December 9, 2020 - Advent Devotion
Light two candles
To watch for Messiah:
Let the light
Banish darkness.
He shall feed
The flock like a shepherd,
Gently lead them homeward.
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.”
What is left on your 'to-do' list for the season? Are you gaining ground or losing ground in the race to get it all done? Do you have a good list of what you want to get accomplished, and what is not as important?
Giving to others is one of the joys of the season. Receiving gifts can be a taken for granted joy of the season. Letting someone know they have given you a gift that is perfect, that blessing, passes along more joy. Receiving a gift with joy, gives a gift back to the giver.
God has known from the beginning of time that his people are a needy people. God wanted to give the gift of comfort to his people. God wanted to give his people, the gift of feeding his flock like a shepherd. God wanted to give the perfect gift, a blessed gift. God wanted to give every sign of his presence and grace.
As you give and receive gifts this year, as you continue to prepare for the season by getting through your 'to-do list,' trust you are on God's 'to-do list.' This will be a sign for you: Christmas would not be Christmas without God giving you and I what we really need ... God's comfort and grace to banish our every darkness!
Let us pray: All-Giving God, today I thank you for giving me all that I need, at Christmas, all through the year, every day; in all that you give me in the Christ. Today I receive again the comfort you give. Today I receive you as my Shepherd. Today I add to your joy, the greatest and most complete Giver of all, by not taking anything you give me for granted, by simply receiving your every gift and thanking you. Thank you for letting me know every day I am on your 'to-do list,' and for every sign of your grace. In Jesus' name I receive Your every gift, and I pray. Amen.