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A Devotional for Advent 2020
Offered by Our Parish and School
Holy Spirit Episcopal Community
Preface
Preparation and Anticipation
G race and peace to you in this holy season of Advent. This is a
season of preparation in anticipation of the coming of Jesus
Christ into the world. We prepare to recall the unexpected and astounding
news of Jesus’ arrival in a humble and lowly stable in Bethlehem. We
prepare for Christ to come into the world in our own lives with the wonder
that the incarnation of God almighty can and does take place in the midst of
our lives. We all prepare for the coming of Christ in the fullness of time in
anticipation of our own deliverance and our salvation. I pray that the
meditations included in this devotional will guide your heart and open your
soul to the coming of our Lord. May the work of our fellow parishioners
included here bring us ever more deeply into the mercies and grace of
God’s love.
Wishing you all grace and peace,
Sunday, November 29
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
Isaiah 64: 1-9
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Give Thanks
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has
been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him….
God is faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:4,5a, 9a
After coming off of floods, impeachment, college admission scandals, mass shootings and
Ukraine, we leaped into 2020 and a new decade with great hope and excitement for a better
time. It did not take many days before the tarnish began to come off that excitement. In
2020 we have come face to face with Covid-19, killer hornets, floods, hurricanes, elections,
post elections, global warming fears, etc. We started to say: what’s next? It’s 2020 after
all! We approached Thanksgiving wondering who we could eat dinner with and what is
there to be thankful for.
We come to this first Sunday of Advent ready for a new beginning. We sing out through our
masks the hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel. These words in the third verse seem very
appropriate to our time: Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put
to flight.
Advent brings us hope – hope for a better tomorrow. But, in that hope we recognize that,
through all of the pain and suffering, we are thankful “because of the grace of God has been
given you in Christ Jesus.” Grace upon grace – gift upon gift. God is faithful…indeed.
The Reverend John Pitts
4
Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Monday, November 30
Psalm 79
Micah 4:1-5
Revelation 15:1-8
Lift Up Your Heads
As Advent begins, the lectionary takes us to some of the hardest passages of Scripture —
verses that describe the evil in the world and the evil in our own hearts, verses that explore
the desperate state of humanity, our longing for justice and retribution, as well as mercy and
peace.
Advent is, after all, a penitential season, a time to humble our hearts and acknowledge how
much we need the Savior whose coming we are preparing to celebrate.
Reading the lectionary, I’ve learned to look for the common thread that ties all of the
passages together. (It’s always there somewhere!) All three of today’s readings call us to
look up from our circumstances — our trials and tribulations, our fears and frustrations —
and fix our eyes on Jesus.
Look ahead to the hope and the future He has prepared for us. Trust that He will deal with
the wicked, He will right all the wrongs, He will take care of the things that trouble us,
including our own sin. Ultimately, He will forgive and redeem and restore.
“Great and amazing are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are all Your
ways, King of the nations. Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name?For You
alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You.”
Revelation 15:3-4
Christin Ditchfield Lazo
5Tuesday, December 1
Psalm 79
Micah 4:6-13
Revelation 18:1-10
Today’s readings are yet another a reminder that I am grateful the Lord has not called me to
write Sermons. Micah, regarded as one of the ‘Lesser Prophets’, in the midst of his dire
warnings of things to come, still is able to offer the people of his time a brief glimpse of the
future coming of our Lord and Savior; Revelation nearly always confounds me, especially
towards’ the end of the Book…
Thank goodness for the Psalms! These writers continue to speak to us in our joy and pain,
our needs and our frustrations…
“Help us, O God our Savior, May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
…Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever,
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”
This year has been … character building; I have met so many people who have found
resilience they didn’t realize they had. Hopefully, we have found and will continue to
pursue, the strength in our faith in ways we may never have experienced in the past.
