written by Rev. Carol Cooper

Scripture: Psalm 25
⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
⁹ He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Throughout this Psalm, the Psalmist is having a conversation about who God is…possibly a solo conversation much like a prayer. Throughout Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ-Child…the one who leads the humble and teaches us his way.

As you prepare for the coming of the babe—wrapped in swaddling clothes—what in your life needs to be put back on the proper path? What do you need to confess to God? The Scriptures tell us: “ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). When we confess our sin, we are able to experience the joy that comes from freedom–freedom from sin and death. Only God can give us this joy. Only God can give us this freedom.

The thing I love about the Psalms is that there is a Psalm for everything I feel: joy and despair, love and loneliness; hope and helplessness. As we await Christmas, find time to be in prayer with God, seeking God and his plans for you. Find time to read dwell in a Psalm or two. Find time for waiting.

Prayer:
O promised Christ:
We are a world at war.
Our peace depends on your coming.
We are a sinful people.
Our pardon depends on your coming.
We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises;
our only hope of doing God’s will is that you should come and help us do it.
Lord Christ, Word made flesh,
our world waits
for your peace,
for your pardon,
and for your grace.
Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
(The Worship Sourcebook, page 447)