As a part of our Advent observances at Grace, we are making use of Concordia Publishing’s Behold the Child materials for worship. Our web devotions through Christmas will be guided by Pastor Kevin Golden’s devotional booklet written in support of the Behold the Child theme (you may purchase a downloadable copy of Pr. Golden’s book by following this link).
Prayer Pointers:
For the peace of Jerusalem
For Christ's presence in your life
Text: Psalm 122:6, Luke 13:34-35
“The Church needs peace. And it is ours because
Christ dwells with us”—Pr. Golden
IN A FAMOUS MEDIEVAL MAP, the city of Jerusalem is the “navel” of the earth—it is at the center, and all the world revolves around this place where God’s presence is found. If you wanted to find God, you went to Jerusalem.
Over the centuries, the city—whose name means something like “fount of peace,” or “foundation of wholeness/completeness” has been attacked, sacked, occupied and dismantled. Even to this day, it is the object of bitter debate. Everyone wants the source of peace—and will fight to the finish to have it!
In this Advent time, we are refocused on where and with whom our peace is found. We do not go out and “get” peace, but rather peace comes to us as a gift, as something that flows to us, that soaks into us, that works on us from outside. The gift of peace comes from the presence of Jesus, the bearer of God, and the work he does. He brings healing, salvation, fulfillment, joy, wholeness. His peace is not something over which we fight, but an abundance we share, for he has come to us and is present with us.
May you live in Advent hope ~ Pr. Dave Brooks
--Quoted materials are from Behold the Child Daily Devotions #12-4563
© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Used with permission under license 20:12-1. www.cph.org