Advent Devotional - First Sunday in Advent

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?  (Psalm 24:3)

Advent to most people is an odd and strange season. Society has jumped into “Christmas.” Movies, songs and sales often begin in October! Advent is about the coming(s) of God. Preparing may be fun; waiting is hard. Thus Advent is an awkward advent-ure.

It seems odd to focus on Psalms for this devotional. Psalm 24 was used by the Church on Palm Sundays or Ascension Days to echo David’s bringing the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem. Here is high liturgy/pageantry! In Scotland verses 7-10 are set to the regal tune of St. George’s, Edinburgh and sung at the Lord’s Supper. Our hymnals have ignored this powerful tune.

Thanks, God, for giving us, in Jesus, clean hands and a pure heart so that we always enter worship as already redeemed.

Jim Farrer is honorably retired.