Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Luke 1:8-10.. TEXT: ... he (Zechariah) was chosen
by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense
(Luke 1:9b).

Life holds out many high honors for which we can strive.
Students work hard to be part of the National Honor
Society or class valedictorian. Athletes work hard to win
championships and be named the most valuable player.
But sometimes the honor of a lifetime simply falls upon
us at some unanticipated moment.

For Zechariah the priest, there is no higher honor than
being chosen to burnincense in the temple of the Lord. It
is the honor of a lifetime. While the people of God remain
outside, praying in the temple courts, Zechariah will pass
through the temple doors alone. Once inside, he will burn
incense on the altar of incense that stands before the
ornate temple curtain.

Even though God had withheld the honor and joy of
children from Zechariah, He richly blesses the priest with
this joyous experience.

Perhaps this last day of November finds you waiting for
your life's dreams to come true. While that may be the case,
be sure to appreciate the other things God sets before you
today: the joy of family and friends, the beautiful decorations
of this season, a joyous party.

The same is true of this coming Christmas. It may seem
diminished in your eyes because you'll be away from home
for the first time or your home or table will be empty, or
you'll be separated from friends or loved ones. But don't
fail to see the amazing and wonderful things God is doing
each day.

THE PRAYER:

Holy Father, thank You for providing all of my needs of
body and spirit. Teach me to rejoice and give thanks for
every joy in life--even those that don't seem as great as
the ones I might be anticipating. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(By Rev. Wayne Palmer
November 30, 2015)

(This is the best explanation of the meaning of the
Advent and Christmas season I have seen)

THE MONTH OF DECEMBER BRINGS WITH IT THE SEASON
OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS.  It'S ALWAYS BEEEN MY
FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE IT SHOW US
POWERFULLY AND PRACTICALLY HOW OUR CHRISTIAN
FAITH ENTERED THE WORLD. THE INCARNATION IS
UNIQUE AMONG WORLD RELIGIONS.  THE WAY I LIKE TO
SAY IT:  IN CHRIST, GOD HITS THE STREETS.  CHRISTMAS
GIVES CHRISTIANS THE ANNUAL OPPORTUNITY TO
REMEMBER THE INCARNATION OF GOD'S LOVE
BREAKING INTO THE WORLD--HOW IT DID AND HOW
IT STILLL CAN.

ADVENT IS ABOUT WAITING, AND CHRITMAS BRINGS THE
 NEWBORN WHO ANNOUNCES A NEW ORDER MEANT TO
TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN--AND OUR LIVES WITH IT.  
CHRISTMAS ALWAYS RENEWS MY COMMITMENT TO BRING
THAT REVOLUTIONARY LOVE INTO A WORLD THAT SO
DESPERATELY NEEDS IT, AND INTO MY OWN LIFE AGAIN.

IN THE BUSTLE OF OUR DAILY LIVES, WITH ALL OF THE
DISTRACTIONS AND STRUGGLES THAT COME OUR WAY--
EVEN IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES--IT IS SO EASY FOR US TO
LOSE SIGHT OF US OF THE TRANSFORMING LOVE EMBODIED
IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST. SO IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT
WE HAVE THIS SEASON TO REMEMBER AND RE-ENCOUNTER
AND RE-CENTER OURSELVES ON THE HEART OF OUR FAITH:  
GOD BREAKING INTO HISTORY TO TRANSFORM IT, AND US,
IN THE PERSON OF JESUS.
(Jim Wallis Soujourners Magazine)

Read Luke 1:5-7. TEXT: ...There was a priest named Zechariah
... And he had a wife ... and her name was Elizabeth (Luke 1:5b).

Advent devos 2015As we begin the transition from Thanksgiving
to Christmas, we meet an old Jewish couple named Zechariah
and Elizabeth. Like us, they have much to be thankful for in their
lives. God has given them a strong faith in His coming Savior, and
they have a good reputation in their town.

But, like all of us, their thanksgiving is neither perfect nor complete.
One thing has eluded them, one thing that keeps their thankfulness
from being complete. God has not given them a child. They
celebrate the holidays together, but they have no earthly future, no
heritage, no one to whom they can pass on their holiday traditions.

What do you do when you've lived your life as well as you can,
sought to honor God, and yet find He has withheld something good
and beneficial from you--a spouse, a child, a job, a house, etc.? It
gets pretty hard to not feel there's something wrong in your
relationship with God. Either He's punishing you for something you
don't remember or understand, or maybe He isn't quite as loving as
you were always told He is.

Maybe you've exited the Thanksgiving season into the Christmas
season with a big hole in your life. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth,
we turn to God and wait for His will and time. There's often nothing
else we can do.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Your Word promises that You are good, loving
and kind to all Your children. Yet there is an empty spot in my life.
Grant me the faith and courage to trust in Your goodness and love,
and give me the patience to wait for the good that You intend to
bring from this disappointment. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

By Rev. Wayne Palmer
First Sunday in Advent: November 29, 2015