Author: William Douthwaite

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

A music filled road

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 20, 2021. Photo by Ryk Naves on Unsplash

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

No other holiday or celebration is filled with as much song as the Christmas season. Our catalogue of patriotic songs for Independence Day is a distant second. Nothing else comes close.

Winter concerts, worship services, radio playlists, and background shopping music feature both sacred and secular songs about Christmas. Songs about Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, wise men, drummers, snowmen, Santa, reindeer, the Grinch, snow, sleigh rides, donkeys and hippos fill our ears. It’s hard not to hum, sing or whistle along with them.

Music is a part of God’s creation. The sound of birds singing accompanies the dawn. Mournful whale song sounds in the depths. Wolves and dogs howl, wind whistles through the trees, sheets of rain beat out a rhythm, crickets chirp, a snake hisses, a hawk shrieks, a brook babbles, and thunder rumbles.

Sometimes it’s a solo. Other times it’s a huge chorus of voices. A quartet gives you four part harmony. A piano, a bass and a drummer are all you need for a trio. It sounds like a million frogs are singing outside my house after a summer shower. Or it’s just my voice in a morning shower.

In scripture, the nations, the trees of the forest, the mountains and the hills, the wilderness and desert, and the mute all sing for joy. They sing when God comes to save, renew, and restore them. They sing because the Lord bring them back to life.

In scripture, the Lord himself sings (Zephaniah 3:17). No wonder his people, created in his image, want to sing. It’s who we are. It’s because of who he is. Most importantly, it’s because of what he’s done. The Redeemed have a song to sing. You and I have a song to sing because our God has come, the Christ is born, and our Savior is alive!

Most people I meet tell me they cannot sing. The cannot sing their way out of a paper bag. They cannot sing to save their lives. They can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Most of the time that’s just not true. You may not have an award winning voice, but you are part of that earthly and heavenly chorus who sings the praises of the Lamb on the throne. He’s worthy of anything and everything you’ve got.

Lately, some of my best moments have been singing with my young grandchildren. Especially the Christmas songs. “Away in a manger,” “Silent night,” “Joy to the World.” Sing it again, Apa. Gladly. I can use all the practice I can get for eternity!

Thank you, Lord, for all those who join me in singing your praises. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

A dark road

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 19, 2021. Photo by Thanos Pal on Unsplash

“Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”

The road to Bethlehem is dark, but not just because it was night. The unfaithfulness of the people had brought the shadow of God’s judgment on their lives. The darkness of death pursues those who follow the way of sin. Without Christ, every road, every day, and every life is shrouded in darkness.

The prophet Isaiah tells us about the day when all that will change. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). One day will come when Jesus will say, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

We work very hard to illuminate our world, especially at Christmas. We light up our trees, our homes, and our churches, holding back the darkness that stalks us each night as the sun slips away. For those of us who celebrate the Savior’s birth, these lights reminds us that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Where God is, there will be light!

If a picture you take on your phone seems too dark, you can always adjust the brightness. A couple of finger movements and it’s just like someone turned on the lights. That’s what Jesus comes to do for us. He turns on the lights, just like God did on the first day of creation. Just like he did when he restored sight to a blind man. Just like he did on the mountain of his transfiguration. Just like he does every day when the sun comes up!

Some days just seem gloomy, don’t they? Overcast mornings with rain in the forecast. Those days when we lost someone, even if it happened a long, long time ago. Days when we have to say goodbye to a loved one. That’s when it’s a good idea to pay attention to the prophetic word, which is like “a light shining in a dark place,” reminding us of the light and the life Jesus brings.

Thank you for the light that shines in Bethlehem, in our world and in my heart. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

The shepherds return

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 18, 2021. Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:20)

The road to Bethlehem now runs in the other direction. After the shepherds go to see Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger, they retrace their steps back to the fields. Their conversation is now filled with thanks and praise for everything they have just seen. From the angels to the holy family, it has been quite a night.

