RSS

Tag Archives: advent

Learning Peace Again

04 Dec
Learning Peace Again

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Isaiah 2:1–5

Learning Peace Again

There are days when peace feels far away in our world, in our communities, and sometimes even within ourselves. Isaiah’s vision of nations laying down weapons and walking toward God’s mountain can feel almost impossible. And yet, Advent reminds us that God’s peace begins in small ways, often within us before it ever reaches the world around us.  

Maybe peace looks like choosing gentleness when you could be sharp, or pausing to breathe before responding out of frustration. Maybe it’s offering forgiveness or receiving it. God keeps teaching us peace one small step at a time, shaping us into people who reflect God’s heart. 

Wherever you find yourself today, may you feel God guiding your steps toward peace, a peace that grows slowly, quietly, and beautifully within you.   

Prayer:
God of peace, teach us your ways today. Help us choose the path that leads to compassion, healing, and hope. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 4, 2025 in Church, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , ,

The Gift of Paying Attention

03 Dec
The Gift of Paying Attention

Advent Devotion – Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Matthew 24:36–44
The Gift of Paying Attention

Some days, life feels busy and full, and it’s easy to move from one thing to the next without really being present. Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 remind us that God often comes to us quietly, in moments we do not expect. God does not come to startle us, but to gently bring us back to awareness.

Advent invites us into that kind of attentiveness. It encourages us to slow our pace just enough to notice the grace hidden in ordinary moments: a conversation that lifts your spirit, a memory that warms your heart, the flicker of hope you didn’t expect to feel. Sometimes the holiest moments are the ones we almost overlook.

Wherever you are today, whether distracted, busy, grateful, or somewhere in between, may you feel God’s presence in your day, reminding you that you are not walking through this season alone.

Prayer:
God who comes quietly, open our hearts to notice you today. Help us pay attention to the small moments where your love is breaking in. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 3, 2025 in Church, Community, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , ,

Wake Up to Grace

02 Dec
Wake Up to Grace

Advent Devotion – Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Scripture: Romans 13:11–14
Wake Up to Grace

There are times when we go through our days on autopilot, feeling busy, tired, distracted, or just overwhelmed. Paul’s words in Romans 13 feel like a gentle nudge to open our eyes again: “Wake from sleep… the night is far gone, the day is near.”

Advent invites us to wake up like this, not with pressure or fear, but with hope. It calls us to notice where God is already moving in our lives. Sometimes that awakening comes in small ways: a quiet moment, an unexpected kindness, or the reminder that God hasn’t forgotten us. Like a friend tapping us on the shoulder, grace calls us back to ourselves, back to the life God wants for us, back to the light.

Wherever you find yourself today, whether in routine, exhaustion, or joy, may you sense God gently waking your spirit to something deeper, brighter, and new.

Prayer:
God of grace, awaken our hearts today. Help us see your light in the ordinary moments and guide us to walk in your love. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 2, 2025 in Uncategorized

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Walking Toward the Light

30 Nov
Walking Toward the Light

WEEK ONE — HOPE

Theme: Hope on the Mountain of God

1st Sunday of Advent — November 30, 2025

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5
Walking Toward the Light

Devotion:
Isaiah describes a world where weapons are turned into tools for new life. Advent starts by helping us look at what could be, not just what is. God calls us to walk toward the light, trusting that hope is grounded in God’s faithful future.

And as we begin this journey together, remember that none of us walks toward the light alone—God gives us community to strengthen our steps.

Prayer:
God of hope, lead us toward your light and give us courage for the journey ahead. Make our hearts ready to receive Emmanuel. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 30, 2025 in Church, Community, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , ,

What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

19 Dec
What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

12.19.24

What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

As we journey through Advent and approach Christmas, we hear John the Baptist’s urgent call from the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” His challenge to the crowd resonates with us today: “What then shall we do?”

John reminds us that preparing for Christ’s coming is not about relying on our church traditions, family name, or how much money or time we give the church. None of these outward signs can genuinely prepare our hearts. Instead, it’s about how we reflect God’s love and justice in the way we live. John calls us to bear fruit that shows repentance—a life that aligns with God’s will.

This requires a shift in our attitudes and ways. Are we sharing the blessings God has given us, or are we holding onto them for ourselves? God’s blessings were never meant for us to hoard. They are meant to flow through us, reaching those in need. Preparing for Christ means living with open hands and open hearts. It means practicing compassion and integrity in our everyday actions. It means being generous to those who lack, showing fairness in how we treat others, and embodying God’s justice in all we do.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us examine our lives and ask ourselves hard questions: Where do we need to let go of pride, selfishness, or complacency? How can we show more love and justice to those around us? Advent is not only a time to anticipate Christ’s coming but also a time to realign our lives to reflect His kingdom.

