Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day twenty. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[15 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that we can find more joy in everyday occurrences, in the day-to-day world around us. Let’s take 25 seconds of silence to pray.
[20 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Hebrews 12:18–24. It says:
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
This is a re-imagining of the picture of the Ten Commandments being given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. As to where Moses approached clouds and thick darkness, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews says—for you it is not darkness, but a joyful celebration of angels and of all those who went before you, now made perfect.
We’ll close today by meditating on the phrase:
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm … You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God …
Take a few moments now to meditate on how this joyous celebration.
Our Concluding Prayer:
Creator, almighty and everlasting, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus my Lord. Amen