O Holy Night

It seems that an inevitable part of any trip is that someone eventually asks, "Are we there yet?" We tend to enjoy the journey for only so long. Eventually we are ready to reach our destination.

Over the past four weeks we have journeyed together toward that Holy Night on which the Christ Child was born. Now we reach the place toward which we have been journeying. At Christmas we celebrate the clearest way that God comes to us. Jesus Christ. Emmanuel. God with us.

At Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church we will worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 24 at 5 and 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The 5 p.m. service will also be simulcast in the Family Life Center. We hope you will be there.

Week Four Advent Devotion

Below you will find the devotion for the fourth week of Advent. Just click on the video to watch. This week's devotion is given by Brian McLeod, Minister of Music and Worship at Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.

After viewing the devotion you are encouraged to respond in one or both of the following ways.

• Question for Personal Reflection. Spend time alone with God in relation to the message of the devotion. The question for this week's devotion is:

What would my life look like if I set time apart from the world this Advent preparing for the coming of the Christ-child once again?

• Question for Community Discussion. Discuss the message of the devotion online with others who view it. To be a part of the discussion, click on "Comment" below this week's video. Then type your comment in the "Post a Comment" box. Below the box you will see "Comment as:." If you have an account through one of those types you can choose that account. Otherwise you can choose anonymous. (If you choose anonymous you might consider signing your name at the end of your comment since it will not show up otherwise.) The question for this week's devotion is:

As the body of Christ, how do we live out his presence in the world today--his presence so joyfully announced by the angels to the shepherds that first Christmas?

Many blessings as you continue on the Advent journey to the Holy Night on which the Christ Child was born!

Week Three Advent Devotion

Below you will find the devotion for the third week of Advent. Just click on the video to watch. This week's devotion is given by Dee Dee Lawson, Associate Pastor at Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.

After viewing the devotion you are encouraged to respond in one or both of the following ways.

• Question for Personal Reflection. Spend time alone with God in relation to the message of the devotion. The question for this week's devotion is:

What can I learn from Mary and Joseph about God's calling on my life?

• Question for Community Discussion. Discuss the message of the devotion online with others who view it. To be a part of the discussion, click on "Comment" below this week's video. Then type your comment in the "Post a Comment" box. Below the box you will see "Comment as:." If you have an account through one of those types you can choose that account. Otherwise you can choose anonymous. (If you choose anonymous you might consider signing your name at the end of your comment since it will not show up otherwise.) The question for this week's devotion is:

Why do you think God chose to bring the Savior into the world born through an unwed girl?

Continued blessings on your Advent journey to the Holy Night on which the Christ Child was born!

Week Two Advent Devotion

Below you will find the devotion for the second week of Advent. Just click on the video to watch. This week's devotion is given by Alison Wright, Minister of Discipleship at Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.

After viewing the devotion you are encouraged to respond in one or both of the following ways.

• Question for Personal Reflection. This question is provided to help you spend time alone with God in relation to the devotion. The question for this week's devotion is:

In your time with God, explore this question with God: Is there any area in my life where I doubt that God is active and that God's plan will ultimately prevail? If so, ask God to help you explore why this is so and to speak His Word into this area of your life.

• Question for Community Discussion. This question is provided to allow anyone who views the devotion to discuss their response to the message of the devotion. To enter the discussion, click on "Comment" below this week's video. Then type your comment in the "Post a Comment" box. Below the box you will see "Comment as:." If you have an account through one of those types you can choose that account. Otherwise you can choose anonymous. (If you choose anonymous you might consider signing your name at the end of your comment since it will not show up otherwise.) The question for this week's devotion is:

Where do you see evidence in our community or the world that God is active and that the hope, joy, peace, and love of Christ are becoming more apparent?

Many blessings as you continue on your Advent journey to the Holy Night on which the Christ Child was born!

Week One Advent Devotion

Below you will find the devotion for the first week of Advent. Just click on the video to watch. This week's devotion is given by Bill Burch, Senior Pastor at Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.

Following the devotion you are encouraged to respond in one or both of the following ways. You might choose to explore the Questions for Personal Reflection found below. These questions are provided to help you spend some time alone with God in relation to the devotion. Another option is to respond to the Question for Community Discussion. This question is provided to allow anyone who views the devotion to discuss their response to the message of the devotion. To enter the discussion, click on "Comment" below the video. Then type your comment in the "Post A Comment" box. Below the box you will see "Comment as:." If you have an account through one of the listed types you can choose that account. Otherwise you can choose anonymous. (If you choose anonymous you might consider signing your name at the end of your commment since it will not show up otherwise.)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

• What memories of Christmas past do you celebrate today?
• What hopes of Christmas future do you nurture?

Question for Community Discussion:

• How does our Christian faith guide us in loving God and neighbor in Christmas present?

Introductory Video

Advent Devotions 2009 - O Holy Night

On a Holy Night many years ago a baby was born. As Christians we know that this was no ordinary baby. This was the Christ Child. He was Emmanuel, God with us.

The journey to this Holy Night began long before the birth of the baby. Its start is found in God who is love.

In Advent 2009 we will journey together to the Holy Night on which the Christ Child was born. Along our journey we will make four stops--one for each week of Advent--to reflect on how this Holy Night came to be.

For each of these stops there will be a video devotion for you to view. Just click on the video for it to begin to play. This week's video is an Introductory Video to explain more about the devotions that will follow.

In addition to watching the video be sure to check out the "Advent in the Home" link located on the right side of this page. This link will take you to a variety of activities and worship experiences that can be done at home throughout the weeks of Advent.