Psalm 21; Isaiah 24:1-16a; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 21; Isaiah 24:1-16a; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Devotion
There are few better images of the effects of sin on the environment than in this oracle of the prophet Isaiah. “The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth” (parallel in Gen. 3:17-19). When we fail to respect and nurture earth’s resources, no one escapes the impact. In Advent we affirm that Christ comes to redeem all of creation, as we are reminded in the Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World”: “No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found ... ”
Prayer
Renew in us, O Christ, a spirit of gratitude and sense of reverence for all creation. Give us wisdom to steward the resources of nature so no one may suffer from our misuse of them. Amen.