2025 Advent Devotions from CNH Staff

Advent greetings from the CNH District staff! Each Wednesday during Advent, we will

post a short devotion to you, written by one of our staff members. We pray that these

reflections help you prepare for the coming of our newborn King!

For additional Advent resources, please read Advent Reflections: Rest, Peace, Love, Joy and Hope from Jennifer Ferguson.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For BEHOLD, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3

“Remind me who I am…” 

Again, pleading this time, “Please I have something to share, but you must remind me who I am!”

Gasping from emphysema-riddled lungs, the World War II vet told me his darkest secret, buried so long in the deep recess of his memories. His confession was shockingly dark. His agonizing shame, obvious as the facade of long-practiced dignity and personal righteousness crumbled.

Behold! How about you? Do you need to hear, even again, that glory-filled light is stronger than the reproach of sin-filled darkness? Isaiah reminds Israel that Yahweh’s glorious and redemptive light comes to them. Pay attention! It dispels deepest darkness. It attracts the most unlikely (even kings) to come and gaze in wonder.

“Remind me who I am …”

Behold!  You (and the World War II veteran) are a beloved child of the Most High. His blood-bought sacrifice makes you his own. His glorious light shines upon you and will be reflected to the world!

Written by Rev. Michael R. Lange

CNH District President

Christmas Eve has a way of settling us down. Even with all the movement—kids buzzing, last-minute details, packed services—there’s still this quiet moment where you feel it: God is drawing near. And the good news is, the heart of Christmas isn’t about what we pull off… it’s about what God is doing for us.

Mary gives us such a down-to-earth picture of faith. She didn’t have everything figured out. She didn’t pretend to be in control. She simply said, “Let it be to me according to Your word.” It wasn’t a fancy prayer. It was a surrendered one—a simple “yes” and we see God’s bigger plan at work.

That’s the invitation for us today. Not to be perfect. Not to have it all together. Just to hand over the fear, the pressure, the need to manage everything… and trust and know that Jesus really does step in with grace and direction.

As Christmas dawns and a new year waits just around the corner, may we find the courage to do what Mary did: say “yes” to God with open hands and open hearts. Merry Christmas, friends. May His presence lead you forward.

Written by Rev. L. Paul Ferguson

Assistant to the President – Strategic Mission Leadership

Perhaps you remember the old Peanuts cartoon where Lucy asks Charlie Brown, “Did you ever know anyone who was really happy … ?” But, before she can finish her question, Snoopy comes dancing across the next frame, and then the next, and the next. All the while, Lucy and Charlie Brown watch in amazement. In the last frame, Lucy finally finishes her question: “Did you ever know anyone who was really happy … and was still in their right mind?”

Some may wonder if the prophet Isaiah is in his right mind when he states that “the desert shall rejoice and blossom … it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.” Is he in his right mind when he speaks of blind eyes being opened? Deaf ears being unstopped? The lame leaping like deer? The mute tongue singing for joy?

As those who again soon celebrate our God coming to save us, we say, “Yes! Isaiah is in his right mind! He’s speaking of our Lord Jesus! He is the One who strengthens weak hands, makes firm feeble knees, and says to those with anxious hearts, ‘Be strong; fear not!’ Jesus is the one who puts sorrow and sighing to flight. Jesus brings everlasting joy!” And so we rejoice even now! 

Written by Rev. Allen Steinbeck

Transitional Interim Ministry Coordinator - CNH

We live our lives constantly pushing the envelope of productivity and efficiency - filling in every gap of free time with our to-do lists, meetings, and tasks. We often utilize automatic calendaring systems that effectively build out the most bang for our minutes of every day. Don’t forget about that sophisticated smart phone in your pocket (that never leaves your side) crying out for your attention and incessantly notifying you hundreds of times a day.

Deep Sigh

In our culture’s obsession for cramming more and more into our daily schedules, I can’t help but think this isn’t how God designed us. The stress and anxiety that this “accomplish more, do more, and be more” approach to life is not healthy. It highlights our sinful nature of wanting to be in control and just taking matters into our own hands. It falls short of nourishing the fullness of relationships with those closest to us and takes our eyes off Jesus, the one who calls us to rest:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

Ministry leaders of the CNH District, this is your gentle advent reminder to be intentional about saving margins of time before and after the things that fill your schedule. Give yourself the extra space this season to have a longer conversation with a coworker who is struggling, or chat with a neighbor who is lonely, or grab coffee with the ministry colleague across town who is feeling similar pressure to produce. Put down the calendar and intentionally step away from productivity to get on the floor and build some Legos with your kids, return the phone call to that family member you’ve been meaning to, or simply rest in The One who loves you.

Written by Matt Molinari

LCEF District Vice President - CNH

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For

salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11

Advent is a time of the year when we are called to be watchful. Not a fearful watching,

but a hopeful, eager expectation, based and rooted in Christ’s promises. In a world

distracted into spiritual drowsiness, our Lord, through His Word, shakes us awake:

Christ is coming! His return is certain, and His mercy toward us is sure. And yet how

easily we drift, forgetting that the Lord is always at work, calling sinners to repentance,

comforting the broken-hearted, and strengthening His people through Word and

Sacrament.

To “wake up” is to live alert to God’s plan for us, to hear again the call to repentance,

and trust that the same Savior who once came in humility will come again in glory. Each

day, we experience the gift of His grace, drawing us closer to the final fulfillment of our

salvation.

During this Advent season, may the Holy Spirit “awake” our hearts, open our eyes, and

keep us steadfast in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not sleep through His presence

among us, for the Lord is not far from us. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen!

Written by Joel Wahlers

Assistant to the President – Schools and Congregational Support