Good day every one.
One of the suggested texts for this week comes from Romans 15:4-13.
Let us pray first: God of hope and love, help us fully understand Your plan for us during this time of Christmas. Speak clearly to our hearts. Let us set aside whatever is keeping us from fully receiving Your blessings for today. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Romans 15:4-13 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; 10 and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; 11 and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; 12 and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The time of Advent is a time of preparation. While many already associate this time as a time for Christmas shopping, the lines at the mall and the discount stores tell us there is something more. Paul speaks of living in harmony with one another. The preparation many have in mind is that of getting everyone on their list a special something. Have you ever imagined what the first gift givers thought when they made their selection? That first Christmas or so tradition tells us, Jesus was visited by the magi. We don't know how many there were, although we believe, through tradition, there were at least three, for the first Christmas gifts were three. There was the gift of gold. This one associated with royalty and the perfect gift for an audience with a king. There was the gift of frankincense, a gift of service in the priesthood. And there was the last gift of myrrh, the ointment for the preparation of the dead for burial.
The symbolism of the gifts is important but so was the thought and desire behind the giving.
The giving of Jesus to us, to save us from our sins, was the first and best Christmas "gift." Think about the motive behind God's doing that for us.
With the gift of life in abundance and the promise of life eternal comes the gifts we need most now, encouragement and hope.
What are you facing that has you discouraged or troubled? Think and pray on Paul's words above. Receive encouragement and hope as God's precious gifts during this time.
PRAYER: God of encouragement and hope, grant to us that which allows us to receive that which we need most. Examine us and share with us that which we need. IN Christ's name. Amen.
Have a great Wednesday!
Blessings,
e.v.
