Advent Devotions – December 11 to 17
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Word:
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation…”
— Isaiah 61:10, NRS
Reflection:
It began with what looked like nothing – an empty container, a thin round disc three inches in diameter of smelly compact earth, and an ugly dead-looking bulb. The instructions read, “Put the disc in the container, add 1 cup water, once expanded, loosen the dirt and bury the bulb, keep moist and place indirect light.”
Nothing happened – so it seemed for the first week of Advent. Despite how things looked, I kept hoping by keeping in sight the picture on the box of the beautiful Amaryllis.
I kind of forgot about it until the end of one day into the second week. I plopped down on the sofa and suddenly saw that not one but two green shoots were coming out of the smelly earth. By the end of the second week, they are almost a foot tall with a full head on the end. And now they look about to burst forth in bloom.
This is the waiting of Advent. Despite how all may look around us, it is trusting in the words of promise that the One who has come, is coming, and will come again. That is the gift of Joy planted deep within our hearts by the God who promises.
Despite what may come our way as we journey to Bethlehem—whatever detours, ups or downs, may the Joy within us bloom this Christmas! That’s my Advent prayer for us all on this third Sunday. Amen!
In Him who calls us,
Dr. Laurey Murphy
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Word:
“Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt.’”
— Zechariah 1:16, NIV
Reflection:
In the previous verse the Lord was angry with nations that feel secure and ignore him. He promises to return to us – if only we turn to him. We have free will, and we get to choose in which direction to go.
Pray:
Dear Lord, you are all knowing and powerful. Help us find our way back to you when we stray. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Word:
“’Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the LORD. ‘Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people.’”
— Zechariah 2:10-11, NIV
Reflection:
This prophecy really does lead us to Bethlehem. We should remember that we are His people.
Pray:
I pray that I can stop what I’m doing in all the bustle of holiday preparations and absorb the true meaning of Christmas. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Word:
“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. “
— Matthew 24:50, NIV
Reflection:
We must be vigilant as we do not know what the future holds. God is the only one who knows.
Pray:
Thank you, dear Lord, for giving up Your Son to live among us and showing us your infinite love. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Word:
“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’”
— Revelation 5:5, NIV
Reflection:
Life is sometimes full of sorrow and despair. Jesus, the Root of David, is the only one who can help us “open the scroll” and get through those stumbling blocks.
Pray:
Thank you, Jesus for coming into the world like us, as a helpless little baby. Help us to also remember your Power, Glory and Love. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Word:
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.”
— Matthew 25:14, NIV
Reflection:
We are like the servants in the parable to whom God has entrusted His will and His light (not to be buried, but to shine and light the way for others).
Pray:
Dear Lord, help me to be aware of Your commandments and my responsibilities. I can do nothing by myself but everything when you are with me. Amen.
Journey to Bethlehem – Advent Week Three
Uh-oh, what do we do now?
Daily Devotional Meditations for Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Word:
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
— Matthew 25:45, NIV
Reflection:
In today’s world, so much attention is paid to wealth and material things that the spiritual side of our life is overlooked, and we lose track of what is important.
Pray:
Dear Lord, open my eyes and my heart. May I not be too quick to judge by appearances and be more aware of the world around me. I thank You for the beauty of the world. Amen.
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