Scripture: Psalm 72:3-8
Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors! Let the king live as long as the sun, as long as the moon, generation to generation. Let him fall like rain upon fresh-cut grass, like showers that water the earth. Let the righteous flourish throughout their lives, and let peace prosper until the moon is no more. Let the king rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth.
Thought for the Day: Though the historical context of the Psalm was centuries before the birth of Jesus, there are interesting connections. The Psalm is specifically speaking of King Solomon, but Christianity has drawn upon the words of the Psalm as a way of describing the Kingship and Kingdom that break in upon the world on Christmas. The one whose birth occurred in a stable, among some of the poorest of folks was and is the one who shall live and reign as long as the moon, from generation to generation. He shall bring righteousness and peace, bringing an end to injustice. In faith, we declare these words to be true, yet we look around the world and it sure does not appear to have happened. Christian theology has often spoke of the Already but Not Yet. It’s as if the blueprints and tools of such a reality have been airdropped to us, and though we have recovered them, we just discovered that the person reading the blueprints was looking at them upside down. God uses fragile and flawed creatures to wield the tools of Kingdom building – the tools of love, compassion, mercy and hope. As we continue in our Advent journey, let us not become frustrated or disillusioned. Instead, let us look to the one whose life was and is the blueprint of the kingdom.
Prayer: Build within my heart, Merciful God, your kingdom of righteousness and peace. Allow it to have a strong foundation so that I may be one of the pillars upon which you build your Kingdom here on earth. Amen.
LOOKING FORWARD
TO THE CONCERT
THIS SUNDAY
