Psalm 80; Psalm 146, 147; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Gal. 3:1-14; Luke 1:57-66
The readings today are tied together with the theme of faith. David has faith that God will fulfill his promise and bless the house of David forever. Zachariah, finally believes what the angel foretold, and names his child John as the angel commanded, and through his faith he is made well again. Paul reminds the Galatians that it is through their faith that the sprit works among them, not through the obeying of religious laws.
Christmas is coming! What emotions does that phrase bring up for you? The shopping and cooking left to do… The stress and strain of the season… The cards to send, the things to do… Does it remind you of what you’re missing this year, the person or people who you won’t be spending Christmas with… The loved ones you’ve lost…
Take a moment to think about what Christmas coming really means. After a long Advent, where we hear of God’s promise and of salvation at the end of time, we wait, for the Christ child to come. We believe that God will fulfill the promise, that Jesus is coming to save us. Can you feel the hope and joy? It’s in the very air. Christ is coming, whether or not this Christmas is just how you want it to be. Christ is coming into the world as a little baby, bringing hope and joy and peace. It is faith; it is believing that makes Christmas real to us.
May your last few days of Advent be full of hope and peace!