Scriptures: Isaiah 40:1-5; Luke 10:38-41
The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar and is one of the special seasons that cause us to focus on spiritual matters. The word Advent means, “coming” or “arrival” and is a time of waiting and preparation. This season is a wonderful time to “un-clutter our lives.” The four weeks prior to Christmas day call us to respond to the words of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, who challenges people of faith of every century “to prepare for the coming of the Lord.”
I discovered a new book for this Advent season, The Uncluttered Heart by Beth A. Richardson. It’s a brief devotional/reflection book that offers guidance for preparing hearts, homes, and spirits for the celebration of the birth of Christ. In the introduction to her book Richardson writes, “Advent is often the busiest time of the year. And yet, we are called to make time and space to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. What a challenge for us as Christians! This book’s purpose resides in helping us clear away obstructions to God—our worries, distractions, negative habits—so that our hearts and spirits are open to God’s movement during this holy time. No matter how busy we may become, God is waiting to break through our endless tasks and distractions to remind us that we are not alone; indeed, God is present with us in every moment.” In her book, Richardson offers helpful insights to make the most of this season. After all, the purpose of Advent is to help us prepare for a holy encounter.
Too often our lives become cluttered with so many non-essential things that we miss the meaning of the season. There seems to be so much to do and so little time, and our lives become cluttered with events and obligations. We go though the motions of so many rituals and take on many added tasks to satisfy the search for the meaning and joy of Christmas. Our lives become cluttered with mundane tasks and activities with little thought to why we do what we do. This time of preparation becomes a race to get it all done before the special day of Christmas arrives when we hope to discover the mystery, meaning and message, if we think about it at all. If we take our cluttered lives into the observance we will certainly miss the peace and joy that Christmas offers.
So perhaps we should consider what is truly important in this season of preparation. Perhaps we should ask, why do we do all the things we do during this season that urges us to rush to get so much done by December 25th?
If you feel your life is cluttered, I suggest that refocusing how you use your time and energy will help you un-clutter your life and fill it with the “things of the spirit.” Our lives begin to become uncluttered when we reestablish priorities, and take time for reflection and remembrance. To do so will not only add meaning to this season but to every season of life. The most important thing we can do during Advent is to attend to spiritual matters. After all Advent/Christmas is not just about decorations, gift buying and giving, attending parties, and the numerous other activities that fill our calendars. This season really is about preparing once again to claim the message which leads to spiritual well-being.
As a matter of fact, if we think Christmas is about preparing for the observance of one day, then we have missed the point. Christmas is any day love is expressed. It happens when we make spiritual matters important and allow our hearts to become uncluttered with worldly things and expectations, and become filled with the true gifts of Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. When we do, we truly have cause to celebrate. It is then that we find our soul’s greatest desire, address our deepest human longing, and we discover what Christ came to bring into our often cluttered lives.
Last Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, I attended the evening contemporary worship at my home church. Upon entering the chapel, I noticed immediately that the altar table in the center of the room was filled with clutter: a Santa’s hat, Christmas wrapping paper, ribbon, a string of electric tree lights, bells, a Christmas card, colored ornaments, and a small burning candle—all symbols of the season. However the central symbol of the faith – the cross-- was notably missing. During the message, the preacher moved to the table and uncovered the cross which had been hidden from view by all the clutter. She then placed the larger cross in the center of all the clutter. What a powerful moment of truth was highlighted by this simple act! It does take the cross of Christ and its message of God’s love to remove the clutter that often hides the meaning of Christmas.
So if you really want to prepare for Christmas, then make these days of preparation ones that enrich your spiritual life. Don’t be content with the limited secular interpretation of the season, but look for the deeper spiritual meaning. Become more intentional in the daily practice of spiritual disciplines. Offer prayers regularly; look for ways to share the meaning and message of the season with others. Read again the gospel story that tells of God’s amazing love and grace. Un-clutter your heart of worldly desires and fill them with the “things of the spirit.” Fill your heart with the true meaning of Christmas so that all you do will be motivated by Christ-like love. Allow God to break through the clutter to discover and claim the reason for the season. And if you do, not only will your life become more enriched with the true gifts of Christmas, but so will the lives of others whom you touch.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Promise of Emmanuel
Scriptures: Isa.40:1-5; Jeremiah 33:14-16; 2 Cor. 1:20
The season of Advent has begun. It is the first season in the Christian calendar, and has been observed throughout Christendom since the sixth century. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” This season includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Advent is properly observed as the season of preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s birth and it is a time of anticipation and waiting.
