“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…” Just as the wise men looked to the stars many Christmases ago, we too seek a bright star to guide us in our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Throughout the season of Advent, we are sharing daily reflections from the people of Saint Luke to help brighten our paths. Our daily writers offer to us their reflections on the various names used for Jesus in the Bible. Together their stars form a constellation of wonder that can fill us with hope, love, peace and joy as we journey towards Christmas.
Today’s reflection is from Dave & Janet Hughes. Janet has been a member since 1964. They were married at Saint Luke in 1984 when Dave became a member. Janet has served on council as the Christian Education Councilor. Dave is an usher and has been council president twice and served as treasurer. Both Janet and Dave are current financial counters and were co-chairs of the capital campaign to eliminate our mortgage.
CHIEF CORNERSTONE
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” - Psalms 118:22
The cornerstone, our Lord Jesus, was rejected by the leaders of the Jewish people. They were waiting for a king who would conquer the Roman Empire and free them from the oppression they were experiencing. They did not recognize our caring, loving Lord as their cornerstone and king; the One who would free them from sin with his death and give them the gift of the Holy Spirit and life everlasting.
In today’s world, it seems that the powerful and boastful get the most attention and are sometimes idolized. In many cases, they are self-absorbed. Jesus, the cornerstone of our church, taught us to focus on the well-being of our neighbors rather than ourselves. We wonder if it’s possible that those who love and care for their neighbors today are the contemporary builders who accept Jesus as their true cornerstone?
Lord God, please give us the strength and wisdom to ignore the powerful and boastful and instead focus on keeping Jesus as our cornerstone. In Jesus name we pray. Amen