December-Branches-Blank_Production-Master

To Us a Child
Is Born
Advent Devotionals from Classic
Christmas Passages
December 2019 · southwood.org

1000 Carl T. Jones Drive | Huntsville, Alabama 35802
(256) 882-3085 | www.southwood.org
Christine Betts Assistant Director, Youth/Families
Robert Blevins Director, Community Development
Daniel Brown Print & Digital Media Specialist
Niña Cash Director, Nursery
Shannon Clark Administrative Assistant
Ron Clegg Associate Pastor, Discipleship
Ty Commons Youth & Family Intern
Janice Crowson Director, Facilities/Finance
Kim Delchamps Administrative Assistant
Terri Good Accountant/Bookkeeper
Derrick Harris Assistant Pastor, Shepherding & Young Families
James Parker Chief Musician
Peter Render Assistant Pastor, Youth/Families
Wyketa Shipman Executive Assistant
Angela Sierk Director, Children's Ministry
Will Spink Senior Pastor
Contents
3
4
6
7
Pastor's Note
To Us a Child Is Born
Advent Devotionals from Classic Christmas
Passages
Welcome to the Southwood Family
Southwood Global Missions
Upcoming Events
Dec. 1
Behold the Lamb of God
Contributors
Ron Clegg
Will Spink
Photos
Daniel Brown
Will Spink
Feedback!
We want to hear from you! Please send
your suggestions and comments to
branches@southwood.org
Dec. 6
Dec. 24
Jan. 25–26
Christmas Caroling
Christmas Eve Services
Express Grace Conference
Illustrations
YA-Design
Cover Photo
Christmas Tree in
Kids Explore Room
CHURCHWIDE FAMILY EVENT
Christmas Caroling
The Southwood Lodge
Friday, December 6, 2019 at 5:30PM
Learn more
about upcoming
events and give
easily on the
Southwood app.
Contact
kim.delchamps@southwood.org
by Dec. 3 and RSVP.

Pastor’s Note
Praying for a Christmas Miracle
These past few weeks in the Minor Prophets have
been hard but good for me. They have hurt in
a healing way. God has called my heart out and
called my heart home. The list of idols He has
shown me in my life has grown (I had to get a
bigger notepad), and so has the assurance of
his unending love and patience with me (I get to
pray more!).
The bottom line as the prophets trumpet
“Repent” over and over is that God is calling me
into deeper relationship with Him – to knowing
Him more, to valuing Him above all else, to
seeing my life with Him as that which flows into
every other area of life. I’m thankful that God
is working in my heart, and I’m thankful He’s
working in similar ways in many of yours, too.
Thanks to so many of you who have shared that
with me and are praying for me. God is calling us
together to know Him more and to be satisfied
and fulfilled in Him.
And then December comes. … Christmas parties,
long car trips, Christmas music, family traditions,
gifts to purchase, Christmas concerts, food to
bake, Christmas concerts, semester-ending
school stuff, Christmas cards to mail, planning for
2020, people to serve … all in 24 or so days? Are
we serious? Where in all of this am I supposed to
know God more? Won’t that be one relationship
that can wait until next year to get my attention?
From where I sit in late November, it will be a
Christmas miracle if I am awake on December 25!
That’s what I mean when I say I’m praying for a
Christmas miracle, because I am – the miracle
that God would meet busy people like you and
me this Christmas and take us deeper in our
relationship with Him. I don’t want his work to
stop for me to busy myself with celebrating his
birth. Ha! I laughed as I wrote that, but isn’t it
true? Don’t I avoid Him even by throwing Him a
birthday party, so to speak? Is my heart not so
skilled at keeping God at arms’ length from me?
Father, forgive me. Jesus, have mercy on us. Holy
Spirit, come help us!
