Partners
In Hope

Monday, December 10, 2012 -- Advent Week 2 -- Party Season

Monday December 10, 2012


What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning looking for a drink of alcohol and spend long evenings drinking wine to make themselves flaming drunk. They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties—lyre and harp, tambourine and flute—but they never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing.  (Isaiah 5:11-12 NLT)

Christmas season.  It's party time.  There's no busier season for caterers and those who own restaurants or pubs.  Family get-togethers, work Christmas parties, socials with churches and social groups are just some of the gatherings with music and dancing, laughter and good food.  It's the time to indulge, we tell ourselves. Whether it is food or alcohol or something else, many people find permission to do whatever it takes to have a good time.  In spite of the fact that the reason for the season is the generous gift of Jesus, we seldom think about Him during the Christmas party season or notice what He is doing.  He left the glory of heaven to come to earth, to be born in a stable so He could be our Saviour, and the truth seems to get lost in the celebration.

This is both the challenge and the invitation the prophet brings to us today -- to remember the reason for the season and in doing so, to find the great joy that wine and parties could never give us on their own.   God wants us to be joyful and even tells us that His kingdom is marked with "righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17 NLT) 

Jesus came to earth to give us the peace of mind of sins forgiven, the freedom of living in the truth rather than the cover-up of lies, and the comfort we need in times of sorrow.  We have proven over and over again that we are not wise enough to sort these things out on our own.  We are powerless over many things that make life unmanageable. 
 The Advent invitation of this day is to stop and think about the Lord and notice what He is doing in us, and around us.  As we welcome His goodness into our daily lives, we can also remember, with joy, our invitation to the great party in heaven that awaits those who put their hope and trust in Jesus.  

Audio for Monday, December 10, 2012 -- Advent Week 2 -- Party Season

Recent Meditations

DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW
April 19, 2025
WHAT DOES JESUS’ DEATH HAVE TO DO WITH ADDICTION?
April 18, 2025
CARRYING THE MESSAGE BY ACTING WISELY
April 17, 2025
INSECURITY
April 16, 2025
THE HIDDEN KINDNESS OF GOD
April 15, 2025
See all

Giving Hope

Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.