Preaching Daily - December 11
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- 2022 Dec 11
Today's Reading...
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. - Luke 2:4
Advent: The Manger Child and the God of the Dung Hill
Steven Burt
In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus returns home after twenty years of fighting the Trojan War and wandering the seven seas. During his absence, his palace has been taken over by men who are lined up to claim his wife's hand in marriage. They have spent years squandering Odysseus' goods, eating his food and crops, mistreating his servants. They have made a real mess of the palace.
One of the most moving chapters in the Odyssey involves Odysseus' return in disguise to check out their forces. He dresses as a beggar so no one will recognize him, but as he approached the palace gate his faithful dog, Argos, who has waited twenty years for his return, recognizes him.
Argos has been beaten and mistreated by the unwelcome guests. This once noble hunting dog with superb bloodlines has been thrown out the gate onto the dung hill, the manure pile.
(To read the rest of today's devotional, follow this link.)
Today’s Pastoral Resource...
Preaching
As rewarding as it is to write sermons week after week, sometimes we need a little encouragement and direction. This free guide will give you that motivation you need to write another God-centered sermon that glorifies His name. Get started with this free guide.