See, the miracle of Christmas is that God
actually enters into our crazy, busy mess himself
– that’s exactly where He shows up in a stable
in Bethlehem. He comes to tired shepherds, to
distracted religious leaders, to people just trying
to get through the day and make it to the end
of another year. And his very purpose in coming
is that we might see the Word made flesh, God
become man, and know the glory of God. His
desire is not merely to do something for us but
– miracle of miracles – have God and sinners
be reconciled, give hungry people a taste of his
heavenly provision.
So, please celebrate Christmas with gusto
– meditate on the music, worship with your
church family, share the joy with kids, friends,
and neighbors. But would you also join me in
praying that God would make us mindful of
that incredible reality of his love this Christmas
season? Would you pray that God would remind
us that He was born that we might truly know
Him – and that in the midst of all the agendas we
have this December, He maintains his agenda of
fostering relationship with us? Would you pray
that we would truly experience Him, not merely
learn some more things about Him?
He comes to topple idols in my heart that try
to enslave me to sin. He comes to make his
blessings flow in the cursed world I live in. He
comes to turn self-focused, distracted eyes to
heaven – just as He did 2,000 years ago. What a
miracle! He will do it again this year!
Will Spink
Senior Pastor
If you would like to contact Will, use
the following:
will.spink@southwood.org

To Us a Child Is Born
by Will Spink
1
Isaiah 9:2-6 — The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned. … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Do you know what it feels like to walk around in
complete darkness — unsure of where you’re going, not
knowing if you’re doing any better or if your situation
is improving, rapidly seeing hope fade and despair increase?
God’s people did. They were exiled from the Promised Land,
under foreign oppression, struggling with “deep darkness”
practically and emotionally. Was there any hope? Would God
be faithful? Did he even still care about them?
Maybe you’ve been there, too. Maybe you’re there right now.
Life isn’t working out; nothing seems to get better; your joy
is fading, and your hope is waning. Isaiah tells God’s people
that it’s in that context that God shines his light. It’s in those
moments of despair that the story of Christmas brings hope.
It’s people like those exiles (and like you and me) that the
promise of a child King allows to rejoice again … finally.
Imagine wandering around lost in the woods in total darkness,
near despair. Suddenly a flashlight beam from your campsite
illuminates the path to safety. Imagine the relief you feel, the
hope that replaces despair, the joy that replaces the sorrow.
In Jesus, the child born to us, God himself enters the darkness,
our darkness, with his light. Do you need counsel? Strength?
Love? Peace? The baby in the manger comes into your
darkness as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace!
Respond
Where do you see or feel darkness in your own heart and life? Challenging circumstances? Discouraging
relationships? Prevailing sin? Which of Jesus’ names in this passage remind you He is the Light you need?
2
John 1:14 — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory …
Take a moment to ponder the wonder, the miracle, of
the incarnation. The Word, whom John has told us was
in the beginning and created all things, in whom was
all life, takes on flesh. The glorious King of Kings becomes a
crying baby in a dirty stable. Very God of very God becomes
fully man.
Headaches. Hangnails. Heartbreaks. Hiccups. And much more.
How humiliating our bodies can be! They often don’t work the
way we want them to, don’t feel the way we wish they would,
and don’t reflect the dignity for which we were created.
Sometimes they can be downright embarrassing, can’t they?
And Jesus offers to take it all on – to set aside the glory of
heaven for the humiliation of earth.
his image actually takes on flesh and walks among a broken
creation suffering under his curse? Jesus does exactly that. He
humbles himself … he weeps, he thirsts, he hungers, he hurts
… he humbles himself even to the point of death. What an
incredible sacrifice!
The word used for “dwelt” in John 1 is the word for
“tabernacle” in the Old Testament – the place where God
lived among his people. And immediately when the holy God
comes to live among his sinful people, sacrifices are necessary
for that to happen. Likewise, sacrifices are required for Jesus
to “tabernacle” with us; the difference is that this time Jesus
himself is the sacrifice. The humiliation of the incarnation is
complete as the God “in whom was life” dies for his people.
