December 25: Generous Gifts: Creative Time
♫ Music:
WEEK FIVE INTRODUCTION
TITLE: GENEROUS GIFTS: CREATIVE TIME
December 25 - December 31
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Gift-giving is synonymous with Christmas. We shower gifts upon family members and friends whether or not they want or need them. It’s common practice to make year-end donations to our favorite charities and ministries. Occasionally, in the midst of our
gift-giving obligations, we are prompted to share a spontaneous gift with someone not normally the recipient of our generosity. Apparently, we have the magi to thank for starting the tradition of gift-giving. Yet we know that the greatest Christmas gift ever given was God offering his Son to the world for the salvation of mankind. Out of deep love for his creation, God devised a unique plan to redeem the human race. What an amazing gift!
One sometimes forgotten attribute of God is his creativity. Out of nothing he fashioned the universe and everything in it. The Bible begins in Genesis with God creating the heavens and the earth and ends in the book of Revelation with God creating a new heaven and new earth. Between Genesis and Revelation we see God at work forming and transforming a people for himself. As his children, we are instructed to be imitators of this Creator God. Like him, we are called to be righteous gift-givers who provide offerings to God and others out of an abundance of love. These acts of generosity are born in creative time.
Creative time is reflective/meditative time that offers a big-picture view of life and the world. This in turn allows for more unusual, diverse ways of thinking and acting. There is a stillness that envelops those who enter into this realm. Time seems to slow down or even stand still as the work of innovation takes place. It’s not uncommon for those in the vortex of creative time to be completely oblivious to chronos time. We understand from knowing God that giving a fitting gift requires thoughtfulness, love, and imagination. God’s perfect gifts come at the right time because he understands just what we need and when. He knows the desires of our hearts. We, in turn, bring our gifts in worship to him, giving us the opportunity to make a contribution, something that may count for eternity. Hymn writer Isaac Watts put it this way, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Day 29 - Sunday, December 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
Title: THE GREATEST GIFT OF LOVE & LIFE
Scripture #1: John 3:16–17
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Scripture #2: 2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Poetry & Poet:
“A Hymn on the Nativity of My Saviour”
by Ben Jonson
I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light, and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it.
The Son of God, the eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the soul from danger;
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.
The Father's wisdom willed it so,
The Son's obedience knew no "No,"
Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
And took on Him our nature.
What comfort by Him do we win?
Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
To make us heirs of glory?
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyr born in our defense,
Can man forget this story?
PRICELESS EXTRAVAGANCE!
It is beautiful to read these verses together:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
The focus for this fifth week of advent is “generous gifts.” I would imagine that many of us have just completed another season of gift giving…not to mention gift receiving. When families grow and the number of gifts increase, what do we often do? We draw names. And what is the purpose of this? To keep our gift giving within a reasonable budget. In our house, we have to consider the number of gifts we desire to give to family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors so that we can establish a budget. In other words, we experience financial limits to what we can give to others. As the saying goes, “Money does not grow on trees.” So, we must conclude that our generosity is not boundless.
Reflecting on our passages for today, it becomes obvious that the Lord is not on a budget like we are. There is not a limit to his generosity. In fact, we learn about the Lord’s generosity as we look closely at five clauses scattered in these three verses, each beginning with the word “that.”
· that he gave his only begotten Son
Today, we remember the greatest and most generous gift of all—Jesus. Our minds cannot fully comprehend the magnitude of this gift. We might understand it enough to bow before our King and receive it, but the richness of this gift will not be fully comprehended throughout all of eternity. Forever, we will be in awe of this gift. If this were the only gift we receive from the Lord, his generosity is already boundless…even priceless!
· that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life
These words capture the magnitude of this gift. Wow! Take time to remember the GIFT that Jesus give us—everlasting life. And it is by faith because of his grace. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving…throughout all of eternity. Priceless!
· that the world might be saved through him
Every religion in the world offers a way for humanity to save themselves. But humanity simply cannot save themselves, not matter what they might do with the hopes of accomplishing salvation. Jesus is the only hope, and he stepped into this world to do what we could not do ourselves—to save us. Priceless!
