December 10
"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. 'The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight -- indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.'" -Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)
The Christmas season is intended to be a transforming event, not a lovely interlude in business as usual. In the process of refining metals, the raw metal is heated until it melts. Impurities separate from and rise to the surface. They are skimmed off, leaving pure metal. As impurities are skimmed off, the reflection of the worker appears in the clear, pure surface. As we are purified by God, his reflection in our life will become more clear to those around us. What we do in Advent in preparation for Christmas will be our means of getting ready for a new way of looking at life and a new way of living .The Prophet Malachi speaks of a messenger as:
1. One who will prepare the way of the Lord
2. One who reminds us of the covenant of God
3. One who refines and purifies us in faithfulness
How then can we prepare to be transformed by the Lord's coming?
1. By allowing the light of love to awaken our spirits.
2. By making more room for God's covenant in our hearts.
3. By living in gratitude for what we receive in the Lord.
If we prepare ourselves by renewing our covenant with God, we will be truly transformed as Christ fills us with His love.
Prayer: God, Renew your covenant that I may be ready for the dawn of your salvation. With gratitude for your light, may I prepare to welcome a new birth of your love. Amen
Meditation For The Day: As you light an Advent Candle of Love, let God's light can fill every darkness.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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