Vicki Cravens
6Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Wednesday, December 2
Psalm 79
Micah 5: 1-5a
Luke 21: 34-38
I admit, I found these texts real downers at first. Micah starts with a call to marshal the
troops for a siege, the Psalm begins with Jerusalem reduced to rubble, and Luke contains
more warnings about the future. They’re like big red flashing warning signs (add fire alarm
whooping sounds here). Hey people, these passages scream, do better or else!
So what does doing better mean, exactly? Jesus Christ answers that question over and over:
Love your neighbors as yourselves.
Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that the words of Jesus Christ were “the most sublime and
benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man [sic].” For me, sublime for
the beauty of their witness to God’s love. Benevolent because they do thrust that flashing
red signal right in front of us.
The benevolence doesn’t end with the warning: Micah says the Lord will be our peace.
Luke says we have the chance to ‘stand before the Son of Man.’ Redemption is at hand.
Love your God, and your neighbor.
What does that look like in real life? There is more than one way to understand, act on, and
live the practice of love unconditioned on sameness. Sometimes we will succeed.
Sometimes we will fail. God’s love is the only always.
Treanor Baring
7Thursday, December 3
Psalm 85: 1-2; 8-13
Hosea 6: 1-6
1 Thessalonians 1: 2-10
Today’s readings are filled with messages from Hosea, King David, and St. Paul to those
going through suffering, lost fortunes and in need of healing--this could very well be 2020!
Paul’s message to joyful Thessalonians is encouraging them to turn away from idols to a
true and living God is something that is very relevant today. While we may not have literal
gods to worship in our homes, however, we may have other things we turn to instead of
Christ for comfort, security or love. I have missed travelling, getting together with friends,
and a daily routine. Psalms beautifully reminds us that “love and faithfulness meet together,
righteousness and peace kiss each other.” I am reminded that even without the things I miss,
I do not need to socially distance from God’s love, faithfulness, peace or righteousness.
This Advent, may I remember that Jesus came to us at Christmas long ago and is still with
us today, even in our current pandemic season.
Eleanor Sheldon
8Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Friday, December 4
Psalm 85: 1-2; 8-13
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Acts 11: 19-26
The bible verse for today is Acts 11: 19-26
In this scripture, Stephen actively condemned the killing of the Messiah and was stoned to
death. This caused some of the faithful to spread out into Phenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. This
also caused the word to spread rapidly through these areas. The word Christian was first used
in Antioch to define the disciples.
I take two thoughts from this scripture. God has a plan for you and for me. The Jews killing
Stephen was ironic in that they wanted to kill people who called Jesus Messiah. This had the
opposite effect by spreading the word to communities who have not received the word.
The second thought was how easy it would have been for Stephen to give up and not be vocal
about the teachings of Jesus. He was a Deacon and a faithful servant to Jesus and Christianity.
He stood up for what he believed was right and died for the cause he believed in.
As we navigate through the advent season, be thankful for the fluctuations in your life an know
that God is actively present during the highs and lows. Be dedicated to your Christianity and do
not focus on that which does not impact you.
Amen
Jay Spencer
9Saturday, December 5
Psalm 85: 1-2;8-13
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Mark 11:27-33
Mark 11:27-33
Who said you could do these things? The chief priests, scribes and elders, that is, the
“authorities,” sound like petulant children challenging someone who isn’t behaving
according to their “laws”, or at least how they interpret them. So what exactly is authority?
From where does it come and how does one use it? The Greek word used in this passage is
exousia which can mean, for example, the power of choice, the liberty of doing whatever
one pleases, one’s ability or strength, among other things, and in the mouths of the chief
priests, scribes and elders it seems to mean a power vested in those who through study and
political/religious (the two cannot be easily separated in this instance) advancement have
achieved a place of distinction and whose opinions are recognized as valid. This group has
been angry with Jesus for some time and have sought to confound him at every turn.
Instead, Jesus turns the tables on them and though he doesn’t claim to have authority vested
in him from God he clearly speaks with the prerogative of someone who has strength and
the liberty of acting as he sees fit. They are restrained by fear to answer the question about
John’s authority whether divine or human, and so Jesus proves his control by refusing to
play their game.