Every trip to church is followed by a trip back home. After every worship experience we retrace our steps, back into whatever world we just came from. Some travel alone. Some need a van to hold everyone. But we never return empty handed.

With hearts and souls filled with the gifts of God’s grace, we return with stories to tell, a clear conscience, restored hope, and maybe a new challenge to pursue. We’ve shared a space with expectant mothers, fussy babies, praying (and playing) toddlers, talented musicians, and aging saints. We heard a familiar passage, learned something new, jotted down an idea, furrowed our brow, and chuckled to ourselves. We’ve heard beautiful music, seen the colors of the season, embraced a long-time friend, smelled fresh flowers, and tasted that the Lord is good.

Jesus invited some to drop what they were doing and follow him. He then released those followers, telling them to go. As they went they couldn’t help but talk about what they had seen and heard. Just like the shepherds, we come to see and then we go to tell.

I’ll bet the shepherds talked about that night for a long, long time. And I’ll bet some got tired of hearing that story over and over again. But we’re still listening to their story to this very day. We never tire of it. We repeat it, sing about it, and act it out. We join them on the road to Bethlehem, along with so many others, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard that night.

Thank you, Lord, for the chance to come and see, and then go and tell. I never get tired of the story. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

Let’s go!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 17, 2021.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:13-15)

The shepherds are now on the road to Bethlehem. They’ve heard the announcement of Christ’s birth, they’ve seen a multitude of the heavenly host, and they’ve witnessed heaven’s praises that surround the throne of God. What are whey going to do now? “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this!”

When the ambulance or fire truck drive by our house, lights flashing but sirens silenced, I step out to see which neighbor has dialed 911. I wonder what’s going on?

Whether it’s a serious accident or just a fender bender, highway traffic crawls to a stop because everyone want to see what happened.

Crash! What was that? Maybe someone dropped a plate and it just broke into a million pieces. Gotta go see what happened.

Knock, knock. You glance up and see the delivery truck drive away. And then you go to see what they just dropped off at your front door.

A few thousand years later, we certainly understand why the shepherds took the road to Bethlehem that night. How we wish we could go and see the baby Jesus, wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger. We’ve seen it in pictures, in movies and in our minds. We set out nativities so the scene is displayed in our homes. If it meant we had to stay up all night keeping watch over a flock of sheep, we would gladly do that to have the chance to go and see what the angels announced!

I believe this is part of why we, like Paul, desire to depart and be with the Lord. Of course we want to leave this world filled with suffering and sadness. But we also want to go and see him. We want to see the one we’ve heard so much about. We want to see Jesus!

In the meantime, I get to hear the announcement of the angel. I get to join in the angels’ song of praise. I’ve got our route planned out – he is the way! When it’s time, I’m also going to say, “Let’s go!”

Lord, I’m jealous. The shepherds get to go and see! I can’t wait to join them. Thanks for making that possible. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

The heavenly host

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 16, 2021. Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

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 those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14)

Suddenly, the road to Bethlehem is crowded. In an instant, the shepherds and the angels are joined by the heavenly host, the army of God. Just as they have always surrounded the Lord’s throne with their praises (Isaiah 6, Revelation 5), so they are now stationed at a different kind of throne, a manger in Bethlehem.

We’ve caught glimpses of them before. Jacob saw them going up and down the stairs to heaven. They escorted the prophet Elijah to heaven. Another prophet, Elisha saw them surrounding an enemy army.

Later, they would minister to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness. They would be on standby when Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane. A few would remain at the tomb to let the women know that he had risen, just as he said.

The presence of the angels on the road to Bethlehem are a sure sign that the Lord is near, the Lord has come, and God is with us.

The psalmist tells us that the Lord is enthroned on the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). Wherever God’s people gather to pray, praise and give thanks, the heavenly host will be nearby, too. They are surrounding us with protection. They are on standby, just in case we stumble and need them. In Holy Communion, where an altar in the sanctuary becomes his throne, they join in our praises. Suddenly, church is very crowded as “With angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify his glorious name, saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy!'”

