The Day After Advent (Benediction)

Thursday, December 26, 2019

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior be glory and honor and majesty, now and forever. Amen

Jude 24-25

This wonderful benediction from the little book of Jude is just thrilling! Let’s take a careful look at ourselves when nobody can know what we are thinking but God.

Let’s think about what we’ve done and thought that we would not want to reveal on Sunday morning in church.

Let’s think about the good intentions we have had that never reached reality.

Let’s think about the many times we have neglected to seek God’s guidance and followed our own self-centered ways.

Let’s be honest as we remember all the times we have ignored his Word of direction.

Then let’s contemplate those same deeds and thoughts washed absolutely clean by God’s miracle of grace.

That’s what the above verse says. In spite of all we’ve done or not done, Jesus accepts our repentance, “keeps us from falling,” and will present us “faultless to his Father, “with exceeding joy.” Not our joy! His joy! He knows great joy in bringing us to God! We don’t fully understand that, but it’s true!

Father, As we have considered your gifts of faith, hope peace, and joy, given us through Jesus, we thank you. Please keep us mindful of the treasure that is ours – not just at Christmas but always. As he brought honor to you, help us to do the same. Amen

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator