And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him – Martin Luther

In this temporary world, Advent-watch invites us to walk with God in Whom we have a treasure that the world cannot take from us. In this world, the power of man or the devil can deprive or rob us of earthly treasures; hence, we face persecution with joy as faithful Advent people, followers of Jesus, bearing in mind that no man can take this joy from us.

A story was told about a martyr in the second century. They brought him ‘before a king, and the king wanted him to recant and give up Christ and Christianity, but the man spurned the proposition. the king said, “If you don’t do it, I will banish you.” The man smiled and answered: “You cannot banish me from Christ, for He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.” The king got angry and said: “well, I will confiscate your property and take it all from you.” the man replied: “My treasures are laid up on high; you cannot get them.” The king became angry and said: “I will kill you.” “Why,” the man answered, “I have been dead forty years; I have been dead with Christ, dead to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it.” Thus, we can rejoice because we are on resurrection ground, having risen with Christ.

Let persecution and opposition come, we can rejoice continually, and remember that our reward is great, reserved for us unto the day when He who is our Life shall appear, and we shall appear with Him in glory.’ In the footsteps of the early disciples, who were persecuted precisely for being Jesus’ disciples, we are really blessed today to be partakers of such persecution because we “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for great is your reward in heaven” (Lk 6:22).

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me. Let nothing take away the joy, hope, love, and peace of the Lord from me.