A central Advent symbol is the candle. A major custom of Advent includes the lighting four candles, one each week, symbolizing the coming of God’s gift of light into the world through Christ. The candles are strategically arranged in a circle wreath representing eternity, and adorned with evergreens, to represent undying faith.
Advent is the season when we once again hear scriptures read from the Old Testament prophets. The message of Christmas cannot be fully understood without their words. The primary task of these messengers of God was to challenge people to live in relationship with God, and in accordance to God’s laws and purposes. Sometimes their words were harsh and condemning, for the times and circumstances called for such boldness. Other times they offered words of hope and encouragement. Two of the prophets, Jeremiah and Isaiah, spoke of God’s promises of deliverance, from which the scriptures were read today.
The four weeks prior to Christmas Day have traditionally been a time of preparation. It is difficult to wait, because we are impatient people. We know the story and we are anxious to celebrate. Many clergy and church musicians insist that we move slowly toward Christmas by singing Advent hymns, and save the more traditional ones that tell the beautiful story of Jesus’ birth until Christmastide.
But it’s hard isn’t it? With all the secular songs of Christmas being played on the radio even prior to Thanksgiving, by December 1, we have already had our fill of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Frosty the Snowman. We long to hear songs with a message of substance, one that that reminds us of the reason for the season. Songs like O little Town of Bethlehem, or Away in a Manger help tell the age-old story. But Advent is a time of preparation, so let’s try to be patient with the liturgy and customs of this season prior to Christmas and use this time as a time of spiritual preparation.
Perhaps the most important thing we can do during Advent is recall God’s promise of Emmanuel. Understanding the word Emmanuel is essential to understanding Christmas. It reminds us of a central truth of our faith, for the word “Emmanuel” means God with us.
But what does ‘God with us’ mean? In the hustle and bustle of so many activities these days, where and how is God with us? My answer to that question is that it means that we are not alone and that we have companionship for the journey of life. It means that what Jesus promised to his disciples, he promises to us. It means that God comes to us sometimes in ordinary and unexpected places (like a stable in Bethlehem) and also in extraordinary times and places (like a hospital awaiting the outcome of tests for a serious illness.) Yes, God is with us in times of both joy and sorrow, when our hearts are glad as well as sad. At times God comes to us when we least expect it, but when we need to know God’s presence the most. Understanding Emmanuel keeps us focused on the true reason for the season.
But how do we claim the promise of Emmanuel? The secret is to come in faith seeking expectantly. Scriptures offer us these words of encouragement: “If with all your heart you seek me, you shall surely find me.” God’s presence is an ever-present reality in the lives of people of faith. God is an abiding presence providing us comfort and strength no matter what life may bring.
Following the communist take-over of Shanghai in 1949, Christian churches were forcibly closed. Dr. Lei, an elderly Christian physician, tells of his experience. The church building had been converted into a warehouse. The beautiful stained gas windows were boarded up, and padlocks placed on the doors. On the Christmas Eve after his church had been closed, Dr. Lei and his wife felt compelled to go to their former place of worship. So they went out into a cold dark rainy night and began the walk to their former church. As they drew near, they became aware that others were walking with them. Before long they had gathered in front of the old church building with fellow Christians. For several hours they stood there in silence. No hymns were sung, no sermon preached. There were no candles or symbols, nothing that is usually associated with the observance of Christmas. But as the clock stuck midnight, a powerful word was whispered and began to spread among them. The word was “Emmanuel.” And in spite of being forced to live under communist control, as they heard that word, it gave them hope and their faith was renewed.
