Word for Today

From "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" prayer of the day for the First Sunday of Advent:

Let us pray.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

From Jeremiah 33:

.. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

Do you know the story behind your name? There is power in stories like that! The more spectacular the story, the more a name becomes the core of a person's identity. I would love to hear your naming stories.

The little verse from Jeremiah is a naming story. Judah has been having trouble with its identity. Wayward worship in particular made her fall away from God's favor. Judah, and Jerusalem especially, could be a definition of "unrighteousness."

So God promises to intervene. God promises to rename the people. When the Lord acts, they will be called "The LORD (Yahweh) is our righteousness." God will be righteous for them.

God will be righteous for us. This is the promise of Advent. It calls forth honesty and humility, but also faith in One who comes to make all things (including our hearts) new.

We start lighting Advent candles this Sunday.

If you are part of another faith community, you might like to start the practice of inviting a member of the community to light the candles. Here's how we do it at St. Paul:

Advent One: the oldest (or near oldest) member of the church lights the first candle.

Advent Two: someone retirement age lights the first and second candle.

Advent Three: a young adult lights the first three candles.

Advent Four: a young child or infant (with mom or dad helping) lights all four candles.

We're counting down, backward through the years, to the Promised Christ-Child.

Advent blessings to you!

James Aalgaard

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Giggles & Grace Early Learning Center

Ontario Oregon