By: The Rev. Christopher Leighton
It is hard to imagine a more appropriate Advent prayer than the words quoted above from Psalm 80. Our hope as we wait, and prepare for the coming of Jesus, is to choose to abide in His presence. We need to start expecting more from God. In the hymn, “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” (Hymnal 1982, #68), the exhortation is given, “Up, watch in expectation!” When we ask Him to restore us, we need to wait longer and more purposefully for His response. When we ask, ”Make your face shine upon us,” we too soon go on to the next thing before sunning ourselves to the Source. It was said of the followers of God, “They reveled in [God’s] great goodness” (Neh. 9:25).
The Blessed Virgin Mary knew the Lord, and she magnified Him in her life. She was blessed to be the mother of our Lord, and she was called “blessed” because she believed and obeyed God. “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” (Luke 1:45). In what ways can you strengthen your faith in His promises to you?
In Deuteronomy 30, the offer of life or death is presented. The followers of God are shown that what is offered is not too difficult or beyond our reach. Verses 14-16 say: “…the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” CHOOSE LIFE!