Sunday, December 15, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Luke 3:1–6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (NRSV)

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Reflection

Listen up. Pay attention. Change your life.

“Prepare the way of the Lord!”

If I heard this, today, from John the Baptist on a corner of Michigan Avenue (hardly a wilderness setting, but work with me!) I wonder if I would have listened to his call.

John’s message is a call to repentance, a summons to prepare the way for the Lord. This resonates with me, as I often find myself easily lost in the noise and distractions of everyday life.

John’s words remind me of the need to clear the clutter from my heart and mind. I am often lulled into waiting until the start of the new year to reflect and consider if there are things in my own life that are blocking me. John challenges me now to examine my own life, to identify the crooked paths and rough edges that hinder my spiritual growth.

It’s a humbling realization that I, like many others, have strayed from the path of righteousness.

But amidst this self-examination, I find hope in the promise of salvation. John’s proclamation that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” fills me with anticipation and joy.

I am grateful for the chance to be refreshed in the power of God’s grace — to recommit this Advent season to living fully as a child of God and to experience the transformative power of God's grace.

Listen up. Pay attention. Change your life.

“Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Born in a manger, Jesus, child of Mary — God’s gift to you and me. Grace and love abound.

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Prayer
Spirit of the living God, descend on me today. In this season of Advent may I truly prepare myself — help me unclutter my heart and clear my mind. May I be a beacon of hope and light in this world so that in all I say and do I reflect your grace, love, and compassion. Amen.

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Written by Marc Miller, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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