December 24th, 2021
by Denee Bowers
by Denee Bowers

Be the Light
Day 27
Friday, December 24
“In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
The word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without the Word
nothing came into being.
What came into being
through the word was life,
And the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
John 1:1-5
Reflection
Sometimes the world around me can feel very dark. With a nation dividing over politics, destruction of the environment, and systemic injustice, I can easily get so overwhelmed. With darkness closing in all around me what can I do? Luckily, I have the Holy Spirit to shine through me, as a beacon of light in this ever-darkening world. Political climates change, but the light that is the Holy Spirit is constant. And all the darkness in this world cannot extinguish that light that God has placed in this world. Today, I will make sure to focus on the light of God, not the darkness of the world. I will do my best to carry that light with me to the darkest corners of my life.
Prayer
God, let me reflect your light into the darkness of the world. Help me remember that our light is constant no matter how dark it may seem.
Reflection by Seth Botts
Friday, December 24
“In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
The word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without the Word
nothing came into being.
What came into being
through the word was life,
And the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
John 1:1-5
Reflection
Sometimes the world around me can feel very dark. With a nation dividing over politics, destruction of the environment, and systemic injustice, I can easily get so overwhelmed. With darkness closing in all around me what can I do? Luckily, I have the Holy Spirit to shine through me, as a beacon of light in this ever-darkening world. Political climates change, but the light that is the Holy Spirit is constant. And all the darkness in this world cannot extinguish that light that God has placed in this world. Today, I will make sure to focus on the light of God, not the darkness of the world. I will do my best to carry that light with me to the darkest corners of my life.
Prayer
God, let me reflect your light into the darkness of the world. Help me remember that our light is constant no matter how dark it may seem.
Reflection by Seth Botts
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
November
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