2009 Advent Devotional: December 2

December 2: Psalm 25.1-10 Karen Kandik

Advent is a time of holding our breath while waiting for the miraculous arrival of the baby Jesus; it is also a time of breathing deeply while we go to God with prayers for salvation and mercy. We ask for forgiveness and that God forget all about our old “sins of my youth or my transgressions”. But can we allow that forgiveness to enter our souls or do we hold on to grudges, hurt feelings, pain, anger?

This season we may see family and friends that we do not see at other times of the year. These re-acquaintances can bring back warm and good memories of Christmases past. But sometimes those encounters are colored by past hurts and grievances. We forget that by asking for and relying on the Lord’s love and faithfulness, we can overcome these feelings.

We wait and pray and reflect on what God will do in and with our lives, knowing that God’s “steadfast love” guides us to kindness and compassion for others; leading “the humble in what is right.”

So close your eyes, take a deep breath in, then let it out with a prayer to let God’s grace bring you the comfort of forgiveness, mercy and peace.

Prayer:

Thank you for your gifts of love and mercy. This season, may I remember that from you comes my rightness with others. Amen.