Friday, December 17, 2021
Weekday for Advent
Readings for Today
O Antiphons for Advent
December 17–23
Listen for English
Eleazar come be Matthan papa, Matthan come be Jacob papa, Jacob come be Joseph papa, wey be Mary husband. Na Mary born Jesus wey dem dey call Christ. Matthew 1:15b–16
Today, we dey begin one “octave” to prepare directly for Christ birth. After this octave, we go enter the glorious Solemnity of Christmas!
Today, dem present us with di long family line of Jesus forefathers. Verses 2–16 for Chapter One of Matthew Gospel show us three groups of fourteen forefathers. Di family line start with Abraham and end with Jesus. Even though person wey study Scripture well fit learn many interesting things from dis family line and all di people wey dem name inside, di very heart of wetin e mean dey for Verse One: “Di book of di family line of Jesus Christ, David Son, Abraham son.” Dis show di direct connection between di promise wey God make to Abraham and how di promise come true for di person of di Son of God.
One thing wey we see as this promise come true na say God dey faithful. Na true say e take many centuries before His promise to Abraham come true, but e still happen. We hardly get any reason to doubt say Abraham rejoice well-well as e witness the glorious birth of one of im descendants as the Saviour of the World.
This one still tell us say the time wey God choose and the way wey He dey do things often dey different from wetin we first get for mind. We fit think of plenty “good” ideas and hope say dem go happen. But many times, when dem no happen at once as we hope, we fit lose heart.
Today, learn this lesson about God plan wey no get fault, wey He dey carry out over “long time.” He know wetin He dey do, and He dey carry out His plan for all of us. He dey guide us small-small and with clear purpose along the road wey lead to salvation and peace. E fit no be the way we go do things, but na the way wey no get fault.
Today, think deeply about the plan wey God get for your life. He dey call you to get patience and endure suffering for long? He dey ask you to trust Him completely, even when e hard? He dey ask you to surrender your own ideas and the things wey you dey aim to achieve? Yes, He dey ask for all these things and more. Give yourself again to the plan wey no get fault, wey dey the heart of our Father for Heaven, and He go guide you for every step of the way.
Lord, I know say Your ways no get fault and say, many times, Your plans no be my own. Help me make I let go of my own ideas and desires, and make I surrender myself more fully, with trust, to everything wey You don prepare for me. Lord, Your wisdom no get fault. Help me make I believe dis with all my heart. Jesus, na You I trust.
See All Our Materials for Advent
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Advent
Di main picture for top:Di Shepherds Dey Worship, wey Gerard van Honthorst make, through Wikipedia
