Providing Christian resources from the YMCA past and present to nourish inclusive, equitable work in our diverse and global neighborhoods that build up healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
For all of us who associate with the YMCA in any way, may our hearts, our spirits, our lives be a blessing, for all. Merry Christmas!
For Christians around the world, tomorrow starts twelve days of celebration, remembrance, and prayers.
Christmas doesn’t have to be one day, or just about gifts, or even family meals – it can be about a love that’s stronger than death, a peace that endures all tempests, a grace which undergirds every step, a joy which embraces all sorrows, all grief.
Christmas is about Christ Jesus our Lord of the Heavens and Earth, born in obscure poverty to an outcast and oppressed family that faced political exile, assassination attempts, and disgrace – yet – the will to powerfully heal, forgive, instruct, correct, transform – marks the real reason for the arrival of God as a wailing and wiggly baby boy.
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Christmas can be more than forced smiles, lonely loneliness, more than chronic disappointments and misunderstandings Christmas can be about Someone who knows your heart, your desires, your darkness, your sins, our failings, our aspirations, our gifts and promises to use it for what is Good, True, Just, and Beautiful.
Christmas is twelve days that transcend the end of one year and the start of another, it is a dozen nights to rest, reflect, and reset over what matters most – God is with us, Jesus is the Christ of Christmas who saves us from our wrongdoings and inspires us to live brightly, like the stars above us.
For all of us who associate with the YMCA in any way, may our hearts, our spirits, our lives be a blessing, for all.
How can the Spirit of Christmas live on in you? Let this YMCA devotion series encourage you in the days to come!
“The greatest gifts in my life come through obedience to God’s call upon me, and the greatest blessings come when I trust the Father to make me who he wants me to be: holy and present.”
[Day 2 of 12 – YMCA onPrinciple Devotion Series – inspired by 1Peter 2:4-5]
Chosen By God: Becoming Christ’s Holy Presents for the World // How can we be more like Jesus, whom God gave to the world to love, care and serve sacrificially? // Revisit with us 12 stories of the Lord transforming people in the Holy Land, inspired by experiences YMCA leaders recently had there. //From this we learn ways to put Christian principles into practice through Jesus “the living Stone” who handcrafts us into precious gifts of peace for all.
Written by Eric Ellsworth, CEO/COO YMCA of the Cayman Islands
“How could this be?”
Imagine Zechariah, a good man, and Israelite priest, going about his duties in the temple when an angel startled him with an unbelievable message: your wife will bear a son in her old age.
Instead of rejoicing at this good news, Zechariah could only doubt it.
What would you have said? Imagine Zechariah leaving the temple, stumbling along the stone-paved street, headed home, stunned and in disbelief.
I remember walking along that old street while in Jerusalem, and now I try to put myself in Zechariah’s sandals – trying to make sense of an unbelievable message – from an angel, regarding your wife who is past child-bearing years, about a son who will prepare Israel for the presence of the Lord.
Lord help us in our disbelief!
What does this look like in our lives?
For my work in the YMCA, we often have opportunities or promptings to help people or create transformational programs that “put Christian principles into practice.”
Too many times, though, we answer the call with, “I am too busy,” “where will the money come from,” or “my boss won’t approve.”
Any number of objections or doubts can come and cause us to miss the peace and joy of simply saying “yes” to God.
We often hear God’s voice in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, but we quickly move to the practical, earthly realities rather than rejoicing and obeying the whispers of the Spirit.
Like Zechariah, when we hear God’s good news, we too can learn to say “yes” – for God desires that we grow closer and closer in relationship with Him through our obedience and faith.
The greatest gifts in my life come through obedience to God’s call upon me, and the greatest blessings come when I trust the Father to make me who he wants me to be: holy and present.
This is God’s plan: to follow Him- let Him Lead- to Be His!!
Would you pray with me?