Isn’t it incredible that the God who created us perfect and in
Respond
Have you thanked Jesus lately for the humiliation he endured for you and the sacrifice required to live with
us and die for us? Marvel afresh at the miracle of his love that prompted him to become flesh.
SOUTHWOOD.ORG 4 DECEMBER 2019

Advent Devotionals from
Classic Christmas Passages
3
Galatians 4:4-5 — But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the
law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
I’m thankful for many ministries that allow us to provide
Christmas presents for children who don’t have parents
to do that for them. But imagine the difference if such an
orphan were to receive – rather than candy, a toy, or a game –
a father, adoption into a new family! Now there’s an ongoing
source of relationship as well as provision year round – not
merely for one day but for every day.
This is indeed the glory of Christmas. God doesn’t send
his Son into the world merely with a few one-time gifts:
forgiveness for a single sin, a second chance at life, a meal to
fill your stomach for a day. No, Jesus comes to invite us into
a family, to seat us at the King’s table forever, to invite us into
an eternal relationship as sons of a Heavenly Father.
Our adoption means that we have access to God whenever
we want to talk with him, promised provision of daily bread
and whatever needs we may encounter, loving discipline that
molds our hearts and never rejects us, an eternal inheritance
that can never perish, spoil, or fade. Praise the Lord!
The first Christmas gift – God sending his Son to us to
adopt us into his family – is the gift that keeps on giving. We
celebrate it to this day, and we will never stop living in the
good care of our Father as we dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Respond
Reflect on what it means to you to have God as your Father. How does that impact the relationship you feel
with Him? How does it impact the way you live? Share your reflection with someone who doesn’t know the
Father’s love for him/her.
4
Philippians 2:5-7 — Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the
form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of
a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
I
love movies where someone travels great distances and
overcomes many obstacles to make it to his loved ones for
Christmas. Has someone ever journeyed hours to be with
you? Doesn’t that communicate something about their love
for you?
Now consider the great distance Jesus traveled in the
incarnation, the first Christmas journey. In the words of the
great Christmas hymn, he went from thrones to a manger,
sapphire-paved courts to stable floor. He journeyed from glory
and comfort into a world of humility and pain. He refused to
let anything keep him from us as he literally moved heaven
and earth to enter our mess, to take on our infirmities, to be
familiar with our suffering.
If we are to love others as Jesus has loved us (and we are),
if we are to have his mind among ourselves (and we are), if
we are to walk in his steps (and we are), then our footsteps
will carry us toward pain, brokenness, and suffering. There
is plenty of mess, sin, and hurt in our world these days, but I
find that I’m usually seeking to move away from it rather than
toward it. Christmas reminds me this is not the path my Savior
chose. The footprints of the incarnation are traveling a long
way in the other direction.
Like a firefighter rushing into a burning building while others
are rushing out, Jesus calls us to enter the mess of others’
lives even at great cost to ourselves. Recall that it would
cost him his very life. So in calling us to live “incarnationally”
and “sacrificially,” he doesn’t call us to go anywhere we can’t
already see his footprints.
Respond
Where would “incarnational” living take you? Whose pain or mess are you avoiding that Jesus would call
you to engage? Pray God would give you courage and perseverance to walk a long journey in the direction
of your Savior’s footprints.
BRANCHES 5 DECEMBER 2019

Welcome to the Southwood Family
Libby Potts is a Huntsville
native who graduated in
industrial and systems
engineering from Georgia
Tech and received her
MBA from Duke. Libby
married Stephen Potts on
November 23, 2019 and the couple is
looking forward to wedded bliss.
Jonathan Young &
Kaitlyn MacIntyre are
engaged to be married
January 31 in Chicago.
They both attended
Northwestern University.
Jonathan is from Vienna,
VA and is a materials engineer. Kaitlyn
is from Naperville, IL, and is a software
engineer. They enjoy sports and board
games and live near Madison.
Gann and Katy Bryan
are Huntsville natives who
live in South Huntsville.
