Final Days of 2024: Home

12/29 – 12/31

There is something special about going back home. I can remember longing to go back home to my mother and stepfather’s house after spending weeks away during summers as a child and teenager. Even when I’m away from the house where I live now as an adult while on vacation with my wife and children, I look forward to returning to our home. At home I can relax, rest, be myself, recharge, and return to the needed rhythms of daily and weekly life. Our theme for the final Sunday of the calendar year and the last few days of 2024 is “Home.” What come to mind when you think of “home”?

 

Because of the Roman emperor’s mandated census Mary and Joseph were required to leave their home to go to Bethlehem, which is why Jesus was born there instead of in Nazareth (Luke 2:1-7). Eventually, the holy family was able to leave Bethlehem. We are told by the gospel writer that “they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee” (Luke 2:39 NLT). For our church family, many people returned to their spiritual “home” to celebrate Jesus’ birth with us during Christmas worship services. Here in Avon, we haven’t seen some of them in weeks, months, or years. What a joy it was seeing every member, attendee, and guest with us this past week! My hope is that every person who was with us for Christmas Eve, or anytime during 2024, experienced refreshing hospitality, God’s unconditional love, and they felt like they were home.

During these final days of 2024 you are invited to let the devotional song lyrics and Bible verses speak to you about the God revealed through Jesus, as well as remind you of the virtues of Christ we live as the household of God that is known as the church. May Jesus Christ be born anew within us during this season so that Jesus’ way becomes our way, his truth transforms us, and his life reveals God to us in whom we will truly experience the gift of being home.

 

The Hymn for the last days of 2024:

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Listen to the hymn, sing or play it if you’re a musician, or read the lyrics to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for time with the Lord.

 

Bible Verses to READ:

Sunday – Psalm 148

Monday – Luke 2:21-52

Tuesday (New Year’s Eve) – Colossians 3:12-17

 

Daily Prayer:

You are encouraged to let the daily Bible verses guide your prayer before you conclude with the one from the United Methodist Book of Worship for this week:

 

O almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus

you gave us a great light to dawn on our darkness.

Grant that in his light we may see light.

Bestow upon us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people,

so that the likeness of your Son may be formed in us,

and that we may have the ever brightening hope of everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

(The Book of Worship 1965, ALT.)

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.