Advent Prayer Challenge Day 4 - November 30
Beautiful News
Read Romans 10:9-18 & Psalm 19:1-4, 14
Light one candle and say together
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)
Reflection
This year, Advent happens to line up closely with an event that usually doesn’t happen this time of year: The World Cup. Even in a year where people feel so divided, a global soccer (or football, if you prefer) tournament can make a stranger feel like a friend as you cheer together for your country. If you find yourself watching a game between two random countries, you can be struck by how much we all have in common: joy when goals are scored, frustration when they aren’t, and relief when the referee blows the whistle at the end of a hard-fought game.
In today’s reading, we are told, “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” (verse 12) Paul is telling his friends in Rome that even if we see each other as different, God doesn’t. In these cold weeks of the year, we may have friends who root for different countries, or they might celebrate different holidays other than Christmas, but God still loves them, and he has already brought all sorts of joy to their lives.
Even though we all have a God that loves us and cares for us, there’s still something unique about your life as a person of faith. You may be able to point to an experience in your life when you felt God’s love and generosity. But Paul, the author of Romans, points out that many other people haven’t felt that before: “…How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” (verse 14)
This Advent, you’re invited to join a team, but this isn’t ‘Us vs. Them’. This year, you can put on the uniform of a team that shares the Good News to the world. On this team, we want other people to know that the good things in life come from God, our God knows you and loves you, and we are preparing to celebrate his birth this Christmas. This is a time of year when our team has an advantage, as Christmas is a day of so much hope and joy for people, whether they are Christian or not. People are ready to hear ‘tidings of comfort and joy’!
So when you turn on your TV and you see stands full of fans from countries all over the world, remember that God knows them and loves them all. And he’s inviting you to prepare to give the gift of faith to someone this year: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”
Reflect and Discuss
- How can you grow in love for the people in your community?
- What does it mean to be a good member of a community? What are some qualities that go along with that?
- How can you help someone else experience Jesus’s arrival at Christmas? How can you invite them into this moment?
Pray
The heavens declare your glory, God. Equip me to live a life of action loudly, declaring your glory as I am your hands and feet on this earth.
Amen.
Advent in Action
Plan a good deed to do in your community this Advent to share God’s love. What do you need to do to prepare for this? When will you do it? Put it on the calendar!
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Advent Prayer Challenge Day 3 - November 29
Winter Life Read Isaiah 11:1-10, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, & Matthew 1:1-6, 17 Light one candle and say together Come Root of Jesse, stand and reclaim your people. (Isaiah 11:10 & 11) ...