December 7, 2020 - Advent Devotion
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ”
Year after year, we pull out the Christmas decorations. Like many other families, our family has several things we set out year to year, from years' past. Ornaments. Pictures. Recipes. Wall hangings. Books. Table pieces. These wonderful items hold great memories and sentimental value. Christmas would not be Christmas without these treasures. Sometimes these precious items need a little repair and restoration before being set out for the season.
Yes, for those who may remember, the following particular devotion has been a favorite for many, year to year.
When I was growing up, my father and his father restored an electric train my dad's dad had originally made when my dad was a child. I got to watch my dad and his dad work side by side to restore the train. My grandfather's train became a family favorite around the Christmas tree each year. It is probably time for it to receive a little more repair and cleaning and care.
Sometimes these precious items get so bad, we think we should throw them away; or that we should put them in a special box and never pull them out.
In the gift of baptism, in the gift of confession, in the mercies of the Lord that we sing forever, in forgiveness, God restores us, and prepares us once again for every sign of his presence and his return. God restores and repairs and cleans what is precious to him. You are of great value to him. You are his lasting memory. Christmas is God's promise you will never be thrown out, or tucked away somewhere. This will be a sign for you: Christmas would not be Christmas for our God, without you, for you are his treasure!
Friends, whatever it is in need of a little more repair, a little cleaning, in your life, trust the mercies of The Lord forever! Thanks be to God, grace restores! Be ready for where God places you this year!
Let us pray: Forgiving Lord, today I confess to you that I am in need of repair, restoration, and cleaning. You could have thrown me away so many times. By every sign of your grace, forgive me. In Baptism, I know you save me, I know you restore me, I know you turn my life around in repentance. As you place me wherever you wish this Advent and Christmas, I thank you I am forever precious to you. In Jesus name, I am clean and forgiven. Amen.