Isaiah 25: 6-9
Psalm 23
Matthew 15: 29-39
When I started reading Isaiah, I was struck by verse 9b: “Lo this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.” I immediately asked myself: “From what do I need to be saved? My reply was “From the High Heat and Humidity!” A tad frivolous! Forgive me – it is August as I write this!
Thinking further though, I wondered what it is we may need to be saved from in this Advent Season? As I continued to work through the readings, I realized they all speak of feeding us rich food, feeding the five thousand, and, in the Psalm, encouraging us to lie down and rest, reviving our soul, leading us back to live in God’s presence.
Advent sometimes gets overwhelmed with traditions of the season. Preparing for Christmas. Planning feasts of our own to share with loved ones. Will there be a seat at the table for God to join you?
Perhaps this season we might ask God to save us from being overwhelmed with holiday making. I do believe God can save us from whatever we are ready to let go of so that we can spend more time in the presence of God, as we await the arrival of God’s son – God’s greatest gift to us!
May God bless you with a new beginning filled with Peace, Hope, Love, Joy!
Marilyn Newport