Advent Meditations Week III

Advent Meditation Week 3

Monday December 12
Ephesians 6:10-17
This passage sounds like girding for battle—which it is. But it is interesting to note that all of the equipment, the clothing, is defensive: shields, helmets, breastplates. But what is interesting, in light of all that battle armature, is verse 15: “Put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace”. What can you put on that will prepare you, this Advent season, to proclaim the gospel of peace? Is it reading Scripture? More time in prayer or meditation? More silence?

Prayer: God of peace, so often we feel like life is a battle— with others, with our employers and co-workers, with disease and poverty, with ourselves. Help me to put on whatever will make me ready to proclaim your peace. Amen.



Tuesday December 13Acts 3:17-4:4
“Repent, therefore, and turn to God, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” says Peter. In the Bible, repenting is always linked to turning- turning away from sin, and turning to God. But the Bible also knows that turning may happen again and again—that we may lose our way, and get lost, and need to turn and return to God. Turn this day to God, and be refreshed and renewed.
Prayer: Holy God, in Christ you have made for us a new way. Help us always to turn to you. Amen.

Wednesday December 14
Malachi 3:16-4:6
16Then those who revered the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the LORD and thought on his name.17They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them.18Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
“Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness!” The language for that Christmas carol comes from this passage of Malachi. In what ways is Christ a sun for you? How does the righteousness of Christ affect your life?
Prayer: Righteous One, have mercy on us. Your day is surely coming: let us look to you as our light. Amen.

Thursday December 15
Hebrews 1:1-4

“In these last days God has spoken to us by a Son” says this letter, “through whom he also created the worlds.” The writer of Hebrews tells of Christ not as an infant, but as the word of God, from the beginning of time, when God was creating the heavens and earth. How does that change how you see the baby in the manger?

Prayer: Lord Christ, in the fullness of time, you came to us. Lord Christ, in a mystery of light, you created the world. Lord Christ, you are the word of God. Speak to us now. Amen.

Friday December 16

Hebrews 1:5-14 The angels appear in the nativity story to announce the birth of Jesus. This portion of Hebrews compares the angels and Jesus, and shows that Christ is greater than angels, is God—the angels worship him. We often see angels portrayed in popular culture—but what message do they bring? In what ways are they different from the biblical angels?

Prayer: Christ, you are the son of God, come to dwell with us. With all the angels, let us worship and adore you. Let us ne angels—messengers of your good news. Amen.

Saturday December 17
John 7:40-53

“Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee!” someone in the crowd around Jesus said. People expected a Messiah who came from a much grander place than the back water town of Galilee. But that is the way God works—in surprising ways, in ways that are not like the ways of the world, to save and redeem to build up and heal. Where is an unexpected place you have seen the work of God?

Prayer: Mysterious One, you do not work in ways we understand, and are seen in places we would not expect. Yet you come to us, and to all, to heal and to save. Amen.