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   In the Incarnation, God also broke into Nature, but there   
   he did it most impressively of all. That's why it's a Grand Miracle.   
   The normal manner of conception and birth was set aside in the Virgin   
   Conception and Birth. That's the new sequence of events.   
      
   Every miracle shows the power of God, and every miracle is a "sign."   
   Jesus' purpose in doing miracles was to point to his true nature.   
   While he cared about the lack of wine at the wedding in Cana,   
   he cares much more that we see him as the one with power over nature.   
   And he cared about us enough to become one of us, and in that becoming,   
   participated in another part of nature, human nature.   
      
   Remind us, Lord, that your Coming shows us both our need   
   and your solution. Amen.   
      
   From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn   
      
   WEDNESDAY. FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT   
      
   Awe-Full Angels   
      
   Read Luke 1:8-17.   
      
   8 Now while he served as priest before God, when his division was on duty,   
   9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn   
   incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.   
   10 And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.   
   11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side   
   of the altar of incense.   
   12 When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.   
   13 But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer   
   has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,   
   and you shall call his name John.   
   14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.   
   15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink   
   neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,   
   even from his mother's womb.   
   16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.   
   17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,   
   to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children   
   and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready   
   a people prepared for the Lord."   
      
   -Luke 1:12   
   When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.   
      
   Our culture has made angels cute and cuddly. In contrast,   
   the Bible portrays them as shocking, filling recipients with   
   trepidation. Indeed, these messengers from the LORD always have to say,   
   "Do not be afraid."   
      
   In truth, our culture has made God too cute and cuddly also.   
   We know God is supremely sovereign, reigning over the entire cosmos,   
   but perhaps we jump too fast to news that the Trinity loves us through   
   Jesus Christ, and we do not first recognize the depths of our sinfulness.   
   To be genuinely grateful for God's immense grace,   
   we must know that we are totally unworthy.   
      
   Martin Luther, the early Reformer, brilliantly began all his explanations   
   for the Ten Commandments with the phrase,   
   "We should so fear and love God ... " This isn't a fear that lasts,   
   for it is soon overwhelmed by love, but it necessarily deepens   
   our gratitude, so that we never take God's forgiving love for granted.   
      
   prayer   
      
   God, enable me properly to fear you, so that I always cherish   
   your forgiving grace. Amen.   
      
   From The AH-HA of Advent by Rich Bimler   
      
   FIRST WEDNESDAY   
   AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ALERTS   
      
   Romans 13:11-14   
      
   11 (Eph 5:14; 1Co 15:34) Furthermore, knowing the time,   
   now is the moment to awake from sleep. For now our salvation   
   is nearer than when we believed.   
   12 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:7) The night is far spent, the day is at hand.   
   Therefore let us take off the works of darkness   
   and put on the armour of light.   
   13 (Gal 5:21; Lk 21:34; Eph 5:18) Let us behave properly, as in the day,   
   not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and wickedness,   
   not in strife and envy.   
   14 (Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,   
   and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.   
      
   11 (Eph 5:14; 1Co 15:34) Furthermore, knowing the time,   
   now is the moment to awake from sleep.   
   For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.   
   ROMANS 13:11   
      
   his AH-HA of Advent reminds me of an old saying: "Be alert. The world   
   needs more lerts!   
   St. Paul reminds us today that God's AH-HA people are empowered   
   to "wake from sleep . . lay aside the works of darkness and put on   
   the armour of light." This is exactly what the Lord is doing in and through   
   us during Advent . .. right now Through the power of his Word and   
   sacraments, the Lord shakes us up--he focuses us on sharing our life   
   and gifts with others.   
   It's not easy being alert. is it? Especially during Advent, there are so many   
   things that distract us from the Manger scene--buying gifts. sending   
   cards, making lists (and checking them twice, or maybe even three timesl)   
   party-going, meal-making. house-trimming, and perhaps even a little {oo   
   much egg-nogging . .. not to mention an unhealthy fruitcake obsession!   
      
   Look around you with different eyes this day. Be alert to the opportunities   
   the Lord will give you today to share your gifts. Watch fof the little child   
   who needs a hug, for the older person who feels alone and for the skinny   
   Santa Claus who doesn't look so jolly today. Be alert to the people around   
   you who have needs you can satisfy. and who have gifts to share with you   
   as well.   
      
   Romans 13:14 clinches it for us: "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.' Watch out   
   world, here come the lerts!   
      
   Lord. keep us alert this day to your presence in our lives and the   
   sadnesses of others so that we might share our gladnesses with them.   
   In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!   
      
   Conclusion:   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to know that the Gospel is the power of   
   God unto salvation to every one that believeth for we are all sinners.   
      
   Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please help me to be grateful and praise   
   You for who You are and for all You've done."   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to know God as Loving Father.   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to be a bountiful sower and reaper.   
      
   Pray to the Lord and pray to know mercy and lovingkindness.   
      
   Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador   
      
   - The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims   
   in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.   
   - Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding   
   Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.   
   - for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim   
   students on the university, college and trade school campuses.   
      
   Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective   
   discipleship movements among Muslim people.   
      
   - Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you   
   - Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving   
   Christ among Muslim people -   
   Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."   
   - When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims   
   throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!   
      
   Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary   
   work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ   
      
   Remind us, Lord, that your Coming shows us both our need   
   and your solution. Amen.   
      
   God, enable me properly to fear you, so that I always cherish   
   your forgiving grace. Amen.   
      
   Lord. keep us alert this day to your presence in our lives and the   
   sadnesses of others so that we might share our gladnesses with them.   
   In Jesus' name. Amen   
      
   Pray for an abundance of Bibles in needed dialects   
   throughout Muslim-majority areas in Kenya.   
      
   Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)