ADVENT MEDITATIONS - Part 4

DEC. 8 - WORSHIP (Поклонение)
What do we meditate most on at Christmas? The appearance of angels or a miraculous star that we cannot understand? Our focus should be on Jesus Christ and giving Him the worship He deserves. Today's meditation emphasized that the purpose for the Bethlehem star was to bring the magi to Jesus in order to worship Him.

I chose a verse and a short passage today - John 4:24 -- "God is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth," and Philippians 2:9-11 -- "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Anything miraculous that happens in our lives should bring us to the place of worship, because that is God's desire for us. God is worthy of our worship and He can use anything or anyone He has created to achieve that purpose - a star, a natural disaster, a godless leader, or pagan astrologers. Let us not get so caught up in the wonders of Christmas that we forget to worship the One who is called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

DEC. 9 - PERSEVERANCE (Упорство)
Today's devotional meditation continued with yesterday's theme, in light of the opposition that true worshippers of Jesus face. Since Jesus faced opposition, we will too if we declare our faith in Him, and we must make a decision about what we will do when opposition comes.

I chose two familiar verses about this - Hebrews 12:2-3 -- "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

In Christ we have the victory! Therefore we must persevere in our faith especially when we face trials and suffering, because the One we trust in and worship is worthy.