Friday, November 30, 2018
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Once a week, on Monday afternoon, a group of residents gather. It is
our worship time. As we sing hymns and pray, naming those whose
concerns are known to us, we give thanks. For most of us, this gathering
is a pattern deeply engrained in our lives. Worship is something we’ve
always done. It is an anchor for our week and indeed for our lives.
In a way, we are like the early churches to whom Paul writes in the
Epistles. We come from different places and experiences of Church and
faith and worship. But on those Monday afternoons, we are together rejoicing,
praying, giving thanks!
When we gather, the door is open. Outside the room people come and
go. Some peek in. All of them hear our voices! This, we think, is indeed
the will of God in Christ for us.
As we begin Advent, we begin to retell the familiar stories of the season.
But what seems most amazing is that like our Monday afternoon worship,
this coming of Jesus, our Savior, into the world happens with folks doing
what they’ve always done. Shepherds are tending their flocks, a young
couple are traveling because they need to be counted, stars shining in the
night sky and wise astronomers are watching them, animals are feeding in
the stable, an innkeeper is rejoicing because all the rooms are full. And as
life goes on its way: God births God’s-self into the world!
And we who gather once a week, we are reminded to take heed of
what God has done and therefor to rejoice and pray and give thanks….
and we do!
Amazing God, stir up your presence in us! Teach us, in the midst of daily
life, to be mindful of the wonder of your coming to us to be our redeemer,
savior and friend. Amen.
This reflection comes out of conversations between The Rev. Ghislaine
Cotnoir and residents at The Hearth.
Click here to download you full 2018 Advent Devotional
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