This episode is one of many that furthers an important theme in Mark’s gospel: the
revelation of who Jesus is.
Ezekiel 36:24-28
The passage from Ezekiel is like a contract between the Lord and his people. In exchange
for the gifts He will give them, they will be His people. The gifts are interesting. In place of
a heart of stone, which indicates that one is close minded, unfeeling, and unable to recognize
what God has done and asked for, He will give a heart of flesh which indicates that one can
be sensitive and fully aware of relationship with Him and therefore able to understand it.
God will give them the new Spirit so they can fully become His people; the contract is
secure because God has gifted them with the means to honor it, and Him.
In our own troubled times we would surely all benefit from receiving the new Spirit of open
mindedness and sensitivity of which Ezekiel speaks. It is up to us to let it in.
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Vs. 1-2 of Psalm 85 allude to the return of the Israelites from Exile: they are forgiven and
their fortunes returned. Vs. 8-13 represent a conversation of sorts between Heaven and
Earth. The people will listen to the Lord and enjoy the righteousness and prosperity that
comes from staying faithful.
Elise Garrison
10Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Sunday, December 6
Psalm 85: 1-2; 8-13
Isaiah 40: 1-11
Mark 1:1-8
In the Wilderness, Prepare the Way
In the readings for today, Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8 share a commonality of God
preparing the way for the Lord. Isaiah 40:3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the
way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” and Mark 1:2-3 refers to
Isaiah’s prophecy saying that “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way
of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” What strikes me is that both reflect on preparing the
way in a wilderness.
I joked in 2019 quite a bit about on how in 2020, we were going to see things so much clearer.
Could I have be more wrong? Isaiah reminds us that the unexpected can happen. This year
has been the most uncertain year of my life and I know that many of you feel the same. These
two passages reminded me that we are not alone as we make our way through “the wilderness”
this year.
Jack, my 7-year-old son, came to church with me
this week and he was making his way through the
labyrinth. He mentioned that it was hard and he
grew inpatient as he continued on the path to find
his way out. It was taking too long! Like the
labyrinth, God is in the center and is watching your
every step and he will help you find your way. It
might not be a straight path, there will be some
unexpected turns, it might take too long and you
may want to give up but God is with you and has
set a path for you. You will find your way out as
long as you stay the course and don’t give up.
May this Advent Season give you the perspective to look back on your journey of the 2020
“wilderness” and see God’s presence.
Suzy Spencer
11Monday, December 7
Psalm 27
Isaiah 26: 7-15
Acts 2:37-42
Tom and I celebrated our ten-year wedding anniversary in 2002 with a trip to Paris. We left
our three young children at home in the combined care of my mother, my sister, and their
nanny, but I felt torn about leaving them, especially our recently turned one year old. There
we were in this incredibly beautiful city I’d longed to visit, finally free of work and family
obligations, and I’m bickering with my husband over things not even important enough to
remember. Guilt ate at me. We called home every day to talk to the kids right before
bedtime. And one night, our youngest said to me, “Ah wuv ooo.” I love you, something
she’d never said before. It was a gift that freed me. I felt a joy and a peacefulness I hadn’t
allowed myself to feel.
Maybe it’s that way with God. I destroy myself from the inside with worldly thoughts,
hurting others in the process, while the Holy Spirit transforms me with three barely
intelligible words from a child. The only words that matter. I love you.
God relentlessly calls out to each of us. Through Jesus Christ, we’re promised not
condemnation, but the peace of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Evelyn Snow
12Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Tuesday, December 8
Psalm 27
Isaiah 41: 14-20
Romans 15: 14-21
Psalm 27
“You speak in my heart and say, ‘Seek my face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek.”
“O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and He shall comfort your heart;
wait patiently for the Lord.”
The thought of looking upon the face of our Lord is one that has held significance to me for
some years now. I first remember spending time on it shortly after I started working at Holy
Spirit; it was Lent and during a jog when I was surprised as my feelings of melancholy were
overcome by those of hope and joy when I considered the prospect of actually seeing His
face as I pass from this earthly life.