What the shepherds saw with their eyes that night, we see by faith, firmly believing our Lord’s promise to be with us. What the shepherds saw that night, we will also see one day when we join a great multitude that no one can number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, praising God around his heavenly throne.

I praise you Lord, accompanied by the heavenly host, knowing that you are near. Give me a 20/20 faith, as I anticipate seeing you with my eyes one day. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

A sign

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 15, 2021. Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

On the heels of the amazing news that “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,” the angel adds, “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)

Many would expect a sign from God to be something spectacular. Something like a burning bush, a chariot of fire, the sun moving backwards through the sky, or a talking donkey. How about walking on water, turning water into wine, stilling the storm or raising the dead? Those are pretty good signs.

Babies are born and wrapped up in blankets every day. Nothing out of the ordinary. I guess laying your infant in a feeding trough is unconventional. But it’s not much of a “sign.”

On the other hand, a lot of signs aren’t spectacular. A scratchy throat could be a sign you’ve got a cold. Uneven tire tread wear is a sign that your car needs an alignment. Your dog keeps scratching? Could be a sign that he has fleas.

A baby is a sign that God is still creating life in this world. Suddenly there is a new little people with their own little fingerprints, toes and personalities. The Creator isn’t done yet.

Babies are a great reminder that the world doesn’t revolve around you. There is someone else who demands your time, depends on your care, and wants to be held.

Babies open our eyes to a whole new kind of love. They love us, no questions asked. And we love them in a different way than we ever loved before.

Babies are a sign of hope. They inspires us to think of the future. What will they grow up to be? What will they love to do? What will they accomplish? We can’t wait to find out!

It’s also a sign that he gets it. The Christ travels the road to Bethlehem. He comes into the world just like us, as a baby. He grows, he learns, he works, he sleeps, he eats and makes friends. Just like us. He’s loves, he hurts, he thirsts, he bleeds. Just like us. This baby is a sign that he knows, he understands, he cares and he can relate to anything we experience. Wrapped in cloths as he enters the world, he will be wrapped in linen when he breathes his last.

Most of all, this baby is a sign that God is with us. Bad news and tough times seem to indicate the absence of God. A baby suddenly reminds us that he is here, with us. Just when we need him the most.

Thank you, Lord, for the sign of a baby, your presence among us. Yes, you’ve taught us about a whole new kind of love. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

Good news

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 14, 2021. Photo by Good Good Good on Unsplash

The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

We certainly get enough bad news. Disease, war, storms, shootings, recalls, shark bites and car crashes fill the headlines. A little good news would be great, wouldn’t it?

This good news is unique. It’s good news for all people. It’s good news for shepherds, for Roman soldiers, for children, for criminals, for tax collectors, for slaves, for priests, for fishermen, and for jailers. It’s good news for past generations who heard the promises and for future generations who would hear the story. It’s good news for us.

Just down the road to Bethlehem, a baby was born. A birth announcement is happy news for family and friends. What about everyone else? A Savior was born. That’s good news for the future, but what if you need rescuing right now? Christ the Lord was born. Wait. Wasn’t God already around at creation?

Okay, so we’ve got a lot of questions. But the announcement is clear. God’s here. And he’s here to help.

That’s usually the headline when an angel shows up. After dreaming of angels, Jacob woke up and realized, “God is in this place!” Before the battle of Jericho, Joshua got a visit from the commander of the Lord’s army. He would have plenty of help in that campaign. An angel fed Elijah in the desert. God still had work for him to do. An angel woke Peter up in prison and walked him out the door. The Lord hadn’t abandoned him!

This is good news of great joy because we are children of God through faith. This is good news of great joy because Jesus’ life and his death do save us from sin and death. This is good news of great joy because we don’t have to go it alone. He is Immanuel, that is, “God with us.”

