Dave's Diary

Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the proverbial corner, and next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent 2025! “Advent” is a season that focusses Christian’s attention on the coming of Christ – His coming in the flesh in the Incarnation, His coming into our lives today by His Spirit, and also His coming back at the End of the Age. So our Advent Series this year is called “Jesus is Coming”. On Sunday we will hear Jesus Himself calling us, through Matthew 24:36-44, to be ready for His return at the End of the Age. The title of Sunday’s sermon will be “Jesus is coming AGAIN … be ready!“

But for now let’s get into our first daily reading for the coming Sunday:

Psalm 122

To the Psalmist, Jerusalem’s value was entirely derived from the fact that “the house of the Lord” was situated in the City. That was why God’s people flocked to the City. Year after year, pilgrims travelled up to the City with great joy because they knew that they would meet God there. In the courts of the Temple their sacrifices would be made, they would have their sins forgiven, peace would be made between them and God, and they would enjoy sweet fellowship with God in His Holy City. Jerusalem was of inestiable value to the Jews because this was where they connected to God!

And so the Psalmist writes:

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’

Would you take a moment today to contemplate the immense privilege we enjoy as Christian believers. We do not need to travel to a Holy City to connect with God. God has drawn close to us in Jesus, and He has even come to abide with us by the Holy Spirit. If we so choose, we can relate to God intimately, every moment of every day. What an unspeakable privilege!

Would you also pause to consider that, just like ancient Jerusalem, the season of Advent and even the great Festival of Christmas only have true value if they help us to connect to the Lord in deep fellowship. Otherwise they are empty, meaningless days on a calendar!

With all that in mind, will you commit yourself to seeking the Lord with renewed commitment and care this Advent. Will you take time each day to read His Word, to seek Him in prayer, and to walk in fellowship with Him throughout the day? He has come near to us in Jesus, and if we seek Him, He is right here to be with us again each day!

Lord, draw me close to You this Advent season. May I be alert to Your presence within me and all around me each day, and may I find deep and meaningful intimacy with You in this season … starting right now. Amen.