An Advent Devotion for November 28

Scripture Isaiah 40:3

“A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”


Heartaches . . . Disappointments  . . . Traditions interrupted . . .Travel plans set aside. So began Advent of 2020, sending us sliding  into a vastly different Advent, as we either isolated in our homes or were part of the essential front line workforce. The familiar and the comfortable evaporated. Hopeful news of breakthroughs on vaccines to combat the pandemic, coincided with dismay at the speed of their arrival. As the pandemic continued in 2021,  losses mounted upon loss, divisions grew.  Families split apart over vaccines and arguments over an election.

Still Advent arrives with the word to “Prepare a way for the Lord.” Advent is a peculiar season. We prepare for the Lord who has already come. We prepare for the Christ still coming. Whatever our theological take on Advent’s purpose, the season calls us back to our rootedness in Christ . . . To the values, hopes and worldview of the Kingdom of God . . . to gratitude for God who loves us and chose to come among us in Jesus. Advent is a calling to “Come Home” to our place in the family of God.

The questions of Advent are:   How do we prepare our hearts today among fractured families, broken friendships and a still raging pandemic?  How do we respond to God’s love revealed in Jesus?

Prayer

O God,  who sent us Emmanuel, may this season of Advent be a coming home. Coming home to you and our place in your Kingdom . . . Coming home to the values of your realm. May it be a time we see beyond our differences to your love that envelopes all of us. May this Advent draw us together, so we truly might be, *“One in the Spirit and One in the Lord.” Amen.

Daily Devotions and other Christmas resources can be found at this Link – Devotions for Advent to Epiphany

* Reference to the Hymn “They will know we are Christians by our Love” by Fr. Peter Scholtes