Dear Lord, thank you for your free gift of forgiveness when we doubt you. Please help us believe your messages to us and answer your call to sacrificial service. Bring us to full obedience through your power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Stone-paved street alongside the Temple Mount in Jerusalem
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
I asked Vanessa from the Huntington Y to share a few words about her experience with Paul; she helps support Christian Emphasis in her YMCA, and this included supporting Bishop Hirschy in his volunteer chaplain ministry there.
Today was the funeral of our highly respected and beloved denominational leader Bishop Paul Hirschy.
A quiet leader, thoughtful, patient, faithful to the Lord and fruitful in his Christian ministry.
For me as a pastor and son of a pastor in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Paul was an ever present leader in my life – his unfailing warm-hearted kindness, generous smile and genuine attentiveness always made me feel welcome and included.
His ministry extended beyond his term as bishop, in the many years since then he served the local church providing pastoral care to members in need.
When I left the local church ministry for work in the YMCA as a pastor, my new tasks included connecting with local clergy who felt called to volunteer on the Y as a chaplain.
Imagine my delight when I discover Bishop Paul doing just that in the Huntington YMCA! How blessed that Y is to have a chaplain like Paul, and what a legacy for our UB ministers to have one of our own loving, caring and serving in the community with such a big heart and patient spirit.
May we have more pastors like Paul, more volunteer chaplains like him to strengthen the presence of Christ in our Y.
I asked Vanessa from the Huntington Y to share a few words about her experience with Paul; she helps support Christian Emphasis in her YMCA, and this included supporting Bishop Hirschy in his volunteer chaplain ministry there.
Here is Vanessa’s loving remembrance:
“His name was Paul Hirschy.
Former Bishop Paul E. Hirschy, 75, passed away December 1, 2021, after a long battle with cancer.
Paul was a faithful chaplain at the YMCA of Huntington County.
He would set aside a couple hours a week to invest in the lives of community members. He was full of God’s grace and shined ever so bright even in the darkest of days.
Paul would walk into the front doors of the YMCA and spread his contagious smile to the ladies at the front desk.
Then, he would turn the corner to record his time and place his VOLUNTEER name tag on.
Paul was the epitome of a volunteer.
He showed up, he served, he loved, and cared for all that stepped into his path.
Paul would usually find his way to the table.
The table where gentlemen and ladies would gather for a cup of morning joe and reminisce about the good ole days.
Eventually the relationships grew to move the discussion from the good ole days to the current not so good days of health scares and lost loved ones.
Paul never skipped a beat to listen and turn their attention to Jesus in prayer or through that light he so proudly presented.
The YMCA brought Paul on to serve our members, which he did well, not knowing the impact he would have on them as a leadership staff.
It did not matter the season for Paul, whether dark or bright, he always inquired how he could pray for us as a staff.
We knew whatever Paul was saying to Jesus was going to be heard and answered ten-fold.
Paul seemed to have a seat right next to our Heavenly Father even when his body was still on earth.
Paul cared for God’s people and inspired each of us every week.
After months of chemo, Paul came in to serve the YMCA not knowing how much longer he had.
Even in this time, Paul focused on us, he had faith and knew God’s plan was best and his peaceful presence said it all.
Paul was the most gentle, Christ centered man I know.
I have no doubt he is sitting by God as I write this and worshiping with his whole spirit; without pain, without suffering.
May our memories of Paul always be a place to visit his tender heart and produce a smile of joy upon our faces.”
Written by Vanessa Macias-Hannie, Director of Healthy Living at the Parkview Huntington Family YMCA, Indiana
More about Paul…
Paul graduated from Huntington University in 1968, and that year began ten years of pastoral ministry–initially in Convoy, Ohio, followed by nine years at Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind.
He managed the denominational printshop 1978-1981, and then was elected by General Conference to the first of five terms as Director of Church Services at the UB national office.
In 2001, Paul was elected bishop of the US National Conference. He served in that role until 2005.
He worked the next seven years as a development officer at Huntington University, and since 2012 has been associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington.
On October 1, 2021, Huntington University awarded Paul the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time. “Service” is, indeed, what Paul is most known for—a man with a true servant’s heart.
