Advent Devotional - December 17

December 17 Enters In

“Still, the dear Christ enters in”

Pray

Gentle God, You do not overwhelm me with Your mercy; You do not overcome my will with Yours. Although You have chosen me, You wait for my poor heart to choose You. I choose You now. Amen.

Read – Hebrews 6:19

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain”.

Reflect

There comes a time, in every life, when we become aware of the insistent knocking at the doorway of our heart. It is not an angry sound, as though someone is impatient at being made to wait. It is not alarming, like that of a police officer demanding entry. When Christ knocks at the door of your heart He is gentle, yet firm. When Love comes calling, you need to let Him in.

Holman Hunt painted a famous picture of Christ entitled “The Light of the World”. Bearing a lantern, Jesus stands knocking at an old door. It is firmly closed and obviously unused. Vines grow up the door. One other thing: there is no handle. If the door is to be opened it must be from the inside. Such is the door of your heart.

How many years has Jesus knocked upon that door? At times His knocking has been drowned out by the party you have been enjoying. You thought you had everything. What need did you have for a Savior? Then, at other times, perhaps when trials came, you had to cover your ears because you did not want to hear Him. You knew that you needed to open the door and to let Him in, but you were afraid of what you might lose. “Later,” you said, “when I am older. Not yet.”

Christmas is one of those times when God seems closer. When the old story is read once more, when the carols are sung, and when memories are shared, then Christ draws near. Faith seems real. That is the time to open the door, and to let Him in.