Gann attended UNA
and is a group benefits
professional. Katy
attended Auburn and is
an HR consultant. They both enjoy golf,
and Gann likes hunting and fishing.
Their shared passion is raising their
children, Jack (14) and Ella (10), to love
the Lord.
Tanner and Brennan
Wise live in Downtown
Huntsville. Tanner hails
from Stephens City, VA,
is a Clemson fan, and
works in human resources
at Sportsmed. Brennan,
daughter of George and Cathy Mayer,
is a Huntsville native who attended
Alabama. She is a self-proclaimed artist
and a certified storm spotter.
Jim and Barbara Harris
reside in the Ditto Landing
area. Barbara is a native of
Birmingham who attended
Eckerd College and USC.
She is a retired counselor
and social worker who
enjoys reading, exercising, and being an
involved grandmother. Jim is a native
of Indiana. He is a retired CFO who has
a passion for mentoring. He also likes
boating, woodworking, and reading
John Grisham. Jim and Barbara are
Julia Bradshaw’s parents and like all
kinds of foods and friendly people.
David and Cathy Myrick
met at Auburn and were
Southwood members
many years ago. Cathy
enjoys shopping, while
David enjoys fussing
about her shopping. David
spends much of his time as a veteran
leader of the Southwood softball team,
but he also works in sales, as does
Cathy. They love to travel together and
hope to do more next year!
James “Jimbo” Adkins
is from Hazel Green. He
attended UNA and is
now the city planner for
Huntsville in community
development. When
he’s not doing CrossFit,
hunting birds, or investing in real estate,
you may find him reading books by Tim
Keller or Tolkien, cheering for Auburn,
or jamming to the Grateful Dead.
Linda Brown is from
Slidell, LA. She attended
LSU and is a retired
teacher. This LSU and
Saints fan enjoys reading,
gardening, and doing
puzzles. Although she has
resolved that she likes steak, oysters,
Huntsvillians, living in Old Big Cove,
and the Mitford series by Jan Karon,
she’s searching for her life’s passion and
spends much time denying she’s Ray
Sheppard’s mom!
Tom and Jan Krell enjoy
the Monte Sano area
where they live. Tom
is from Memphis and
attended UT-(Knoxville).
He is a property manager.
Jan is a Scottsboro
native who attended Auburn and is
now a teacher. When the Krells are
not traveling or walking their dog,
Annabelle, you may find them rooting
for Tennessee and Auburn.
Justin and Anna Brooks
live in the Blossomwood
area. Justin is a software
engineer who attended
Alabama. Anna is a
teacher who attended
Union University. They
take delight in cooking and playing
tennis together.
Cameron and Sandra
Burley are California
natives who live in
Willowbrook. Cameron
is a microwave engineer
currently in a managerial
role. Sandra is retired
and enjoys homemaking, gardening,
and reading C.S. Lewis. Cameron likes
traveling and reading historical novels
and has a passion for seeing men
become effective fathers. The Burleys’
daughter is Veronica Adcock.
Christian and Lou Ellen
Schweers are Alabama
natives and live in
Blossomwood. Christian is
the Huntsville High boys
basketball coach, and Lou
Ellen is a stay at home
mom with their two daughters, Olivia
(2) and Eleanor (7 months). Christian
has a passion for coaching and shaping
his players to become responsible
young men. Lou Ellen has a passion
for the outdoors and music and raising
their two girls.
Mary Vaughn is retired
and has lived in Huntsville
since 1954. She attended
Auburn and worked as
a contractor at Marshall
Spaceflight Center for
40 years. She has lived
overseas both in Europe and the
Orient as student and teacher. She
enjoys studying and caring for plants,
especially orchids. She also finds great
enjoyment in music from different
cultures. She has two daughters and
four grandchildren whom she adores.
Austin and Kristen
Stevens are Florida
natives and grads.
