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Advent devotions 2007

December 26 - Just the beginning
By Kaleem Kheshgi, a junior music major from Evanston, Ill.

Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.

Devotional:
I get to sleep in today, the day after Christmas. I get to look out the window at the usually gloomy weather and smile. I probably won't even go outside today.

Usually on the day after Christmas, I spend the day talking and eating with my family and playing with my new toys. Now that Christmas is over, I can relax until New Year's, and then get ready for school again, right? Not exactly. Instead, I remember that Christmas is not the end, but rather just the beginning.

I imagine one-day-old Baby Jesus: vulnerable, tiny. He lay in his mother's arms, cooing and crying off and on while awake; resting peacefully while asleep. But Mary and Joseph were certainly praising God for their child, and the world is echoing their praises now. Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for their amazing gift their whole lives long. So while his birthday celebration may be over, we should let the praises continue.

This year my family has been spread around the world. I live in Goshen, a sister lives in Washington, another sister is in Europe, and ma, dad and my brother live in Chicago. But for Christmas, we were all together. And while we are spending the few days after Christmas visiting other relatives, we will inevitably say goodbye to one another again. But we will continue to celebrate, as we praise God in our interactions, our caroling, our giving to others in various ways and our love for one another.

This Christmas we are thankful to have been brought together again, but we also praise God for the opportunities we have to grow and learn, even as we are separated by physical distance.

Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
   praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
   praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
   praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
   and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever;
   he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
   you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
   stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
   creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
   princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
   old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
   praise for all his faithful,
   for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

Posted at 12:43 #