1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my[b] God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this section of Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, we are reminded of the amazing gift of Grace that we have received from God through Jesus Christ. God’s Grace surrounds each of us, strengthening us as individuals, but also strengthening us as a church as we work and prepare for the coming of Christ. God gives his grace freely knowing that we will each use our talents and gifts to make this world a better place.
Are we deserving of such a wonderful gift? Each day brings a new challenge to meet the expectations that have been set in our crazy lives. Even as we take great effort during this season of Advent to slow down and try to prepare for the coming of Jesus, we often fall short of our goals. I am only one person. What can I do or say that will make enough of an impact in this world to deserve this gift of Grace? Paul reminds us that God has a plan, and he has called us to be a part of the fellowship of Christ.
One of my favorite ways to worship and be with God is through music. Many of us most likely know many of the popular hymns and carols of the Christmas season. One of my favorites (and probably yours) is Silent Night. The third verse of this hymn reminds us of the grace of the season.
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God love’s pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at thy birth”.
Silent Night brings many fond memories of the Christmas season, and often helps me to remember the real reason for this joyous season. God is calling us to be part of his fellowship by sending his son Jesus to live among us. He knows we are not perfect, and yet he still calls. Many times we fall, and He is there to help us up and point us in the right direction.
Dear God,
Thank you for your gift of Grace. Help each of us to use our talents to be deserving of your gifts. In this Advent season, you have asked us to be ready and prepare for the greatest gift, your son Jesus. May each of us listen and prepare as we are called to you. Amen
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my[b] God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this section of Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, we are reminded of the amazing gift of Grace that we have received from God through Jesus Christ. God’s Grace surrounds each of us, strengthening us as individuals, but also strengthening us as a church as we work and prepare for the coming of Christ. God gives his grace freely knowing that we will each use our talents and gifts to make this world a better place.
Are we deserving of such a wonderful gift? Each day brings a new challenge to meet the expectations that have been set in our crazy lives. Even as we take great effort during this season of Advent to slow down and try to prepare for the coming of Jesus, we often fall short of our goals. I am only one person. What can I do or say that will make enough of an impact in this world to deserve this gift of Grace? Paul reminds us that God has a plan, and he has called us to be a part of the fellowship of Christ.
One of my favorite ways to worship and be with God is through music. Many of us most likely know many of the popular hymns and carols of the Christmas season. One of my favorites (and probably yours) is Silent Night. The third verse of this hymn reminds us of the grace of the season.
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God love’s pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord at thy birth”.
Silent Night brings many fond memories of the Christmas season, and often helps me to remember the real reason for this joyous season. God is calling us to be part of his fellowship by sending his son Jesus to live among us. He knows we are not perfect, and yet he still calls. Many times we fall, and He is there to help us up and point us in the right direction.
Dear God,
Thank you for your gift of Grace. Help each of us to use our talents to be deserving of your gifts. In this Advent season, you have asked us to be ready and prepare for the greatest gift, your son Jesus. May each of us listen and prepare as we are called to you. Amen
Hulse Budd
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