Read Isaiah 2:1-3a

Holidays are great fun, especially when brothers and sisters who are scattered across the country gather together for Christmas. Imagine getting a message from a family member in Michigan: “I can’t wait to spend Christmas with you at Mom’s!” Then you get an e-mail from a brother in California: “Looking forward to catching up when we get in for Christmas!” And then there’s a text from a third in North Carolina: “3 1 /2 wks & counting-can’t wait …” Our excitement builds when we realize we will be together again.

In this week’s Old Testament Lesson our brothers and sisters in Christ are excited to share a similar message with us: “Let’s go up to the house of God!” But it isn’t a once-a-year invitation just for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This invitation is given to us every weekend. Their joy won’t be quite as full unless you are there with them!

One of the best examples of this is the National Lutheran Youth Gathering that was held in New Orleans during the summer of 2009. In the days, weeks, and months before the event you can bet texts, and e-mails were flying across the country among friends who were looking forward to spending the week together. And in the weeks after the get-together many more e-mails, texts, tweets, and posts crisscrossed the nation and the world: “That was so great! Wish we could do it again!” Now imagine a worldwide gathering that won’t end after a few days but will last forever! That’s heaven.  I was completely amazed at how that one event changed the lives of so many youth.

It took a lot of hard work and planning by dozens of dedicated people to put the National Youth Gathering together. But to put our heavenly reunion together it took Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection: He suffered and died to take away our sins so we would be fit to come, and He is now preparing a place for us to stay eternally.

THE PRAYER: Lord, open my ears to hear my brothers and sisters calling me to join them, and let me join my voice with theirs. Especially lead me to call those who have not yet heard Your invitation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*Adapted from the LHM 2010 Advent Devotions