December 1, 2020 - Advent Devotion
The first Noel
The angel did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay;
In fields where they,
Lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night,
That was so deep.
Noel, Noel,
Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
“(Jesus said) “Therefore, keep awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.””
How is your day going? Are you able to keep your focus? Are there parts of the day when you grow more tired than others? Where do you get energy to begin again?
How is your Advent journey going? I know, Advent began on Sunday, it is just the advent of Advent; but for many people, even for many people of God, it is easy to lose focus, to get tired. The days of the next few weeks will be filled with details and demands in the midst of routine. For some people, if not careful, for you and for me, this could be just another holiday season. Jesus is telling us to stay awake, to keep alert, for we do not know when or how God's signs of love and grace will next break into our lives today or tomorrow in the midst of the routine, only that they will.
The shepherds the first noel must have been growing tired. Plenty of details. Plenty of routine. Just another night, keeping their sheep. Then a sign of God's love broke in! Wow! Did they wake up, to the angels, to the King of Israel, to every sign, to God's grace! As we stay awake, let us trust we may not know when, but God will 'wow' us again and again!
Let us pray: King of Israel, my Lord and King, awaken me, startle me, wow me, with signs of your love and grace in the midst of my routine. By your Holy Spirit, do not let this Advent and Christmas be just another holiday season. May every sign of your love, bless me with energy anew. Keep me awake today and always, for every one of your blessed promises, for every sign of you; I know you will. Amen.