December 22, 2009 - Tuesday in the 4th Week of Advent

Today's Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-24; Revelation 9:13-10:11

“Let your gentleness be known to all men, the Lord is near.”

(Philippians 4:5)

In the name of Jesus. Amen. Don’t be anxious? Don’t worry? Are you kidding me? Have you seen my shopping list? Do you know how much I have to do before Friday? If I don’t worry about these things, they won’t get done.

While you plug through the things that you have to get done by Christmas, while you prepare for His coming, don’t worry about your sins. The Father has taken them all away. They now belong to His Son. You can’t have them back.

What you have done, what you will do, what you could think of doing, has been answered for by the Babe whose birth you are preparing to celebrate. He will bear it all – your fears, your anxiety, your failures, your pimples, your warts, your ailments, your sin, and your death.

He who knew no sin will become your sin – your idolatry, your despising of His gifts, your unbelief, your despising your parents, your hatred, your lust, your fornication, your stealing, your lying, your gossiping, and your coveting. By becoming all that’s you, He will give to you all that’s Him – His life, His salvation, His holiness, and His certainty.

His death is your death to sin. His resurrection, washed upon you in Holy Baptism, is your standing before the Father. Because He lives, you stand before the Father forgiven.

He has ascended to the highest heaven and sits at the very right hand of God. He’s there in the seat He has prepared for you. Faith says without doubt that where He is, you will be. It’s as certain as that Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger.

It’s all going to get done. He’s going to finish all that stuff you have going on in you. He’s working out what He needs you to get done for those around you. In fact, He’s working all the things out in your life to bring your Baptism to fruition. When all this is over, and your little heart beats no more, you will be with Him.

You have nothing to worry about. Let the peace of His Advent on Christmas give you a certainty that shines forth to others. The Lord is near! In the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Collect for Rorate Coeli)

Reflections for the season of Advent and Christmastide for 2009 were written by The Rev. George Borghardt III (revborghardt@higherthings.org) of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX.

Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflections Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.

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