FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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2020 Advent Devotional

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Room at the Inn

Read Mark 11:1-11
Devotional by Lillian Osei-Boateng

The feeling of exhilaration to welcome the new born baby felt real; the clock was ticking down; Christmas preparations happening all over the world: in palaces, in mansions, in homes, in ranches, in hotels, in palm frond huts built by kids and adults alike, and in Inns.

As kids, we looked forward to Christmas Eve but the best day was two days before Christmas Day. We cut down palm branches, wove them into “building boards” and built huts; decorated the interior with Christmas lights, garlands and ornaments. This is where we would take our goodies on Christmas Eve to keep wake “waiting” for the “three wise men” to bring back news of the birth of our precious baby Jesus.

Thirty-three years later, palm branches were what was used as Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a mule. Few plants are more recognizable than the mighty palm. They rise triumphant, irrespective of what is around them. Like the palm frond and tree, let us all as Christians stand tall and triumph over our differences and challenges always and especially during this Advent season.

The real preparation, therefore, during this season of Advent, should be in the Inn of our hearts; awaiting the birth of the Prince of Peace as prophesied by Isaiah approximately 750 years before Jesus was born. It does not matter the physical size of our abode or our inns, what matters is the hope, peace, joy, and love we exude and share with each other. During this time of Advent, let us all make room in the inn of our hearts to reflect on the past and light up the world in our future.
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Prayer 
Lord, as we prepare our “inn-er” most chambers - Our hearts - to welcome Christ, help us to share hope, peace, joy, and love of the season with all mankind - for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. AMEN.

Read Daily Devotionals by clicking on the links below.
November 29, 2020: Great Expectations by Beth Silver
November 30, 2020: A New Beginning by Roger Rizk
​December 1, 2020: Walk in his Paths by Helen Rogers
​December 2, 2020: Exhortation to Watch by Davidson Hobson
​December 3, 2020: He will Revive Us by Sarah Sumner
December 4, 2020: Still Small Voice by Coleman Efird
December 5, 2020: The Authority of Jesus Challenged by Grady Kennington
December 6, 2020: John the Baptist Prepares the Way by Bobby Sumner
December 7, 2020: Earnestly Seeking You by Mallory and William Trogdon
December 8, 2020: The Branch of the Lord by Craig Whitley
December 9, 2020: Oh! The Difference a Child Makes by Lee DuBois
​December 10, 2020: God Does Great Things by Jim Brown
December 11, 2020: A Personal Relationship with God by Kelly and Rick Hovis
​December 12, 2020: Abide with Us by Stuart Euliss
​December 13, 2020: Sharing the Good News by Sally and Gwin Hilton
​December 14, 2020: What is Joy? by Tyler Bullock
December 15, 2020: Repent and Turn to God by Betty Davenport
December 16, 2020: Preparing for Change by Mary Ann Aycock
December 17, 2020: God Allows U-Turns by Donna Atkins
December 18, 2020: God is Faithful Still by Barbara Voorhees
December 19, 2020: Trust and Believe by Matt Miller
December 20, 2020: A House of Cedar by Charles Grissom
December 21, 2020: Mary's Song of Praise by Baity 
Ferguson
December 22, 2020: Give Until It Feels Good by Barbara Yarbrough
December 23, 2020: Room at the Inn by Lillian Osei-Boateng
​December 24, 2020: The Gift by Leslie Wallace
​
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Download a PDF copy of The Audacity of Advent
​by clicking here.

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First Presbyterian Church

Contact Us

Address
​1621 E. Garrison Blvd.
​Gastonia, N.C. 28054
Phone
(704) 864-2651
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Affiliated with: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Copyright © 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, N.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Visitors
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Pastoral Search
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Livestream
    • Music
  • Faith Formation
    • Adults
    • Presbyterian Women
    • Youth
    • Children
  • Outreach
    • Local Missions
    • Global Missions
    • Pastoral Care
    • Parish Nurse Ministry
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Stewardship
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Videos
    • Weekly Announcements
    • Resources
  • More
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Presbyterian Weekday School
    • Mother's Morning Out