The Little Foxes That (Try To) Ruin Christmas
Elizabeth Laing Thompson
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15 (NIV)
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15 (NIV)
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 (ESV)
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God …” Luke 2:13 (NLT)
“… the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Romans 4:17 (ESV)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison …” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, as we enter this second Sunday of Advent, kindle within us the flame of peace that only Your presence can bring. Prepare our hearts to receive Christ with stillness and trust, even amid the noise of the world. May the light of the Advent candles remind us of Your enduring promises and faithful love. Help us to walk in Your ways, making room for hope to grow in our lives and the lives of others. We wait with joyful expectation for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 (NIV)
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
“‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people. A Savior is born to you today in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord. And the sign to you is this: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:10-12 (TLV)
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Songs 2:15 (NIV)
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 (ESV)
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God …” Luke 2:13 (NLT)
“… the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Romans 4:17 (ESV)