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Through the toil and tumult and messiness of our lives comes again and again the Christmas season to remind us that we are a saved people. Whose spirits can be failed to be lifted by that thought?

Monday of the second week in Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10

Psalm 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14

L uke 5:17-26  On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. (18) And behold, men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; (19) but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. (20) And when he saw their faith he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."  (21) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies?  Who can forgive sins but God only?" (22) When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? (23) Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise and walk?' (24) But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --he said to the man who was paralyzed-- "I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home." (25) And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. (26) And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

Meditation by Patrick Borchers

Ah, the joy of Advent.

Even though I am writing this reflection before the season starts, the first reading is sort of like being a kid again and catching that first breath of ocean air and knowing that you’re almost to your vacation destination.  Through the toil and tumult and messiness of our lives comes again and again the Christmas season to remind us that we are a saved people.

Whose spirits can be failed to be lifted by that thought?  The Lord is coming again to save us.  To make the way safe for our journey, to mend our broken hearts and ways if we will just Him do so. 

It all so reminds me of my favorite of the classic Christmas television shows, the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” when at the end the Grinch comes to the realization that “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”  So out with the Grinchiness in our souls to make way for the Christmas season.

Supplementary Reading

For Your Own Sake

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins - Matthew 6:14–15

In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us. We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us.

You not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, “Joel, you don’t know how I was raised.” “My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain.” “This friend betrayed me.” “I just can’t let it go.” But realize, you don’t forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God.

Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today.

Father God, thank You for the gift of forgiveness that sets me free. Help me to truly understand what it means to forgive so I can receive Your forgiveness. Search me today and have Your way in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen # # #

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU. – Bobot Apit

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