Category: Devotions

Read Psalm 148.

In this call to praise, the psalmist urges all of creation to join a universal chorus of thanksgiving. This is the psalm on which the hymn, All Creatures of Our God and King, is based and the repeated chorus is “Alleluia, Alleluia!”

Today, spend a few minutes outdoors and notice the sights, sounds, and scents around you. Close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. How is creation, functioning as it should in perfect balance, offering praise to the Creator?

During this Christmas week, especially when you feel stressed or pressured, find time to think of concrete ways you might praise God, even if it is just singing, “Alleluia, Alleluia!” What creative offering of praise can you make? This week, commit yourself to praise—whether it be through music, art, or acts of kindness.

Read 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26.

The writer tells us that Samuel grew up in the household of God, educated and raised by the priest, Eli, but loved and not forgotten by his parents. Service to God was an everyday part of Samuel’s life from a young age and he managed to do it in ways that was both pleasing to God and to the people around him.

Can you remember the first time you became aware of God’s presence in your life? Was it during a time of distress or during a time of joy? Did God minister to you from within or through another person?

Today, make a list either on paper or in your heart of the times you are certain God had a hand in what was happening. Then offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s continued presence in your life and in the world.

Read Luke 1:39-45.

Mary and Elizabeth both found themselves in unusual circumstances. Despite the difference in age and experience, they were both vessels for God’s plan to redeem the world. Elizabeth carried John, who would become the Baptist, preparing the way for the promised Messiah. Mary carried Jesus, the fulfilment of that promise. The wisdom of Elizabeth’s years allowed her to bring comfort and joy to Mary.

Who are some of the older people in your life whose wisdom have helped to guide and comfort, to encourage and challenge you? What aspects of their character made them trustworthy and helpful? In what ways do you try to embody those same aspects in your own character? Can you think of a younger person who could use an encouraging word?

Today in prayer, commit yourself to being a bearer of joy for the people you encounter.

Read Hebrews 10:5-10.

In these verses, the author places the words of Psalm 40 on Jesus’ lips, pointing to Jesus’ understanding of his mission. Jesus’ sacrificial offering of his body draws our attention to the self-giving symbol of love on the cross. It gives us a deeper insight into what it means to do God’s will. This time of year, we think about the incarnation of Jesus. We think about the importance of Jesus taking on flesh to show us how far God would go for love of the world. It’s also a time to think about how we use our own bodies to reflect the image of God that dwells in each of us.

In what tangible ways do you seek to be a blessing to others in this season? How are you reflecting the image of God that dwells within you? Are you speaking words of peace, going out of your way to bless others, being intentional about including and inviting those who might feel left out or lonely?

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice of love and commit yourself to being a blessing to someone today.

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.