Advent Devotional Dec 7
Week Two:
Creating Shalom means Sharing Love
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
“The Game with Stars” – Read Genesis 15:1-6
The Lord took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (vv.5-6, NIV)
Pott Disease is a terrible form of tuberculosis that attacks the spine and, untreated, creates significant deformities. At the turn of the last century, one of the treatments attempted was a “Phelps Box.” Simply put, the sick child was placed (for up to a year!!!) into a padded box that immobilized their torso. The child could do nothing except lie on their back. These children spent their days in isolation and loneliness.
Some decades ago, I came across a pastor’s account of a home visit to an elementary-aged girl being treated with a Phelps Box. The girl admitted to the pastor that many of her days were difficult. “But if my day is very hard,” said the little girl, “then I play the Game with Stars, and that makes everything better.”
“What is the ‘Game with Stars’?” the pastor asked. “Well, at night,” she replied, “I ask Daddy to push my box over to my bedroom window so I can look out and see the stars. And then I start the Game. The brightest star I find? That’s God! The next brightest stars? Those are my mommy and daddy and brother.” The girl continued, talking about how she tried to find stars that reminded her of all the people in her life who loved her and were important to her. The pastor was speechless.
“There’s only one problem,” the little girl confessed. “I always lose the Game.”
“What do you mean, you ‘lose?’” the pastor asked, confused.
“I always run out of stars,” the girl replied with a smile.
Some evening when the skies are clear, go outside and look up. Think of everything you need, every struggle you are going through, every hope you’re still waiting for. Then, think of all the people that have ever loved you or are important to you. Play the Game with Stars. Keep playing until you lose. J It won’t take long for you, like Abraham, to see the blessings of God written to you in the heavens.
Lord, how majestic is your name! You have set your glory in the heavens! Through the praises of children, you have defeated all enemies! When I look up to the heavens, and see the moon and the stars, I am amazed that you think of me and that you love me. Lord, how majestic is your name! Amen. (based on Psalm 8)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoffmann, Retired Elder
Connections Coordinator, the Heartland District
“The Game with Stars” – Read Genesis 15:1-6
The Lord took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (vv.5-6, NIV)
Pott Disease is a terrible form of tuberculosis that attacks the spine and, untreated, creates significant deformities. At the turn of the last century, one of the treatments attempted was a “Phelps Box.” Simply put, the sick child was placed (for up to a year!!!) into a padded box that immobilized their torso. The child could do nothing except lie on their back. These children spent their days in isolation and loneliness.
Some decades ago, I came across a pastor’s account of a home visit to an elementary-aged girl being treated with a Phelps Box. The girl admitted to the pastor that many of her days were difficult. “But if my day is very hard,” said the little girl, “then I play the Game with Stars, and that makes everything better.”
“What is the ‘Game with Stars’?” the pastor asked. “Well, at night,” she replied, “I ask Daddy to push my box over to my bedroom window so I can look out and see the stars. And then I start the Game. The brightest star I find? That’s God! The next brightest stars? Those are my mommy and daddy and brother.” The girl continued, talking about how she tried to find stars that reminded her of all the people in her life who loved her and were important to her. The pastor was speechless.
“There’s only one problem,” the little girl confessed. “I always lose the Game.”
“What do you mean, you ‘lose?’” the pastor asked, confused.
“I always run out of stars,” the girl replied with a smile.
Some evening when the skies are clear, go outside and look up. Think of everything you need, every struggle you are going through, every hope you’re still waiting for. Then, think of all the people that have ever loved you or are important to you. Play the Game with Stars. Keep playing until you lose. J It won’t take long for you, like Abraham, to see the blessings of God written to you in the heavens.
Lord, how majestic is your name! You have set your glory in the heavens! Through the praises of children, you have defeated all enemies! When I look up to the heavens, and see the moon and the stars, I am amazed that you think of me and that you love me. Lord, how majestic is your name! Amen. (based on Psalm 8)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoffmann, Retired Elder
Connections Coordinator, the Heartland District
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1 Comment
Tears came to my eyes. Oh the wisdom of a child! So beautiful. Help me see the stars always.