The Season of Advent prepares us for Christ's coming--both on Christmas Day and when we comes again in glory. This year, we will spend each week exploring a different way we can prepare ourselves. The post for each day will include a scripture, a song, a few brief questions to reflect upon, and a prayer.
Week 3 Reminder
The 3rd Sunday of Advent is often referred to as Gaudete Sunday (or Joy Sunday). Gaudete is the Latin word for "rejoice." From a theological perspective, to rejoice doesn't mean pretending to be happy. For a longer exploration of joy, refer back to the reading, for Sunday, Dec. 4.
Scripture
Isaiah 7:10-17
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.” (NRSVUE)
Hymn
Questions
King Ahaz was afraid to ask for a sign of God's blessings, but God still sent him one through Isaiah's prophecy of the coming Immanuel (a name that means "God With Us").
- How comfortable do you feel asking for a sign of God's blessings? Why?
- What (if any) signs of God's blessings have you noticed in your life?
- What kinds of blessings would you like to receive from God?
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