For the Wednesdays of December I will be sharing Advent reflections from Rev. Don Schaefer, Northern Region Facilitator for the Southeastern District. Pr. Schaefer has been in the area for a number of years and has a personal connection to Calvary – he served as Calvary’s associate pastor in the mid 70’s. These devotions are reproduced with permission. Enjoy!

Lectionary Reflections for Advent 3
“…living a life worthy of your calling” Ephesians 4:1
December 13th, Advent 3 Luke 3:7-18

The journey towards holiness
Is littered with acts of mercy
And words of compassion
That in-carnate God’s love
First hidden in a stable’s straw.
Being a Christian
Pulls you out of your self-security
Into the risky posture of servanthood
Where others needs outweigh your own
The answer then to the question
“What shall we do?”
Is to “live a life worthy of your calling”

Prayer
Creating and sustaining God
Turn us from things and people that distract
Whose cleverness pulls us in the wrong direction
Focus us in following your loving mercy
So that our words and actions daily repeat
The invitation to grace you first offered
Welcoming people back to your waiting heart. Amen