Even though I have not been to a church service in a while, I have been spending a lot of
time with God. This idea of looking upon the face of Christ came into my thoughts very
strongly again recently as I stood at my mother’s bedside; first in the hospital and then at her
home as she entered hospice care. I included another passage with this same theme from the
Book of Common Prayer in some prayers I read at her death bed; “After my awaking, He
will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold Him
who is my friend and not a stranger.” Again, this idea helped comfort me and gave me
some measure of hope during the heavy loss I experienced in her death.
I am not a patient man, and it seems harder to be patient in our current time than, perhaps, it
ever has been. This Advent season I will try to wait patiently for our Lord, to wait and to
look forward to a time when I will behold Him who is my friend and not a stranger.
Gardner Headrick
13Wednesday, December 9
Psalm 27
Malachi 2:10-3:1
Luke 1: 5-17
How do you answer when asked, “How are you?” I’ve noticed that any answer better than
“okay” has become socially unacceptable, and the worse we say we are, the better. No doubt
there is absolute misery going on out there folks, and we cannot control that at all. What we
can control is how we respond to what is going on out there.
Each reading for today calls me to respond to misery with hope and joy. Zechariah learns
that he will have a son. Psalm 27 reminds me that “Though an army besiege me, my heart
will not fear.” Even Malachi, with the strict admonishment to remain faithful, ends with the
promise that Jesus is coming. There is nothing here that advises me as a Christian to live in
fear. Instead what I read is that I should live in joy because God will always take care of
me.
In this season of Advent, and in all of the seasons beyond, I hope that you can respond to
man-generated misery with God-generated joyful anticipation. In a time of misery it is more
than okay to respond to “How are you?” with “Filled with joyful anticipation!” We as
Christians are called to shine our lights in this way.
“Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the
covenant, whom you desire, will come.”
Krystal Weiss
14Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Thursday, December 10
Psalm 126
Habakkuk 2:1-5
Philippians 3:7-11
Today’s readings promise that faithfulness to God and Christ will result in experiencing his
love and justice. Habakkuk focuses on God’s justice in respect to nations given the
machinations of evildoers who wreak harm on people and who are greedy with the land’s
natural bounty. Habakkuk urges us to write a vision for the future and trust in God to
deliver that vision to the righteous. Psalm 126 is one of 15 Psalms known as the Song of
Ascents. These Psalms were sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem to express their
religious devotion. The word ‘ascent’ means to move from a lower to a higher state and
Psalm 126 is a joyous paean to the emotions of those to whom faithfulness in God has
restored their fortunes. This Psalm is prayed weekly for Shabbat in the Jewish religion as a
reminder of the joy and redemption from God accruing to the faithful. Philippians is Paul’s
exhortation to know and to have faith in Christ resulting in a worth more than all things.
Paul calls things ‘refuse’ in comparison to knowing Christ. As we await the birth of Jesus,
be confident that we are loved and that God will provide justice for the faithful.
Marge Barclay
15Friday, December 11
Psalm 126
Habakkuk 3:2-6
Philippians 3:12-16
I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
(Habakkuk 3:2, NLT Translation)
Habakkuk feels like one of those obscure books of the Bible that we often forget about. I
admittedly had to look it up in the table of contents to locate it (apologies to my sword drill
teacher from Sunday school).
Who was Habakkuk? Scholars don’t know. Unlike the other Minor Prophets, Habakkuk
gives absolutely no personal details to identify themself. But in the three chapters of this
short book, Habakkuk raises a thematic question to God that rages on for all of us: why do
you allow suffering? Where are you in the midst of pain and sadness and loss and
difficulty?
Habbakuk models for us the ability to offer raw protest and gut-wrenching complaint to
God, while simultaneously trusting in His tremendous goodness and salvific power. And
there’s good news: God receives both prayers.
So who was Habakkuk? He or she is all of us. Like Habakkuk, we cry out to God for mercy.
