Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:26
There was great joy in Jerusalem, capsule for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

Thought for the Day: King Hezekiah wanted to restore and reunite the ancient Jewish covenant with God. As soon as he became king of Judah, store the southern Hebrew kingdom, illness he ordered a complete cleansing (spiritual and physical) and rededication of the temple of Solomon, worn by years of neglect and misuse. For Hezekiah and many others, the broken Temple was a symbol of the people’s broken covenant with God.

Once the work was complete, Hezekiah sent invitations throughout the two Jewish kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Though the Assyrians had conquered most of the northern kingdom of Israel, the two remaining tribes joined their brothers and sisters in a glorious and joyous feast of peace, dedicated to God, the likes of which hadn’t been seen in two centuries.

During Advent, as we prepare for Immanuel—for God with us, I’ve come to realize that the importance of the temple hasn’t diminished. Though while Hezekiah’s people may have found it necessary to go to a physical temple, a message of the birth of Christ is that God is with us. We are each the Temple. So I continue this Advent journey by rededicating my Temple—my heart, my mind, body and soul, to God. You’re all invited to join me.

Prayer: Your love moves me to love. Your compassion moves me to be compassionate. Your Wisdom moves me to learn. I dedicate the temple of my being to your Holy Being, my adored God of love. Move me, change me, let me be a revelation of your righteous nature. Amen.