Welcome if you're coming over from my published devotion today.When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.
Revelation 3:20 - “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."
As I imagine further, my heart beats faster. I picture a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him.
Can you feel the excitement ... sense the anticipation? That's what advent is all about! Can you imagine the beauty you are about to see?
Psalm 96:6 - Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
"Advent" is the Latin word for "arrival" ... referencing the arrival of Christ in the world at Christmas, and later at the second coming. I'm posting advent readings here through Christmas Day, so I invite you to join me for the last week of readings. Does your family do anything special to "observe" or celebrate advent?
Matthew 2:9 (NLT)
"After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was."
Isaiah 53:11 (NLT)
"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins."
Rachel, I have not been here for a couple weeks and am sorry I missed your Advent writigs. The one for today really touched me. To imagine meeting my Lord face to face when He opens the door is beyond description.
ReplyDeleteI pray you are having a blessed Advent and Christmas.
Janet
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI loved your P31 devotion today. Even though millions(?) of words have been written about Jesus' birth, you captured the essence of this glorious event with fresh insight.
Merry Christmas!
Kelli
Thanks, Kelligirl. Merry Christmas to you too!
ReplyDeletePS. As I read your comment I thought you were going to say I loved your devotion "even though millions of words have been ... misspelled in it." Ha! So glad I didn't make a mistake this time (and if I did, please don't tell me becuase it's been a good day so far).
Smiles! ~ Rachel
My heart started racing as I imagined Christ on the other side of the door. The irony of it is that He's not already inside. I pray that all who read this, myself included, reflect on how we can invite Christ into our hearts DAILY so that we don't have to imagine Him coming in but instead imagine how we will sup with Him each and every day.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are a lot of us who have family and friends who have never invited Jesus into their hearts when He knocked. Several years ago the Lord impressed me to pray for mine and my husband's extended families who did not know Jesus. There have been quiet a few who have accepted Christ since I started praying, some just before they left this world. I would say to others who have loved ones who don't know Jesus to remember them in their prayers not just during this season but every day. It's amazing what God will do when you go before Him asking for salvation of our loved ones and friends. I can feel the excitement of seeing Jesus face to face as you write. I look forward to that day and it's getting closer and closer. I would say to the person who commented that if she/he has not have accepted Jesus, now is their time and I also would like to invite Him in every day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to all,
AlicE.