· that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor…that you by his poverty might become rich
These two clauses must be joined together because they contain different sides of the same truth. The truth is difficult to comprehend because it is so contrary to the way we generally live, and more importantly, the way we give. Poverty is usually what we are avoiding or escaping. It is not something we seek after. It is why we put limits on our giving. Yet God naturally did what we naturally do not do. Priceless!
Thinking again about the theme for the week, maybe “generous” is too limiting when we consider the Lord’s gifts to us. Each clause in these verses underscores the “priceless” nature of the Lord’s gifts. And, since we have five of them, let’s call it “Priceless Extravagant Generosity”!
Dr. David L. Talley
Chair, Old Testament Department
Talbot School of Theology
Faculty Athletics Representative
Biola University
For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab.
About the Artwork:
Gaia
Luke Jerram
2018
Balloon sculpture
7 meters (23 ft.) in diameter balloon covered in NASA images
Constructed by Cameron Balloons
Ely Cathedral
Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
The globally acclaimed artwork by Luke Jerram entitled Gaia was created from images taken by NASA of the earth’s surface. Floating in three dimensions, the artwork aims to create a sense of the “Overview Effect”—described by author Frank White in 1987 as the shift in awareness experienced by some astronauts who have a feeling of awe for the planet and a deeper understanding of the interconnection of all life. The internally lit 3D installation measuring seven meters in diameter is suspended in the Ely Cathedral and rotates once every four minutes, 360 times faster than our real planet. A specially made composition by BAFTA Award–winning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. The artwork also gives a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another. In Greek mythology Gaia represents the personification of the Earth.
https://cathedral.org.au/2022/03/04/luke-jerrams-gaia-coming-to-st-pauls-cathedral/
https://cathedral.org.au/Gaia/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-44888354
About the Artist:
Luke Jerram (b. 1974) is an internationally respected multidisciplinary installation artist whose practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations, and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have inspired people around the world. His practice mines scientific research, ecology, and community building, resulting in works ranging from discrete objects to large-scale public performances and installations. As well as touring his installations, his artworks are in over fifty permanent collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA; Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY; Alexander Tutsek Foundation, Germany; The Wellcome Collection, England; CosmoCaixa, Spain; Bristol City Museum, England; Phaeno Science Center, Germany; and Shanghai Museum of Glass, China. In 2020, Jerram was given an honorary doctorate from the University of Bristol, made an honorary academician of the RWA and fellow of The Royal Astronomical Society. He is currently a visiting fellow at the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Jerram
https://www.hellergallery.com/luke-jerram
https://www.lukejerram.com/
About the Music #1:
“God So Loved the World” from the album Live at the Wheelhouse
Lyrics #1:
Come all you weary
Come all you thirsty
Come to the well
That never runs dry
Drink of the Water
Come and thirst no more
Come all you sinners
Come find His mercy
Come to the table
He will satisfy
Taste of His goodness
Find what you’re looking for
For God so loved
The world that He gave us
His one and only
Son to save us
Whoever believes in Him
Will live forever
Bring all your failures
Bring your addictions
Come lay them down
At the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting there
With open arms
The power of Hell
Forever defeated
Now it is well
I’m walking in freedom
For God so loved
God so loved the world
Praise God
Praise God
From whom all blessings flow
Praise Him
Praise Him
For the wonders of His love
Bring all your failures
Bring your addictions
Come lay them down
At the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting
God so loved the world
About the Performers #1:
We the Kingdom is an American contemporary Christian music band signed to the Capitol Christian Music Group. The band consists of multiple generations of relatives: Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Martin Cash, and Scott Cash. The band's name comes from the idea that "the kingdom of God is here among us." The band released its first singles, "Dancing on the Waves" and the breakout hit single "Holy Water," followed by their debut EP, Live at the Wheelhouse, in 2019. This garnered the band four nominations at the fifty-first GMA Dove Awards, ultimately winning the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. In 2021, at the fifty-second GMA Dove Awards, the band won the GMA Dove Award for Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Holy Water (2020), and earned a nomination for “God So Loved the World.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_the_Kingdom
http://www.wethekingdom.com/#/
About the Composers #1:
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Martin Cash, and Andrew Bergthold
We The Kingdom's Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Martin Cash, and Andrew Bergthold co-wrote each track on the album. We The Kingdom is a multigenerational family of musicians including producers and songwriters Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Martin Cash, and Andrew Bergthold. The members of We The Kingdom have been involved behind the scenes in songs that have been sung around the world. Their sound is a blend of worship, vulnerability, and grit that is birthed out of decades of musical influences and shared difficult experiences that brought them together as a band.
