Moments With God.
Advent Week 3
JOY
Sunday, December 12
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...the birth of a baby.
...the coming of the Messiah.
...a promise long-awaited and now fulfilled.
Yet, in the joy, we often overlook some not-so-glorious moments...
...centuries of waiting.
...generations of anticipation.
...many who did not see the promise fulfilled in their lifetime.
The children of Israel were expecting a crown, a king, a robe, a throne.
They received a baby, a manger, a borrowed stable, a donkey.
The joy was there...but the timing was God’s timing, not the choice of humans.
How often in our lifetime do we overlook the joy?
How often do we declare a promise to be unfulfilled because it doesn’t arrive just as we expected it or just when we wanted it?
On this day, Sunday, December 12, 1999...
...are we focusing on the joy of Christmas?
...or are we frustrated with the growing “to do” list that often defines this season?
...are we enjoying the beauty of this Lord’s day?
...or are we hurrying through cantata rehearsals and performances and caroling and visiting?
God’s love is available. His presence is real.
And so, too, His joy.
Take a moment. Bask in His presence. We are the fortunate ones in the course of human history. We know Him to be real and alive and with us. We can know His joy.
Can you feel it?
Can you appreciate it?
Can you give up the hustle and bustle and experience the joy?
Joy to the world.
The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room.
And, heaven and nature sing.
Anita Fitzgerald Henck
Quincy, Massachusetts
Heavenly Father,
To bask in Your love is one of the things we enjoy doing the most, and yet we do it so little.
To think of all the preparation You have given to put things... in place so that as we trust You our paths will be straight...
To consider all the love that has gone into that preparation...
Before you brought forth this world, all of our days were written in your book. You think of us constantly, and when You gave us Your son that was the ultimate demonstration of Your great love. Thank You for the reminders of Your precious gift every year.
We can hardly begin to thank You, but we pray that our appreciation would be seen by You as we take this moment to consider.
Amen
[Psalms 63:1-11: 98] [Amos 9:11-15] [ II Thess. 2:1-3,13-17]
[John 5:30-47]
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or suggestions to Yvonne Edwards.
Edited: Dec. 9, 1999 7:25 a.m.
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