We remember moments of God’s goodness in our lives, and ask for that to happen again.
And even when we don’t see God’s presence in front of us or feel it around of us, we hope
for salvation
Lisa Wright
16Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Saturday, December 12
Psalm 126
Habakkuk 3:13-19
Matthew 21:28-32
This Psalm makes such apparently impossible promises: that everything will come right, that
despite whatever darkness surrounds us, new days will dawn. At this end of a year of sickness
and sadness, this Psalm sheds some certain lights upon perilous paths.
A first gleam comes from the fact that this is one of the “Psalms of Ascent.” The Jewish
people, trudging up Jerusalem’s hills to meet the Lord, chanted these songs. So maybe the
carols we sing will serve us also as psalms of Ascent on our own upward ways.
Also, God promises that those “who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy,” comforting
us that tears today will serve as seeds of future joys. We remember that God guards all our
tears in a bottle (Ps. 56:8), that while weeping may last the night, joy comes in the morning
(Ps. 30:5).
So let us keep weeping in hope. Just in time, Advent jump-starts a new year, more grace, love
marching towards us. Yes, “the Lord has done great things for us.” God’s unimaginable grace
turns tears and troubles into seeds of future joys, announcing the coming of the Lord of love
into our lives, into this world.
Andrew Lazo
17Sunday, December 13
Psalm 126
Isaiah 61:1-4;8-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
I’m grateful to have been invited to once again share a devotional with you. I’ve done these
before, both for Advent and Lent, and usually go through each of the passages to find one that
“speaks” to me. In reading these three, I noticed a general underlying theme to all of them, and
it’s one I think we can all appreciate at this time. Essentially, the message I got from each of
these readings was the reminder that even when it seems like the entire world is crumbling
around us, the tumult isn’t forever. There will be brighter days ahead.
As we come to the end of a challenging year that included unparalleled chaos on multiple
fronts, from a once-in-a-century global pandemic to widespread civil unrest to an election cycle
unlike anything seen in this country before, it’s comforting to read these passages and
remember that this won’t last forever. I’m thankful that we have this Advent season, a time to
celebrate new birth and hope, to reflect on these words as encouragement to make it through the
challenges ahead knowing that although we sow with tears, we will one day reap with songs of
joy. Merry Christmas!
James Weiss
18Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Monday , December 14
Psalm 125
1 Kings 18:1-18
Ephesians 6:10-17
Psalm 125, along with Psalms 120-134, are known as is the Song of Ascents or Pilgrim
Songs. It is thought that Hebrew pilgrims would sing them as they were on their way to
Jerusalem. In the past few months, my husband Kevin and I have literally been ‘on the way’,
moving to London for a master’s program, so this Psalm has come alive for me in many
ways.
I know that through the stress and worry of moving so far from everyone and everything we
have known, God is immovable and permanent, surrounding us with love. I have felt that
love in the generosity of our families, hosting us in the weeks before we left, in the kindness
of our Airbnb hosts, supplying groceries for our two weeks of required quarantine and in the
sweet voice of small children asking to pet our dog, Grace, in the park… at a safe distance
of course.
I pray that even during a second lockdown here in England and as certain Covid restrictions
linger in Houston, like the psalmist does, to be more like Christ, seeking to serve others in
whatever way we are able, be it near in our new community, or at home.
Kim Thompson
19Tuesday, December 15
Psalm 125
2 Kings 2:9-22
Acts 3:17-4:4
Psalm 125
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds his people. (NIV)
Trust
Trust – truth – reliability – expectations - belief …
Trust is the bond of: friendships, marriage, business, leadership, love.
We have expectations in trusting the world is round, sun comes up in the east, dogs wag their
tails when happy.
We drive cars trusting that red lights stop traffic, others will stay in their own lane.
We have confidence when we trust in doctors, teachers, parents.
But to trust in the Lord, now that’s a different category. It requires thought, a personal
conscience effort to believe. It is a choice.
