A Devotional Life
Throughout Advent, we will read and reflect upon the same scripture. These devotions have been written by many different members of our church family.
Click here for an online copy: Advent Devotions
Psalm 147 1-11
Luke 1 67-80
The Violin Tuner
The first Christmas Eve that I was in the ministry a boy was to play "Silent Night" on the guitar as Franz Gruber, its composer, had at the Christmas Service in Austria 196 years ago. The lad took sick and to avoid a panic I was drafted to play it on the violin. I did. Afterwards a little boy came up to me and said, very seriously, Mr. Rodgers, if I were you I would take that violin to a good violin tuner." His sincerity prevented any offense. Instead, I have always felt he voiced the very heart of Christmas.
Christ is life's good violin tuner. When we are weary, He says "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." When we grieve, He says "Let not your hearts be troubled." When we fear death, He says, "I am the resurrection and the life...I go to prepare a place for you" When we see a charming little boy or girl, we hear Him say, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
On Christmas, God gave us the Great Violin Tuner. That little boy, back on Christmas Eve of 1941, spoke so eloquently. Christ is, indeed, that Great Violin Tuner.
~Rev. Joseph Rodgers