So, as we observe Advent, let us claim once again the promise of Emmanuel -- God with us. When we do, we, too, will be given hope and find our faith renewed, and we will come to know all the joys of this holy season that draws us closer to God.
The season of Advent has begun. It is the first season in the Christian calendar, and has been observed throughout Christendom since the sixth century. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” This season includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Advent is properly observed as the season of preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s birth and it is a time of anticipation and waiting.
A central Advent symbol is the candle. A major custom of Advent includes the lighting four candles, one each week, symbolizing the coming of God’s gift of light into the world through Christ. The candles are strategically arranged in a circle wreath representing eternity, and adorned with evergreens, to represent undying faith.
Advent is the season when we once again hear scriptures read from the Old Testament prophets. The message of Christmas cannot be fully understood without their words. The primary task of these messengers of God was to challenge people to live in relationship with God, and in accordance to God’s laws and purposes. Sometimes their words were harsh and condemning, for the times and circumstances called for such boldness. Other times they offered words of hope and encouragement. Two of the prophets, Jeremiah and Isaiah, spoke of God’s promises of deliverance, from which the scriptures were read today.
The four weeks prior to Christmas Day have traditionally been a time of preparation. It is difficult to wait, because we are impatient people. We know the story and we are anxious to celebrate. Many clergy and church musicians insist that we move slowly toward Christmas by singing Advent hymns, and save the more traditional ones that tell the beautiful story of Jesus’ birth until Christmastide.
But it’s hard isn’t it? With all the secular songs of Christmas being played on the radio even prior to Thanksgiving, by December 1, we have already had our fill of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Frosty the Snowman. We long to hear songs with a message of substance, one that that reminds us of the reason for the season. Songs like O little Town of Bethlehem, or Away in a Manger help tell the age-old story. But Advent is a time of preparation, so let’s try to be patient with the liturgy and customs of this season prior to Christmas and use this time as a time of spiritual preparation.
Perhaps the most important thing we can do during Advent is recall God’s promise of Emmanuel. Understanding the word Emmanuel is essential to understanding Christmas. It reminds us of a central truth of our faith, for the word “Emmanuel” means God with us.
But what does ‘God with us’ mean? In the hustle and bustle of so many activities these days, where and how is God with us? My answer to that question is that it means that we are not alone and that we have companionship for the journey of life. It means that what Jesus promised to his disciples, he promises to us. It means that God comes to us sometimes in ordinary and unexpected places (like a stable in Bethlehem) and also in extraordinary times and places (like a hospital awaiting the outcome of tests for a serious illness.) Yes, God is with us in times of both joy and sorrow, when our hearts are glad as well as sad. At times God comes to us when we least expect it, but when we need to know God’s presence the most. Understanding Emmanuel keeps us focused on the true reason for the season.
But how do we claim the promise of Emmanuel? The secret is to come in faith seeking expectantly. Scriptures offer us these words of encouragement: “If with all your heart you seek me, you shall surely find me.” God’s presence is an ever-present reality in the lives of people of faith. God is an abiding presence providing us comfort and strength no matter what life may bring.
Following the communist take-over of Shanghai in 1949, Christian churches were forcibly closed. Dr. Lei, an elderly Christian physician, tells of his experience. The church building had been converted into a warehouse. The beautiful stained gas windows were boarded up, and padlocks placed on the doors. On the Christmas Eve after his church had been closed, Dr. Lei and his wife felt compelled to go to their former place of worship. So they went out into a cold dark rainy night and began the walk to their former church. As they drew near, they became aware that others were walking with them. Before long they had gathered in front of the old church building with fellow Christians. For several hours they stood there in silence. No hymns were sung, no sermon preached. There were no candles or symbols, nothing that is usually associated with the observance of Christmas. But as the clock stuck midnight, a powerful word was whispered and began to spread among them. The word was “Emmanuel.” And in spite of being forced to live under communist control, as they heard that word, it gave them hope and their faith was renewed.
So, as we observe Advent, let us claim once again the promise of Emmanuel -- God with us. When we do, we, too, will be given hope and find our faith renewed, and we will come to know all the joys of this holy season that draws us closer to God.
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