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Advent Devotional for Sunday, December 2
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Under royal surveillance, the imprisoned prophet Jeremiah lies in wait for a word of hope. The word from the Lord that Jeremiah receives moves him to see a world beyond the walls of his prison to one filled with the divine promise of a Redeemer. Indeed, in our observance of Advent, the spiritual practice of waiting is a significant part of our relationship with God. Like Jeremiah, we are waiting expectantly for the promised Redeemer.
For many of us, the place wherein we practice our Advent waiting may not be prison walls and the sounds of despair outside them. The warmth of family and friends that accompanies our Advent waiting should, therefore, move us to a second important spiritual Advent practice of thanksgiving. We are thankful that God has planted in the ground of tomorrow the seed of a Davidic promise that is, indeed, soon to sprout amid this busy season. The fruits of this sprouting “righteous Branch” include executed “justice and righteousness.”
Although we may be stretched in many different ways during Christmas, the prophet’s words invite us to be mentally and spiritually present in the precious moments we have with family and friends. In this hope of the Messiah, we also believe that imprisonments will be transformed into places of safety, peace, and liberation.
As we celebrate Advent, may these prophetic words not only transport us to a future promise but also ground us in a message of hope and thanksgiving. As Jesus proclaimed to his disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Blessed are You, Lord our God, who gives us breath.
We gather today to offer you songs of praise and thanksgiving. For you have comforted us with the falling rain and have shown us compassion in our suffering.
May we feel from this momentary encounter the warmth ofyour eternal grace.
May the joy of our salvation move us closer to your love. Heal our troubled hearts with your healing touch
Allow your Holy Spirit to render our egos powerless.
We pray this in Christ’s name, Amen.
Gregory Lee Cuéllar, PhD
Assistant Professor of Old Testament
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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