7th. December. 2020. Daily Devotion.
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:10-11
Some more thoughts on our Advent theme:
Helen Steiner Rice wrote a poem titled, “What Is Christmas?”. A few lines are: “Is it just a day…at the end of the year? A (joyful) holiday filled…with merry good cheer? A season for presents…both taking and giving? A time to indulge in the pleasures of living…Have we closed our eyes…And turned our eyes from “the bright star above?”
The Advent-Christmas season for Christians helps to keep their thoughts centred on Jesus Christ. The excitement of the season brings to them the expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and also encourages them to continue to be alert for the second coming of the Messiah. For believers, this is the ancient and true meaning of Advent-Christmas as it keeps their eyes on “the bright star above”.
Be happy and merry this year as you celebrate the true reason for the Advent-Christmas season, and that is Jesus Christ. A Brock.
Lord God, thank You for being with us during this Advent season. Help us to keep our thoughts turned toward You. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, before ascending into heaven you did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work in the souls of your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of your grace and your love.
Grant me:
– the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal,
– the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth,
– the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,
– the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with you and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,
– the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in imitation of the Saints,
– the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and
– the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of your true disciples, and animate me in all things with your Spirit. In Christ’s name, I pray that the Spirit may be with me and fill me, today and throughout the week to come. Amen.
An Advent Meditation
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:23
Reflect
Darkness is often a picture of sin, fear and confusion. A lack of light is a lack of life and joy. In this text we get a vision of the new Jerusalem, a place where there will be no tears, mourning, pain or sorrow. It is lit up by the glory of God as people, unrestricted, worship the lamb. It is the time free from fear and hopelessness. It is the full light of God’s character and it is our destiny. No matter what we have gone through. No matter the depths of sorrow or heights of joy. There is nothing to compare with being bathed in unrestricted light, to see Jesus as he truly is.
Prayer
Lord Jesus be my everything. In trial and success, in tears, in laughter, be my everything, and remind me always of the joy that is mine through your amazing sacrificial love. Amen.
