Anticipation

Advent Devotional by Mary Luhrs

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those

who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord

and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly

in love for their word’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”

—1 Thessalonians 5:12-13—

Christmas Day is rapidly approaching. The children are bursting with excitement. Soon the mystery of the brightly wrapped packages will be revealed.
But the expectation of the Hebrew people for a Savior was not so quickly satisfied. Years upon years they looked for someone to deliver them from a series of conquerors and oppressors. Few among them realized that their Savior would not come with an army to rout the human enemy, but with love and goodwill to conquer the hearts of all humankind.
The mystery is that so much love and goodwill could arrive wrapped as a babe born in a stable in an insignificant town in an occupied territory. Who among us would have recognized such a gift?
We are continually unwrapping other gifts our Father gives to renew us each morning.

Prayer:
Forgive us, Father, when we fail to thank you for the blessings we receive daily. Forgive us especially for those times when we have not given thanks under all circumstances. Amen