December 13 | Isaiah 61:1-3

---

DAILY READING

Isaiah 61:1-3

---

REFLECTION

A Mighty Oak for the Lord

By Jennifer Jerrome

One of my husband’s favorite places is Angel Oak Park on Johns Island in South Carolina. The main attraction is a tree that’s believed to be 400-500 years old. Imagine the history it’s seen! I think so many are drawn to it because it’s a symbol of strength and a beautiful example of the enduring power of nature. It has survived numerous storms because its roots are firmly planted and because others have recognized its importance and taken special care to preserve it.

That’s what verse 3 in Isaiah 61 reminds me of…

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

The Old Testament references oak trees 23 times, so oaks are something that people throughout history have been in awe of.

What’s so special about an oak tree? What makes it distinctive?

Oak trees can be found throughout the world and grow in a wide range of climates. Oak is considered a hardwood serving as a durable building material. Oaks are havens for countless wildlife. They provide food, shelter, and shade. A single oak tree can produce thousands of acorns that nourish the environment.

It’s easy to see why an oak tree might serve as an excellent example of faith. THEY  in verse 3 refers to the poor, brokenhearted, captives and prisoners. These are the ones who will be planted and called oaks of righteousness.

During this season of advent, let’s reflect. Has God planted an oak in your life? Who stands tall? Who is a symbol of strength for you? Who provides you and your spirit with shelter and nourishment?

These are the people to celebrate this season. (Along with Baby Jesus of course!)

PRAYER

Father,

Thank you for planting oaks in my life. Thank you for their deep roots. May I recognize their importance and take special care to preserve these relationships. I hope to serve as a source of food, shelter and shade for others as well. I want to be an oak of righteousness - planted firmly in your love and a display of your splendor. Amen

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.

---

December 12 | Matthew 1:18-25

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 1:18-25

---

REFLECTION

Two Kingdoms  

by Judy Webb

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother, Mary, was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18)

What a shock this would be to all who knew Mary. Did Mary’s world crumble at this news? Did she cry out, “O God, what will become of me?” After all, she was but a child herself!

This passage of Luke confirms Matthew’s writing: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

We are very familiar with these texts, as we hear and read them each year at this time. But, I have always wondered about Mary’s betrothed. When did he hear this news, was it through the grape vine of gossip? It seems that as soon as Mary’s meeting with the angel concluded, she packed her bags to go visit her Aunt Elizabeth. It stands to reason; a young girl would seek out the wisdom and comfort of another woman. But what about Joseph? Where would he find comfort and wise counsel?

Well, it seems God had an angel for this occasion as well. Matthew 1:20 tells us: “But after he (Joseph) had considered this (divorcing Mary), an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

I am learning that while the Christmas season is all about Jesus, our Savior and King, it is also about Mary his mother, and Joseph his earthly father. And this earthly father was faithful and loving and open to whatever God was doing. He had strong characteristics: charitable (Matthew 1:19), faithful (1:24), obedient (2:14), and faithful to religious duty (Matthew 2:19-23).

Here we witness dual paternity, the one legal and the other divine. God was thoroughly involved in the event of bringing His Son into the world. Jesus is physically Mary’s son and legally Joseph’s son. “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)

Jesus’ birth fulfills scripture!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, help us to always remember the true reason for this season, Jesus our King and Savior. Let us be thankful too, for Jesus' earthly parents who had miraculous faith in you. What an example Mary and Joseph portrayed as they loved, nurtured, and protected their Son, Jesus. May we do no less. Amen.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

---

December 11 | Genesis 18:1-15

---

DAILY READING

Genesis 18:1-15

---

REFLECTION

Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?

By Beth Voltmann

Sarah, the matriarch of God’s chosen people, laughed when she heard God’s promise that she would bear a child at 90 years of age.

So Sarah laughed to herself...

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say,

‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

(Genesis 18:12, 13-14)

I think I might have laughed too if God made me such a promise! (I wonder if Elizabeth laughed at the news that she would give birth to John the Baptist in her later years?)

Sarah was not the only one who laughed. In the prior chapter of Genesis, we find God reminding Abraham that his intent was to bless the couple with a child of their own. (Ishmael, Abraham’s son by a maidservant, was not to be the intended heir of the promise.) Upon hearing this good news...

Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself,

“Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.” (Genesis 17:17,19)

The child they would conceive together would begin the promise of God’s everlasting covenant for those who believe. 

It’s hard to imagine how we would personally respond to such hopeful news against insurmountable odds, but we are told that both Abraham and Sarah believed God.

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

(Romans 4:3)

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children

because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

(Hebrews 11:11)

Perhaps Abraham’s laugh was one of delight. Was Sarah’s one of incredulity?

We don’t know what emotions stirred her reaction, but nine months later, she gave birth to their child – the son of the promise - Isaac, meaning “He will laugh”- and she declared...

“God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

(Genesis 21:6)

Sarah now held a gift of laughter in her own arms.

God had the last laugh. Sarah was blessed indeed.

Is anything too hard for the LORD?

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for the hope you give when the wait seems long and the circumstances seem impossible. You are so faithful to your promises. During this Advent season, may we be filled with the same joy that Sarah and Abraham shared as we celebrate the miraculous gift of Christ Jesus to a tired and weary world. For unto us a child is born – what joy! Amen

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.