Third Wednesday of Advent
Daily Advent Readings & Meditation
December 22, 2023
{view/print PDF}

Today’s Texts:
Luke 2:15-20 – The shepherds visiting Jesus and spreading word of what they had heard.
Isaiah 65:17, 19, 25 – A prophecy of the new heavens and new earth filled with joy & peace.

Luke 2:15-20:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Isaiah 65:17, 19, 25:
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

Today’s Meditation:   In Luke, the shepherds’ visit to Jesus is a humble yet profound act of witness and faith. Their journey to see the Christ child and their subsequent sharing of the news is a testament to the power of personal experience in faith. Isaiah’s prophecy speaks to a grander scale of transformation – a vision of a new creation where joy and peace reign. It’s a reminder that the divine narrative is not only about personal transformation but also about the renewal of the entire world. These scriptures encourage us to embrace both the personal and communal aspects of faith, recognizing that our individual experiences are part of a larger divine plan of renewal and peace. Today, let us be inspired by the shepherds’ witness and actively participate in God’s vision of a transformed world.

Something to Think and Pray About:

1. How can your personal experiences of faith inspire and encourage others?
2. What role can you play in contributing to the divine vision of a renewed world filled with joy and peace?

A Prayer For Today:  Divine Creator, as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, remind us of the power of witness and the hope of transformation. Help us to share our experiences of faith with others and to contribute to Your vision of a renewed world. Guide us to live in ways that reflect Your joy and peace, bringing hope and light to all we encounter. Amen.