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Advent Thoughts from Barbara Atkinson – Corridor District Director of Lay Servant Ministry

December 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

Meditation:  Genesis 2:2-3,  Exodus 20:8-11,  Isaiah 58:13-14,  Mark 3:1-5

The Sabbath day is a reminder that  all of life is given and meant to be received as a gift.  The Sabbath is a holy time and space set aside for rest and for the re-creation of our bodies, minds and spirits.

God didn’t create the Sabbath hundreds of years after the creation of man.  He created it immediately following the completion of this world . Once man was created God  put into place the gift of the Sabbath so man could remain healthy, refreshed, and whole.   From early on God teaches us that the Sabbath provides a much needed rhythm for our lives.  It is this holy rhythm that allows us to let go of the many distractions in our lives and draw closer to the Lord.  Without this dedicated time  our souls grow weary  from the many obligations and demands of everyday life.

Advent is that season of hoping and waiting for the coming of the One who has been promised . It is – or can be – that time when we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by all the things that we enjoy and look forward to – if we allow it.

Advent can also be that time when we slow down and experience the joy of the season by remembering to allow the Sabbath to refresh us when we are feeling tired from  too much shopping, parties, family gatherings, caroling, etc.

“Be still  and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Sabbath is that moment of stillness in our week when we can simply be with One who loves us unconditionally.

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Filed Under: General Tagged With: Advent 2016

NC Conference of The United Methodist Church · 700 Waterfield Ridge Place · Garner, NC 27529
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