Monday, December 3, 2012
Advent Reflections
Christian Formation Commission
Greetings!

  
Thank you for joining us as we begin the journey of Advent. Each day you will receive a scripture reading, a reflection on that reading and a short prayer. Join us as we journey together in anticipation of our Saviour's birth.

As you begin these daily Advent meditations, consider adopting some type of "rule of life." Consider spending a brief time each day in Bible reading, reading these meditations, exploring the "family worship section" of the Book of Common Prayer or any of the Advent themed links shown at the bottom of this email. If we continue an activity for 21 days, research shows, it becomes a habit.


Christian Formation Commission
                                                          Scripture
 

"We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 1:2

Reflection
 

Here, at the beginning of Advent, we are both encouraged and challenged by St. Paul. If we hear his letter to the believers at Thessalonica directed to us in our time, we hear our faith affirmed, our labor in the name of Christ blessed, and our constant hope in God commended. Such praise of first century followers of Jesus invites us to examine our own lives of faith and to wonder if we are worthy of such praise today. Are we imitators of Jesus? Have we so received the "word of joy inspired by the Holy Spirit" that we ourselves are examples for believers and non-believers? Do we turn daily from the idols of our culture and human experience "to serve a living and true God?" As we wait for Jesus to come again, let us hear Paul's encouragement of our faith as the starting point for greater attention to God in the days ahead.

 

Prayer
 

Loving God, in whom is all our strength, our hope,

and our freedom; give us grace to grow in faith,

 to labor in love, and to hold fast to your promise of Jesus Christ,

in whose name we pray. Amen.

 

The Christian Formation Commission invites you to explore these resources: