By Tamara Shantz, assistant campus pastor DEVOTIONAL: Our text for this Christmas Day transports us from the story of Jesus’ birth to one of our only accounts from Jesus’ childhood. As I read over this passage, I wondered what parenting Jesus was like. God bursts into Mary and Joseph’s lives with extraordinary power and mystery. … Keep reading »

By Greg Yoder, a senior music major from Perkasie, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: Advent is a season of wonder, stillness, waiting and watching. Growing up with a pastor for a mother, I experienced richly the period of waiting and watching that is the Advent season. Every night we gathered in our living room. My brother and I … Keep reading »

By Emily Yoder, a sophomore nursing major from Bird in Hand, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: During Advent, we typically focus closely on the coming of God’s gift, his son Jesus. We praise him for that and show our gratitude in different ways. God has given us more than his Son, but he has blessed us with such … Keep reading »

By Jake Shipe, resident director DEVOTIONAL: In today’s Scripture we find Hannah, Samuel’s mother, bringing him a robe as she and her husband Elkanah made their way to the temple to make the annual sacrifice. When we meet Hannah in the story she is visiting her son whom she gave to the Lord for His … Keep reading »

By Duane Stoltzfus, professor of communication THIS WEEK’S THEME: Arise, shine; for your light has come DEVOTIONAL: Shortly after nightfall, as if someone had flipped a switch, the rain suddenly turned to sleet and the roadways to ice. I was driving to my parents’ house in New York state, a bad time to be riding … Keep reading »

By Odelet Nance, director of multicultural affairs DEVOTIONAL: I hear music of Christmas everywhere. In the stores, in businesses and on the radio, the sounds of Christmas ring loud and clear. Music can be transformative and transcend barriers.

By Andrea Kraybill, a junior art major from Elkhart, Ind. DEVOTIONAL: Words have different interpretations depending on who is saying them and who is listening. Some go out of fashion, yet remain remnants of the past in our ears: twain, verily or prithee. As I read Hebrews, I am struck by the images that sacrifice … Keep reading »

By Maria Byler, a senior social work major from Goshen, Ind. DEVOTIONAL: Have you ever been waiting for something so long and so hard that you just ache? Maybe you are hungry, and anticipating a wonderful meal later. Maybe you know you will see a loved one soon.

By Jennifer Speight, a junior English major from Cleveland, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: Have you ever felt completely alone? Abandoned, even? Small and insignificant? I have. This summer, while participating in the college’s Ministry Inquiry Program, I went through a period of abandonment that was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I felt as if God had … Keep reading »

By Deb Brubaker, professor of music THIS WEEK’S THEME: Save DEVOTIONAL: I remember the Advent wreath of my early years, centered on the kitchen table. It was made with fresh pine branches, encircling five candles on a red metal plate purchased on a summer trip to Minnesota. Each night our family of four would light … Keep reading »