Advent Devotion Week 1 Day 1

Strength for Waiting, Branch of Jesse, and Jeremiah 33:14-16

Nov 30, 2008

The first in a series of daily Advent devotions offers a short program of scripture reading, reflection on scripture, questions, and closing prayer.

Advent begins the Christian season of waiting for Jesus' birth. Using daily scriptures recommended by Stirring Up Advent, a devotional publication of Creative Communications for the Parish, the following devotion for Week 1, Day 1 of Advent is adaptable for individual or group use. The short exercise, no more than twenty minutes, can be used alone or combined with other prayers.

2. Read the following reflection on Jeremiah 33:14-16, Waiting in God's Time.

"The days are surely coming," says the Lord (Jeremiah 33:14, NRSV). The Israelites received the prophecy in this Jeremiah passage centuries and centuries before the birth of Christ. Today, the first day of Advent, is indeed days and days away from December 25, Christmas day. Much will happen in twenty-five days-presents bought, semesters ending, children born, other dying. Yet in God's time, twenty-five days is but a blink of an eye.

"I will fulfill the promise I made," continues the Lord (Jeremiah 33:14). God made many promises to the Israelites, the promise to Noah, that never again the world will be destroyed by flood, the promise to Abraham that his children will be blessed, the promise to Moses that his people will find the promised land, and here in Jeremiah, the promise that Israel's salvation will come from King David.

Indeed, God blesses his chosen people throughout the Bible, but rarely on a time frame they expect. No one alive to hear Jeremiah share a prophecy about Jesus would be alive when baby Jesus first snuggled up to Mary in that Bethlehem stable.

Much can change in God's time, and certainly in twenty-five days. As Christmas approaches, all creation waits for the "Righteous Branch" to "spring up and execute justice and righteousness" in our lives (Jeremiah 33:15). Let us wait, like the Israelites, in hope that God has something planned better than what anyone could ask for or imagine!

Questions for Reflection:

Take some time to answer the following questions in your head, on paper, or with a group. Share and discuss as appropriate.

3. What do you hope God might do for you or a loved one in the next twenty-five days?

Closing Prayer for Strength in Waiting:

Loving God, thank you for the beginning of this Advent season, where your beloved people again walk closer to the birth of your Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Guide all who wait for the promises you have made to us, and strengthen us as we begin to prepare for your Son's birth in our hearts and in your world. Amen.

The copyright of the article Advent Devotion Week 1 Day 1 in Protestantism is owned by Melissa Roberts. Permission to republish Advent Devotion Week 1 Day 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.