Advent 2025, Day 17

Day 17, December 16, 2025

Theme: 

Joy

Readings: 

Reading: Zep 3:1-2 

Reading Zep 3:9-13

Gospel: Mt 21:28-32

Reflections:

God has big plans.  He has plans to oppose those of us who rebel and refuse to change, and plans for those who are willing to practice self-control and presence, meekness, truth-telling, and humility.  God blesses those who know their place and don't try to outgrow it, nor shrink inside it.  That's how humility was explained to me. I don't remember where I got it, but it's not my idea.  Let us take up the space God has for us, no bigger, no smaller.  Let us reflect on reasons for deep contentment and joy this week and see how God favors us.

In Matthew, Jesus reinforces his value of straight talk and dividing righteousness from folly.  Let us listen and take stock. How are we like the son who says yes, and whose actions don't match?  How and when have we resisted wisdom and righteousness, only to later give in and make the right choice?  Our choices matter.  No, they don't earn us heaven, but they totally matter.  They impact others, and God is, in fact, paying attention to our choices, precisely because they impact others who are also His children.

So in a week focused on Joy and Jesus' advent, why the hardline talk of God's opposition of evil and support of righteousness?  Because our choices matter.  Our habits matter.  You are reading this to build a habit of enjoying God, worshipping him, and/or practicing a liturgy of Advent.  You are being formed every day.  If we form habits unintentionally, we will veer so far off and away from joy it will be tragic.  If,  however, we remain and nourish intentionality, the results can be Mother Theresa level.  Jesus-level impact.  Worldwide impact.  Whether the impact is large-scale environmental pollution or too much streaming on our individual phones, liturgies (aka habits) are the launchpad for blessings or curses. When habits are intentional, joy is the result  when our liturgies are thoughtful. And discerned through prayer, reflection and repentance, trouble and chaos follow.  Liturgies help us deal with blessings and the hardest of times.  God warns us in today's readings because he loves us and gladly equips us with His Spirit via Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.  

Pray for repentance (a mind change) in an area of obedience with God, and the joy that will follow you as you build a new habit as a result of that repentance.  It will ultimately lead to joy in yourself and others.

Song: His Hands (Slow Version) by J. Brian Craig

Bonus! Bonus! My Advent 2025 playlist is ready for you to listen to on Apple Music. It's diverse, and it was so much fun to put together as I read through the scriptures and wrote this series.

NOTE the songs are on Apple Music, which you can get for a month for free if you are new... I just didn't want an obnoxious YouTube Ad ruining your quiet time :-)

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If you are looking for a nondenominational church in the Denver area, check out denverchurchofchrist.org