December 21, 2022 - Advent Devotion
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Saturday, December 24, 2022, 4:00pm
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Sunday, December 25, 2022, 9:30am
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It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Willis & Willcocks
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth
Good will to all
From heav'n's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”
Raise your hand if you have heard this question, or asked this question, at least once in the last week: 'So, what are you doing for Christmas?'
The exchanges of conversation over the last several weeks have often included such questions: What are you doing for Christmas? Do you travel? Where are you going? Are you hosting? Who all is coming?
We put a lot of time and effort into making Christmas plans, getting all the details into place.
On that first Christmas night, on this midnight clear, God's perfect plan is set in motion. God knew what God would do that first Christmas. God made ready the lineage of David. God made ready Joseph and Mary and that little town of Bethlehem.
God knows what God is doing this Christmas, too! His plans are in place. His plans include you, coming to you, gracing you with comfort and joy. God is hosting, and yet he is traveling, traveling to you, to be God with you, to gift and grace you with 'peace on earth and good will to all, from heaven's all gracious King.' This all came in a new and complete way on the midnight clear, and it still does, each Christmas, each day, for all eternity!
Whatever we find ourselves doing this Christmas, may we each take notice and celebrate and open and cherish and praise and adore all God is doing this Christmas and all our days! Comfort and joy break forth anew!
Let us pray: Lord today I tell you I sometimes think so much about what I need to do today, what I need to do to plan for Christmas, I sometimes forget about your attention and commitment to detail. I sometimes can get tired of people asking me what I am doing for Christmas. I thank you for helping me think about what I am doing and why I am doing it. I thank you for people's interest in my life. I thank you for the invitation to tell others my plans for Christmas have you my Savior, and your comfort and joy, at the top of the list. Through your Holy Spirit, awaken my heart and spirit so that this Christmas more than ever before, I might treasure what you are doing this Christmas: saving me and the world through your grace. In your name I pray and adore you this Christmas, and always. Amen.
