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.”
For almost twelve decades the World YMCA has been calling its members and leaders to a week of prayer, along side the World YWCA, and this year the theme is: Beauty from Brokenness
“Although we may be easily broken, the light of Christ within us can heal brokenness and burst through, reaching out to those around us.”
Join us for a week of prayer in your heart at noon each day this week!
Serving others comes in many forms. When we accept others, give them space, challenge negative perceptions and operate in forgiveness we demonstrate the servant heart of Jesus.
“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”
Jesus of Nazareth, Gospel according to Luke, 7:44
True service is focused on the needs of the other, and not on our personal con- victions and opinions.
True service seeks a future and a perspective for our fellow humans.
True service places our own needs on the back burner.
But remember! You don ́t need to save the world; Jesus has already done that.
REFLECTION POINTS
Where are you currently challenged to serve your fellow human?
Is it easier for you to help people or to serve them? What is the difference, for you?
How do you recognise yourself in the woman and in the host?
What can help you to focus on the needs of the other person in the future?
How can you include Jesus in your actions?
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Jesus, you know us and our hearts.
We thank you because you don ́t leave us alone, but instead meet us in different ways.
You don ́t judge. You give new perspectives and look into our hearts in a way that no one else can.
We pray that you change our hearts.
Let us serve our fellow man in such a way, that their needs are fulfilled, that they experience acceptance and appreciation, and that they get to know you as their God.
We pray for the people around us who are excluded. Help us build connections and bridges.
We pray for possibilities, that people have genuine and freeing experiences with you.
Give us a change of heart, so that we love you, God, with our hearts, and love our neighbour as ourselves.
Through you we have hope and confidence for this world and the next.
Help us become people of service, who love you and who change the world for the better.
Glory to you, O Lord. Amen.
Please share any thoughts, insights or recorded actions that come as a result of today’s devotions on social media using the hashtag: #WWOP21 Team: Tobias Nestler, Germany; Javier Delgado, Columbia; Jannis Bauder, Germany; Wendy Ramirez, Columbia; Daniil Tritonaov, Russia.
If you are on Instagram, I highly recommend you follow @ymcairelandchaplaincy – they post inspiring content and are participating in the World Week of Prayer with daily posts and videos.
