Companion reading is chapter 4, “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”

– Isaiah 55:2a

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”

In the book, we have now met Lucy’s brother Edmund and he is now in Narnia after following Lucy through the wardrobe. Edmund quickly finds himself alone, cold and hungry. He is quickly seen by the White Witch and she takes keen advantage of the situation.

This passage reminds me of a saying I heard a lot when I was a kid, “If it seems too good to be real or true; it most likely is!”

The White Witch, gave Edmund what he wished for, Turkish Delight! Not just any Turkish Delight either, this was by far the best he had ever tasted and he loved it, loved it so much he could never get his full of it. But, the White Witch having her own agenda tricked Edmund by giving him something that was enchanted and caused an unhealthy and destructive sensation for Edmund. He ate and was never satisfied, the more he ate, the more he craved it. Edmund got to the point that Edmund did not want or desire any other foods.

From the surface, we might look at Edmund and pass some judgment upon him or offer some aged advise about a number of things from tunnel vision, selfishness, even addiction. It’s always seems easier to find the faults in others than in ourselves.

“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” ~Matthew 7:3-5

Are there things in your world trying to convince you of certain expectations during this season of Advent? Things telling you that in order to have a happy Christmas you must do this or that? Family traditions and making beautiful memories are indeed part of the Advent season, a note of cautionary advise: traditions can be modified and time together is always memorable, breathe and allow the Holy Spirit to awaken your yearnings and desires for HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE! Feed your soul and your body for eternal life. We can all learn from Edmund.

Questions for Reflection:

• Is there a Christmas food that you are craving this season, does it offer an illusion of fun, fantasy, happiness or joy?

• What truly sustains you during the Advent season. Perhaps make a list and then from that list look deeper, does it increase your stress level or decrease it? What might you change on your list? From your list, is God the focal point or just background?

• Things to consider that can increase your joy during this Christmas season. Let go of expectations; let go of grudges, choose joy in all your preparations. Fill your thoughts with “God is Love” or “Come, Lord Jesus,” instead of “Hurry! Hurry!” Or “Just, Get It Done!”

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.inliterature.net/

https://goodnewsshared.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/daily-bible-verse-matthew-73-5/amp/

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Reading: Isaiah 11

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. he cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, the hostility of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not be hostile towards Ephraim. But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west, together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them. And the Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the sea of Egypt; and will wave his hand over the River with his scorching wind; and will split it into seven channels, and make a way to cross on foot; so there shall be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that is left of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.”

This week the word we use during Advent is HOPE! We are in HOPE for the Christ child to be born and the Second coming of Christ to take His children home, home to the Kingdom He has prepared for all believers. My prayer for all of us journeying this Advent season is that in the midst of waiting in anticipation for the baby to be born fulfilling the prophecies and promised foretold in the Old Testament but yo also not lose sight of the Second coming of Christ also promised in the Old Testament and preached by the Disciples of the New Testament. What a glorious coming to all believers. Keep your HOPE active and alive in the present along with seeking it in the future. My the HOPE of Jesus shine in you, through you and around you this beautiful season.

Prayer:

Prince of Peace, we await your return. In our waiting, let our preparations for your return be favorable in your eyes. May our witness to your love and grace invite others to join the kigdom-building work you have invited us to be a part of. ~Amen.

~ Peace & Hope~

References:

https://artandtheology.org/tag/isaiah-11/

https://www.biblegateway.com/