THIS 120809 Tuesday

H2o devos sj 120809 “This”

“Joy joy joy in the morning
Joy joy in the afternoon
Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you”
Sing Joy by Peter Mayer

http://www.petermayer.com/AUDIO/SPA/SingJoy.mp3

One of the many things that I love about being a member of a church is the grounded reality it brings to my life. Church is not an abstract concept. It is a reality which is called into being by the Spirit of God. Sometimes experience in a church can be disappointing and even frustrating. At other times it can be so marvelous that words simply cannot describe it.

The picture at the top of today’s devo is of prayer shawls. They have been lovingly created by volunteers so that people who are in need of prayer might feel God’s love and grace wrapped around them. It’s that simple. It’s also that complex.

Peter sings “for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you.”

As you may have guessed I really like the idea of “this” in those lyrics. While the context is obviously the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem I am certain the “this-ness” transcends and translates across the miles and ages into our very time and place.

“This night the promise is give to you.”

So, it is coming right now, right here, among all the things going on in our lives.

Sing joy this night

rtg