When we are “blanketed in God’s Love,” when we acknowledge that Jesus embodies that Love, we discover that it is the perfect gift to us from God in our moments of great pain and sorrow, as well as in our time of jubilant joy. So, look and see the greatness of God in a small child born in Bethlehem so long ago. Let God wrap you in his arms of Love. Experience this Love that brings healing, hope, and peace into our lives. It is a gift that never goes away!

This Advent Season at Faith Lutheran Church in Shelton, we gather to do the Holden Evening Prayer. This song is part of that worship, and it moves the heart. If you haven’t attended this service, I recommend you do it on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. It is a chance to lift up our prayers to God for peace and justice and hope, now and into the future.

And what is it that God requires of us? Perhaps Micah 6:8 says it best: “[God] has told you…what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Jesus demonstrated it for us. Return to the ways of God is what God desires of us.

The words, “give thanks to the Lord,” are used at least 35 times in the NRSV translation of the Bible. They are music to my ear, healing for my heart, and food for my soul.” They are the “thank you, God” that makes life meaningful and worth living!

God, you are the strength of my heart, the fuel that keeps me going. Direct me, hold me, carry me along so that I may find hope, peace, love, and contentment with you. Amen

Read the first chapter of Genesis. In this creation story, did you notice how it repeated the words, “God saw that it was good,” over and over again. Then when God created humans, Genesis says, “God saw that it was VERY good.”

Lord, when I struggle in my faith walk, give me nourishment and hope. When I persevere in following you, give me faith growth. Knowing you will do what you have said, I rejoice and give thanks. Help me not to hoard your hope and love but to share it with others. Amen.

We don’t always win, even if we are right. Life is not fair all the time. What does count is the way we handle the unfairness, the difficulties, and the attitudes we develop when we face that which makes no sense to us at all!

It is a miracle whenever we seek and receive God’s forgiveness which by nature is God’s to give freely. It is a gift which frees us from our past and releases us for the future. It is a gift given freely and eagerly by God.

I also give thanks to God for all land and its fruitfulness. I give thanks for those who bend their backs to pick the berries, harvest the vegetables, and do the hard labor of picking fruit and planting crops. It is hard work. The work must go on even in the very hot sun, a soaking rain, or a frost-covered morning. Most of us forget the process that precedes our buying the produce in the stores or at the roadside stands. Have you thanked God for the wonders of our world and the food God provides? Have you recently said thanks to those who labor for our food? This Labor Day weekend, we say thanks to all who labor and toil in so many industries and physical jobs to make our lives better.