An Advent Devotion for December 19          
Read Isaiah 11:6-9

“The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.” Isaiah 11:8

A missionary in Haiti, helping with relief efforts, told the story of walking with a lawyer one day when they came across a young Haitian boy. The lawyer asked the boy about his future. The child’s response was, “I am working so that all children in Haiti will have enough to eat.” His statement was translated from Kreyol to French for the lawyer as, “The boy wishes to see all children in Haiti have enough to eat.” But the child, who understood French as well as Kreyol, interrupted and corrected the translation, saying, “Wishing for children to have enough to eat implies that I am not working now, and that there is a chance that it may not come to pass. I want you to know that I am right now working so that all children in Haiti will have enough to eat.”

God has always had a special love for the poor – be they the children of Haiti, Puerto Rico, Syria, the Sudan or our near neighbors. God asks us to show our love for people who lead very different lives than ours. That may be through our gifts and donations. Even more importantly, it may be in advocating on behalf of the poor as we support legislation that benefits the poor.

Love must be seen in tangible and concrete ways to be believed. The image of a child playing over the den of poisonous snakes is one of a day when the entire earth is transformed. It is of a world where there is enough for everyone and there need be no fear. Isaiah’s vision continues,

“They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9

Prayer: God of Mercy and Compassion, Even as you have shown compassion to us, may we be people of compassion. Where we have the resources to share, may we be generous to those who struggle daily for the bare necessities of life. In our Advent waiting, strengthen our resolve to live fully into the generosity of spirit you invite us to. May our hearts be full of your knowledge. Amen.

Additional Advent & Christmastide Devotions can be found by clicking here:   Advent & Christmastide Devotions