Angela's Advent Devotion for the Season

Angela's Advent Devotion: 

Zephaniah 3:14-15

“Sing…..shout aloud! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart!” 

 

To be honest, when I opened my email with my assigned Advent scripture, I was like who is Zephaniah?! But then I started to read. And I found out that he wrote his book about a pretty tough time in his country of Judah. There was a sense that the nation’s future hung in the balance and Zephaniah’s words could help. 

 

Okay, I can relate. I suspect we can all relate. We’ve gone through a pretty tough time lately here in our nation as well. The last presidency, the pandemic, now the pandemic part two…it’s unrelenting. And sometimes, I have a hard time seeing a way out of this tough time. 

 

And so when I started reading Zephaniah, I realized him and all of Judah were going through some things. It seemed the Lord was angry and wasn’t holding back. But… (there’s always a but in the Bible) if they trusted God, they would be alright. In fact, He reminded them that He would be with them always. And raise them up.

 

It’s that “but” that keeps me going. And I suspect so many others as well. It’s been a terrible year (yes, I’m talking about 2021) but…there were so many happy moments. Work has been harder this month than ever before but…I love the kids I get to see at drop off every morning. I miss eating out in restaurants or brunching with friends but…I’ve perfected homemade pizza and we have more frequent intentional catch-ups now. The list goes on and on. 

 

God (and my new friend Zephaniah) remind us to shout aloud, to be glad, to have a happy heart even when things are hard or were really hard not that long ago. And while it’s difficult at times, I try to remind myself of that whenever I’m down. While this may not be a season with as many gatherings as usual, I am safe and I am keeping others
safe and God is taking care of us all. That’s surely something to shout about! 

 

Prayer – 

God, you’ve turned back our enemy, figuratively and literally, time and time again, and I rejoice over that today and always. Thank you, for getting us through the tough times, and for reminding us there are always reasons to rejoice, at Christmastime and all the time. Amen. 

My Advent Devotion for the Season

Luke 3: 1-6

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low…”

 

Christmas has always been my favorite season. My heart brightens at the sight of the first Christmas lights spotted on a dark drive. My voice belts out every and any Christmas song I hear. I get way too much joy from wrapping packages and laying them beneath the tree. And yet…this season has felt different. 

 

Last year we had to make the best of things. We sacrificed being with family and friends for the greater good. We celebrated in our homes, alone or with our housemates, watching gifts be opened on Zoom, singing the Christmas Eve carols with a virtual congregation. So this year, when I booked our tickets to fly home, across the country, for Christmas, I thought my heart might sing. I thought my cup of joy would overflow. But it hasn’t…yet. 

 

Last year was hard. We lost so many, so much. And I thought this year would be different. And it is. But it is its own kind of hard too. We wonder what is next. We wonder if we’re doing the right thing. But isn’t that every year? Should we spend the money? Should we change jobs? Should we trust that it will all be OK? 

 

John the Baptist reminds us in this passage to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming, which is what Advent is all about. He reminds us to be content, to share, to prepare. Sounds simple enough. But then why am I not as joyous as I want to be? Why do I feel a sense of fear and dread? 

 

Because even though there are scary things out there, and genuine things to worry about, I have lost sight of what this season is really about. It’s not about the travel or the gifts or the songs. It’s about preparing the way for the Lord’s arrival. It’s about preparing for that baby who has come to save us all. And isn’t that glorious? The rough ways will be made smooth by Him…and all of that work happens right here within me. An important reminder as the season takes hold. 

 

Prayer – 

Lord, thank you for this season. For this reminder. For your gifts, big and small. A tiny baby, a unique snowflake, a friend’s laugh, a soft hug, a nudge to make the right choice. Thank you for, literally, everything.