2020 Advent Devotions
Thursday, December 10 - Carlotta Strohl
Acts 10: 36, 37 "Peter replied, I'm sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel--that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah. This message has spread all through Judea beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee.”
After reading the subject of the devotional, my first thought was how joyous it would be to learn the coronavirus was gone and everyone could resume life normally again. I also thought how wonderful it would be to receive great news that non-peaceful protesting had ended, the election was over without a hitch, and both political parties were getting along peacefully--just as the message was spread throughout Judea when the people of Israel received good news that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah.
Reflecting on the many joyous occasions in my lifetime, the first thing that comes to mind is receiving the good news that my husband was on his way home from Viet Nam. After giving birth to my son and daughter, the most joyous moments were learning the gender, that they were healthy, and getting to hold and admire them. Even more joyous, emotional, and memorable was being present to observe the reactions, love, and bonding displayed by my son and daughter when they had their own first child. My thoughts are of the joy Mother Mary felt when Baby Jesus was born as the birth of a child is truly a miracle.
As the Advent Season is quickly approaching, I look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with our Wednesday evening services, the Christmas Eve services, cooking and baking, getting together with family and friends at Christmas. I do not enjoy the shopping for presents as much anymore.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all of our experiences of Good News of Great Joy in our lives. I pray you bring peace to our chaotic world and help us to love and respect one another even though we are different. Let us always remember your promise to us and help us to remain faithful to you. Amen.
Acts 10: 36, 37 "Peter replied, I'm sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel--that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah. This message has spread all through Judea beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee.”
After reading the subject of the devotional, my first thought was how joyous it would be to learn the coronavirus was gone and everyone could resume life normally again. I also thought how wonderful it would be to receive great news that non-peaceful protesting had ended, the election was over without a hitch, and both political parties were getting along peacefully--just as the message was spread throughout Judea when the people of Israel received good news that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah.
Reflecting on the many joyous occasions in my lifetime, the first thing that comes to mind is receiving the good news that my husband was on his way home from Viet Nam. After giving birth to my son and daughter, the most joyous moments were learning the gender, that they were healthy, and getting to hold and admire them. Even more joyous, emotional, and memorable was being present to observe the reactions, love, and bonding displayed by my son and daughter when they had their own first child. My thoughts are of the joy Mother Mary felt when Baby Jesus was born as the birth of a child is truly a miracle.
As the Advent Season is quickly approaching, I look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with our Wednesday evening services, the Christmas Eve services, cooking and baking, getting together with family and friends at Christmas. I do not enjoy the shopping for presents as much anymore.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all of our experiences of Good News of Great Joy in our lives. I pray you bring peace to our chaotic world and help us to love and respect one another even though we are different. Let us always remember your promise to us and help us to remain faithful to you. Amen.