Edmond Martin Cash (b. 1971) is a producer, songwriter, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was named the "Producer of the Year" at the Gospel Music Awards for four consecutive years (2004–2007) and gained recognition for his work with Christian singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin. In addition to several Grammy nominations and countless BMI Citations of Achievement, Cash has produced or written with such musical artists as Steven Curtis Chapman, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Amy Grant, David Crowder Band, Kari Jobe, Caedmon's Call, and Casting Crowns. He is a member of the band We the Kingdom. Cash gained further recognition as a songwriter for having co-written and produced "How Great Is Our God," which earned him five Dove awards. Cash is also a recognized musician with credit for acoustic and electric guitar and backing vocals; album credits for playing banjo, mandolin, Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer organ, harmonica, Rhodes, synthesizer, piano, drums, bass guitar, and percussion; and for both string and choir arrangements.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Cash
https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/getting-to-know-you-we-the-kingdom/
Scott Cash (b. 1985) has found success over the years in the studio as a writer, producer, engineer, and musician as he’s honed his craft and supported other artists in theirs. Cash has worked with artists like Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, and Pat Barrett, just to name a few. Most recently, Scott has stepped into the spotlight as an artist alongside other family members as a part of We The Kingdom, whose first single, “Holy Water,” went to number one across multiple charts. He is the brother of Ed Cash.
https://www.capitolcmgpublishing.com/content/scott-cash
https://www.ccmmagazine.com/features/getting-to-know-you-we-the-kingdom/
Martin Cash is the drummer for We The Kingdom, and son of Christian music producer Ed Cash. "I grew up around music and was blessed enough to grow up around a studio as well, but the bug never really bit until I was around 14. I had always been interested in rhythm, but it wasn’t until I was fortunate enough to set up two kits in one room and jam with the legendary Steve Jordan that I became set on making my passion my profession."
http://www.wethekingdom.com/#/
Franni Rae Cash Cain (b. 2000) is part of We The Kingdom alongside her father Ed Cash, brother Martin, uncle Scott, and cousin Andrew Bergthold.
http://www.wethekingdom.com/#/
Andrew Bergthold grew up in a musical family, and some of his earliest memories are singing in a gospel children’s choir at his home church in downtown Kansas City. At a young age he discovered songwriting, mainly because he couldn’t bring himself to stick to the notes written on the pages of his piano sheet music. What started as improvisation soon led to writing full songs with lyrics and tracking them on his dad’s old radio station cassette tape recorder. Through high school and college Bergthold led multiple bands ranging from punk rock to worship. But more than any kind of success and award, Andrew strives to create authentic art and empower those around him to thrive in their giftings—all while pointing toward the giver of every good, the original perfect creator, Jesus.
