December 15 Advent Devotional - Ephesians 5:6-14

I think, when the angels listen,
Still sweeter becomes their song,
For the prayers of the little children
Who ever to God belong.
For they trust in the Father's mercy,
And never a doubt have they,
The children who 'mid the shadows
Kneel to their God and pray.
 
Oh happy are all the elders
Who share in the children's love,
And whose names are tenderly spoken
When they plead with their Friend above,
For "the Father heareth them always"-
And whatever your grief or care,
Be glad, for a blessing cometh,
If for you is the children's prayer.
                        Marianne Farningham 1880
 
I remember being very hungry, growing up poor. I ate all kinds of things.  There was a small onion weed that grew at the local football field and I would dig up the bulbs to eat them when I got very hungry. I remember one Christmas Dad had purchased us one present each (a small board game from the general store, it turned out). The day before Christmas, someone left a care package at our front door. There was food in there – pudding, ham, snacks and presents…. toys for my brothers and Barbie clothes for me (though I didn’t own a Barbie doll). I remember it was one of the best Christmases I had ever had. 

Daily Reading: Ephesians 5:6-14
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6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!
    Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’

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