Devotion for December 20, 2011 – In the Fullness of God’s Time
Today's Scripture Reading
Luke 2:10-11
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Today's Devotion
The season of Advent is coming to a close. Hopefully it has been productive for you and yours. We've decorated churches and homes. We have shopped and wrapped, made special cookies, candies, or meals. (Maybe that's not all done yet!) We have sincerely tried to be generous with time, energy, and money. We have enjoyed wonderful music and worship, and maybe even some quiet spiritual preparation.
I invite you now to shift gears.
We have spoken much during Advent about what we ourselves do, in terms of waiting, watching, and preparing the way, and rightly so. Our human activity has made us feel important, and that we were involved in important things. Again, rightly so. We and all our hustle and bustle, all our activities, and all our important work, have been the center of attention, "center stage" if you please.
OUR HOUR IS NOW PAST! It is now God and God alone who is center stage. We aren't starring in the show, we aren’t supporting cast, we aren’t in the background, and we aren't even waiting in the wings. Our proper place is in the audience, receiving with sensitivity and appreciation what God has done in sending the Christ to us.
The time will soon come again when we have tasks to do. We will be called upon to respond in appropriate ways to the marvelous Gift given us. We may even be called upon to change things in everyday life because of the Gift of God's Son. But for the moment, let us do nothing! Let us vow nothing. Let us intend nothing. May we simply receive, worship, and appreciate.
God Bless you all.
Today's devotion was shared by
Robert Shaw
Robert Shaw (Pastor Bob) is an associate pastor of DisciplesNet Church, an elder at Southport Christian Church, Indianapolis, and a Regional Elder for the Indiana Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).