Angela's Advent Devotion
Mark 13:32-36
But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come…
Telling a child that Santa is watching makes parenting a wee bit easier in the months leading up to Christmas. No one wants Santa to take away their gifts because they were whiny or misbehaved at the mall. As an adult who still gets presents from Santa, I make sure to mind my Ps and Qs this time of year as well.
Here’s the thing, God is always watching. It is up to us to remember that and act accordingly. Not just on Sunday or when we remember. It is up to us to have empathy for those around us, to share in the joy and pain we see around us.
Throughout the past few months, heartbreaking and challenging as they have been, a theme has emerged from the Zoom calls with colleagues, friends and family. Give grace. The whole world is struggling, and our lives have changed so dramatically in such a short period of time. We are encouraging one another to extend grace to those around us and to ourselves. We are doing enough, we are enough.
When we are able move forward as a society, I hope we do not lose the idea of extending grace to those around us. The truth is we can never know another person’s circumstances or experiences. Just as Santa is watching during the Christmas season, God is watching through all the seasons. Each time we extend grace we honor and renew our commitment to be the Christians God has taught us to be.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for the grace you extend to each and every person, may we follow your example and be your light this holiday season.