Thank you, Lord, for the good news! I need a headline like that every day. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

Great fear

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 13. Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

In the same 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 great fear. (Luke 2:8-9)

The road to Bethlehem must have been dark at night. If the skies were clear, they were filled with a million stars. You might see a flickering campfire where the shepherds sat, watching over the flock. What a picture perfect backdrop for the terrifying appearance of an angel and the glory of the Lord!

That’s right – terrifying. Adam and Eve hid from God (Genesis 3). Isaiah was overwhelmed when he found himself in the throne room of God (Isaiah 6). After a miraculous catch of fish, Peter was frightened to be in the presence of the Lord (Luke 5). And these shepherds were “sore afraid” (King James Version).

A long time before this, God’s people had trembled at the foot of Mount Sinai when the glory of the Lord covered the mountain with a devouring fire (Exodus 24:17). Priests couldn’t enter the tabernacle or later, the temple, when the glory of the Lord filled those places. And now, shepherds trembled with fear as the glory of the Lord descended to a different kind of temple, a baby boy in Bethlehem. For the shepherds, the road to Bethlehem began with fear.

Is there any fear left in Christmas? Perhaps. You just need to know where to look. You won’t see it in the manmade lights and decorations of the season, no matter how big or bright. You won’t see it in the food and the gifts, no matter how extravagant. You won’t find it in the cost of shipping your gifts or traveling to see family.

You’ll find it in God’s word as it grips your heart and soul with both his awesome holiness and his unlimited grace. You’ll find it in a moment of prayer when you realize he’s listening and responding as you cast your cares on him and let him know your requests. In that moment, the Almighty, the Creator and your Father is completely focused on you. You experience it in the sacrament, the most expensive and extravagant meal ever.

As Jesus prepared himself and his disciples for the cross, he prayed, ““Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son” (John 17:1). The glory of God is seen in his innocent suffering and death for us. That’s why he was born. That’s why there is Christmas. And that is why the shepherds were so afraid. They knew, in that moment, just how much God love them.

I hope you do too.

Lord, let me experience some fear as well as joy this Christmas. Let me be overwhelmed with your love as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Amen.

Posted in 2021 Advent devotions

The night shift

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8) Photo by HAN Mengqi on Unsplash

For some, the road to Bethlehem begins at work. It’s night time, the third shift, and shepherds are keeping an eye on the sheep who are grazing in a place too far away to be brought into the fold each night. The watchful eye of the shepherds protect the sheep from wolves, jackals and maybe even mountain lions and bears. While a shepherd, David became quite good using a staff and a sling to keep the predators away from the flock. These guys were very good at their jobs.

How many times had the shepherds taken the road to Bethlehem? For work, to see friends, to kiss their wives, to hug their kids, and to collect their wages. I’ll bet they knew the road to Bethlehem like the back of their hands.

What roads, routes or paths are so familiar to you that you don’t even think about them? The commute to work? A close friend’s home? A favorite restaurant? The grocery store? Your doctor’s office? Hopefully your church! You don’t need the GPS. Your car seems to know how to get to all these places all by itself. You just step on the gas.

Most of the time, we commute to work, we do our jobs, we pick up the kids and shop for groceries without much thought. It just comes naturally. Just like the shepherds. But soon they will take the road to Bethlehem and gain a part in every Christmas program in every church. Those who play the part of the shepherds will have simple costumes, few lines, and younger siblings playing the part of their sheep. It’s hard to imagine Christmas with out them.

While many have a couple of weeks off around Christmas, many have to work this holiday. You’ve missed the worship, the programs, the candles and the carols because you had to serve food, care for a sick child, put out a fire or close up the store. Or keep an eye on the sheep.

But don’t worry. You’ve got a part in Christmas. Jesus was born for you.

Thank you, Lord, for my part in the story of Christ’s birth. Help me remember my lines. Amen.