We shine brightest when we shine together! Today’s reflection is a true constellation of wonder, formed by thoughts, insights, and prayers of multiple writers working together. They read, discussed, prayed and wrote together. May their reflection help brighten your way this Advent season.
Today’s reflection is from the students of our Confirmation program. Confirmation is a wonderful program for students in 7th, 8th, & 9th grade. Big thank you to Madison, Travis, Scott, Reid, & Derek!
DELIVERER
‘And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.”’ -Romans 11:26“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” -1 Thessalonians 1:10
Understanding that we need someone to protect us from our sins, or the wrath of our own actions, is a hard subject to discuss. Knowing that Jesus will come back, at some point, to redeem us from our sins, and to protect us is comforting. We know that we confess our sins at Church every week, but we also confess our sins when we are not at church. When we do this honestly to God, we are forgiven because of Jesus.
Jesus is the one to protect us. Every year at Christmas we are reminded to focus on the birth of Jesus and then his great works through life. By re-examining this every year, we are reminded to focus on asking for forgiveness of our sins, because if we do not ask for Jesus’ help, the weight of our sins can get worse, and we feel bad. We need to be reminded that Jesus started as a baby at Christmas, but he had a purpose as the Deliverer for all humankind to forgive our sins when we ask God and Jesus for help.
Dear God, thank you for helping us talk about the hard subjects. We need to be reminded that you sent Jesus to help us. Not only did you send him to help us, but you sent him to be the Deliverer of forgiveness for our sins so we can continue to focus on good works in your name. Please help us to remember to help each other during the Christmas season, and all year. Just as you sent Jesus to help us remember your glory as a baby at Christmas and all through his life right up through Easter and his Resurrection. In your name, we pray. Amen.