December 11, 2022 - The Third Sunday in Advent - Advent Devotion
Today
The Third Sunday In Advent
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM!
Lighting of the Advent Wreath - The Bethlehem Candle
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 9:30am
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Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn
Franzen & Herran
Prepare the royal highway
The King of kings is near
Let every hill and valley
A level road appear
Then greet the King of glory
Foretold in sacred story
Hosanna to the Lord
For he fulfills God's Word
“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?””
Have you ever been reading a children's story, watching a movie, streaming a tv series, keeping your eyes on a game, and asked yourself; "What will happen next?"
In our Third Week of Advent, we might find ourselves asking, "what happens next?" Today we light the third candle on the Advent wreath, The Shepherds' Candle, a candle that announces the joy of the good news first received by the shepherds.
First a prophecy of a Messiah, a Savior to be born and to come again. Next, preparation in Bethlehem, and preparation in our lives and hearts. What happens next? Proclamation, proclamation to the shepherds, proclamation of the good news of comfort and the greatest joy in our lives!
John The Baptist knew this joy, this joy of feeling secure, even in prison.
The Shepherds knew this joy, this joy of knowing their search is over.
This week, these weeks before Christmas, help us know this joy, this joy of true longing.
This good news gives us joy, joy as we greet the new morn, joy as we sing out.
In the good news of Christmas, like the shepherds, we know the joy of knowing The Christ, the One who knows us best and comes to us first!
What is next? That is quite easy! When the promise of Christ's return is one day fulfilled, there will simply be more good news, the best news of all, and we will know and experience a comfort and a joy we do not even yet know how to long for!
Let us pray: God of the best news and the greatest joy, I try too often to create my own joy, rather than joyfully receiving the good news you provide. Make me shepherd-like: listening, trusting, following, going, faithful. As Christmas gets closer, as I wonder what might be next this year, and in the day of your joyous return, awaken my spirit to receive the best news of the greatest joy! Amen.
