Daily Devotional

There is an abundance of songs about peace, many of them written and composed around the message of Christmas. They have beautiful melodies and lovely harmonious accompaniment. Every year during the Advent season, we hear and sing well-known songs with the message of peace. Songs such as Silent Night, Still, Still, Still, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Let There Be Peace on Earth, just to name a few. In the great oratorio Handel’s MESSIAH, there are references to peace and goodwill to all. In the chorus Glory to God (from MESSIAH), we hear “Glory to God and peace on earth and goodwill to men.”

When I think about Advent, I always think about showing goodwill to others. I think the verse that best says this for me is Luke 6:38. Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure, you use it will be measured back to you.

When I think of showing goodwill to all, I immediately think of our Meals on Wheels chef, Augustina Aviles. She arrives at our St. Luke’s Asbury Campus kitchen each weekday at 6 a.m. to prepare several hundred meals for homebound seniors. She carefully selects a menu that will provide both nourishment and joy to our clients. We frequently receive feedback from meal recipients about just how much they love and appreciate Chef Auggie’s cooking.

The average pair of eyeglasses in the United States costs between $200 and $300. If you live on a limited income or have more than one person in your house who needs glasses, this cost may be more than you can afford. Glasses, new clothes, and food are needs that a person cannot avoid, and the cost of these things can overwhelm the working poor among us.

When I learned this year’s Advent theme is Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All, I couldn’t help but smile. As I write this, it’s mid-October and 85 degrees outside. In case you weren’t aware, St. Luke’s begins planning for Christmas long before Starbucks breaks out the pumpkin spice. With All Church Christmas parties at both campuses, concerts, blizzard boxes, Advent Festivals, children’s choirs, and many, many, many services, there seems to be little peace until the last candle is extinguished and the final chorus of Silent Night fades away.

I have always loved the beauty of sunrises and sunsets, but as the years have gone by, I have realized how deeply my soul is touched by the majestic nighttime sky. For centuries, the stars have helped to light up the sky at night and have been used to help travelers find their way. They symbolize hope, guidance, and eternity.

One of my favorite things to do with my son is read books. It’s a great way for him to learn new things and explore his imagination. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for this tired Mom to sit down for a few minutes, so it’s a win-win situation for both of us.

In late September, I got to check off one of my bucket list items. My wife, Kelly, and I had the opportunity to visit Iceland and prayed we might get to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.

This year, I decided to join a running club. Before this, I hadn’t run more than three miles by myself, so the thought of training for a half marathon felt daunting. Each week, our mileage increased, and I found myself getting stronger, both physically and mentally. The real turning point came during our first seven-mile run.

Peace is a word that encompasses the story of Jesus’ birth. When the angels announced the good news of the birth of Christ to the shepherds in the field, they gave glory to God and proclaimed peace on earth. One of the beautiful prophecies about Jesus was that he would be called “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). Truly, the birth of Christ is good news because we have many times of conflict and trouble in our lives, our relationships, and throughout our world.