DEVOTION FOR MONDAY IN THE WEEK OF ADVENT II (12/6/10)

GOD’S WORD—Psalm 72:3-4
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May He defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.

MEDITATION
From the opening chapter, “Marley’s Ghost”, in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:

“A few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”
“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t’ make merry myself at Christmas, and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.”
“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”
“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Ebenezer Scrooge, while a fictional character, sheds light on a dark mindset that is only too real. Dickens may have engaged in a bit of “exaggeration for effect”, but he nailed it. Someone has said that depression is “anger turned inward.” Scrooge appears to have so much of it – anger – that his inward self can no longer contain it. Thus, he flings his verbal bile at two chaps who are trying to bring some Christmas cheer to needy people. As A Christmas Carol progresses, it become clear that the “psychological approach” is not the cure for Ebenezer’s woe. There were no happy pills. What happened was something bordering on redemption.

Scrooge was self-absorbed. King Solomon, the author of this week’s psalm (Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19), took a different tack. Despite his gargantuan wisdom and wealth, He implored our Lord to provide prosperity, righteousness, defense, and deliverance.

This kind of dependence on God – genuine and prayerful – is a gift in itself. Remember it! Unpack it! Use it! It’s the perfect antidote for Scrooge-ish-ness!

PRAYER
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son, so that by His advent we may be enabled to serve you with purified minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

VERSE
Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.