Advent Series: Season of Hope Monday of Third Week. Renewal

Winter Rain

Snow mixed with rain- bitter, biting turning roadways into slippery messes where fenders clash in angry encounters.

Winter rain.  I cannot comprehend its place in creation.  Its dreary dangerous combination of sleet and ice browns an already dreary world barren of leaves and flowers.  The winter rain brings no beauty, just brown mud and sinus headaches without the promise of spring flowers.  It servers no purpose.

The Lord, the creator of the heavens.. is God. 

The designer and maker of the earth  not creating it to be a waste,

but designing it to be lived in.  Isaiah 45.18.

Suggestion

1. Light the Rose coloured candle in your advent wreath along with the other 2 candles.

On the third Sunday of Advent the  rose-colored candle is lit. This rose-colored candle is known called the 'Shepherds' candle' and it represents joy.

Breathe in that joy as you light the candle and become one of the shepherds in your mind.

2.What are the areas of your life that need  feel like/ are winter rain- feel bitter, biting slippery messes.  Make a list.

3. What is your attitude/feeling towards winter rain?  Now read again the scripture.

4.  As you look at the rose candle- breathe in the joy it represents. Think of the shepherds on the way to Bethlehem- hearing the angels words in their shepherd's field on that cold winter's night that was so deep (as the carol tells us).  As these come to mind, now present to the Lord your list of winter rain, the slippery messes in your life.   Ask  Him this advent to bring renewal to these areas of your life.  Be confident and joyful in hope  as you present your list.  Know that in His time, these areas will be renewed.  Thank God for this renewal and live as though this renewal has already occurred as you wait with hope and with trust.

5. Look back for a moment and review what has changed since you started Advent- are you more hopeful, more trustful of God? Are you waiting in love for Him?  Have you progressed even in the slightest way since Advent begun.  If your answer is yes, be thankful and continue to grow.  If your response is inclined to be no or maybe, then persist- don't give up- God will renew you in His time. Trust and live in Hope today.

6. Reread the Scripture and allow it to be your prayer today.