Daily Devotion

As we continue our journey through the season of Advent; a season of waiting, hoping, preparing for the coming of Christ, we ponder how to be ready when Christ comes among us.  This week our theme is “preparing our homes.”  We will look at some things that we can do to create space around us that will invite us into times of prayer and contemplation and also call us to live lives that reflect the one for whom we wait. 

Here’s a confession.  I decorate my home for Christmas, early.  I mean, really early.  I mean it is not uncommon for me to enjoy my Thanksgiving meal as my Christmas tree is in full display.  Let me say this in my defense, setting up my Christmas decorations feels like a holy act.  Decorating sets up a daily visual cue that we have entered an important time brimming with invitations to be mindful of God’s love coming to make a home with us. (John 1:1-14)

Setting up Christmas reminds me how God’s love came to make a home in me.  You see, most of my Christmas decorations are actually gifts that I have received over the years.  Gifts from Saints in my life who have walked with me in my journey of faith and revealed God’s love to me.  

As I carefully place the ornament that Pastor Roy, my Pastor when I was growing up,  gave me when I was in my first year at seminary I remember how pivotal his presence was in my life as he was the first to help me hear a call to ministry.  

As I place the ornament from Sue, a former colleague, on the tree I remember how often she extended the fruit of the Spirit of patience and kindness to me and how she modeled gentleness. 

I have several ornaments that were originally gifts I had given to my parents when I was younger which now, after their deaths, have found a home on my tree.  Each one reminds me how their faithfulness planted a seed in me that has led to faithfulness of my own.

Setting up Christmas reminds me of the great cloud of witnesses— all the Saints—who have helped me to know the Jesus for whom we wait.  How grateful I am for this faith in the one who sustains me and claims me.

I’m wondering who you would include in your great cloud of witnesses?  Who are the Saints that have helped shape your life to recognize the one for whom you wait.  As you prepare your home for Christmas, take some time to remember those who have modeled the love of Jesus for you, and who first told you about a baby born in a manger.

If you are reading Luke’s Gospel this month, today is Luke 7.   Here is the link:  Luke 7