Our Advent walk is approaching the threshold of Christmas. Rain has washed the dirt away and a full moon cleanses the night sky, setting the stage, so that every star might shine brightly on the Christ child. The whole of creation, which has been watching and waiting now welcomes the child, just as shepherd-poet David had said, (Psalm 19:1)
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”
Now, the Christmas stage is set. The house is ready. One more candle to light and the Guest may enter! That candle is LOVE.
However, has the Advent season taught us anything? Have we come to see the importance of watching and waiting for the Lord? Have we learned to listen to God speak through our day? Note that “devotion” is not just a set time, but an attitude of attentiveness and expectation. Can we imagine Advent as the first chapter of a great story in which we are invited to come along? Can we imagine prayer becoming so naturally enmeshed in our daily life that our whole life might end up becoming prayer?
That is a lot to think about. *
Just remember when you hang up your stockings, hang an extra one for the Christ child. It is his birthday, after all. And fill it with the gifts that he would want:
hope, peace, joy, and loving kindness.
*The Art of Living in Season, Sylvie VanHoozer, p. 26-28
Reverend Terry Hanna