The Prayer Room: 12/14/14, Third Sunday of Advent

"Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 (NRSV).

It's been a rough week for me, personally.  Not only are there all the family pressures and stresses that come with the holidays, but when you work in the business I work in, well, extra long hours on your feet, dealing with cranky people, start to take their toll as well. It all kind of caught up with me this week as I've been sickly and really run down.  I even missed a day of work for the first time this year! I like to think that my quest to give myself a Christmas attitude adjustment has gone well, but it's been tough the last week.

But now it's time to look on to the week ahead.  In most Christian traditions, the lone pink candle on the advent wreath is lit for the the third Sunday.  This usually represents joy or hope.  However, in the devotion I've been following based on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the third candle represents redemption, which I think is a close cousin of joy and hope.

Redemption is the crux of the issue, the reason for joy and hope.  Last week I focused on the great mystery of the Incarnation, God coming as man.  This is indeed something to be in awe of and celebrate, but it's just the beginning of the story.  The grand, final chapter of the story of Christ on earth is his redemptive work on the cross for you, for me, for everyone.

However, we often make a bit of a mistake when we stop there.  "Well our sins are forgiven, so oh well."  Christ's redemptive work is also meant to be transformative.  When we just accept redemption and go about our business, we're also only getting half the story that Christ desires for us.  Bonhoeffer refers to this as "cheap grace."  It's when we realize how costly the grace of Christ crucified is, that we can really start to turn inward and make changes in our own lives that will hopefully help us make a difference in the lives of others, indeed in the life of the world as a whole.

Advent can help us do that.  As we wait to celebrate the birth of Christ, we turn inward and examine ourselves, preparing our hearts, bodies, and minds for this sacred season.  I invite you to join me this week in remembering, with joy and hope, the redeeming work of Christ which was not cheap, that cost him his life to save ours.

WITH GRATEFUL THANKSGIVING:

--For life of Christ, Son of God made man, born of Mary, crucified, died and buried.  

--For his resurrection on the third day completing his redemptive work. Christmas always leads to Good Friday and to Easter Sunday.

--For those who give of their time, money, and resources to help those who are less fortunate at Christmas and throughout the year.

IN PRAYERFUL CONCERN:

--For my uncle Greg, who will be undergoing full brain radiation this week in an attempt to kill multiple tumors.

--For those who feel the pain of depression, rejection, and loneliness more acutely during the holiday season.

--For those who are spending their first Christmas after the death of a loved one.

--For those who are traveling to visit family this season, and for their safe return home.

DEAR FATHER:

Thank you so much for this wonderful time of the year.  Give us the strength and wisdom to live in peace and make inroads for reconciliation as we gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
A-men.