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Today’s Reflection
WE STAND on the cusp of a new year with the renewed assurance of God’s presence, which we celebrated in the season of Advent. We do not face a new year or a new day alone; through the miracle of the incarnation, we affirm that God is with us, even now.
Through the Holy Spirit, God fills our hearts and lives each day; and as followers of God, we also manifest God’s presence on the earth.
God leads us to act with love and compassion toward others, making God’s loving touch known to all around us during this and every year as we enact the reign of God on earth today.
– Disciplines
From “Epiphany’s Light,” reading for January 1, 2010 by Anna Lee in The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2009 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
May the Holy Spirit fill you, that you may be Christ’s presence in the world. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1, NRSV
This Week: Pray for joyous new beginnings. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
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This week we remember: Simeon Stylites (December 27).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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In order to continue receiving Upper Room Daily Reflections after January 1, 2019, please confirm your subscription here.
10 Comments
Yes, may the Holy Spirit fill us that we may be Christ’s presence to the world!
Wishing everyone a very happy new year filled with God’s blessings and favor!
It is just past midnight in Singapore on January 1. Happy New Year to you, Mary, our far-away sister in miles, but close in heart.
Thank you dear Andrea!
May you and your family enjoy your new year celebration!
Blessings!
Thankfully, we do have the absolute assurance of His Presence with us, wherever we go. Father, might this enhance our boldness. Might our roots grow deeper this year, our trust – more full and complete, according to Your will.
Father, thank You for fellow sojourners, whose light continues to shine, amidst difficulties and joys. May we stay connected to You – the ultimate Source of all.
Amen and Amen to what Mary and Jill have written for this last day of 2018 and beginnings of 2019!
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His Grace
I can feel the brush of Angels wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!
Blessings dear UR Family as we end this year and greet the next.
I love that song. New Year Blessings, dear April.
Yes, may God’s love and light shine through me and enclose all I encounter with His love.
What a group of loving and giving followers we have found here. We are truly God’s family, supporting and encouraging and sharing in joys with one another. God bless each and every one of the UR family in the year ahead.
Arise, Shine.
My 2019 prayer: Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. Thank you, Jesus.
Thankful for:
The hope of a new year.
After Christmas plans fell through, a restoration of some sort and bonding.
All the good things that happened in 2018.
That the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.
Blessings to all….and ten thousand beside.
See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare. Before they spring forth I tell you of them. Isaiah 42:9.
Dear UR friends, Happy New Year, just a dozen or so hours away, depending on where you live. Marcy, I miss you and pray for you and Mary. Prayers, cyber-hugs, and wishing all abundant blessings in 2019.
For me this reflection defines what Jesus did for us and how we can thus be God’s hands to others. I’m very thankful for what God did for me and hope I am a faithful follower doing what God has asked me to do. I pray that all of you are filled with the Holy Spirit and thus are also God’s hands.
Have had a long busy day, but all has gone well.
Prayers that the New Year will be full of the Holy Spirit for you and that you will be blessed with God’s love. Good health and God’s peace be yours. Thank You, Lord.
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