During the Advent season of 2020, we were desperate to bring our family together. Our holiday tradition for years had been to gather in a cabin in the Smokies for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Our kids and grandkids came from Ohio and Iowa, making long drives for a few days of love and fellowship. But this was a different year, the year of Covid, when hundreds of thousands around the world had already died from this terrible virus. We held our breath, hoping everyone could travel.

On Wednesday, Dec. 23, our daughter Sarah called in tears, saying her husband, Brent, had tested positive for COVID. He had cold symptoms the week before, and out of an abundance of caution, they decided he should take the test. Brent was isolating in the basement, but Sarah feared the whole family could come down with COVID in the next few days. The trip to the cabin for Christmas was off.

Soon after, our son David called and told us that our grandson Jacob had been exposed to COVID and they were waiting for test results. The trip home for Christmas was in doubt. Tom and I were crushed. We had pinned so much hope on this reunion after a year of anxiety and doubt. But the Bible verse says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God.” Our prayers went up, and we determined we would go to the cabin alone and find a way to celebrate via Zoom with our kids.

On Thursday, Dec. 24, daughter Sarah called back, ecstatic! She and the grandkids had all tested negative for Covid, and Brent’s quarantine would be over by Saturday. They were coming to Tennessee! Later that day, David called, and his voice was full of sadness. Jacob had tested positive for COVID-19. They could not travel home for Christmas.

We were caught between joy and sorrow again. We felt guilty for even urging the kids to make the long trip in the midst of a pandemic. We had been motivated by longing, pure longing, so hungry for the love and stimulation of being together with three generations of family.

On Christmas Day, a heavy snow fell and blanketed the world in peace. While waiting for Sarah and her family to arrive, we helped shovel the snow off the driveway to our cabins so that other families could gather as well. It was a happy task.

That Christmas in 2020 is one we will never forget. We opened packages together with our Ohio family and celebrated with our Iowa family on Zoom. And somewhere in the middle, we found peace, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. And the strength to face the next day.

Dear Lord, you always remind us not to be anxious, but we forget. You always promise us the peace which passes all understanding, but we forget. You brought us, Jesus, in a world filled with anxiety and danger, and we need to remember. Thank you for the peace you bring to our hearts in the Advent season. And all year long. Amen.

This devotion was written by Laura Derr and read by Judy Wilson.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in...

We know this scripture because the priests quote it when asked by King Herod where the Christ Child was to be born. This occurs after the Wise Men come to Jerusalem seeking the new King. We hear it almost every year during the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany, but do you know its Old Testament context?

When Micah first spoke it, the people who heard it were a defeated people, now living in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, its walls broken down, and their king removed. It was a dark time, and these words were words of hope. Micah wanted them to know that God had not forgotten them. A future ruler would come and save them. They would not be in exile forever. God was with them and better days were coming. What a message of hope for those people when all seemed lost.

Our situation is not much different from Micah’s first listeners. In times of great stress, we look for a glimmer of hope beyond the present ordeal. We want to hear that God understands, is with us, and tomorrow holds the possibility of being a better day.

This word of hope from God comes to us in so many ways during this Advent Season. We hear it in the message that a child named Jesus was born to fulfill this prophecy, and God is always with us. We see it in many small acts of kindness that seem to multiply at this time of year.

And if you are listening to this podcast on the day it was first posted, know that tonight our church is a beacon of hope for some. For many years, the Christian Living Class and the Open Arms Class have hosted a dinner for inmates housed at our local detention center and their families. Those inmates who meet the requirements come to the church and get to have a meal with their loved ones. We provide gifts for them to give to their children. There are hugs and pictures and great joy. For those inmates and their families, it is a glimpse of what the future can look like. It is a time of joy and, yes, hope.

Advent is a reminder that God cares about where we are in our life journey. We or someone we know might be experiencing the first holiday season without a loved one. Perhaps you can be a glimmer of hope for them by reaching out and letting them know they are not alone. Or in these times of economic hardship for many, you might be able to, out of your blessings, give to a program that provides food or shelter for others. Again, a word of hope. And if this is a season of struggles and darkness for you, know there is hope that tomorrow can be better because God is with us.

Life can be difficult. It was at the time Micah shared these words. It was challenging for the people of Judah when Jesus was born. It can be for us or those we know today. Micah reminds us that God is faithful, loves us, and is at work to make our tomorrows brighter.

Loving God, we give thanks for your never-ending love and presence in our lives. When we are in difficult and challenging times, help us to remember to look to you for light, guidance, and hope. You are always pointing us to a better tomorrow. And remind us as well to be, when we can, your message of hope to others when they need it most. AMEN.

This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition

Our theme for the Grace for All Advent devotions is Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. For me, the most elusive of these is peace. Human beings are human beings; even the most Christlike among us experience jealousy, envy, greed, anger, even rage, based on the actions of others and the events taking place around us. Life is not always fair, and we naturally allow unfairness or mistreatment to steal our peace, among family members, friends, neighbors, and most especially within us.

I am at a place in life where peace is what I crave most. I have always disliked conflict. I am by nature a peacemaker, not a fighter. Still the many things over which I have no control upset me. How can I achieve peace within when there is so much wrong in our world?

