With this Sunday, Advent has begun. It’s a time of anticipation…a time of waiting…a time of preparation. When our second son, Jonah, was born, we had a lot to do to prepare for his entrance into the world. It seems that no matter whether it’s your first child or not, there are many things that need to be done to prepare for the baby.
There’s the infant seat to purchase and install in the car. The crib or that bassinette for the child to sleep in must be assembled. There are diapers, sleepers, blankets, wipes and bibs to purchase and prepare for the comfort of the baby. Some people prepare the house or apartment for the arrival of a new life…preparing a room with new paint and other decorations. Often, there are visitors to get ready for…grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who come to see the baby. And then there is the hospital bag that must be packed so that some of the comforts of home can follow the new mother to the hospital.
This process of preparation is called nesting. It’s an event that often precedes the birth of a child. Nesting may be experienced only by the mother as she seeks to clean everything up for this new life…or it can be experienced by both parents in anticipation of the newest arrival to their family. In similar ways, Advent is a nesting of our souls in preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child in our mist.
Just like expectant parents, we have been waiting and watching…waiting for this time to come. We have been looking forward to this new chapter in our lives anxious for the new little person to come in our midst and change our lives forever. When Jesus came into the world, his arrival not only changed the lives of his parents, but his birth changed the lives of everyone who would come after him. No one would ever be the same again…God’s promise had finally been fulfilled.
Jeremiah, in his 33rd chapter, talked of a time that was to come when a promise to the people of Israel would be complete. Jeremiah writes of a time when the Israelites would be saved and God’s promise would come into fruition.
On this first Sunday in Advent, we begin this process of preparation...a nesting for the arrival of the baby Jesus with us. There is much to be done. We may not have to get the car seat or the crib ready, but we are encouraged to get our hearts ready. To do this, we can spend time in prayer or meditation. We can offer to help those in our midst, ministering to them as Jesus would. In this season of Advent, may we prepare our homes and our hearts for the arrival of this new little baby…the new life that can be through Jesus, the Christ Child.
Rev. Carol McKay
2 comments:
I love the comparison of nesting to Advent.
Thanks. I used the nesting comparison for my children's sermon this morning. One the children had just had a new baby sister so it was a perfect connection!
June
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