Advent Meditations: Wednesday 2 December

Dec 2, 2020 by Jill

Saint Trumwin of Whitby, Monk and Missionary Bishop, 686 –consecrated by St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, as a missionary bishop among the Picts, and was the first Bishop of Whithorn, in Galloway. When the Picts reasserted their independence, he retired with a few of his followers to the monastery of Whitby, where he was a leading member of the Synod there.

MEDITATION– Wherever the Word of God is preached, inevitably there will be opposition. But adversity may bring thanksgiving and joy. The opposition St. Paul encountered in Macedonia resulted in thanksgiving and joy whenever people came to faith in spite of the opposition. This may not be a story of the account of days  of old or in places of avid persecution. If the trends of our world continue the very description of Paul to the Thessalonians may be fore us in the 21^st Century. St. Paul says we should be imitators of him as he is of Christ. Christ sets the pattern for us, not the world. In 1 Thessalonians Paul speaks of an imitation that is given. He says that the Thessalonians became imitators of the of God in Christ Jesus such as in Jerusalem where they suffered for the sake of Christ. Paul says that the Thessalonians suffered the same. No one seeks to suffer persecution unto death. But in this evil world, such persecution happens. The faithful people in this season however do not lose hope. They take solace in the very words of Holy Scripture and endeavor to show themselves to be a people who have seen a great light. May we in this Advent journey have the courage to do the same.

PRAYER: Gracious God, Father, we acknowledge You in every circumstance in our lives and give You praise. Enthrone Yourself on the praises of our hearts and take on any strategy the enemy is using to bind, block and captivate us. Help us through these days of trials and let us be assured that your love and grace are indeed sufficient as we await the return of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

ACTIVITY –  Remember the Persecuted Church this Advent and Christmas by praying for them, learning more and assisting  by going to https://backtojerusalem.com/remember-the-persecuted-christians-this-christmas

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “And if it lies in your choice, you should choose . . . to suffer hardships for Christ’s sake, than to be refreshed by many consolations; for thus you will more closely resemble Christ and all His Saints. For our merit and spiritual progress does not consist in enjoying such sweetness and consolation, but rather in the bearing of great burdens and troubles.” Thomas A’ Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, iii, 12,

See also:  Advent Devotion 03 from GAFCON

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