Lake Deaton at Home

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Witness: Sandi Madsen

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11

Epiphany

My family and I were Jewish. Every Christmas Eve, we gathered with family for dinner. When I was seven years old, I went upstairs to this relative’s house and turned on the television. Another guest came upstairsand sat down with me. She was not Jewish.

I was watching a show called “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” I didn’t understand this show so this woman sitting with me told me all about Jesus, whom I had never heard of. Something clicked! As I got older and had non-Jewish friends in high school, I learned about Jesus, even going to Church with a friend.

My Grandmother was Jewish Orthodox, and I think my Father rebelled because we never had religion in ourhome. We celebrated a few holidays but never had a Bible or teachings.

I married my husband, a Methodist, and began going to Church with him and later our children. I always enjoyed being involved in Church, but my faith did not go very deep. I was even baptized in my early 30s.

In my 50s, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and have followed the ways Jesus wanted me to as much as possible. Things came full circle when we moved to Minnesota and joined a church where I was asked how I came to my faith during a Christmas gathering, and I told the story of the show I watched.

A woman in the gathering somehow found a live production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and purchased two tickets for my husband and me. It was an exceptional experience that I will always treasure.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I pray that I will be in the true spirit of Christmas and celebrate Jesus and not thematerialism of the time.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

1. At what age did you first learn about Jesus?
2. How did you learn about Jesus?
3. When did you accept Jesus as your Savior?

Thank you for joining us for our Advent/Christmas Devotional! See you for our Lenten Devotional.”

Love – Pastor Kristyne