Author: fmpastor

Read Luke 1:46b-55.

In Mary’s famous song, she expresses praise for God’s concern for the lowly, hungry, and disadvantaged. As a young Hebrew woman in a Roman-occupied territory, she might well have been shocked that she would be an instrument of God’s redemption for Israel. Mary was able to look beyond the implications of what this pregnancy would mean for her in the short-term and see the big picture.

For many of us, that’s not easy to do. We often focus on the inconvenience or the disappointment that comes when life doesn’t happen according to our plan. Mary’s song is a call to step back and look at the big picture of what God might be doing through these circumstances. It is a call to reframe our it’s-all-about-me thinking.

Think about a time when life did not unfold as you thought it would. What were your fears and frustrations? Looking back, how might God have been using that situation for the good?

Today, offer a prayer of praise for all the ways God has looked upon you with favor, has fed the hungry, and has lifted up the lowly.

Read Micah 5:2-5a.

In the 8^th century BCE, Micah prophesied against Jerusalem (referred to as Zion) and its leaders. As the Assyrian army approached, Micah saw these conquerors as God’s punishment for Israel’s failure to enact mercy and justice for both their own people and for the rest of the world. According to Micah, Jerusalem would lie in ruins and its leaders humiliated.

These verses promise that death and destruction will not have the last word. Just as the pains of labor lead to a new birth, so shall the suffering of Israel. A new type of leader will be raised up – one who has humble beginnings and cares for people in the same way a shepherd cares for sheep. This leader will nurture, guide, and protect the ones entrusted to him. As followers of Jesus, we cannot help but hear these words as a reference to his birth and as people who are living in our own fearful times, these are promising words for us.

In the Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, we sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” What hopes and fears are occupying your heart and mind this year? How might remembering the Good Shepherd who was born in the little town of Bethlehem help you to ‘live secure’?

Today, offer a prayer of peace for our world.

Read Luke 3:7-20.

Well, there goes the theme of joy! John is preaching a revolutionary message that ends up costing him his life. It is a message that calls for an examination of whether or not our lives are bearing fruit. It is a call to remove those thoughts, behaviors, and habits that do not bear fruit, and, in fact, may be harmful to ourselves or others. His message is an urgent warning that we should take nothing for granted, that the best time to turn back to God is now.

For some, it was a message that inspired fear, but instead of yelling, “Run for your lives,” the crowd asks, “What, then, should we do?” Notice that both the crowds and John understand that transformation often begins with actions. They do not ask, “What should we think?” or “What should we profess?” Instead, they ask what they should do.  John suggests sharing their extra coats and food with others and living honestly.

This week, make it a point to go through your closet and find extra coats, gloves, and hats that you could take to a charity organization. Before you donate them, pray a blessing over them, asking God to surround the recipient with a sense of wholeness and peace.

Read Philippians 4:4-7.

Are you catching the theme of joy in this week’s readings? The third Sunday of Advent is the week we light the candle of joy. As the nights grow longer and the days grow colder, as our world seems to spin more and more out of control, it is easy to lose our joy. For some, practicing joy is as natural as breathing, but for the rest of us, it takes a bit more work.

Today, on a piece of paper, make two columns. In one column, list some of the things that rob you of joy. In the other, list those things that give you joy. Which column reflects the condition you find yourself in most often? How can this passage guide you into greater joy?

In prayer, ask God to guide your heart and mind towards joy.

Read Isaiah 12:2-6.

This passage is one that is traditionally used as part of the prayers which mark the end of the sabbath. It is one that celebrates what God has already done and looks forward with joy to the day of God’s redemption for Israel.

What, in your life, do you celebrate joyfully? In what ways do you make known the deeds God has done?

This week, make a practice of “shouting aloud and singing for joy” and notice the difference it makes in how you view the world. If you are having a difficult time feeling joyful, watch this video and see if it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7iPgWgeNsk

Read Zephaniah 3:14-20.

In this short book, God pronounces judgment on a city that has turned to various idols, that has not heard the cry of the vulnerable, and has not practiced the justice to which it is called. God’s plan for redemption is to scatter the proud and haughty, leaving behind those who are meek and humble. Once again, the city will be a place of peace and rest. Because of this promise, hope and joy eclipse any threat of destruction.

God refers to Jerusalem as ‘daughter’ in this passage, which brings to mind a parent who is now comforting a child after having punished them. There are consequences for our actions, some beneficial and others difficult to bear, but through it all is God’s steadfast love. Even when we are sitting in the ruins we have at times created for ourselves, the hope and the promise is that things will get better. There will be joy.

In prayer, ask God to fulfill the promises you are waiting to see fulfilled and praise God for promises already fulfilled.

Read Luke 3:1-6.

In the first chapter of Luke, John’s and Jesus’ births are closely tied together. John is just as much a surprise to his aged, childless parents as Jesus was to the young Mary and her betrothed, Joseph. From the very beginning of their lives, John and Jesus are intended to be an important part of God’s redemption of the world. On into adulthood, we continue to see them moving in tandem. John goes ahead of Jesus, proclaiming a different type of baptism – not just one of ritual, bodily purification. Instead, John speaks of repentance and spiritual purification. Whether he knew it in the early days or not, John was preparing people to be more open to Jesus’ message.  

Who have been the messengers who have helped smooth your path? Who has shown you forgiveness and acceptance when you least deserved it? To whom have you shown that same grace?

In prayer, lift up those who have led and continue to lead you to Jesus.

Read Philippians 1:3-11.

In this reading, Paul celebrates with joy the change and the growth he sees among the followers of Jesus at Philippi. In verse 6 he says, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will be faithful to bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” This affirms the idea that we are all a work in progress.

If someone were taking an inventory of the change God has brought to your life, what might they find? In what ways has following Jesus changed you? What new understandings or insights have you gained along your spiritual journey? Have you found it to be a smooth, steady walk or has yours been full of fits and starts, hills and valleys? If you could describe your understanding of what it would look like to be completed in faith, what would you include?

Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s continued transformative work in your spirit.

Read Luke 1:68-79.

In one of the devotions last week, we thought about appreciating and being attentive to present moments. Here, Zechariah sings praise for what God has done and what God will do. Maybe reflecting on God’s work in the past and looking forward to God’s continuing work in the future is a helpful way for God’s work in the present to be revealed to us.

Today, write down a sentence of praise for something God has done in the past. Next, write down something you hope God will do in the future. Imagine a thread running between these two ideas. Can you think of something that is ongoing even now that might be a connecting point for the two?

Today, offer your own song of praise for what God has done or one of expectation for what God will do. It may be in the form of a favorite hymn, an original poem, a painting, or a quilt block. However you praise God, be creative!