Scripture
John 1: 1-5, 10-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it...
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[full of grace and truth. (NRSV)
Devotion
As a firm lover of Advent, I tend to get frustrated by society's rush to celebrate Christmas. It's seems like Christmas starts before Halloween now, and soon as Thanksgiving hits, certain TV and radio hosts go on and on about how about how everyone should be wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas. "But it's not Christmas yet!" I yell at the radio. "It's Advent! Advent!!! May you have a successful Season of Preparation."
It's not that I don't understand the desire to get to Christmas joy. I just worry about whether--with our busy lives and our rush to get there--we are truly ready to recognize and welcome Christ when he finally comes. John writes that when Crhist first came among us, his own people did not know and accept him. If we don't take the time and effort to prepare for his return,will we do any better?
Like everyone else now, I am embroiled in final Christmas plans. But even as I write a Christmas Eve sermon and our Worship Committee preps candles and changes out blue bows for gold ones, I try to make time for Advent. And as I light my Advent candles tonight and turn off the lights to watch them glow in my darkened living room, I will try to prepare my heart to welcome the One who is coming.
Tonight, I will remind myself that our Savior came not as a standard ruler or military leader but as a fragile child born to humble parents. Not to demand gifts but to feed the hungry. Not to rule with an iron first but to set loose the prisoner. Not to condemn but to forgive. Not to triumph over his enemies but to sacrifice himself for a world he loves. And those are the same qualities Jesus will exhibit when he comes again.
The following 3 songs help me prepare to welcome the Christ child into the world. I hope they are at last half the blessing to you that they are to me. And as you finish up your preparations.
Prayer
Prepare my heart, O God, for the coming of your Son. Our world eagerly awaits his arrival. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment