Come & Share an Advent Meditation with me.....
This coming Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. I'm wondering if you would share an Advent Meditation with me over the next few weeks? I don't know about you, but I have found the last few weeks to be stressful, and my soul is in need of a long drink from the Fountain of Life.
I received a booklet from Renovare called "God with Us", an Advent devotional. In my quest for refreshment for my soul, I have begun reading and pondering the thoughts in it. I find that my darkened mind is beginning to experience some of the Light spoken of there.
The little book uses the format provided by the Advent Wreath tradition. Each Sunday morning for the 4 weeks prior to Christmas, a candle is lit. Each candle represents one aspect of the Advent season, encouraging us to 'wait' for the birth of Jesus in that light.
The first candle of the Advent Wreath is the Hope Candle. Israel had been promised a Messiah--a deliverer--who would set them free and restore their nation. They had Hope, based on the writings of the prophets in centuries past, that one day they would be free. Even though God had been silent then for 400 years, still they had the words of the prophet Isaiah to cling to as they watched Rome consume their land. They Hoped.
Our first reading is Luke 2:1-15:
I received a booklet from Renovare called "God with Us", an Advent devotional. In my quest for refreshment for my soul, I have begun reading and pondering the thoughts in it. I find that my darkened mind is beginning to experience some of the Light spoken of there.
The little book uses the format provided by the Advent Wreath tradition. Each Sunday morning for the 4 weeks prior to Christmas, a candle is lit. Each candle represents one aspect of the Advent season, encouraging us to 'wait' for the birth of Jesus in that light.
The first candle of the Advent Wreath is the Hope Candle. Israel had been promised a Messiah--a deliverer--who would set them free and restore their nation. They had Hope, based on the writings of the prophets in centuries past, that one day they would be free. Even though God had been silent then for 400 years, still they had the words of the prophet Isaiah to cling to as they watched Rome consume their land. They Hoped.
Our first reading is Luke 2:1-15:
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child.6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b]an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Imagine how the shepherds felt! How overwhelming it must have been!
And think for a moment what that might have been like. The Shepherds were not very respected or believeable members of society. They might have just as well concocted this wild tale. Why would anyone believe shepherds? But that is who God chose. He came for all of us--not just a privileged few.
And think for a moment what that might have been like. The Shepherds were not very respected or believeable members of society. They might have just as well concocted this wild tale. Why would anyone believe shepherds? But that is who God chose. He came for all of us--not just a privileged few.
Now let's re-read Luke 2:8-14, and imagine what it might have felt like to be one of those graced with tne privilege of hearing thousands of angels sing!
Light your Hope Candle--or observe as it is lit on Sunday morning--and read aloud Titus 3:7: 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This week read and re-read Isaiah 60:1-3.
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Read it slowly, many times a day. Let the truth of the Word of God sink in. Read it many times this week, stopping to notice which words stand out to you, what penetrates? What do you find hopeful in those verses? If the Kingdom of God is available to all, then what does that mean for you in the day-to-day?
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Read it slowly, many times a day. Let the truth of the Word of God sink in. Read it many times this week, stopping to notice which words stand out to you, what penetrates? What do you find hopeful in those verses? If the Kingdom of God is available to all, then what does that mean for you in the day-to-day?
As you go through the week, list 5 ways your relationship with the Lord Jesus gives you Hope. Share those thoughts with others and then journal about them.
He does not forget us. He came here for us. Allelujah.
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