above, I am practicing handbells on a Sunday night with the youth handbell choir. After practice, I most likely attended youth group. The fellowship that has been offered to me through handbells and youth group is a way that I see, experience, and spread God’s love. All week long, I look forward to Sunday nights and the time where I can hear God’s word with friends.

Music is also a great way for people to hear God’s message. Playing the handbells has helped me to hear God through something other than talking and scripture. The beauty that God helped me create through the handbells was amazing. Both the music and the friends have been God’s way of making me happier and restoring me every week. In this season of Advent, we need to think about how God wants us to focus and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Annabelle Glassman

December 16

December 16

Though the fig tree doesn’t bloom, and there’s no produce on the vine; though the olive crop withers, and the fields don’t provide food; though the sheep are cut off from the pen, and there are no cattle in the stalls;  I will rejoice in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.    —Habakkuk 3:17-18

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A sanctuary full of family, friends, and neighbors waiting expectantly to once again see the ancient story of the birth of our Lord acted out by children while singing the carols that we hold dear. Why? Why do we go through this act again and again each year?

As director of the children’s Christmas pageant for the past several years, I cannot begin to tell you the number of people who have come up to me at the conclusion of the pageant with tears in their eyes telling me that the pageant is the best part of their holiday season. What magic does this pageant hold? What makes us want to see this re-creation of the birth of Christ countless times?

The season of Advent is a magical time for both young and old for so many reasons. And yet, even as a young girl, the part of the season I most fondly remember is going to church on Christmas Eve. Sitting in the dim light of the pew and hearing the words from the gospel of Luke felt nothing short of extraordinary even at a young age. Our God has come into our world through the lives of some poor lowly people? A carpenter? A young maiden? Shepherds? A stable? Really? Wow, now that’s magical.

As the words of Habakkuk illustrate, if you truly believe that our deliverer has come into this world, then nothing else matters outside of rejoicing in him. It’s as simple and wonderful as that! It’s also no wonder, then, that a simple Christmas pageant can give us all reason to celebrate. Alleluia!

Deanna McCullough

December 17

December 17

The Lord God’s spirit is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.   —Isaiah 61:1-2a

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The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Lord’s coming as a joyful and fulfilling event. An event that will be transformative for believers, but, as I would expect, would garner much anticipation and mystery. Isaiah tells us what great things the Lord will do, but how does one truly prepare for something so unprecedented?

My wife and I are blessed to have our son Tyler in our lives. He has taught us how to love completely and has further built our faith in God. However, missing from this photo is Owen, the newest member of our family who was born on September 19. At the time the photo was taken, another child was a hope and a prayer. We were pleased to learn shortly after Christmas that Katie was pregnant. The anticipation then set in. We all knew that the baby would bring us great joy and happiness, but what type of person would this child be? How would he change our family dynamic? In what way would having a second child serve to build upon the love we share with Tyler and our faith in God?

The Advent season invokes the feelings of hope and anticipation as we await the coming of Jesus Christ. It reconnects us with the people of Isaiah’s time and the shared belief that Jesus will bring peace and tranquility to the world. As we prepare ourselves, it is a time to reflect on the mystery of Christ and how he shapes our relationships with others and with God.

Eric Zimmerman

December 18

December 18

We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand.    —Ephesians 6:12-13

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I love this picture of the sanctuary taken during last year’s season of Advent—early morning light breaking in amid the darkness. Like that night sky, our lives can be filled with darkness—through the loss of a loved one, through the loss of a job, through the loss of health, through the loss of direction and purpose, through the loss of a relationship.

Abby and I were at a basketball tournament in Louisville, Kentucky this past July. We had arrived early to the venue, so we decided to go ahead to the court where she would be playing and watch the game that was already in progress. A woman came and sat beside me, which I found strange, since there were plenty of other open seats. We exchanged pleasantries, sharing where we were from (she was from New Hampshire), pointing out our daughters to each other.

At halftime she shared that her son had been killed in a car accident eighteen months ago when he was at college. My heart stopped and tears began to flow. I was amazed that someone I had met just five minutes beforehand would share with me the deep darkness that she carries within her.

As her daughter’s game ended, Amy and I hugged for a long time. I told her I would keep her in my prayers. A chance meeting between mothers on a basketball court? I’m not so sure.

May God’s light permeate every corner of our souls this Advent, dispelling any darkness, filling our souls with the hope, peace, joy and love of God incarnate—Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem.

I pray that Amy feels the power of God’s light this Advent too.

Judy Oguich

December 20

December 20

The people who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion; never shaken, lasting forever. Mountains surround Jerusalem. That’s how the Lord surrounds his people from now until forever from now! —Psalm 125:1-2

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During my time at Trinity UMC, in youth group, in high school, and now at the University of Virginia, I have learned a lot about my faith. One thing I have learned through experience is the importance of community. In this picture, you can see me and my fellow acolytes preparing for the Christmas Eve service. The group of acolytes was one of many groups I have found fellowship in throughout my faith journey. This passage from Psalms says that the people who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion. For me, I certainly find strength and refuge in a community of believers. It helps me tremendously in my faith to have others around me that are also pursuing the Lord and seeking to further their own faith. God has gifted me and surrounded me with fellow believers in relationships where we can display Christ to each other and others. Psalm 125 says that the Lord surrounds his people forever like mountains.

The Lord surrounded me with fellow youth at Trinity who also sought to serve the church. Advent is a season in which we think about Christ’s coming and his current presence in our lives. Where I see Christ the most in my life is in the people around me, the ones who have pushed me and educated me in my faith. They all have been like mountains to me: unshakeable, eternal, and a symbol that the Lord surrounds all of us with community and strength.

Jack Neary