As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, …
Tag: advent devotional
its beginning
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birthLuke 1:14 It's beginning. The contractions have started. Close together, robbing her of breath. The world has contracted into just this space, just this time. This body, this moment, this labor. The Christ Child is on his way. But here is another …
joy to the world
I've had several blue Christmases. Holidays where I am grieving, or angry, or clinically, chemically depressed. The holiday happy-s don't exist in my emotional reservoir. That is when I am allowed to rest in the fact that joy is not a synonym of happiness.
into the darkness
he light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.John 1:5 Today is the darkest day of the year. Where I am, the sun will set at 5:02 PM, giving us just 10 hours of daylight. It feels appropriate then, that the Light of the World is about to make his entrance. The …
the weary world rejoices
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;O Holy Night A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. That has long been my favorite lyric in any Christmas song. Who isn't acquainted …
the hands.
Whether we admit it or not, humans are, by nature communal. We need others to flourish. We depend on relationships for our health, physical and emotional. By showing up as a baby, God is affirming our interdependence. Jesus as God needed others to survive. And he humbled himself to allow this vulnerability to take place. For needs to be met. For love to be embodied in the form of diapers and blankets and swaddling clothes.
as I am.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love …
known.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.Luke 1:50-53 I don't …
seen.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.Luke 1:46-50 How does a person actually …
the choice.
Love chooses relationship, believes that inconvenience and judgement are able to be overcome. Love makes a cradle out of hay, and marvels at the sweet smell instead of mourning the lack of the coordinated nursery décor. Love allows strangers to come witness a private moment, it opens the door to the unexpected and the unplanned.
JoyPlusGrace 