If I might paraphrase the first 2 verses of Psalm 125,
Those who trust in the Lord cannot be shaken, both now and evermore.
May we all choose to trust in the one who loves us and believes in us. The one who continually
reaches out his solid grip. The one who surrounds his people.
Thanks be to God,
Jennie Perry
20Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Wednesday, December 16
Psalm 125
Malachi 3:16-4:6
Mark 9:9-13
In today’s readings, there are multiple references to mountains. In the Malachi reading, the
Lord reminds his people of “the statutes and rules” that were commanded to Moses on
Mount Horeb in a section captioned “The Book of Remembrance”. In the reading from
Psalm, our portion begins “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be
moved but abides forever” with the caption “The Lord Surrounds His People”. And lastly,
in our reading from Mark, in the chapter marking the transfiguration, verse 9 continues
“And as they were coming down the mountain…”.
I’m drawn to the images of mountains in these passages as God uses them to convey
His power,
His majesty,
His fortitude,
His protection,
His promise,
and ultimately, His unyielding love for us all.
Last year, I had the opportunity to see the Grand Tetons with mountain ranges visible for
miles and miles. These mountains, as with all mountains, remind me of God’s promises, for
they can not be moved. They are steadfast with firm foundation, enduring every season. And
I don’t know about you, but in 2020, amid so much uncertainty, I could use the solid certain-
ty and reminders of God’s promises to His people. These truths provide me with the footing
that I need to stay hopeful.
So in the season of Advent, as we anticipate the birth of our Savior, the Christ child, the one
who became our “chief cornerstone”, let us hold firmly to the promises and hope of God.
My prayer is that we will all “Go Tell It on the Mountain”!
Melissa Peter
21Thursday, December 17
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
2 Samuel 6:1-11
Hebrews 1:1-14
2 Samuel 6:5 "David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord,
castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums, and cymbals."
When was the last time that you celebrated with all your might? Better yet, when was the
last time you celebrated with all of your might BEFORE THE LORD?
I celebrate. I celebrate making it through a hectic day - praise Jesus and pour the IPA. I
celebrate making it through the week - praise Jesus and pour a red. I celebrate birthdays, and
random made up holidays, and actual holy days - praise Jesus and look at my pics on
Facebook.
Are we celebrating before the Lord? Right now, in this season of Advent, are we celebrating
before the Lord? There are but a few days before we celebrate the birth of our Lord, and
how are we celebrating? Office parties, last-minute shopping, planning "perfect memories",
and praying that the celebrations we partake in are the right ones?
Birthdays are supposed to be fun - but if we make them fun for us, and forget the One we are
celebrating for, have we missed the point? Would that sweet baby, newborn and crying,
rooting for his mother's breast to find comfort and love, want our loud and raucous
celebration? Or would He prefer to cuddle up, safe and warm, and bask in the quiet that
would soon give way to a life of noise?
Find a way to celebrate that honors the JOY of Christmas, but that also honors the birth of
Christ. Amen.
Krystal Weiss
(reprinted with permission from 2017)
22Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Friday, December 18
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
2 Samuel 6:12-19
Hebrews 1:5-14
It is not a coincidence that today, on the day of my birth, I honor the birth of Jesus Christ –
as I do every day of my existence – that occurs exactly one week after mine. During this
time of celebration for the arrival of the Son of God, we tend to forget the true meaning of
Christmas. Nowadays, we are sucked into the consumerism of the “holidays” and the
pressure of gifting, when in fact, this season is to reflect upon the biggest gift of all, the love
of God and His creation.
The three readings assigned for today celebrate the arrival of a King; a majestic figure we
must honor just like the angels praise Jesus in Hebrews 1: 5-14. “They will perish, but you
remain.” Indeed, material belongings will not last forever and will not completely fill our
hearts. We must remind ourselves that faith, mercy and love are the things that will always
prevail. Instead of focusing on the modern-day traditions of shopping, we should delve into
the deep meaning of spiritual adoration. As Psalm 89: 1-4 begins, “I will sing of the Lord’s
great love forever.”
