Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

Read

Reflect

During Advent, we remember the coming of Christ as a baby to earth. Through his life, death, and resurrection, we witness the love of God for us and the whole created order. In Advent we are also reminded that Christ has promised to come again. It is the second coming that Peter refers to when he says, “The end of all things is near.” If all things are coming to an end, then we do not need to be distracted by things that are not important. Instead, we devote ourselves to the things that will prepare us for the coming of Jesus Christ, things like discipline and prayer.

But above all things, we are to commit to one another in love. Peter helps to define love as something more than a feeling and more of a reflection of the love of God in Jesus Christ. For Peter, love looks like hospitality without complaint, service to one another, speaking kindly to one another, and service to one another. Biblical love is more than a feeling; it is a commitment to love all that God loves. It is also more than a phrase that we say to one another. 1 John 3:18 says, “¹⁸ Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” 

This advent let us commit to loving one another and manifest that love through hospitality, service, and gentleness.

Pray

Lord, help us to love the things you love, even the people we find difficult. Give us the strength to manifest our love through good works to Your glory. Amen.

Go with God!