Stand Firm, Hold Fast, a Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

The Christian Year begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas with the season of Advent--this year, November 28. This period in the Christian calendar is more complicated that just waiting for Christmas, and I'll write a lot about this later. But for now, the weeks before Advent, the lectionary focuses on eschatology--end times, second coming, or the coming reign of God.

This week's lesson from 2 Thessalonians was written to caution those new Christians not to be unduly disturbed by what had to happen before the culmination and what was required while waiting.

Waiting was not, and still isn't, easy, especially when the waiting is taking place during times of disturbance. In this year's edition of The Upper Room Disciplines, Bishop Gregory Palmer writes:

When change, fear, or anxiety come, we must keep this in mind: God's great love, God's salvation, and God's faithfulness will lead us to confidence, growth, and the peace that abides in God's arms. Our purpose does not change. The tools we employ may vary. But our purpose--to be a sign of God's love and reign in this world--is unchanging.

BTW: Next year's book of daily devotions is already available, Disciplines 2011.