And thus, I celebrate my birthday with the Lord as the Israelites did in 2 Samuel 6:12-19,
with “a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins,” or a panettone instead.
Florencia Parada
23Saturday, December 19
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Judges 13: 2-24
John 7:40-52
Drawings are based on Psalm 89:1-2
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
With my mouth I will proclaim
your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
The Wright Family
24Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Sunday, December 20
Psalm 89:1-4,19-26
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Romans 16: 25-27
When we were decorating the nursery at church we came across a poster of David where he
was called a “Hero of the Bible.” My joke was that we should have written all of the other
things David did on the poster too: adulterer, murderer, liar. Of course, then that poster
would have had no place among our children.
And yet, isn’t this the truth about all of our lives? We have that exterior self that seems to
keep it all together, while just under the surface we have lied, cheated, and stolen with the
best of them. I want to suggest that our true comfort comes when we can integrate these two
selves: the one who strives to be a hero of the Bible and the one who yells at her children to
HURRY UP AND GET READY FOR CHURCH.
These two selves meet in Jesus. And we hear that our only Biblical hero is a baby. We learn
that our Rescuer is an infant king. And that the person we fancy our selves to be and the
person we hide from the world are ultimately not at all who we are. We are beloved.
The Reverend Sarah Condon
25Monday, December 21
Luke 1: 46b-55
1 Samuel 1; 1-18
Hebrews 9: 1-14
Today’s passage from Luke’s Gospel is commonly known as the Magnificat, a term that
points to Mary’s desire to magnify the Lord as voiced by the first line of her poetic
exclamation, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke
46-47, NRSV). This beautiful passage repeatedly shows Mary pointing beyond herself
toward the greatness of God. The wonderful qualifier of Mary is her humility and the
recognition that her blessedness comes from God whom she describes as mighty, a doer of
great things, holy, merciful, strong, caring of the lowly, and keeper of promises. The
magnificence of Mary’s Magnificat is not only her sense of pure reliance on God, but her
conviction that God will undoubtedly deliver the proverbial goods.
Anticipating the one who comes to save is an anticipation of one who is greater than
us. Seeking Jesus is a matter of seeking the one who exceeds all belief and expectation we
can muster. Desiring the coming of the Lord is a matter of desiring something we cannot
fully imagine and, when given glimpses of the goodness of grace, something we cannot fully
understand. The amazing thing that God has done in Jesus Christ exceeds all hope. Jesus
brings us exceeding love, forgiveness, and grace. The coming of Christmas is a moment in
which the unanticipated fullness of salvation is not only promised but delivered and it is an
overflowing cup of goodness given to us. I too seek to magnify the Lord, to exclaim the
greatness of God, but none of these words meet the mark.
So, I say, let us look to the tenderness of the baby that will be born to us as our one and only
Savior. It is magnificent that God has come to save the world in such a beautiful and
accessible way. Thanks be to God!
The Reverend Josh Condon
26Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Tuesday, December 22
Luke 1:46b-55
1 Samuel 1:19-28
Hebrews 8: 1-13
For many, the Christmas preparations have been made. The tree is decorated, the gifts are
wrapped, and you may take this time to sit back and relax, soaking in the silence. That is
usually how I spend the last night or two before Christmas after everyone else in the house
has gone to sleep.
But then, I read today’s readings and I feel called to do just the opposite. Hannah’s heart is
rejoicing in the Lord, Mary’s spirit rejoices in God her Savior, and the people of Jerusalem
shout Hosanna in the highest at Jesus’ arrival!
One of the things I’ve missed the most during the pandemic is singing and dancing with
others, for that is when I feel most connected to those around me and to my creator. I miss
singing songs out of the hymnal, contemporary music with lyrics on a screen, and music of all
kinds at live venues, be it White Oak Music Hall or Jones Hall.
