I thank my God every time I remember
you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,
because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. -- Philippians 1:3-5 (second
lesson, second Sunday in Advent 2009)
 St.
Paul greeted the church at Philippi
with blessing and obvious delight at the work of the Spirit in their
midst. As I visit the Lutheran
congregations, agencies and leaders of the church in Southeastern Pennsylvania
throughout the year, I feel similar delight when I see how God's plan and
purpose is being accomplished among us and through us -- even in spite of us!
In this season of
Advent and Christmas, as we remember the miraculous gift of the coming of
Christ into our midst, let us remember and appreciate the ways Christ continues
to come to us, to be with us, and to bless us for God's earthly mission. In my daily devotions during the Advent
and Christmas seasons, I will try to remember and embrace three free gifts of
the Holy Spirit -- grace, guidance and gratitude.
As we
pray, meditate, read the scriptures and reflect on our daily routines, let us live
into the gift of grace. How would our days take shape if we were
reminded each day to live out what we believe? That God became flesh to
reconcile us, and the whole world through Jesus Christ? That this is a free and
unmerited gift to be accepted and lived in this
world and the next? St. Paul
wrote to the community of faith at Philippi, "I am confident of this, that the one
who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus
Christ." (Phil. 1:6) We can each rest in the assurance that
the good work that God has begun in us -- and in the world -- will be completed
in His time and for His purpose.
This
season of waiting for and receiving God's most amazing gift is an opportunity
to remember to look for the gift of guidance. The Holy Spirit promises to
guide us daily and give us opportunities to serve God and to proclaim
Christ. The apostle praised the
Philippians because of their "sharing in the gospel from the first
day until now." (Phil. 1:5)
In your work and play, in your congregation and in your
home, the Spirit will guide you to share the gospel in the ordinary occasions
of life, if you are open and receptive to the Spirit's calling.
In this
time of giving and receiving, I urge you to let the gift of gratitude
overflow. We are truly a
blessed people, and we are constantly surrounded by the signs of God's presence
and abundance. Even in the midst of hardship and distress we can be confident
of the unfailing love of Jesus Christ, and we are strengthened daily by His
grace. Be grateful for all
blessings, the little and the small, so that your gratitude will overflow and
spread blessings all around you.
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. (Phil. 1:9-11)
This is my Christmas prayer for the people of
the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod: That we may experience God's grace more
fully; that the Spirit's guidance will lead us to confidently proclaim Christ
in word and deed; and that we will rejoice with gratitude for the blessings we
have been given. May our love for
God and neighbor overflow as Christ strengthens and blesses us, and draws us
more deeply into the Father's purpose.
In Christ,
The Rev. Claire S. Burkat
Bishop
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