Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve - The Waiting of Advent is Over

From the Gospel of Luke
 
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Peace: The Fourth Sunday of Advent

So many images are conjured up by the word peace:
  
Peace on earth. 

Peace in my heart. 

Peaceful easy feeling.

Peace in our day. 

The lion will lie down with the lamb in peace.


Do we truly take the time to reflect on the meaning of peace? 

How appropriate that this is the theme of the week many find the most stressful, as they rush about with preparations for the holiday. But are those preparations that were meant by "Let every heart prepare Him room"?

I have to remember to step back. To recall a humble manger. To remember that the peace of the season is not about the quiet after the children are abed, but a much deeper peace. A peace that abides in me as I reflect upon one woman's faith and trust in her Lord, as she prepared to bring forth the Hope that changed the world.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Joy: The Third Week of Advent

The Third Sunday in Advent is often referred to as Gaudette Sunday. It is Joy, the minor theme in the season of anticipation.

I often think that the Joy of Advent is overshadowed by the commercialization of Christmas - which makes this beautiful season a stressful shopping competition. And so I try to slow down, to take Advent at its day-by-day pace.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Love: The Second Week of Advent

Love is the power that saves, the light that burns in our heart. As the Bible tells us:

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails...(Corinthians 13:4-8)

Love is the theme of this second week in this Season of Waiting...