For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6
“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke10:41-42
Lord Jesus, it’s only November 15th, but the songs of Christmas are blasting my ears and filling my heart. Some news, some storyline, some narrative is going to capture our preoccupation, and I’d rather it be the good news of your Advent—both of them.
I am SO thankful you are the Prince of Peace, and that you’ve come to make peace, in the chaos and crazy of our world and hearts. I’m more “stoked” about this than ever.
So as this pressure-laden, relationship-stressing, and busyness-fueling season unfolds, grant us wisdom to discern the difference between the many Martha-like-details that don’t really matter, and the “one good thing” you commended in Mary—the matter that matters more than every other matter.
Jesus, be our treasure and pleasure, the focus of our gaze and the joy of our hearts. You’re not just the “reason-for-the-season”; but the meaning, redemption, and hope of our entire existence. May your welcoming, kind, gracious heart be the most notable reality in our hearts and homes this Christmas season.
Bring your centering peace to bear in profound and palpable ways. Grant us copious amounts of your mercy for our prodigals, grace for our own brokenness, and your compassion for those for whom this holiday season will be especially difficult.
May the “good news of great joy,” the angel’s declared, trump any other storyline we would write in these next 6 weeks. May the hope of the Day when “all will be put right,” free us to wait patiently and love boldly until you return.
Lord Jesus, as you have come to serve us—from your manger to the cross, from your empty tomb to your sure return, free us to find our greatest joy in serving one another. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.