Advent Devotional: Nov 30

Scripture Readings; Psalm 124 | Isaiah 54:1-10 | Matthew 24:23-35

“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” (Matthew 24:29)

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54: 10)

Advent in our part of the world comes as the season changes. We spend more time in darkness with each passing day and the sun provides less warmth. The world around us looks like it is dying. Some people will struggle with depression and anxiety over the next few months because of this. We simply are not made to live in darkness for long. We need light to survive and to thrive.

The Gospel of John says that Jesus is the light of the world. He is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome him. Over the next few weeks, we will light candles, sing carols, and gather with people we love to remember God’s mighty acts of salvation and await the day when the King of Kings returns to our world. We draw close to him because he has drawn close to us by wrapping himself in a human body and walking among his people. The darkness is temporary; the word of our God and the hope of the Kingdom is eternal. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Prayer response: O Lord, incline your merciful ears to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our hearts by the light of your visitation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica, Inc.
Prayer from Sacramentarium Gelasianum, Advent 3

Reflections by Rev. Serena J. Wolfe