Hello Grafted In Reader,
Today is Sunday, November 24, 2024 in my corner of blog land.
Thursday, November 28, citizens in the United States of America will celebrate Thanksgiving or as is the fad, FriendsGiving. Perhaps that in and of itself is another topic: FriendsGiving and Thanksgiving.
My exhortation is to wish you a joyous occasion if you are celebrating this Holiday.
Next weekend, many Christians and Catholics will begin to observe a period of time called Advent, which comes to an end on December 25, Christmas Day. This period looks to the Coming of Messiah both as a child, born in a guest room not a barn as is alleged, and also coming as Redeemer and King in the future.
I want to challenge us with something by Jewish Rabbi, Irwin Keller. This is an excerpt from a Reflection for Shabbat email sent out every Saturday from the website, My Jewish Learning.
To set the stage for R. Keller, many devout Jews adhere to the idea now that we are in the Messianic era, as opposed to the arrival of a Messiah to repair things.
God is with us, Emmanuel, and this belief may well support God is in us each.
Therefore, it is my suggestion the hymn, O Come O Come Emmanuel, can be self-talk challenging us to be present in our world on God's behalf and as his representatives. This fits with Rabbi Keller's words here:
We can transform our prayers for the future into our practices for today.
Every day: an act of kindness. Every day: an act of courage. Whatever the day requires of us, that is what we can do. Stand up. Speak up. Support the most vulnerable in our families and communities. Mourn. Struggle. Celebrate. Whatever the day requires.
I will no longer try to foresee when the better world will arrive.
Personally, I believe in the physical return of Messiah, His name, Yeshua, which means salvation in Hebrew.
Yet, I realize we are here for a purpose, perhaps the above as stated.
If you are a devout Christian and observe Advent, Wait but also be active in your waiting, is my encouragement.
May the presence of the Holy One be with us today and tomorrow.
Thanks for your visit. Feel free to leave a hello as comment!
Mellow Rock
David C. Russell, Author
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