2025 Advent Devotion: Day 18

Thursday, December 18

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Galatians 3:23-29

In the third grade I was introduced to English grammar. Mrs. Word was my teacher. For years I learned about subjects and verbs, nouns and pronouns, objects (direct and indirect), adjectives and adverbs, and . . . prepositions. Prepositions are about relationships between a noun/pronoun and other words to follow. Our English language has more than 100 prepositions, usually characterized by their function: directions (to, from, into), cause (for), possession (of), agency/instrumentality (with, by), place (in, on, under), manner (by, like, with), or time (before, during, after). We use prepositions all the time, without even thinking about it. Prepositions describe our relationships; they are bridges that provide context. Enrolling in college is vastly different than graduating from college.

In the New Testament reading for today (Galatians 3:23-29), the Apostle Paul writes about our lives no longer being “tutored” by the law. Our redeemed lives are insufficient if we just “do good, be nice, and don’t kick the dog.” We are to live “by faith.” Five times in these seven verses, “faith” is mentioned. But, faith in what? In whom? Remember, prepositions are about relationships. Six times in these seven verses, “Christ” is the most important relationship we may ever have. And about those prepositions: to Christ (v. 24), in Christ Jesus (v. 26), into Christ (v. 27), on Christ (v. 27), and in Christ Jesus (v. 28). Finally, you are Christ’s (v. 29)!

In 1615, the astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei was investigated by the Roman Inquisition for supporting the conclusion of Nicolaus Copernicus (1543) who suggested that the sun, not the Earth, was the center of our universe. This contradicted the commonly accepted biblical interpretation of that time that everything revolved around the earth, that is to say, around us.

The interrogators of Galileo found him “vehemently suspect of heresy.” In 1633, Galileo was forced to apologize, and he was sentenced to spend the remainder of his life under house arrest. And, he had to recite the seven Penitential Psalms every week for the remainder of his life. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the world does not revolve around us. Apparently, the directional prepositions (to, from, into, around) about relationships really do matter.

Sixteen years ago, my wife Patsy was dying of ovarian cancer. For eighteen months she fought a hard battle, but by December it was clear that her death was just around the corner. During Advent she received a letter from our long-time friend and pastor, Dr. Stephen Shoemaker. His letter was brief and to the point. One phrase offered hope and courage to Patsy, and it has carried me through many crises in my life: “Remember who you are—you are baptized into Christ.” Christ is the center and circumference of our lives.

In 1992, Pope John Paul II formally apologized to the family of Galileo, acknowledging that the church was wrong.

PRAYER OF ST. PATRICK
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Amen.



Doug Dickens
Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling