Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Devotional 12-21-16

Luke 21:25-29”
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Today’s scripture seems a far cry from what we might expect as we begin the Advent season. Isn’t it all about the birth of Christ, in a stable, with angels, and the Wise Men, and the shepherds with their sheep—Mary holding the Christ Child, and Joseph contemplating all that has occurred since his visit from the Angel?

The Advent season, of course includes this beautiful celebration. But we’re reminded again by this scripture to think about the greatest gift God could have given us—His Son, for our salvation—and that Advent is a time of reflection. How is our relationship with God coming along? Are we doing our best as we claim our discipleship with Christ?  It can be so hard to focus on and reflect about our journey with Christ when we find ourselves in the midst of the hustle and bustle of shoppers, the endless commercials telling us Christmas will be here before we know it, and….It sometimes seems the world has forgotten the “reason for the season.”

Just hang in there! Make time for prayer and meditation; help those in our community who have so little; take advantage of those opportunities Christ puts before us to help someone in need. Worhip with our church community to experience the true meaning of Christmas. Celebrate with great joy the birth of our Savior. We’ll enjoy our family and friends, share memories of Christmases past, but we should also remember the promise that Christ will come again.

Prayer:  Loving God, today we start the journey toward Bethlehem, a stable, and remembering the day your Son came into the world to save us from our sins. As we await his return to redeem the world for eternity, open our hearts so that as we move through this Advent season, the joy of knowing the love of God through Jesus Christ overshadows everything else we experience. Amen

Reverend Doctor LaGretta Bjorn

Pastor of the United Methodist Church of Spring Valley, New York

Diane Feaganes

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