Advent Devotional - December 3

DECEMBER 3 – Genesis 3: 20-24

By: Frank Raike

I have a hope. I believe as humankind moves through time and history, we are getting closer to heaven. In today’s world, we work the ground less and have greater rewards with fewer struggles, then the generations before us. I believe that in today’s world, we have the ability to end starvation, limit conflicts, and help all people of all beliefs and faiths to prosper. I see a glimpse of us returning to the Garden of Eden and residing with our Lord. All people will live in a world of love, comfort, peace, and joy, forever.

We were banished from Eden knowing good and evil, right from wrong, and mainly the basis of how to live our lives in positive relationship with others. Unfortunately, like the typical child who will rarely take the advice of the parent, we seek our own ways to live through our personal trials and experiences, moment to moment, day by day. It’s through these lessons of consequences and awards

that we are driven to understand and find the balance of living in grace, love, and peace with  ourselves and with others.

I have faith this Christmas season that each of us have learned well and have less challenges in these days, then what was in the lives of the people who went before us . I have faith that each Christmas brings us closer to heaven through the relationships with all people. Ultimately, I believe what we took from the Tree of Knowledge, forgiven for doing so by the grace of Jesus Christ, is the Christmas Gift given to us each day by God. I see heaven on earth as we all come to understand, live and prosper in a world love, grace, joy, and peace.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, open our hearts and minds to hear and understand the lessons of the many, so we know the love, peace, and power of your grace at Christmas and all year long. Amen.

Family Moment

What does it mean to turn away from God’s love? We all have done something we knew was wrong. We all have sin and live in a sinful world. God’s love is greater than any sin or wrong we can do. God’s love is greater than all the stars in the sky. Go outside tonight and see how many stars you can count. Remember God loves you more than all the stars in the sky no matter what.