Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Did you know that this week and next, Jupiter and Saturn are going to be closer together than they have been in 800 years? The climax of what is called a “great conjunction” will take place on December 21 when the two planets “…will appear separated by just 6.1 arc minutes. That is roughly the thickness of a dime held at arm’s length.” (Scientific American, December 17, 2020) Thus, the light from these two planets will combine to shine in the night sky as if they are one, making them one of brightest points to behold in the sky. Some are likening this phenomenon to the star that led the magi to the baby Jesus. I’ve read numerous times how this year we are getting a real Christmas star!  Whether or not there is any connection to the star of Bethlehem, it seems fitting to me that we would be receiving such an incredible astronomical gift towards the end of a year such as the one we’ve been through. I’m not sure that it’s exactly a Christmas star such as the one that led the magi to B...

Last night Kim and I lighted the first candle for Chanukah. As many of you know, I’m Jewish on my mother’s side so for me it is quite significant to light the Chanukah candles. In doing so, I am continuing a heritage and tradition that has been practiced in my family for centuries. And it is another opportunity to recall God’s miraculous work on behalf of his people.  As my children were growing up, after I would light the candles and pray a simple prayer, they would burst into the traditional Chanukah song, “O Chanukah! O Chanukah!” that speaks of spinning the dreidel, eating latkas, and the candles brightly burning. Then, we would all begin to sing the old Sunday School song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” Finally, they would each get some chocolate gelt (money) or a dollar or a new Christmas ornament! Yes, we kind of blend everything together!  Last year's fully lit menorah Each year, as I pray over the candles, rather than praying the traditional Hebr...

As most of you know, Kim and I became grandparents for the first time this past August. Our grandson’s name is Jesse, and this will be his first Christmas. Of course, his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all so excited to celebrate Christmas with him. Kim and I are especially looking forward to having Jesse (as well as his parents!) with us on Christmas morning.  The only problem is, Jesse’s not excited at all about Christmas—after all, he doesn’t yet understand one day from the next, no less what a special day like Christmas is all about.   Jesse in front of our Christmas Tree! It makes me think about that very first Christmas—i.e., the day Jesus was born. There was so much hubbub surrounding Jesus’ birth: the stable and manger, angels and shepherds, magi and a star, etc.  But the newborn child knew nothing of what was happening around him. He was just a little baby, like any other baby, that simply needed to eat, sleep, and be held and comforted. Yes, th...

On this Thanksgiving Day, my mind goes to the words of Andrea Crouch's song, "My Tribute." May the lyrics to this song, inspire you to give thanks as you consider the goodness of God at work in your life!  How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me? Things so undeserved yet You gave To prove Your love for me The voices of a million angels Could not express my gratitude All that I am, and ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee To God be the glory To God be the glory To God be the glory For the things He has done With His blood He has saved me With His power He has raised me To God be the glory For the things He has done Just let me live my life and Let it be pleasing Lord to Thee And if I gain any praise Let it go to Calvary With His blood He has saved me With His power He has raised me To God be the glory For the things He has done Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!  Pastor Tim Harris 

The last time Kim and I visited our son Jonathan and his family I noticed sitting in the corner of their dining room, “Mr. Bear.”  You see, Mr. Bear was Jonathan’s favorite stuffed animal from the time he was about 18 months old. When he was young, Jonathan would fall asleep with his fingers stroking Mr. Bear’s fur.  He took Mr. Bear everywhere we would allow him to take him.  In fact, if you look closely at Mr. Bear you will see where his fur is worn and the places where Kim had to sew him back together time and again.  Although Mr. Bear was a fixture in Jonathan’s room, even throughout his teen and college years, somewhere along the line Mr. Bear got relegated to a box to be stored away. That box got moved with Jonathan when he got married. I guess having a newborn son caused Jonathan to go through some of his boxes and in the process he discovered, and then took out, Mr. Bear. It’s kind of like a Toy Story movie wherein the childhood toys get stored away only be t...

A few days ago, as I was going to get into my car, the brilliant red leaves on the maple trees in our neighborhood and on our property caught my eye. The sunlight was hitting the trees in such a way so as to make their leaves glow with that deep red color that they had become. I stopped, gazed, and even took a few pictures for the beauty was almost overwhelming.  After a couple of days of rain and colder weather, however, almost all of those same beautiful leaves are now on the ground, leaving the trees pretty much bare.  What was once a thing of astounding beauty has become a chore (i.e. the blowing and raking of the fallen leaves!) and a reminder of the turning of the seasons.  The before and after! For me, those beautiful fallen leaves are also a striking reminder of the temporary nature of life. They remind me that, even the most beautiful things in life do not last. Oh, I don’t mean to be pessimistic, merely realistic about our world and our lives. For if we fail to ...

This week has obviously been a difficult one as we have come through election day and, as of this writing, are still waiting for the results. I’m not concerned about the slowness of the process for, like most of us, I want to know that every vote counts.  That’s the beauty of our nation’s democracy: every vote does count! I am concerned, however, as to how people will react once a winner is announced, especially those within the church.  Eventually a winner for the presidency will be announced. That is for certain. The question is, how will we respond once we hear the news? If it is the guy we voted for, will we gloat and rub it in the face of the other side? If it is the guy from the other side of the aisle who wins, will we fall into depression and anger complete with weeping and gnashing of teeth? Unfortunately, those are the responses that will be expressed by most people across our land: weeping or gloating.  But, I want to encourage those of us who are people of fai...