Today marks the beginning of our Wandering Wise Men Advent devotion series, running from November 30 through December 25. Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior are setting out on their journey, following the star that promises the arrival of a King. Each day, you’ll get a glimpse into the humorous and heartfelt adventures of our somewhat bumbling trio as they face challenges, make discoveries, and maybe even pick up a bit of wisdom along the way.
We’re also delighted to share a daily musical selection from CUMC’s Music Ministry. At the end of each devotion, you’ll find a link to an accompanying audio file to enrich your time of reflection.
We hope these daily moments bring you joy, laughter, meaning, and a soundtrack to guide you through this Advent season.
Hope, That Thing with Feathers
Not all who wander are lost -but clumsy Caspar, misguided Melchior, and bumbling Balthazar certainly were. They had been reading the Centreville UMC Book Club pick for December about a “Red Bird Christmas,” when they remembered that it was the first day of Advent! “We had better prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming!” said Melchior. “How should we do that?” said Caspar. Balthazar said, “Christ comes in many ways at Advent -he comes at Christmas in Bethlehem, He comes into the human hearts, He comes at death to return us home, and He will come again like a thief in the night.” Caspar said, “I know that we must begin making our way to Bethlehem if we are to see the Christ child born.” And so they set out. Along the way they prepared their hearts for Christ’s coming by asking each other the questions John and Charles Wesley used to pose to each other to ask, “How is it with your soul?” Please join us hapless pilgrims as we “ponder these things in our hearts” and make our way to the manger!
Scripture
“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5)
Foolish Wisdom
“If you made your heart a barn -Christ himself would be born again.” (Angelus Silesius)
Today's Music Selection
People, Look East by David Sims
Laura Hesse, organ
© 2016 Augsburg Fortress. The music is presented with permission under One License A-732009.