So instead of soaking in the silence in these last days leading up to Christ’s birth, I am going
to jump to my feet, either physically or in my heart, singing and dancing – joyfully expectant
for the Lord’s arrival.
Kim Thompson
27Wednesday, December 23
Luke 1: 46b-55
1 Samuel 2: 1-10
Mark 11: 1-11
In this deeply heartfelt passage we find the once-childless Hannah rejoicing that God has
given her a son. But ironically, she gives that son, Samuel, away to God. How often do we
also bargain with God when in trouble, only to edge out of our promise once He provides?
But Hannah follows through. It was enough to have a son, and to offer him back to the God.
And here we find Hannah perfectly poised in the Scriptures between two others who offered
their sons to God: Abraham and, of course, Mary, whose season we now celebrate.
We can hear echoes of the Magnificat in Hannah’s prayer: Hannah’s “heart rejoices in the
Lord;” Mary’s “soul magnifies the Lord” and her “spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Hannah
proclaims “The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others
up;” Mary reminds us that “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath
sent empty away.”
Sometimes, when we find ourselves sent empty and away with no room for us in the inn, a
greater gift than we might wish for awaits us.
So let us rejoice, waiting in hope for Christ to come to us this Advent and to this world that
lay long pining till he appeared. O, come Emmanuel!
Andrew Lazo
(reprinted with permission from 2019)
28Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Thursday, December 24
John 1:1-14
The nights have grown longer since the summer, more darkness than light. We’ve longed for
light. Today our expectation rests in the Son on the horizon. Only a few days ago there was a
subtle shift, the beginning of more light than darkness. Longer days, shorter nights. More sun
and light fit to surpass the darkness. It’s as if Creation itself is bending towards the light,
anticipating the Son. We’ll sleep on this eve of Christmas confident of what tomorrow will
bring, the dawning of a new day where the purest of light will shine on our fragility.
Ironically, it’s the fragile nature of the Son that will set our hearts ablaze with possibility and
newness. That it doesn’t make sense is what makes it bright with wonder. So bright that we’ll
need time to adjust. We’ve grown accustomed to the dark. The Son will be beaming, lit with
grace and truth shining in every dark corner, especially the ones in our hearts. Our hearts and
perspectives will need time to adjust. But soon we’ll get the greatest gift the world has ever
known. We’ll meet the source of all light and life, our Lord and Rescuer Jesus Christ. Get
ready to meet Him. He’ll be easy to spot. He’ll be the one surrounded by angels and all of
Creation singing His praises.
The Reverend Korey Wright
29Friday, December 25
“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by
night.” – Luke 2:8
These unsuspecting shepherds were the first to hear the amazing news about the birth of Jesus
in that little town of Bethlehem. They were out wandering around with their sheep when all
of a sudden, the heavens opened and the angel proclaimed “the good news of great joy for all
the people” (Luke 2:10 NRSV). The shepherds were not waiting for or anticipating the
coming of God incarnate. They were making it through their day to day routine lives…and
then Jesus came into the world and changed everything.
This has been an unusual year. In some ways I think we have grown accustomed to just
trying to making it through our day to day routine in recent months. The coming of
Christmas this year was not preceded by our annual special events and parties at the
church. We have had some wonderful moments of being sustained and encouraged by God in
this Holy Spirit community, but in the absence of such robust programing, we find ourselves
focusing on the true simplicity of Christmas. Jesus was born to Mary in a remote corner of
the world. The most important part of Christmas has not changed or been diminished: Jesus
Christ came into the world to bring the joy of salvation to all people.
I invite you to take a moment this morning to imagine the quietness of that first sunrise when
Mary held Jesus. That first day when everything became new and different was like no
other. We will get to enjoy all our events next year, but even then there will be no greater
celebration than the promise of that first still morning when Mary snuggled Jesus and
pondered in her heart the message of the shepherds.
The Reverend Josh Condon
30Holy Spirit Episcopal Community - Advent Devotional 2020
Notes
31Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
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Houston, TX 77024
(713) 468-7796
holyspirithouston.org
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