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Advent Devotional for Wednesday, December 3
Luke 21:34-38
’Tis the season of frantic shopping, rushed cleaning, and hurrying to the next thing we have lined up for the holidays. Whether it’s visiting family or fighting airport and mall crowds, we are all easily stretched in this season. Everyone at every stage has several functions to attend. How overwhelmed can we be? How stressed can we make ourselves in this season of “celebration”? Did I get something for Uncle Joe or did I remember to lock the back door? There is a sentiment that only the “Home Alone” movies can so clearly portray for this frenetic life of the Christmas season.
Jesus was always moving too, being sought for help, healing, and teachings by everyone. Yet, he makes us take pause. Our status of Alert should not simply be focused on the rush of the season, but also the rush of the Spirit in our lives. Are we alert and paying attention to what we are listening to as we rush to and fro? Are we aware of our brothers and sisters who are always rushing because they are under tremendous burdens? Are we alert to the hurt and needs around us? Or are we simply trying to maintain a guarded stance of needing to get things done?
Be Alert! This is a mentality that we all too often carry with us but in a mindset that often bears negativity towards our neighbors. Be alert that you don’t get robbed, taken advantage of, or have something bad happen to you. In this passage, Jesus is inviting us to be alert to the here and now of the Kingdom of God. In fellowship, sharing meals, and worshiping together, we are seeing and living the Kingdom of God. And, most importantly, we are to be alert in prayer. We are to slow down and focus. And yet we must guard our hearts and never be apathetic to the work of the Living God among us. We are practicing the holy act of seeing Christ in our midst and point to God’s reign becoming incarnate all around us.
Lord we often forget to stop and pray. Receive now our silence, as an offering to you, as a pause to the busy lives we live. [Pause for a moment and reflect: How have we seen God move this year, season, this day? How have we been thankful for all the blessings we have been given? How will we be alert to God’s movement this next year?] Keep us alert to you movements Lord. Let us not focus on us or our works, but you and your works. All thanks and praise to you Almighty God. Amen.
J.D. Herrera
Senior MDiv student
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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