Devotional for this Third Week of Advent

3rd Sunday of Advent December 16, 2012 Zephaniah 3: 14-20   “The Lord, your God, is in your midst;  he will rejoice over you with gladness.” (Zephaniah 3: 17) Devotion The author of Zephaniah says these words to Jerusalem, a promise of hope for their future. But I can’t help but feel that these words are still promised to us today. Can you hear God speaking these lovely words to you, to your faith community, to our world? In the midst of decline, war, worries, consumerism and division, can you yet hear God’s promise of love? Just imagine! The Spirit of God is still among us, in our midst! That same divine Spirit still wants to rejoice over us with gladness, despite our lust for power, our arrogance, our conspicuous consumption, our degradation of the earth. God still promises us that there is a better way to live, one modeled by the faithful life of the one so silently born among us. Yes! God still wants to “exult over us with loud singing.” (vs. 17) It’s a miracle, really. And you can turn right into the heart of this miracle as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. You might begin with this question: What must I turn from this Advent so that I might turn toward the Miracle of Love? Prayer Thank you, God, for your astounding love. Help me to turn toward it with all that I am. Amen. Rev. Meredith Vanderminden Executive Director, Art Divina Spiritual Formation Interest Area Chair Queensbury, New York Music & Worship Arts Week June 23-28, 2013 Lake Junaluska, NC Biennial Fellowship Convocation July 15-18, 2013 Pittsburgh, PA  Did someone forward this email to you? If you are not a current member of The Fellowship, we would love for you to join us! There are many levels of connection, including the Open Connection, which is free. CLICK HERE for more information and connect to The Fellowship today! Copyright © 2012, The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, PO Box 24787, Nashville, TN  37202.www.UMFellowship.org. Phone (800) 952-8977. E-mail Info@UMFellowship.org. CLICK HERE to unsubscribe.Your e-mail address will be removed from our list within ten business days.