Kristen is a corporate
entomologist (aka “Bug
Lady”) for Cook’s, while
Austin is a software
developer for Penguin Tech. Kristen
enjoys baking, cooking, sewing, singing,
playing the violin, and studying the
mosquito. Austin likes running and
reading aloud. They live in Owens
Cross Roads and love the beauty of the
mountains and the outdoors. They have
a 2 year old daughter, Izzy.
SOUTHWOOD.ORG 6 DECEMBER 2019

Southwood Global Missions
by Ron Clegg
There is more to missions than
sending money for the support
of missionaries on the field —
so much more. At least, that is the
way we think about missions here
at Southwood. Like many churches,
we provide financial resources for
missionaries so that they can advance
the Gospel in other cultures and
among other nations. However, we
understand that our role in fulfilling
the Great Commission is much larger.
I just came back from an 11-day trip
where my wife, Gayle, and I had the
privilege of visiting with three of our
mission partners in Western Europe.
We got first-hand experience in their
particular ministry contexts as well
as the opportunity to shepherd these
precious servants. That time and
investment was very encouraging
to us and to them. Just to pray with
them, in their own homes on the field,
is incredibly valuable. This kind of
support is crucial to keeping our
global partners spiritually healthy
and fruitful. We want to do more of
this in the future.
France; Cusco, Peru; Budapest,
Hungary; Erbil, Iraq, and other places
around the globe. We pray that our
global partners will be fruitful in their
ministry in some very difficult places.
Our hope is that we will better engage
our church family in this work of
prayer for Kingdom advancement.
Finally, we will have some of our
mission partners here at Southwood
this coming January. Our Express
Grace Conference will take place
January 25 & 26 and will have a
primary focus on global missions.
There you will hear from Dr. Lloyd Kim,
Coordinator for Mission to the World.
You will have the opportunity to rub
elbows with missionaries who are
actively engaged in global missions
work. You will be informed of what
God is doing in various places around
the globe. You will also be challenged
in regard to your own participation in
the harvest. We hope to see you there.
Grace
express
Conference 2020
Come learn more about how
Southwood is engaging in
God’s global mission and how
you can be a part of that.
Southwood
Presbyterian Church
January 25 & 26, 2020
We have opportunities on the
horizon for our church members
to join in on short-term trips
to different places where our
missionaries serve. These
opportunities are valuable on
several levels. They get us out
of our small world and allow us
to experience the work of God
and the worship of His people in
very different contexts, different
languages, and in different cultural
expressions. They also help us develop
a global view of our own calling and
a missional lifestyle. We would like for
these trips to be a regular part of our
yearly rhythm as a church.
As a church we are called to pray for
the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
We do this every time we pray the
Lord’s Prayer. We pray “Your Kingdom
come, Your will be done on earth as
it is in Heaven.” On our trip to Dublin,
we saw a variation of this prayer on
a church wall, “In Dublin, as it is in
Heaven.” We do the work of missions
when we pray this prayer for Lyon,
Dr. Lloyd Kim, MTW
As you can see, there is so much
more to doing missions at a church
than merely sending money. Yes, we
give to the work. We pray for the
Kingdom to come. We also go into
the battle for the hearts of men and
women. Here at Southwood, we hope
that in the coming years we will do
so much more. Towards that end,
we want you to consider prayerfully
how you might join in this great work.
Southwood has a global missions
team (Global PartnerS) that we would
like to expand. If you have experience
with cross-cultural missions and/or a
passion for missions, I would love to
talk to you to see if our GPS team is a
good fit for the exercise of
your gifts. A
Contact
shannon.clark@southwood.org
for more information on
upcoming trips.
BRANCHES 7 DECEMBER 2019

Christmas
Eve Services
Southwood Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, December 24 at
5:30PM & 7:00PM
Join us for a candlelight communion service.
Grace
express
Conference 2020
Southwood Presbyterian Church
January 25 & 26, 2020
Come learn more about how Southwood is engaging in
God’s global mission and how you can be a part of that.