Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 7 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Genesis 2:4-23.

TEXT: The Lord God formed the man of dust from the
ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,
and the man became a living creature (Genesis 2:7).

Reflection:

"All things were made through Him, and without Him
nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3).
The Son of God rejoiced in the beautiful world that
was made through Him: the rugged mountains, green
hills and lush valleys, the gently flowing streams, the
winding rivers, the deep, blue lakes, and the spacious
oceans. He reveled in the amazing beauty of flowers,
plants and trees that spread through His forests and
meadows. He relished the birds soaring across the
skies, the fish teeming through the waters, and the
animals covering the land.

But to reach its full potential it needed humanity's
touch. So God formed Adam from the dust of the
earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
 Adam and Eve bore the image of God: perfect and
holy, gentle, loving and good. They were full of
creativity and passion, and they enjoyed a perfect
balance of emotional and mental health. They were
here to improve God's world-to tend and keep it, to
prune it, and make it more fruitful and beautiful.

God intended us to pass the days of our life in this
perfect paradise where sickness, suffering and death
were to be unknown. Sadly, because of their
disobedience that paradise was lost. But because of
the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
we can be confident this creation will be restored to
an eternal, perfect paradise when He returns on the
Last Day.

THE PRAYER:

Holy Lord, You created a paradise and the perfect
people to tend and keep it. Thank You for coming to
our fallen world to restore us by Your birth, death and
resurrection. Come quickly to restore us and Your
creation. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 6 of Advent)

Scripture:


Read John 12:35-36. TEXTS: The earth was without form
and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. ...
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light
(see Genesis 1:2-3).

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men
(John 1:4).

Reflection:

We're walking down the sidewalk on a dark and dreary
December night. We tighten our collars and lean into
the blustery wind as the cold bites our cheeks. Then
someone throws a switch. In the twinkling of an eye
the darkness is shattered by thousands of brilliant
Christmas lights that warm our hearts and fill us
with childlike joy.

At the very beginning the world was shrouded in
deep darkness. Then the Word spoke, "Let there be
light." Instantly, beautiful light burst forth over the
newly formed earth and the darkness was gone.

On the sixth day God placed our first parents in a
beautiful, abundant paradise. But Adam and Eve
plunged our world into the darkness of sin, guilt
and misery by eating the fruit God had forbidden.
As their children we are all born in the darkness of
sin. We grope our way blindly through this life
unable to find our own way back to God. 

But God did not leave us in darkness. The Word
who first spoke and scattered the darkness comes
to shine His light into our hearts. He shows us
God's love and forgiveness, and promises us all
the joys and delights of the eternal paradise He
won for us by His perfect life, death and
resurrection. He is our light shining through the
darkness and in the shadow of our death.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for lighting my darkness,
forgiving my sins, and promising me eternal life
in Your presence. Scatter the darkness that still
clings to me, and cheer me with Your light.
Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 5 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Psalm 104:24-35.
TEXT: In Him was life (see John 1:4).

Reflection:

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is our Christmas
tree. While every other tree in the wood stands bare and
dead, our pines and spruces still look green and full of life.
But once we cut down one of those trees and bring it into
our house it's only a matter of time before it dries up and
its needles start to fall. Even if we were to leave it in the
ground it would still grow old, turn brown, and die, after
enough years passed.

Every creature on earth is like that. Life is a gift we
receive from God. We require food and drink to sustain
that life, but no matter how hard we try, after enough years
we grow old and frail, and eventually die.

Not so for the Baby in the Christmas manger. John tells
us, "In Him was life"-the immortal life of God Himself.
This separates Him from His creatures. He alone
possesses life as an element of His being. Not a single
one of us creatures can claim this. Not long before
Jesus went to the cross for us He said, "I lay down My
life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me,
but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to
lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again"
(see John 10:17-18).

That's what makes Christmas such a joyous season:
the mighty, living Word came to restore life to us in the
midst of death and suffering. Through His own death
and resurrection He has conquered death and gives us
life unending.

THE PRAYER:

Thank You for giving me life and sustaining that life in
this world, O God. Receive my praises for Your Son
who laid down His life that I might live eternally with
You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)