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Monday, December 2, 2024
Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Reflection: The faithfulness of God, expressed again and again throughout history, shows us that God will not leave us in our current state. We are called to live in the present yet to keep alive within us the hope that, even if we can’t imagine how it will come about, God will restore all things. Our current circumstances are not God’s final act. In what ways is the assurance of God’s faithfulness as embodied in the birth of Christ a help to your life today.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Psalm 25:1-10
I offer my life to you, Lord. 2 My God, I trust you. Please don’t let me be put to shame! Don’t let my enemies rejoice over me! 3 For that matter, don’t let anyone who hopes in you be put to shame; instead, let those who are treacherous without excuse be put to shame.4 Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long.
6 Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love—they are forever! 7 But don’t remember the sins of my youth or my figurative winters of life as time rolls on, but just as God and wrongdoing. Remember me only according to your faithful love for the sake of your goodness, Lord.
8 The Lord is good and does the right thing; he teaches sinners which way they should go. 9 God guides the weak to justice, teaching them his way. 10 All the Lord’s paths are loving and faithful for those who keep his covenant and laws.
Reflection: What does it mean to wait for God? The psalmist is saying that he cannot continue without the Presence of God. To wait doesn’t mean to be passive; it is coming to God in the moment to receive. When we come with open, empty hands, no longer under the illusion that we can do anything worthwhile outside of communion with God, we become open channels for God’s wisdom. In this sense “waiting” is actually a sustained act of listening, of letting God continually flow in and through us. What are you doing while you wait?
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
9 How can we thank God enough for you, given all the joy we have because of you before our God? 10 Night and day, we pray more than ever to see all of you in person and to complete whatever you still need for your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus guide us on our way back to you. 12 May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you. 13 May the love cause your hearts to be strengthened, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his people. Amen.
Reflection: What a joy it will be for Jesus when he returns to earth if he finds our love increasing and overflowing for each other. Advent is a time to prepare for Christ’s coming. Our priority during this Advent should be to focus on loving each person whose life touches ours. Who will you love today?
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Luke 21:25-36: 25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. 26 The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. 27 Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.”
29 Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. 32 I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.
34 “Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. 36 Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”
Reflection: Christ speaks in response to the disciples’ comments on the beauty of the temple. For many people Jesus’ description defines a fearful time of chaos. But Christ’s recommendation is to be alert and not distracted. We are not likely to be distracted by dissipation and drunkenness. But the anxiety of life is another story. There is a lot in life that can make us anxious. But in all of it there are signs of God’s presence. We simply need to stand up and lift our heads to see Him. What are you anxious about? What are you doing to stand up and lift your head to see the Savior?
Friday, December 6, 2024
Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows. 37 As it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Human One.[a] 38 In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 39 They didn’t know what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. The coming of the Human One[b] will be like that. 40 At that time there will be two men in the field. One will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken and the other left. 42 Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming. 43 But you understand that if the head of the house knew at what time the thief would come, he would keep alert and wouldn’t allow the thief to break into his house. 44 Therefore, you also should be prepared, because the Human One[c] will come at a time you don’t know.
Reflection: Jesus has been warning about a time of trouble to come. He tells us to look for the buds that bring new leaves. Don’t wait for the kingdom to come before starting to live for it. The Kingdom life was meant to start on earth, in this life, among those around you. Live it because of your love of God, and you will be ready when he returns – don’t sweat the rest, because it’s in good hands. Imagine that you somehow found out that Christ was returning next year. What would be the first thing you would do?
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler[a] over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler[b] over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler[c] over Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 4 This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
A voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked will be made straight and the rough places made smooth. 6 All humanity will see God’s salvation.”[d]
Reflection: John the Baptist urged those who listened to prepare themselves for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. When asked how to prepare, the answer was to care for people: “whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none,” and to not oppress: “do not extort money from anyone by threats, be satisfied with your wages.” How are you preparing for the coming of the Messiah by caring for others?
