Reflections from the Pastor

Today, as I write this article, I have been thinking a great deal about the season of Advent. Advent is a time for waiting, a time of expectation, a time of preparation.

Of course that is what the month of December always is … a time of getting ready for Christmas! We sweep out our houses and put up the decorations. We buy and wrap gifts for close friends and family. We bake all sorts of goodies for the many Christmas celebrations that we often attend or host. We look forward to the big day which is often a time for family gatherings.

Of course, there are those who don't do all this. There are people all over the world who are very poor, people who hope to have a little something to feed their families, not just Christmas day, but everyday. I think about the people in Pakistan who are suffering so greatly because of the earthquake there. They are starving and freezing in the mountains. There is not enough of anything … warm shelter, clothing, food, medical supplies … for them to survive. Over 80,000 people have already perished because of the earthquake.

As we look back over the year, there are many disasters we can name and thousands of people suffering from them still. We are the "haves" in a world where many "have not"… the wealthy in a world of "the least."

Advent is also a time of hope. For thousands of years, the Israelites hoped that their oppression would end, that suffering would stop, that the Prince of Peace would finally come. They waited and watched and sometimes were even faithful in keeping the covenant. Of course, often times, they grew weary and impatient in their waiting and tried to do things on their own. Finally, the long awaited Messiah did come, yet after all that waiting, many did not recognize him. He was not what they expected. He was gentle, humble, servant-like. He preached an upside-down theology … "the first shall be last and the last shall be first;" if anyone wants to be great, let him be a servant of all;" "if you did it to the least of these, you did it to me;" "the meek shall inherit the earth;" "blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

As we are preparing for the holiday of Christmas, let us also remember to sweep our hearts and minds and souls, to clear the way for the Prince of Peace to show us what is important in his kingdom, what we are to be caring about as we watch and wait for his return, so that we will recognize him when He comes.

I suggest we take a few moments each day to clear our minds and invite our Lord to be very present to us as we read Scripture and a devotion; that we sit in silence for a time, bending our ear to hear God's voice; that we ask for guidance in how we can prepare for this great coming of Christ. Let us not get so busy that we miss the real preparation for the real Christmas!

May God bless you as you seek the Christ-child once again. And may you experience him anew this Christmas season.

Peace and Grace,

Sharlyn