Phillippians 1: 3-11 BibleGateway.com
Advent is a time of longing. We long for so many things at this time of year. We long for hope and peace in a troubled word. We long for reconciliation with family members and estranged friends. We long for some modicum of joy in our lives and our ministries.
Many of us harbor a longing that maybe this year, just maybe, we will have what they call a "Merry Christmas." How often we have wished that for others knowing full well it all too often escapes our grasp.
In his letter to the Phillippians, Paul voices a loinging. It is a poignant longing, since he is in prison. He writes this, "For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the passion of Christ Jesus" (v. 8). Paul yearns to be with his sisters and brothers who had supported him and encouraged him. He remembers with deep thanksgiving how they had shared "in the gospel from the first day until now," He is confident that they "hold me in your heart."
This is a close and lovely bond of affection between Paul and the Phillippian Christians. And so he prays that "your love may overglow more and more with knowledge and full insight." He hopes that in the day of Christ "you may be pure and blameless." Perhaps Paul gives us some insight into what to hope for one another this Advent season - something deeply rooted in the love of Christ.
Gracious God, we long for a peace that passes all understanding this Advent season. We pray that your mysterious peace may rest upon those we love and upon the whole world. O God of our hopes, grant us "Peace on earth." Amen
Advent is a time of longing. We long for so many things at this time of year. We long for hope and peace in a troubled word. We long for reconciliation with family members and estranged friends. We long for some modicum of joy in our lives and our ministries.
Many of us harbor a longing that maybe this year, just maybe, we will have what they call a "Merry Christmas." How often we have wished that for others knowing full well it all too often escapes our grasp.
In his letter to the Phillippians, Paul voices a loinging. It is a poignant longing, since he is in prison. He writes this, "For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the passion of Christ Jesus" (v. 8). Paul yearns to be with his sisters and brothers who had supported him and encouraged him. He remembers with deep thanksgiving how they had shared "in the gospel from the first day until now," He is confident that they "hold me in your heart."
This is a close and lovely bond of affection between Paul and the Phillippian Christians. And so he prays that "your love may overglow more and more with knowledge and full insight." He hopes that in the day of Christ "you may be pure and blameless." Perhaps Paul gives us some insight into what to hope for one another this Advent season - something deeply rooted in the love of Christ.
Gracious God, we long for a peace that passes all understanding this Advent season. We pray that your mysterious peace may rest upon those we love and upon the whole world. O God of our hopes, grant us "Peace on earth." Amen
Frank Yates, Pastor, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Board Member
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
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.CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary
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