December 1 | Luke 1:5-25
- Elaine Pierce
- Dec 1, 2024
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Purposeful Waiting
By Elaine Pierce
Happy First Sunday in Advent! In the midst of the holiday busyness (can't you feel yourself getting anxious as you see the calendar turning to December?), let's take time each day to meet with the Lord and meditate on his birth. Advent means 'coming,' and yes, he is coming in the form of a baby, born in a manger, born to bring us tidings of great joy and peace.
Before his birth, however, his cousin John prepares the way for him. John's parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, had not been blessed with children, and they were well along in years (if this sounds familiar, just look back at Abraham and Sarah in Genesis and see how God used another set of unlikely people to fulfill his promise to his people.) The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a baby 'who will be great in the sight of the Lord (v. 15). He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wise of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (v. 17).
John would 'make ready' the people. He was preparing for Jesus.
As you prepare for Advent, for the coming birth of the Messiah, what are you doing to get ready? If you're like me you're making lists of what gifts you still need to buy.....you're marking the calendar for all the events you plan to attend and the parties/gatherings you will host. You might be baking Christmas cookies....or choosing gifts for business clients....or helping children with realistic expectations for what Santa will bring (maybe not EVERYTHING in the Target catalog....). You might be buying gifts for an Operation Christmas Child shoebox ..... or participating in a local toy drive.....the list of fun and worthy activities is endless.
In the midst of this season, let's stop each day and sit at the feet of our Lord. Zechariah doubted God's messenger (How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.) I suspect my reaction to such news would be the same. But thanks be to God, he has told us that he will come again, and we can trust his promises.
Join me this advent season in expectant waiting for our Savior's birth.
PRAYER
These advent hymns can be a source of worship and meditation as you walk through the advent season.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!
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