December 16, 2020 - Advent Devotion
God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray.
O - tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O - tidings of comfort and joy.
“Rejoice always ...”
These two words, this simple verse, this powerful witness Paul makes known for one and all, share what we can easily overlook - the tidings of comfort and joy that are ours thanks to the blessed signs of God's grace, give the great invitation, to rejoice!
One of the easiest places to see joy this time of year is in the eyes of children. Children's eyes light up. The children talk about Santa, they get their picture taken, they talk to family on the phone, see people stop by, see cards arrive, they see the toys in the stores and the gifts piling up under the tree. Children feel this joy, and the joy the children feel brings joy to others.
Children are filled with, and make known, an even deeper joy as they share their faith with us. They make known, true comfort and joy, the signs of God's grace. Thanks to The Spirit in the spirit of children, we cannot miss their joy!
Thanks to The Spirit in the spirit of God’s children of all ages, the good news of the greatest joy shared by the shepherds long ago, is still being made known! You and your joy, are a sign being made known for one and all of God’s Perfect Sign, of the comfort and joy made known to us in Christmas!
May each of us, now join the joy of the children, and be, children of God anew of every age! Others see us rejoicing, and their eyes and hearts are opened, too. Others witness the way we light up even in the midst of demands and details and stress and uncertainty, as we let nothing dismay us, and they want to know how this is possible. God's children are at rest, indeed we are at rest, we rejoice always, in The One who is our comfort and joy!
Let us pray: Today Lord I ask you to give me the spirit of a child again this Christmas; the spirit of your Child this Christmas. By your Holy Spirit, help me to light up so bright that others ask, 'how is this possible.' By your Holy Spirit, I know glad tidings of comfort and joy, and I can do no other than to make known every sign, The Perfect Sign, of your grace. I pray today in the power of these two simple powerful words: rejoice always! Amen.