https://curbwordmusicpublishing.com/products/andrew-bergthold
About the Music #2:
“Descent” from the album Keening for the Dawn
Lyrics #2:They sought to soar into the skies
Those classic gods of high renown
For lofty pride aspires to rise
But you came down
For lofty pride aspires to rise
But you came down
You dropped down from the mountains sheer
Forsook the eagle for the dove
The other gods demanded fear
But you gave love
Where chiseled marble seemed to freeze
Their abstract and perfected form
Compassion brought you to your knees
Your blood was warm
They called for blood in sacrifice
Their victims on an altar bled
When no one else could pay the price
You died instead
They towered above our mortal plain
Dismissed this restless flesh with scorn,
Aloof from birth and death and pain
But you were born
Born to these burdens, borne by all
Born with us all 'astride the grave'
Weak, to be with us when we fall
And strong to save
About the Performers #2:
Steve Bell and Malcolm Guite
Steve Bell (b. 1960) has been called a “songwriter, storyteller, and troubadour for our time.” This Canadian musician uses artful words and songs to encourage Christian faith and thoughtful living. Bell has been performing and touring since he was eight years old. Since Steve’s father was a prison chaplain, it was federal prisoners at Drumheller Penitentiary in Alberta who taught the young boy to play guitar. More than a quarter century since the release of Steve’s first solo album, his accomplishments continue to demonstrate his commitment to excellence and creativity. These endeavors have led not only to commercial success for Steve’s self-launched record label Signpost Music, but have also garnered a stream of accolades including three JUNO Awards, numerous Western Canadian and Prairie Music Awards, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Steve has mentored several emerging artists and worked with various organizations to promote arts and education. He also uses his stage to attract attention, build awareness, and provide thoughtful helps to the world’s less fortunate and resourced—locally, nationally, and internationally—represented by such worthy organizations as Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Compassion Canada, Siloam Mission, and the National Roundtable on Homelessness and Poverty. In addition to his year-round touring schedule and increasing number of speaking engagements at conferences and universities, Bell has written articles for various publications, co-published a book on the Psalms with Jamie Howison, and recently completed a seven-book box set called Pilgrim Year, which features reflections on the spirituality of the Christian liturgical calendar that incorporate story, song, poetry, and art. In 2015 he accompanied author Malcolm Guite for a series of lectures and performances at Biola University.
https://stevebell.com/
About the Composer #2:
Malcolm Guite (b. 1957) is a poet, author, Anglican priest, teacher, and singer-songwriter based in Cambridge, England. He has published six collections of poetry: Saying the Names, The Magic Apple Tree, Sounding the Seasons: Poetry for the Christian Year, The Singing Bowl, Waiting on the Word, and the recently released Parable and Paradox: Sonnets on the Sayings of Jesus and Other Poems. Rowan Williams and Luci Shaw have both acclaimed his writing, and his Antiphons appeared in Penguin’s Best Spiritual Writing, 2013. Guite’s theological works include What Do Christians Believe? and Faith, Hope, and Poetry: Theology and the Poetic Imagination. Guite is a scholar of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and the British poets, and serves as the Bye-Fellow and chaplain at Girton College at the University of Cambridge, while supervising students in English and theology. He lectures widely in England and the USA, and in 2015 he was the CCCA Visionary-in-Residence at Biola University. Guite plays in the Cambridge rock band Mystery Train and his albums include The Green Man and Dancing Through the Fire.
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Guite
About the Poetry & Poet:
Benjamin Jonson (c.1572–c.1637) was an English playwright and poet. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence upon English poetry and stage comedy. He popularized the comedy of humors; he is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour (1598), Volpone, or The Fox (c. 1606), The Alchemist (1610) and Bartholomew Fair (1614), and for his lyric and epigrammatic poetry. "He is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I.” Jonson has been called “the first poet laureate.” If Jonson's reputation as a playwright has traditionally been linked to Shakespeare, his reputation as a poet has been linked to that of John Donne.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Jonson
About the Devotion Author:
Dr. David L. Talley
Chair, Old Testament Department
Talbot School of Theology
Faculty Athletics Representative
Biola University
Pastor of Theology and Teaching at Cornerstone Church, Long Beach, CA
David Talley loves teaching the next generation of students the incredible and eternal truths of God in order to prepare them to impact the world for Jesus Christ. A professor of Old Testament and faculty athletics representative, he also serves as pastor of theology and teaching at Cornerstone Church in Long Beach, California, and partners with the international church, providing training to pastors and churches in Northern Africa and in persecuted countries.