Breath Prayer and Words for the Day: I will open my eyes to see God's joy.
Additional VERSES
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
When our daughter was almost four, she eagerly anticipated Christmas. She had asked for only one thing: a Cabbage Patch doll. That was the year, however, that all little girls wanted one. They were hard to find; stores sold out as soon as they arrived! Since it was the only thing she asked for, my husband and I searched and searched for this doll. Any Cabbage Patch doll would do! We couldn’t find one, and no way could we afford what the scalpers were asking.
On Christmas morning we all opened our gifts…excitement and joy flooded the room. Each gift was amazing. As we started to clean up, piling the gifts around the tree, I noticed her sitting on the sofa looking a bit sad. “What’s wrong,” I asked her. Looking up at me, she simply said, “ I didn’t get a Cabbage Patch doll.” I felt awful! That week, we began anew, searching for a Cabbage Patch doll. Some weeks later, we found one, and when our little girl saw her treasure, she was filled with joy beyond belief. The doll became her companion for years.
Simeon was a righteous and devout man who also waited, with great expectation. And can you picture the joy on Simeon’s face when Mary and Joseph came into the temple with baby Jesus? This was no ordinary baby, this baby was different, and Simeon knew it. This was the Christ. Imagine the thrill Simeon experienced when he held the child…the Child for whom he waited? His heart must have been full of an indescribable joy.
Do we respond like Simeon? Are we Christians excited about the birth of Christ? Are our hearts full and at peace? Do we have an indescribable joy? A joy that surrounds us and reminds us always that there is no greater gift this Advent season.
I will open my eyes to see God’s joy.
CONSIDER
1. Have you ever wanted a gift so badly you could hardly contain yourself? Did you ever get your treasure? Was it worth the wait?
2. Have you ever given a gift to someone you knew wanted the item really badly? How did you present the gift? What was his or her reaction? How did it make you feel?
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