waiting…

It seems Christmas is upon us! The winter wonderland has come! I know, just wait it will only get deeper and the white will not be so pretty… But Christmas lights are up, and the snow has fallen. All that is left is for Santa to come, oh wait; he is already at the mall, waiting to hear your list…

But is it time for Christmas? We are waiting. Now is the time of Advent, the season of the church year that is the 4 weeks before Christmas where we wait the advent of Christ in the manger. Advent means arrival. We are waiting for the arrival of Jesus.

But isn’t Jesus already with us? And yet we still wait on His advent again. It is the already not yet of Christmas and the return. You see as I write this it is not yet Thanksgiving, yet stores are playing Christmas music and all over the country side we see lights of Christmas. It is as if we have skipped being thankful into being consumers. It is a joyous time, but what does Christmas mean to you?

As we wait this year for the baby in the manger, let’s not get caught up in the societal understanding of this wonderful day. As we work through December and Advent, let us prepare for the miracle that allows us to be in relationship with God.  Let us prepare our hearts and bodies for the coming of our savior.  Let us during Advent, the season of Hope and Light, prepare for Jesus coming in the manger.

Don’t get caught up in the whirlwind excitement of consumerism this Advent. As we wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Christ by giving to others, rather than giving to Him. Let us remember that His coming was the greatest gift we could ever receive and live into that gift, by focusing on others, just as He did for us. Live in the expectation of the greatest gift and miracle we have all behold.  Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds and prepare you this Advent.