Coming Soon...

This year our church did something a little different for Advent. Several of us members contributed to an Advent devotional. We were each assigned a day and Bible verse and asked to write a short devotion and prayer. Today happened to be my day so I'll share what I wrote...

Luke 1:76-77 

And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

Coming Soon…

Sitting in a movie theater with a popcorn bucket in my lap, I’m startled (as usual) when the booming voice of God comes over the speakers, narrating the trailers for the next great flicks that are “Coming soon...” Sometimes we say, “Eh, I’ll skip that one.” But other times we smile and say, “I can’t wait to see that!”

When the elderly priest Zechariah and his barren wife Elizabeth were blessed with a son, he was not only an unexpected miracle and an answer to prayer, but he also had a job to do. As John the Baptist, he was to prepare the world for the greatest show of all – the arrival of the Messiah.

These days, with the convenience of television commercials and social media platforms aplenty, he’d have a much easier job of spreading the word. But I can guarantee it would not be as effective as personally baptizing each “audience member” with water and forgiveness. 

This season, sit back with your popcorn or Milk Duds, and wait patiently for the “new release.” Instead of giving it two thumbs up, press your two hands together in prayer and thank God He sent His son for our salvation! 

Today's Prayer

Lord, help me cut through the clutter of noise this holiday season so I can hear your message of hope and salvation once again. Please prepare my heart and mind for what’s coming soon. With gratitude, amen.