To
read: Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us
to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives
that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope
and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He
it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and
purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.Text from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
As we walk through these days of Advent, I find myself wrestling
with "the reason for this season." Christmas carols ring everywhere, and have
for weeks; commercialism is at its worst; and people buy and spend for some good
reasons and for many not so good ones. Even within my family I find the
"Christmas is about stuff" philosophy. And yet we proclaim Jesus, the one who
is, but is also the one to come.
Paul writes to Titus here to remind him of what is important. "…We wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Paul and Titus were not in the midst of preparing for Christmas, but these words speak to us nonetheless. What is important in this hectic season is preparing hearts and homes for the celebration of Jesus' birth. We can't avoid the "worldly passions" of this age, but we can take time to walk and talk with God in these days of Advent, and live faithful lives in Jesus' name.
Paul writes to Titus here to remind him of what is important. "…We wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Paul and Titus were not in the midst of preparing for Christmas, but these words speak to us nonetheless. What is important in this hectic season is preparing hearts and homes for the celebration of Jesus' birth. We can't avoid the "worldly passions" of this age, but we can take time to walk and talk with God in these days of Advent, and live faithful lives in Jesus' name.
