Advent Devotions December 6

For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

How does one become pure and blameless? This is the challenge that Paul has placed to the Philippians in the beginning of his letter to them. He is already quite proud of the work that is being done in Philippi and prays that they continue in their practices that they are doing. In this time of waiting we have the time to do many things. We prepare for Christ as John the Baptist does in one of our other accompanying readings today.

We have been making preparations for the last month probably and many of our are just waiting to be able to celebrate with neighbors, friends, and family during this season. From Thanksgiving meals to New Year’s celebrations we have many opportunities to gather and be together. As part of these preparations, how have we kept God in our daily activities and continued in daily prayer? As we celebrate this season, let us also strive to deepen our relationship with God. It is here that we work toward the righteousness of God.

Let us pray. Pure God, be with us this month of celebration and parties. Let us not lose sight of our relationship with you and draw us closer. AMEN.