I’ve heard people ask the hypothetical question, “What would you do if you knew today was your last day on earth?” Paul’s point is to ask ourselves that very question every day. The knowledge that Jesus may come at any time helps us to live in the Spirit and to live in the moment.

With each birth, there is wonder and mystery.  Who is this tiny new person and what shall he or she become?  What joys and sorrows lie ahead for each new one as they start the journey of life?  What ways will God use to bless them and others through them?

Jesus came into this world to fill our hearts with His love and to heal our broken hearts.  He could be using your own loved ones to speak powerfully into your heart this season to help you find your heart in a new way this year. 

As we learn to trust God and His Word in the midst of our trials, we will grow in our faith. May God give us a teachable heart so that we, too, may praise Him.

Advent is such a powerful time to tell the story - the story of light coming into the darkness and overcoming it (John 1:5). It is the time when we celebrate our Savior's birth and look forward to His second coming. He is the true light, which enlightens everyone and has come into the world (John 1:9). This is the story many Native people need to hear.

We were dead in our trespasses and sins, a people spiritually blind and without hope.  But Christ came out of the brightness of His heavenly Kingdom into our dark world of sadness and tragedy.

He offered forgiveness of sins, comfort in times of sorrow, and assurance that He will never leave us no matter what our circumstances.

If we could see everything with our natural eyes, we wouldn’t call it faith.  Faith is knowing, believing, and trusting in the promises that God has bestowed upon us according to His precious Word.

In the year 1824, Kapiolani took a journey of nearly a hundred miles on foot on the trails to the great crater of Kilauea volcano. This was the home of the goddess of the volcano, the much feared “Pele.” Her faith in the true God led many Native Hawaiians to Christ.

Our shining may not be a big deal to us. They are the simple things, things we don’t notice:  a kind word, a hug, a shared tear, tying a child’s shoelaces, a blessing of the Lord's peace, a smile, a prayer. Each of these is light.  Even a match can cast significant light and hope to one lost in a cave.

Nawa!

It gives me great pleasure to share the Lutheran Indian Ministries 2017 Advent Devotion booklet with you.