Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“With joy they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread seven days; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, December 12, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I love my traditional festivals! Here we are deep in the middle of Advent, lighting candles over time to show the brightening of the world culminating in the coming of the One Light into the world. Then it’s on to the festivities of Christmas—observing our festivals, digging into our faith traditions, and celebrating God’s incredible gift of Jesus.
Can you imagine being the people of Israel, who spent years unable to practice their holiest festival while they were in exile under foreign rule? Then can you imagine the joy they must have felt when their new overlords gave them the freedom to resume their ways? I don’t think this verse does justice to what it must have been like. Joyful? Ecstatic! Euphoric!
May this year’s celebrations open our eyes to the ways in which our traditions deepen and enrich our faith.
How can I bring real joy into my Advent and Christmas celebrations this year?
