Scripture: Psalm 122 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
Although the group pilgrimage to the Jerusalem Temple setting for Psalm 122 may seem far removed from our situation in 2010, I believe that many aspects of this “Song of Ascents” continue to ring true for Christians in the third millennium.
I have always loved the image of Advent as a time of preparation for receiving the gift of Jesus at Christmas in a way that impacts my daily life. That is, if I am really focused on the process of journey during the time of Advent, by the time of my arrival at December 25, I will not get caught up in the “Black Friday” goal of getting good deals on the material gifts I may give and hoping for the latest techy gifts I may receive. Instead, if I enter into the process of preparing for being touched anew by the amazing gift of God’s son becoming human and vulnerable, I just may become a more loving and giving person, one focused on being and bringing God’s peace to all those I encounter along the way – family, friends, faculty, staff, students and others.
My prayer for all who read this is that during this Advent season we take the opportunity to awaken once again to the true meaning of the season, and in doing so, become the peace that we seek.
Scripture: Psalm 122 (NRSV)
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together.
4To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5For there the thrones for judgment were set up, the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.
7Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.”
8For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.