Advent Prayer Challenge Day 8 - December 4
Prepare the Way
Read Matthew 3:1-11
Light two candles and say together
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Let all people see the salvation of God.
(Luke 3:4 & 6)
Reflection
Today is the second Sunday of Advent, so it is time to start lighting a second candle. This tradition of adding light as the weeks draw nearer to Christmas is so special, because it represents the journey we are invited on from darkness to light. This process is not a simple flick of a switch, lighting up a room and removing all darkness immediately - not during our lifetime on earth at least. The nature of this beautiful world we were given to live in is that darkness creeps in, as the days and years draw on. Advent is a time to intentionally look for the light and the Source.
This calling is no less for those of us who have followed Jesus for years. Maybe you're reading this and you're discovering the Light of Jesus for the first time, and if that is the case, welcome. I pray this Advent brings you something Brand New. I hope the Light is bright, beautiful, and illuminating. Some of us, though, have been carrying a candle for so long, we don't realize that it is no longer lit because our eyes have become accustomed to the dark.
John the Baptist was Jesus's relative. His birth too was special and miraculous and is part of the Christmas story. We will read that later on in Advent. John is often considered one of the last Old Testament prophets (even though his story is situated in the New Testament). That is because he was born to prepare people for Jesus to come. John would have only been a couple of months older than Jesus but His purpose was no different than those of the prophets we read about hundreds of years earlier. The only difference is that John will literally point with his literal fingers to a human being as the fulfillment of God's promise.
In today's passage, John is calling out certain people of God, religious leaders who had studied the scrolls of the Old Testament and had heard all the prophecies but were unable to recognize a new prophet or even the Messiah because it would mean challenging their current status quo. Their perspective of God was so narrow and their eyes were so accustomed to the darkness that they did not even recognize the Light when it was right in front of them.
Preparing for Christmas means more than simply setting up a nativity scene or any of the other Christmas things we need to do. Preparing for Christmas means adjusting our vision to recognize Jesus. Because Jesus didn't just come into our world 2000 years ago. He can also meet us every day. I promise you, you don't want to miss that.
As we light a second candle tonight, consider where you have become used to the darkness. Discern where you've placed limits on God. Let Him illuminate your entire life, even if that means some gentle conviction and self-examination. Pray that you will see and recognize the Light.
Reflect and Discuss
- Who do you identify with the most in today’s passage: people confessing their sins and getting baptized after hearing John’s message or the religious people who are not recognizing their need for repentance, thinking they’re already good with God? Does your answer surprise you?
- How can you “prepare” to do more than just celebrate Jesus’s birth but to actually get to know Jesus more intimately?
- How do you hear Jesus’s voice best? Can you try adding a new way to hear from God?
Pray
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who does marvelous deeds. Open our eyes to see you. Illuminate the dark corners of our lives that we’ve tried to hide from you and others. Gently lead us and guide us. Help us to know you more.
Amen.
Advent in Action
Prepare a place to meet Jesus in your home this Christmas season. Perhaps this means setting up a nativity scene or moving your Advent candles or putting your Bible and a blanket next to your favourite chair where you like to pray. Set up a place where you will be reminded to meet Jesus daily.
More information about our Advent Prayer Challenge can be found here.
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Advent Prayer Challenge Day 7 - December 3
Hope in Practice Read Isaiah 30:19-23 & Psalm 147 Light one candle and say together Come, Judge, Lawgiver, and King. Let us live according to Your will. (from Isaiah 33:22) ...