2021 Advent Devotions
Saturday, December 4 - Elaine Dent
Romans 8:18-23 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
This week I heard Romans 8:18-23 read and two phrases jumped out at me: “For creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God...in hope that creation itself will be set free.” Creation is longing? Longing for the children of God to be the means of healing for it? And then I realized how much I long for creation to be healed. Why? Because creation has brought healing to me in so many ways. I am indebted. I used to hear the calls of a Great-Horned Owl in the fall and winter, but last year they went missing. Recently in late October, I thought I heard one. I went outside into the night to listen. I waited. Nothing. Many trees have been cut down in the area. I lamented that nesting sites may have disappeared and went back inside. How I longed for the owls again! Very early the next morning while still dark, I heard clearly the Great Horned’s call. I hurried outside where trees were black silhouettes, the sky slightly lighter. There were two owls: one calling, the other responding. Their voices were soft and mellow, so I assumed they were far away. I was wrong.
Suddenly a huge black shadow rose from the tree in the neighbor’s yard. With its five foot wing span, it swooped low over my head and then rose to perch inside the branches of a tall spruce across the street. It called again, and its mate flew from a different direction to join it. Their calls morphed into a long, quiet conversation of owls bonding for another ten minutes. Then they both flew off, leaving me with joy and gratitude to have witnessed their presence.
The owls have not returned; the nights are silent as are the early dawns. How far did the owls travel to find a nest for their winter eggs? If owlets hatch in February, will they survive the severe storms becoming more frequent with climate change? Longing for the owls’ welfare, I realize that creation and the God who made it are longing for children of God like me to help set creation free and bring healing to this wondrous planet.
Prayer: Creator God, in love you gifted us a planet that nurtures, teaches and heals us. We have misused it and long for its healing. Stir in us the will to restore and set your creation free. Amen.
Romans 8:18-23 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
This week I heard Romans 8:18-23 read and two phrases jumped out at me: “For creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God...in hope that creation itself will be set free.” Creation is longing? Longing for the children of God to be the means of healing for it? And then I realized how much I long for creation to be healed. Why? Because creation has brought healing to me in so many ways. I am indebted. I used to hear the calls of a Great-Horned Owl in the fall and winter, but last year they went missing. Recently in late October, I thought I heard one. I went outside into the night to listen. I waited. Nothing. Many trees have been cut down in the area. I lamented that nesting sites may have disappeared and went back inside. How I longed for the owls again! Very early the next morning while still dark, I heard clearly the Great Horned’s call. I hurried outside where trees were black silhouettes, the sky slightly lighter. There were two owls: one calling, the other responding. Their voices were soft and mellow, so I assumed they were far away. I was wrong.
Suddenly a huge black shadow rose from the tree in the neighbor’s yard. With its five foot wing span, it swooped low over my head and then rose to perch inside the branches of a tall spruce across the street. It called again, and its mate flew from a different direction to join it. Their calls morphed into a long, quiet conversation of owls bonding for another ten minutes. Then they both flew off, leaving me with joy and gratitude to have witnessed their presence.
The owls have not returned; the nights are silent as are the early dawns. How far did the owls travel to find a nest for their winter eggs? If owlets hatch in February, will they survive the severe storms becoming more frequent with climate change? Longing for the owls’ welfare, I realize that creation and the God who made it are longing for children of God like me to help set creation free and bring healing to this wondrous planet.
Prayer: Creator God, in love you gifted us a planet that nurtures, teaches and heals us. We have misused it and long for its healing. Stir in us the will to restore and set your creation free. Amen.