I think I know the answer, but it still is not easy to do.

First, I have to acknowledge that God is in control, and I am not. That is super hard for a first born daughter! I ran the show for my younger sister and two younger brothers when assigned their care if our parents were away briefly or busy doing something they didn’t want interrupted. And I relished the role of being the boss! I knew best for all of us, at least in my mind.

As an adult, that simply is not true. There are so many times, I have no idea of the best decision to make or path to take. When that happens I rely on the counsel of friends and family, and most of all, God’s direction sought through prayer and meditation. Often the path that opens to me seems contrary to what I want, but God is always there and always faithful.

Second, I know that I have a responsibility to participate in society and speak up against injustice and cruelty, but I cannot change the thoughts and actions of others alone. I have to be patient and allow God to act, but I can continue to help others and “do good” in accordance with our church’s missions. I can also pray, always pray.

Finally, I can continue to strive to strengthen my personal relationship with Jesus, studying, praying, meditating, both alone and in groups. A stronger faith enables me to keep things in perspective, let go of the things I should not spend time and energy on, and rely on God to direct my path.

All of these actions require giving up control. I am not in charge, nor am I meant to be. I am meant to worship and serve God in the ways He wants. Perhaps when I achieve this level of selflessness, the ways of the world will no longer steal my peace. I pray it may be so.

Dear God, You know the level of turmoil your children are experiencing in the world today. I know this is not how you intend for us to live. Please guide us as we seek peace in our homes, in our families, in our communities, and in our world. Only through You can we quiet the noise and ignore the distractions that separate us from You. May we find the peace of God in this Advent season and always. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Pat Scruggs.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church...

Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

Over two thousand years ago, the young virgin, Mary, was visited by the Angel Gabriel, who was sent specifically to her in Nazareth. She was greatly troubled – perhaps even terrified – at the sight of such an unexpected visitor! He greeted her with words that confused and troubled her. But he calmly spoke and said, “Do not be afraid.” Then he gave her the astonishing news that she would be pregnant and birth a Son, whom she would name Jesus! He said, “This child will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High! And His Kingdom will never end!”

Astonished, she questioned the angel as to how such a thing could be possible, as she was a virgin. He explained how the Holy Spirit, the Power of the Most High would overshadow her, so the Holy One born of her would be the Son of God. The young Mary must have been overwhelmed by the surreal visitor and his unexpected words; but she believed the message and said to the Angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.” The Angel left her.

A short time after this astonishing event, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who had been barren all her life. The Angel Gabriel had also told Mary that her once barren cousin would also conceive and bear a son. Thus, the visit.

When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s door and knocked. When Elizabeth opened the door she felt the baby in her womb leap, as if in recognition! Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice – “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” At this greeting, Mary replied: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

As we think about this story of how the mother of Jesus and the mother of John the Baptist were used by God for great things, let us ponder our place in the world and seek God’s will in our own lives. Let us ask ourselves, “What does God require of me? What does God want to birth in my life? What miracles of faith does God wish me to accomplish? As a Christian, a Christ Follower, what is my assignment in God’s plan for the world? Am I listening to the messengers God sends to my door, to my ears, to my eyes? Am I hearing the call to do good, to provide for the needy, to help out the homeless, to be more generous in my giving – especially in this time of great need for those around me? Am I, like Mary, saying YES and proclaiming “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Will I do the great things God has asked me to do today?

During this Christmas Season, as we celebrate the birthday of Mary’s child – The Son of God – our Savior, Jesus Christ, let’s remember to be more aware of messages that suddenly come to us. We just may be entertaining angels unaware!

Dear God, Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus! Thank you for giving us the opportunities to grow in his loving likeness and to hear the cry of the hungry, the lonely, the hopeless, and the helpless. Help us to give generously during this season and not be selfish in our spending. Help us to think of the hungry, the lonely, the needy and to celebrate Christmas with them, by opening our hearts and our pockets! Make us proud to say like Mary – My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

This devotion was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings,...

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast.

On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast.

We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you.

We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ.

Now, listen to this week's scriptures.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is the time of year when we start to enjoy the many holiday traditions we've grown up with.

For me, one of those traditions is the movie "It's A Wonderful Life." I've lost count of how many times I have watched the movie, but I keep watching it. It is a Christmas tradition because it endures, and it endures because the story is excellent and its lessons are true.

Do you remember that moment in the movie when George Bailey stands on a bridge in the snow and thinks that his life has no value? He wishes that he had never existed. And then Clarence, the angel, shows him what Bedford Falls would be like if he had never been alive -- how his existence, his choices, and his sacrifices affected Bedford Falls in ways he never realized. He was the catalyst that made Bedford Falls exactly what it needed to be at the moment it needed to be.

"It's a Wonderful Life" tells a profound truth about timing and purpose. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the same subject in today's scripture. Paul states that God has perfect timing. He states that when the fullness of time came, not a moment too early, nor a moment too late, God sent his son.