This Christmas, let us welcome Christ into our celebrations and our actions. As we step into the New Year, may we commit to living lives of generosity, compassion, and integrity—lives that prepare the way for the Lord every day.

Christ is coming—may our hearts, homes, and lives be ready to receive Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pastor Sela 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 19, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , ,

Refined for the Season

11 Dec
Refined for the Season

12.11.24

Refined for the Season

Advent isn’t just about decorating our homes or checking off shopping lists—it’s about preparing our hearts and lives for the arrival of Christ. The prophet Malachi offers a challenging but vital message for this season: we need refining. Like a refiner’s fire purifying gold or a launderer’s soap scrubbing away dirt, God’s work in us removes impurities and instills qualities that shape us into Christ’s likeness.

This process is not always easy. It requires honest reflection and a willingness to let go of attitudes and habits that hold us back—selfishness, pride, impatience. But it also fills us with new gifts: love, peace, patience, and kindness, the fruit of the Spirit that makes us more fully who God has called us to be. Advent reminds us that transformation is possible; this is the season to let God begin that work in us anew.

Sometimes, we may resist this refining work because it feels 

uncomfortable or disruptive. Yet, just as we wash before we sit at a table or remove our shoes before entering a clean home, Advent calls us to spiritual preparation. It’s an act of love and respect—to ourselves, to God, and to the promise of Christ who is coming.

As we prepare for Christmas, let’s embrace this deeper call to readiness—not just for the celebration of a day, but for the ongoing work of God in our lives and the world. Join us next Sunday as we continue our Advent journey and reflect on the joy that Christ’s coming brings!

Love, grace, and peace!

Sela 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 11, 2024 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , ,

Christ the King: Unmoved by Human Loyalty

27 Nov
Christ the King: Unmoved by Human Loyalty

11.27.24

Christ the King: Unmoved by Human Loyalty

This past Sunday, we marked Christ the King Sunday by reflecting on John 18:33-37, where Jesus declares that his kingdom is not of this world. His kingship stands apart from earthly power, grounded instead in truth—a truth that does not shift with human loyalties or fleeting allegiances.

As followers of Christ, we are challenged to honor his reign not only in our words but also in our daily actions, standing firm in love, justice, and grace—a love that calls us to serve, reconcile, and give generously. His kingship calls us to live not for fleeting gains or convenience but as witnesses to his truth in all aspects of our lives.

This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for the blessings we enjoy—family, food, shelter, and the presence of God in our lives. But let us also pause to remember those for whom this season is difficult. Some will not gather around tables this year: people without homes, those in war-torn regions, families grieving loved ones, and individuals spending their first Thanksgiving without someone they cherish. Let us also reflect on the complex history of this holiday, honoring the Native Americans whose experiences of this day may differ greatly from the celebration many of us know.

As we give thanks, let our gratitude inspire action. Let us remember the values of Christ’s kingdom by extending generosity to the needy, hope to the grieving, and love to all. And as we move into Advent next Sunday, we prepare to welcome Christ—not only as the infant born in Bethlehem but as the King whose reign of peace and truth is already breaking into our world. In this season of preparation, may we open our hearts to Christ’s love, living as witnesses to his justice, grace, and truth.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, reflection, and hope! And may you have a meaningful beginning of Advent!

‘Ofa atu,
Sela Finau

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 27, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Economics, Family, Life, Philosophy, Postcolonial, Postmodern, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Advent Daily Prayer 12.24.23

24 Dec
Advent Daily Prayer 12.24.23

Sunday, December 24, 2023

O God, as we illuminate the fourth Advent candle—the embodiment of love—and the Christ candle in celebration of the birth of Christ, we earnestly pray for an opening of our hearts to the profound depths of your love. May the boundless love that brought Jesus into the world serve as a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace selfless love toward one another. In this season dedicated to love, may our lives become a reflection of your divine love, illuminating the world with compassion and grace. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 24, 2023 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Advent Daily Prayer 12.23.23

23 Dec
Advent Daily Prayer 12.23.23

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Gracious God, as we approach Bethlehem, our hearts resonate with joy. In this moment, we relish the anticipation of Christ’s arrival, finding joy in the journey toward His birth. May this week’s focus on joy continue to uplift our spirits and strengthen our connection with You. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 23, 2023 in Church, Community, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Advent Daily Prayer 12.22.23

22 Dec
Advent Daily Prayer 12.22.23

Friday, December 22, 2023

Holy Spirit, as we approach Bethlehem on our journey, ignite within us a joy that transcends our circumstances. May our joy bear witness to the transformative power of Christ in our lives and serve as a radiant beacon of hope. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 22, 2023 in Church, Community, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

← Older posts
Newer posts →