Advent Devotion- Create in me a Clean Heart (Day 2)

1 Thes 1: 1-10

"Paul, Silas, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."

Father, we are so thankful for the work you do in our hearts. Thank you that you offered us everything through Christ... and then because we are still so weak, give us the indwelling of the your Holy Spirit.

I pray, Lord, that you would make me a true servant to you the living and true God. That you would strengthen my faith, in you, Oh God, so that my life would be a testimony to who you are, that my life would bring you glory and praise. Develop in me a faith that is lived out, that endures, and that loves, as you have shown us. Help me to live my life as one who continually gives thanks for your love and grace, and for my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for the blessings you so richly bestow on us.

I ask your forgiveness for all the ways in which I fall short. Help me to turn away from the things of this world, and to fix my eyes upon you, that I might wait upon the Lord, in this season of advent, and always. Fix my eyes upon the child in the manger, on the Savior of my soul and my Redeemer.

As I look out my window to the white snow that has covered the world in a sparkling blanket in the last day, it reminds me how you washed me clean, and have given me your white robes of your righteousness. I ask you to wash me anew and to create in me a clean heart, Lord. Prepare my heart for your coming.

Amen.

Finally, I would like to include a quote from the Pope's Advent services yesterday. “Jesus' appeal therefore comes very much at the right time and in this first Sunday it is again proposed with force: 'Be watchful!' Jesus directed these words to his disciples, but also to 'everybody else' because each one will be called to answer for his existence at a time known only to God. This entails the right detachment from earthly things, sincere repentance for one's own errors, active charity towards one's fellow man and especially a humble and trusting faith in the hands of God, our tender and merciful Father."