A Time for Hope - Advent Devotions 2019
Sunday, December 8 - Andrew Berdahl
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
In the season of Advent, we give thanks that the Word became flesh and Christ became known to the world. More importantly, throughout this season we joyfully prepare for Christ to come again with the in-breaking of God’s kingdom on earth. In a world that seems to be full of hatred, violence, chaos and pain, we eagerly await Christ’s return. Just five minutes watching the evening news can have us feeling pretty down. The day of Christ’s return could not seem to come soon enough.
Yet as we are reminded by St. John and the season of Advent, Christ has been among us and is among us now. When we are gathered together and break bread together, we see the glory of Christ. When we spend time reading scripture, praying, and living as siblings in Christ, we learn of God’s hopes for the world. We learn of the new way of living that Christ has offered us in the Gospel. Through this we can prepare for Christ’s return. It is as the hymn “The Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723) asks, “Could the world be about to turn?” Christ invites us into a time of preparation for the world’s turning to a life filled with his grace and truth.
God of hope, amidst the darkness and despair that we find in the world around us, you provide us glimmers of your hope in this world. We give you thanks for the hope that only you can give. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
In the season of Advent, we give thanks that the Word became flesh and Christ became known to the world. More importantly, throughout this season we joyfully prepare for Christ to come again with the in-breaking of God’s kingdom on earth. In a world that seems to be full of hatred, violence, chaos and pain, we eagerly await Christ’s return. Just five minutes watching the evening news can have us feeling pretty down. The day of Christ’s return could not seem to come soon enough.
Yet as we are reminded by St. John and the season of Advent, Christ has been among us and is among us now. When we are gathered together and break bread together, we see the glory of Christ. When we spend time reading scripture, praying, and living as siblings in Christ, we learn of God’s hopes for the world. We learn of the new way of living that Christ has offered us in the Gospel. Through this we can prepare for Christ’s return. It is as the hymn “The Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723) asks, “Could the world be about to turn?” Christ invites us into a time of preparation for the world’s turning to a life filled with his grace and truth.
God of hope, amidst the darkness and despair that we find in the world around us, you provide us glimmers of your hope in this world. We give you thanks for the hope that only you can give. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.