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Daily Devotions for the Advent and Christmas Seasons

Tuesday, December 29

John 2:1-11

by Cindy Lee Gong

My mom loved Christmas! Each Advent Season, we’d carefully pack away her regular dinnerware to make room in the cabinets for the red plates, bowls and mugs decorated with Christmas trees. Out also would come her always-growing collection of Nativity sets. Though they eventually expanded to around 100 crèches, every year Mom was somehow able to display them all in the modest Sunset District home she shared with my father.

One of my favorite Advent memories is of carrying my nephew Jeffrey, then about two years old, to see each set. He’d quickly point and exclaim, “Baby Jesus!” as he found the Christ Child in each. Jeff was so delighted and joyful, almost as if he were surprised each time to discover Jesus there. Whenever I catch myself feeling stressed by holiday busyness, this recol­lection calms me. May we rejoice and be thankful for God’s gift of his Son!

In this scripture reading, Jesus responds to his mother’s mention that there is no wine at the wedding by turning water into wine for the feast. Years ago when I first read this passage, I understood it as a miracle showing his followers that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Today what jumps off the page is “six stone jars . . . each holding twenty or thirty gallons.” 120 to 180 gallons of wine. In answer to a humble request, Jesus provides wine in abundance. That must have been some wedding celebration! Seriously, I’m awed by Christ’s amazing graciousness and generosity. This is the glory of God.

Are we thirsty? God provides us drink and nourishment in abundance. His invitation to come and be filled is right before us.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. Please guide us to walk as Jesus walked, with responsiveness, faith in action, and grace. Amen.