First Thursday Advent
Daily Advent Readings & Meditation
December 8, 2023
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Today’s Texts:
Romans 15:12-13: Paul’s message of hope in Christ for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Isaiah 40:3-5: A call to prepare the way for God’s coming.

Romans 15:12-13

and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Today’s Meditation:   Paul’s message to the Romans rises above cultural and religious boundaries and offers a universal hope found in Christ. This hope is not limited by our circumstances, our race, our gender, our nationality… there are no limits at all! The hope found in Christ is a gift freely available to all. Paul’s message is an echo of Isaiah’s call to prepare the way for God to provide this gift. It’s an invitation to every one of us to make room in our hearts and in our communities for the divine. These scriptures invite us into a season of preparation and anticipation, not just for the celebration of a historical event, but for the ongoing revelation of God’s love in our world. Today, let us embrace this inclusive hope and actively participate in preparing the way for a world that reflects God’s love, justice, and peace.

Something to Think and Pray About:

• How can you contribute to making your community a space where God’s love is visible and experienced by all?
• In what ways can you prepare your heart this Advent season to receive and share the hope and love of God?

A Prayer For Today:  Almighty God, in these Advent days, fill our hearts with the hope and joy of Your coming. Guide us in preparing the way for Your love and grace in our lives and in our world. Help us to be instruments of Your peace and justice, breaking down barriers and building bridges of understanding and compassion. Amen.