What did Paul mean when he used the phrase "fullness of time?" The Roman Empire built roads connecting the known world, allowing people to travel in ways they never could before. Greek had become the universal language, and therefore, information and ideas traveled across the world at speeds previously unknown. The Jewish people had been awaiting their messiah for centuries and longed for redemption. And into this perfectly ripe moment, God sent Jesus—not as a conquering king, but as a newborn infant to an unmarried teenager living in an occupied land.

God did not send a theological treatise or a military leader. He sent his Son, born of a woman, totally human, and he experienced every aspect of being human. Born under the law that we cannot perfectly follow. And Why? So that he can redeem us—to purchase us back, to set us free.

Paul doesn't stop there. This is where Advent love becomes extremely personal. Not only are we redeemed, but we are adopted. We receive the rights of a child. In the Roman world, adopted children received the same rights as biological children -- they were full heirs, full members of the family. God did not simply deliver us from a bad situation; he brought us into his family.

When we respond to God's love, we are not only forgiven - we’re also changed. We become the children of God, siblings of Christ, and heirs of the Kingdom.

In Advent, we are preparing our hearts for Christmas through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. And that love - that adopting, redeeming, perfect-timing love - that is the essence of Christmas. God looked upon humanity, lost and broken, and said, "I will send my Son. I will enter into their world. I will make them my children."

As you decorate your house with lights and present your gifts this season, remember: the greatest gift was not placed under a tree. It was placed in a manger. And that gift was not just about forgiveness - it was about family. God loved us enough that he did not just desire to save us; he desired to adopt us.

You are a child of God. You are an heir. You are a member of the family. That is the love of Advent.

Father, thank you for your perfect timing and your perfect love. Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us and adopt us into your family. Help us live as your beloved children this Advent season. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff

One of the most beautiful, modern portrayals I have seen of the nativity, and one I feel depicts this verse in an equally beautiful way, comes in the form of the 2023 movie-musical “Journey to Bethlehem.” After Mary is seen going into labor and preparing to give birth, the movie cuts between her and Joseph in the stable and the three wisemen making their way to the manger and stopping in a field with an adult male shepherd and his young daughter, who are seen keeping watch over their flock.

Then, a bright star is seen shining in the sky, and the young shepherd girl begins to sing a verse of “Silent Night”, ending with the line “Jesus, Lord at thy birth”, with her father seen harmonizing with her on the second repeating of this line. Before both the shepherds and the wisemen, the angel Gabriel then appears in the sky, announcing Jesus’ birth, before the music swells to a crescendo and a chorus appears behind him singing a verse of “O Holy Night”. The shepherds and wisemen drop to their knees, some with hands folded in prayer, upon seeing this spectacle. The movie then shows reaction shots of other citizens of Bethlehem reacting to a blinding light encasing them, some initially appearing shocked, but then realizing what this means: that Jesus Christ has been born this night.

During this season of Advent, the beauty of this portrayal of the Nativity resonates with me a bit deeper and is a vision that would not leave my mind while thinking of a topic for this devotion. While we may not know for certain the precise details of the night of the Nativity as none of us were firsthand witnesses, I would encourage you to give this scene in “Journey to Bethlehem” a watch, as it is a beautiful and moving portrayal of this verse and leads you to feel as if you are feeling the same emotions the wisemen and shepherds are feeling in the moment, because even several watches later, I can say that I felt that way.

Let us pray:

Dear God, during this season of Advent, help the brightness of the light the shepherds saw not be lost upon us as we rejoice in the birth of your Son. May we experience the secondhand joy the shepherds and wisemen experienced as we worship him and celebrate his arrival in the manger that fateful night. In your name, amen.

This devotion was written and recorded by Grace Jonas.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Have you ever noticed that when plants produce, they simultaneously produce a gift that is the food of others and the birth of the next generation of their species? Like these seeds, there is an infinite abundance in God’s love and God’s gifts to us that is incomprehensible. God has given us forgiveness and love before we even knew that we needed it. It is there for us, to catch us, when we fall. It is there for us to fill the emptiness when we thought we could do it alone. It is there for us when our wounds won’t heal on their own.

During this season of Advent, let us reflect that God took the Word and made it flesh so that we could see and experience God’s love. As we wait quietly this season in anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus, let us consider the love God shares that is ever-present. If we are to be children of God, then we should nourish our souls on the love that helps us, feeds us, heals us, and forgives us.

Love is such a big topic, and yet it is so small. In every moment of every day, God’s love is present. In every object and every act, God’s love for us is waiting. God’s love was waiting for us before the birth of Jesus. It was present and welcoming us in Jesus. It was in the shadow of the cross waiting for us. It waits for us to follow the path made straight and to follow the example that we have been given in Jesus. It is ever-present and in everything, every person, and every action. It always has been and always will be. God loves us whether we are sinning, confessing, or loving others.

So, be loved. And be loving. Like the seeds that give life through nourishing others and give birth to new plants, we can both be loved into new life and give love to nourish others at the same time. Let us all be amazed and awed at just how powerful this is!

God in heaven, on earth, and in our hearts, may we be the seeds that grow to nourish others. May we be both born again in your spirit and love while also giving life, love, and nourishment to others so that they may live in your spirit and love, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.