Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 3:17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Thought for the Day: In the gift of the Christ Child, there is a new awareness and appreciation of God. Not only do we see, but we are freed from the bondages of our old lives and liberated into a life that continues to grow toward the likeness of God seen in the child. Freedom is such a necessary part of the transformation process. It is difficult to become what God is inviting us to become if we remain in the shackles of greed, hate and a self serving attitude.
On this day in 1768, a Danish slave ship by the name of Friedensborg sunk in a storm off the coast of Norway. During its 15 years of service, the ship carried thousands of slaves to the Caribbean where they were sold, but along those trips, an unknown (but very high percentage) number died along the way. And among those who died, there were many who died by suicide. In reading firsthand accounts of the trips across the sea, it is simply beyond comprehension how one group of human beings could have treated another group of human beings so poorly.
Can you imagine the hopelessness felt by those ripped from their way of life and taken to a strange land in chains? Hopelessness was the intention of those who controlled the system of slavery, for (using a quote from the Hunger Games) “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear.” The last thing any slave owner wanted to see was a growing sense of hope among the slaves. Hope allows one to see God in the face of the Christ Child, and to realize that child has come for ALL humanity. This gift liberates the heart of an individual to begin seeking the ways of God – which includes the proclamation of the Gospel of freedom. You can understand why hope was viewed as dangerous.
Today, many people seek to create a sense of hopelessness in the lives of others. In hopelessness, people are easily manipulated and controlled by lies that keep them enslaved. In this season of Advent, let us reintroduce ourselves to the incarnation of God where we see the glory of God reflected in the life this baby born in a manger. And let us pray that our reintroduction provides us new found freedom that, in turn, leads to a transformed life that continues to grow into the likeness of God.
Prayer: I do not wish to be defined by the shackles that so many wish to place upon me, O Gracious Lord. Direct me to the manger so that in seeing the child I might glimpse you and better understand what it means to reflect your glory as the baby Jesus did so well. Amen.
THIS SUNDAY
Important Board Meeting at 5:00pm
(Should be rather short)
And Then Enjoy The Music Of The Season
Concert at 7:00pm
Con
