Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)
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Verse 3I thank my God every time I remember you, Verse 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, Verse 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. Verse 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Verse 7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Verse 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
Verse 9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight Verse 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, Verse 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Devotion
Much of Advent is about waiting, preparing and anticipating the celebration of Christ’s birth even while we wait, prepare and anticipate Christ's final glorious return. But how shall we wait? Paul might suggest we give thanks and pray.
In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul particularly addresses prayers of gratitude for his relationship with others who share the gospel. Today, I give thanks for Sunday school teachers and church choir directors; for those who visit prisoners and feed the homeless; and for those who proclaim Christ's death and resurrection in their daily acts of love.
As you wait, prepare and anticipate this Advent, for whom do you give thanks to God?
Prayer
Ever-present God, as we wait this Advent, help us to be thankful. And in our gratitude, shape us to be mindful of your coming reign. Amen.