Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Thursday, December 7
By Jenny Cross, Director of Youth Ministries
Pleased to Dwell
Read: Colossians 1:15-20
There is a familiarity to the Christmas story that often distracts me from the magnitude of it all. The poor mother and father traveling to the small town. The farm animals surrounding the tiny baby. The heavenly host singing to the shepherds. The wise foreigners seeking something special in the stars. I know all about it. But do I know it?
We remind ourselves regularly in the youth department, “There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.” And I think that must be true for the season of Advent and me. I know about Advent. But am I actually making room for it deep in my soul? Has the miracle of the Incarnation taken root in my life?
As I read this passage from Colossians, a line stuck out to me like never before. “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” It doesn’t say he was obligated to dwell or expected to dwell or assigned to dwell. The fullness of God in Jesus was pleased to dwell. Jesus was pleased to walk on the Earth. Was pleased to be a light to the nations. Was pleased to make a way for you and for me. And that changes Advent. Because it goes from a story I know about to something I know deep down. Jesus didn’t just come because it was his job. He came because he wanted to. He wanted us to know him – as our redeemer and our friend.
Advent isn’t a season of obligation. It is a season of anticipation – holding fast to the knowledge that Jesus came for us all. And it pleased him to do it.
Prayer
Holy Lord, thank you for coming to earth – for loving us enough to leave the heavens and walk among your people here. Give us hearts that yearn to know you more fully. Help us to experience the joy that comes from knowing that you came for us because you wanted to. We love you, Lord. Show us how to share that love with the world. Amen.
