Advent (day 16)
THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
FOCUS OF PREPARATION: JOY
Advent is a season of hope, remembering the longing of God’s people for Messiah and rekindling our own desire for Christ’s return. It is a time of reflection and preparation, both of which require us to enter in, forsaking the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The last two weeks have invited our reflection … considering the question, “What do I long for now?” My weak desires have been exposed by the powerful images and stories of God’s mighty deeds throughout history. I have been confronted with my day-to-day cravings, which often have little to do with the redemptive work of Christ or his coming reign of peace and justice. My only recourse in these times of searching for hope has been to plead the cry of Advent: “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Come and revive my spirit, lift my eyes to the God of hope, and to Christ, my hope of glory.
Now in the last two weeks of Advent we shift from reflection to preparation, from longing to anticipation. The clouds are breaking. Morning is coming. We are entering into the long-awaited joy of annunciation:
The stories of Jesus’ birth are filled with hints of what his life will mean for us. Faith and generosity overcome impossibility. Poverty and persecution reveal glory.
During this Christmas season, a time when we anticipate and receive gifts, let us be renewed in our sense of wonder and joy as we fix our hope on the gift of God: foretold by the prophets and the angel Gabriel, conceived in the virgin Mary, and celebrated by John the Baptist in his womb. “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 1: 26-45
FOCUS OF PREPARATION: JOY
Advent is a season of hope, remembering the longing of God’s people for Messiah and rekindling our own desire for Christ’s return. It is a time of reflection and preparation, both of which require us to enter in, forsaking the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The last two weeks have invited our reflection … considering the question, “What do I long for now?” My weak desires have been exposed by the powerful images and stories of God’s mighty deeds throughout history. I have been confronted with my day-to-day cravings, which often have little to do with the redemptive work of Christ or his coming reign of peace and justice. My only recourse in these times of searching for hope has been to plead the cry of Advent: “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” Come and revive my spirit, lift my eyes to the God of hope, and to Christ, my hope of glory.
Now in the last two weeks of Advent we shift from reflection to preparation, from longing to anticipation. The clouds are breaking. Morning is coming. We are entering into the long-awaited joy of annunciation:
The angel said to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God."
The stories of Jesus’ birth are filled with hints of what his life will mean for us. Faith and generosity overcome impossibility. Poverty and persecution reveal glory.
During this Christmas season, a time when we anticipate and receive gifts, let us be renewed in our sense of wonder and joy as we fix our hope on the gift of God: foretold by the prophets and the angel Gabriel, conceived in the virgin Mary, and celebrated by John the Baptist in his womb. “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 1: 26-45
posted by Bob | 10:42 AM
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