Today’s scripture: Luke 2:36-38 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
Recently I tried to start a fire in our chimenea, and I managed to get charcoal lighter all over me and the deck! I was terrified I was going to burn down the house. A wooden deck doused in an accelerant is a recipe for disaster! Thankfully, though, our deck was unharmed.
Christmas may be over, but my spirit was reminded that perhaps my mishap with charcoal lighter fluid was a great way to look at Advent. During Advent, the accelerants of hope, joy, peace, and love are poured out on humanity. We stop to give attention to the principles of Advent, and it gets our spiritual fire going!
But we must intentionally keep stoking the fire throughout the year so that the powerful Spirit of Advent goes on and on in each of us.
This year I have re-imagined Advent as an accelerant that is poured onto everything good that is in humanity. The four candles of hope, peace, joy and finally love, are the accelerant that is needed to fan the flames of the goodness in humanity. Anna saw the power of Advent to fan the flames of hope, joy, peace, and love in the face of baby Jesus — will we?
Thought for the day: I’m going to hold onto my new insight into Advent. What can I do today to keep the fire blazing?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.