As we begin each day’s reflection, invite the Lord to come be with you as you read and meditate on His Word. Take a moment and read the bible passage slowly, allowing the Lord to draw you to any word or phrase that speaks to you.

Song of Songs 2:8-14 

Hark! my lover–here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. My lover speaks; he says to me

"Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! 

“O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely."

Arise my beloved and come! Who wouldn’t love to hear those words from Jesus spoken to you? Oh wait, we just did. This is the Word of God and He speaks to us through the Scriptures. So, hear his voice today as we finish off our week of Joy. This week’s Shepherd’s Candle reminds us of the beautiful message they heard from the angels and the joy they felt at seeing the infant in the manger. Today, the Lord has a message for us. Do you hear it in this first reading? 

He is calling us to wake from the slumber of our day-to-day life and look at what is coming. There is a springtime of new birth on the horizon. A time of new growth where the earth is celebrating alongside us as we are growing too. There is fruit being born in nature and in our lives. He is calling us to come and be with Him. Oh, how sweet his voice is for those who quiet themselves and listen. 

Just four more days until we celebrate his entrance into the world and into our hearts. It is time to wake up and get serious about making our hearts ready for Him. Look around you today and see the blessings. Count them. Name them. Write them down. Share them with others. Let’s be like those shepherds and rush to be with Him and bring others to meet Him too. 

Reflection Questions: What do you still feel like you need to do to be ready for Jesus this Christmas? How does it make you feel thinking that He is calling you to come to Him? Are you ready for some changes and all that will entail? 

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus. You call me Your beloved and You want to be with me always. Make my heart ready for You this Advent so that I can rejoice with You and grow in faith and devotion. I want to always hear Your sweet voice.  Amen.