Friday, December 4, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Micah 5:2–4
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. (NRSV)

Reflection
Attention Kmart shoppers, another Blue Light Special! Is this the reason for the season? Certainly not, but with all the glitz and shopping and eggnog and wrapping . . . whew! We can get caught up in the secular instead of the true meaning of Christmas. So hopefully this Bible passage will give you pause as it did me.

As we go through the motions of our own family traditions and the making of new ones, we need to also remember to prepare again for the birth of Christ. Consider God’s plan for us this holiday season just as he considered Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Remember the roots of our faith traditions. Let us not miss the joy of Advent and, instead, take every day to serve as an ambassador for kindness, justice, and peace. I hope I can have an open heart to experience God’s grace in the small moments—when decorating the tree with ornaments from our children’s Sunday school days, baking a batch of cookies, or dropping a dollar in a homeless person’s cup. God is with me in all that I do, think, and feel, and I hope to drink in those times as opportunity to seek God’s grace, pray, and grow closer to him. I pray we can all let the Holy Shepherd take us into his flock in all that we do.

So, Kmart shoppers, hopefully there will be a Blue Light Special on warm socks . . . buy some for those who are homeless and lift all of them up in prayer for warm shelter, food, and water. This truly is the reason for the season!

Prayer
Dear Lord and heavenly Father, as I contemplate your arrival and birth, help me to see you in all my actions this Advent season. Keep me grounded in your grace, that I may truly be an ambassador of peace and justice to all of your flock and remember the true meaning of Advent and Christmas. Amen.

Written by Lola Coke, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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