Wednesday September 19th, 2018 James 2:17-26
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (verse 17)
Our congregation’s Advent wreath was past its prime, so I volunteered to make a large Advent log. My daughter has a dying birch tree which provided the metre-long log, as well as four candle holders for the corners of its supporting table. I drilled holes for the four Advent candles, as well as the centre one that we light on Christmas Eve. The finished product looked great at the front of our church, but I felt a little guilty for not cutting a bigger log with room for all of that year’s twenty-two Advent candles, since we’re supposed to light one each day in Advent.
Being a frugal pensioner, not wanting to waste candles, I instead made a commitment to personally do one kind and helpful thing for someone each weekday during Advent. I was inspired by the Christophers*, who tell us it’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. I’m grateful that God led me to rise and shine where it mattered the most. We do this, not for rewards-Christ won our salvation on the cross-but because, here and now, we are God’s hands of mercy.
*A Christian inspirational group which encourages people to use their gifts to make a positive influence in the world.
A CPR prayer for the faithful: Lord God, give us work to do while we have life and your life to do your work. Amen. — BB
Contributed by Rise and Shine!
Our congregation's Advent wreath was past its prime, so I volunteered to make a large Advent log. My daughter has a dying birch tree which provided the metre-long log, as well as four candle holders for the corners of its supporting table. I drilled holes for the four Advent candles, as well as the centre one that we light on Christmas Eve. The finished product looked great at the front of our church, but I felt a little guilty for not cutting a bigger log with room for all of that year's twenty-two Advent candles, since we're supposed to light one each day in Advent.
Being a frugal pensioner, not wanting to waste candles, I instead made a commitment to personally do one kind and helpful thing for someone each weekday during Advent. I was inspired by the Christophers*, who tell us it's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. I'm grateful that God led me to rise and shine where it mattered the most. We do this, not for rewards-Christ won our salvation on the cross-but because, here and now, we are God's hands of mercy.
*A Christian inspirational group which encourages people to use their gifts to make a positive influence in the world.
