Day 19 of our 2018 Advent Contemplations.
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is Day nineteen: Thursday, Dec. 20. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide today.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 20 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[20 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that joy will be present in all our holiday gatherings. Let’s take 20 seconds of silence to pray.
[20 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Isaiah 60:1-5; 20-22. During the third week of Advent we focus on cultivating joy—remembering that we are surrounded by fellow travelers, trusting in God’s Love. Let’s listen for this in Isaiah.
It begins:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar
and your daughters are carried on the hip.Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.”
We’ll close today by meditating on Nehemiah 8:10, which says:
“Go back to your homes, and prepare a feast. Bring out the best food and drink you have, and welcome all to your table, especially those who have nothing. This day is special. It is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve over your past mistakes. Let the Eternal’s own joy be your protection!”
Take a few moments now to meditate on the joy that comes when we feast with friends and family.
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