12.16 Advent Devotional

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

For lo, the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.

Scripture - Psalm 133

How very good and pleasant it is
    when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
    life forevermore.

Devotion - Unity

Have you ever gone on a road trip with your family? Road trips can be really, really good; or they can be really, really bad. Now imagine instead of just your family you packed in all your relatives and maybe some neighbors, too. Anyone want to sign up for that trip?

So we don’t always get along. Sometimes we disagree. Every team has members with differing gifts and personalities and opinions. To succeed they must work together to use those respective gifts to pursue a common goal. People who live and work together harmoniously can accomplish much more than people who pull in different directions––who undercut each other. We
need to love, apologize, reconcile and forgive.

As we look at this Advent season, thinking of the challenges our country faces and how different our Christmas might look this year, we need to remember that we are united with Christ. Christian unity is God’s gift that flows down over us like precious oil or the dew. With this blessing comes the promise of life forevermore.

Heather & Bob Monroe

Ding Dong Merrily on High performed by Hudson youth, arranged by Don Miller

Many of us find that an intentional practice is important as part of our Advent reflections and you may want to consider this one. The Hunger Action Team suggests you set aside one food item or a small amount of money each day to stock the Food Pantry at North Raleigh Ministries. Click here for more information.