DAILY DEVOTIONS
DECEMBER 25
"And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace among men with whom he is pleased!'"
- Luke 2:8-14 (RSV)
Christmas day is a time to rejoice and sing with Angels who are glorious heralds of our new-born Savior. Jesus' birth resounds with music and angel songs. But this angelic chorus wasn't sent to all but only to poor humble shepherds keeping watch over their flock of temple lambs. Shepherds were a despised class not allowed to testify in court, looked down on, and lived lonely lives. They constantly moved finding pasture for their flocks, were regarded with suspicion, and accused of theft. Why would God choose shepherds for his announcement of Christ's birth? He could have chosen kings, or priests, to hear the chorus of angels.
Could God be trying to tell us this Christmas it makes no difference what social class we are or what jobs we have? We are all God's because the Lord is our Good Shepherd, and we are sheep of His flock. God sees where we live but doesn’t care if it is a mansion or cave. He sees where we work, but doesn’t care if it's high as a king, or low like shepherds. God looks inside us rather than outward appearances. He wants divine Love to be reflected in us and grants His gift of Peace in the midst of our conflicts, rejection, or shame. God's peace is different from worldly peace. (Jn.14:27) True peace isn't found in positive thinking, or good feelings. It comes from knowing God is in control. Remember this Christmas no matter your circumstances, social status, or needs, God's gift to you of divine Peace never wears out or grows old. It is eternal, free, and wrapped in the heart of a baby called Jesus!
Prayer:
God,
May I hear angels sing of God's peace
Amen.
Meditation For The Day:
Peace is God's gift to those of Goodwill.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives:
Daily Winter Renewal
by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson | Nov 25, 2017
Used with permission of the family of the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson.
Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson, D.Min., (1942-2018)
Mary was Ordained in 1975.
She served both as a Parish Pastor and in multiple Specialized Ministry Settings.
She worked on the Clinical Staff of New England Memorial Hospital and Middleton Pastoral
Counseling Center in Massachusetts and was a Director of Green Pastures Counseling Centers in N.H.
She was a state Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Nationally Board-Certified Counselor (N.C.C.), and Nationally Certified Pastoral Counselor (AAPC)
and held certification as a Clinical Member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (A.C.P.E.).
She received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Psychology and Clinical Studies
from Andover Newton in Newton, MA.
Dr. Johnson also founded Good News Specialized Ministries, Inc.
This unique ministry provided education and Clinical Christian Counseling to thousands of people over the decades and trained numerous Clinical Counselors and Counseling Ministers while offering weekly non-denominational worship services to the community for more than 20 years.
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I had the honor and privilege of working with Pastor Arnie Johnson
when I served as the pastor for the Richmond Community United Methodist Church in Richmond, NH from 2019 - 2022.
I personally have been deeply touched by Mary's writings. Her family has graciously allowed me to share them with you. - Pastor Sharon Sargent
"I always considered my ministry at Richmond as a shared ministry. Mary had the expertise that helped me function as well as I did. I received critiques on the way home after the services. I finally realized that I may have “arrived” when one day she was pleased with my performance with no critique! That took several years! So, I would love it if you would use the picture of the two of us and mention Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson as my spouse and partner in ministry, and she continued to be until the day she died, four days before the end of my appointment at Richmond." - Pastor Arnie Johnson
Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson is the author of eight other published books including:
"Activating The Power Of Pastoral Care: A Team Approach";
"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Renewal"(Vol.1-4);
"Flying Free: Transforming Grief and Loss into Renewal";
Following The Angel Trail: In The Steps Of Jesus";
"Love In Action: The Healing Heritage Of The Counseling Ministry Of The Church";
"Visions Of Hope: Voices Of Americana";
"Healing Streams: Journeys Of Healing".
She has also been published in the AAPC professional Journal "Journeys" and in the Keene Sentinel.