2020 Advent Devotions
Thursday, December 24 - Pastor Aaron Erdley
Psalm 30: 5 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
So much of our culture and life lately seems to dwell in darkness, sadness, anger, and quite simply put “bad news.” This verse from Psalm 30 reminds us that those things are temporary, in the scheme of life they are fleeting compared to the joy that God has brought into our world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 30:5 speaks of a new day, one where the tears and sorrow of today are but a memory. It is a day where joy reigns, where joy is eternal and permanent.
If you know me, you know that saw dust is soothing to my soul, it brings me joy to craft something. But it is a joy that tends to fade when the project is finished, the saw dust is swept up and the tools are put away. That kind of temporary joy is necessary in our lives, but the eternal joy that this verse from Psalm 30 mentions is joy found in Christ. A joy that doesn’t leave, it doesn’t run out, it doesn’t fade, and should never be put away.
In this season of Advent, we turn our hearts and our focus toward the light of the world, Jesus Christ and his entry into our world. As the shepherds proclaimed it, it is “good news of great joy for all people.” We don’t have to wait for that far off day to experience joy in God’s presence, we live in a world where the joy of Christ’s is already here. This joyful news means that in the face of grief, hardship, even death itself we can have joy, knowing that because of Jesus our life and future are secure.
Prayer: Lord God, in the midst of challenges and distress help us to feel your light, and to trust in the promise of a new and joy-filled day in your presence. Amen.
Psalm 30: 5 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
So much of our culture and life lately seems to dwell in darkness, sadness, anger, and quite simply put “bad news.” This verse from Psalm 30 reminds us that those things are temporary, in the scheme of life they are fleeting compared to the joy that God has brought into our world through our Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 30:5 speaks of a new day, one where the tears and sorrow of today are but a memory. It is a day where joy reigns, where joy is eternal and permanent.
If you know me, you know that saw dust is soothing to my soul, it brings me joy to craft something. But it is a joy that tends to fade when the project is finished, the saw dust is swept up and the tools are put away. That kind of temporary joy is necessary in our lives, but the eternal joy that this verse from Psalm 30 mentions is joy found in Christ. A joy that doesn’t leave, it doesn’t run out, it doesn’t fade, and should never be put away.
In this season of Advent, we turn our hearts and our focus toward the light of the world, Jesus Christ and his entry into our world. As the shepherds proclaimed it, it is “good news of great joy for all people.” We don’t have to wait for that far off day to experience joy in God’s presence, we live in a world where the joy of Christ’s is already here. This joyful news means that in the face of grief, hardship, even death itself we can have joy, knowing that because of Jesus our life and future are secure.
Prayer: Lord God, in the midst of challenges and distress help us to feel your light, and to trust in the promise of a new and joy-filled day in your presence. Amen.