Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
Here is a reflection on the 4th verse of the Advent hymn, "Prepare the Royal Highway". If you would like to see reflections on previous verses you can find them in the archives. Also, look for a special Christmas edition that should be out either Christmas day or the 26th.
4 His is no earthly kingdom; It comes from heav’n above. His rule is peace and freedom And justice, truth, and love. So let your praise be sounding For kindness so abounding: (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! It seems our royal highway has not been so royal for this coming King. Our King was not greeted properly, received properly, yet he showed up to earth anyway. Or maybe that’s the point about Christ’s royalty and his royal highway. When we see pictures drawn of heaven we often see giant golden palaces. If Christ came from heaven above and was born in a lowly place it makes me wonder what the Kingdom of Heaven really looks like. If we look to Christ’s birth as a look into heaven maybe it is a place where women and children are prominent. Maybe it is a place where the lowly blue collar workers get to witness Jesus before the upper class Magi. I’ve never been there. I guess all of us will have to wait and see. What I do know is that the kingdom of Heaven is full of freedom, justice, truth, and love. That is something worth remembering as we “Prepare the Royal Highway” for Jesus. Pondering Points: 1. If Christ’s rule is peace, freedom, justice, truth, and love then what parts of your life would continue in the Kingdom of Heaven? What parts of your life would be changed upon Christ’s return? 2. We are always preparing the way for the Lord. His way is peace and love. This Christmas season as you are surrounded by family (some of which you may not like) try your best to live out that peace and love.
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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