Blessed Are We

 

 Luke 10:21-24

 Advent Joy

²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

The colors of Advent, shades of purple and pink delight our hearts in anticipation of the whites and reds of Christmas; they are more subtle and soothing, calming and restful. Yes, we have a lot of preparation to do for Christmas, including feeding our souls by reflecting on the beautiful poetry of Isaiah and its promises of the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of his kingdom of justice and peace. Let us take advantage of the Advent Dawn before we fall into the Day of Christmas with its gift-giving, family visits and reunions...all joyful expressions of JOY at the birth of the Messiah. But now it is "pre-Christmas" and the time for prayerful preparation.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to pace myself during these days before Christmas so that I will find time for prayerful reflection on the meaning and impact of the Birth of your Son as one of us. Amen.