“Star of wonder, star of night, Guide us to thy perfect light…” As we eagerly await Christmas, look up to the stars. Get lost in the wonder and pray to the One who created them. Each day in Advent, enjoy a reflection from a Saint Luke friend, as they too look up to the sky and ponder the names used in the Bible for Jesus. May their reflections be a gift to you this Christmas as we seek God together.

Today’s reflection is from Maggi O’Malley. She has been a member of Saint Luke for 10 years and is actively involved in Stephen Ministry, Diakonia, Choir, Church office, Care team, Pins and Needles, Alter Guild, Lector, and Communion Assisting.

LION OF JUDAH

“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”” - Revelation 5:5

Why Judah? After looking at Judah in Genesis, I see why.

Judah said there was no profit in killing Joseph, why not sell him into slavery. Judah is not heard from again until the famine when they went to Egypt to buy grain and they could not buy more until they returned with their brother Benjamin.

For that to happen Judah offers himself as a pledge to his father for his brother Benjamin.

The Lion of Judah (Jesus) is a pledge of safety for his sisters and brothers. (us).

We in turn should offer ourselves to embrace the cost and inconvenience and loss of personal comfort and private joy for the greater joy of meeting others need.

The legacy of Judah is not exploiting others but sacrificing for them, not pushing down but lifting up, not using power to hurt others but to help. This is the kind of men God wants to be king over his people. The Lion of Judah is the Jesus who was willing to put others before himself.

Dear God, just as you taught Judah to be mature, teach us to be willing to put others before ourselves. Amen.