Devotional 12-6-15

For the past week you have read powerful words of judgment and promise.  They are words of Advent preparation and challenge.  I’ve been struck by the way many are concerned about “keeping Christ in Christmas” and others who seem amazingly concerned that a red coffee/latte cup does not invoke the way and spirit of Christmas. One response to those concerns has come back with the challenge that maybe our faithful focus might be to “keep Christ in Christian.”  These Advent readings help us center ourselves by asking us some questions of the heart.

Who can endure the day of his coming? Malachi has reminded us of the refining and purifying way of the One who is to come among us.  What will God’s refining look like in us? In our community?  In our congregations?  How different will we look if our offerings are pleasing to the Lord?  It isn’t easy to look inside.  Preparation can be hard work for us.  (Malachi 3: 1-4)

Zechariah’s voice returns in the first Luke reading and he breaks into song.  Zechariah has reason to rejoice.  After long years of waiting and hoping, he and Elizabeth had been blessed with the gift of a son. But instead of simply praising God for this gift, he points us toward the way of God’s tender mercies that will come quickly to God’s people in the form of God’s own son, Emmanuel.  The one who was silenced is now celebrating the forgiveness, the love, the hope, and the light that God brings to him and to all people.  His little boy will prepare the way for us to know Christ.  What darkness have you known?  What has silenced you?  Who brings light to your life? With whom do you share light? Are we ready for the gift John points us toward?  (Luke 1: 68-79)

Paul challenges us to live in a way that is pure and blameless at the coming of Christ.  That seems so impossible.  He whispers to us from prison a prayer that the people of the congregation at Philippi (and us) would live in active love—a love that will overflow in knowledge and insight so that we know what is best. That is the way that we will be ready for the day of Christ’s appearing.   How can we live in that active love until we see Christ?  (Philippians 1: 3-11)

Into our busy preparation for the Advent and Christmas seasons (decorating, cleaning, cooking, shopping), comes a challenge to make the right preparations.  Who will prepare the way of the Lord by repentance and forgiveness?  John the Baptist comes among us challenging us to get ready for Jesus. We do that by truthful self-examination.  (Luke 3: 1-6)

Advent questions come to us.  Getting ready for the coming of Christ is hard, faithful work.  We often focus on the tasks to be done but the scripture readings for the week have challenged us to get our hearts and lives ready for Christ.  How will we prepare? What needs to be cleaned, discovered, or reworked in our lives?  Maybe I do need to spend some time making sure that I am keeping “Christ in Christian.”

Prayer:
Advent God, in the busy ways of this season, slow me down.  Interrupt the things I am doing with time to reflect about my spiritual preparation.  I humbly offer my life of faith.  Help me be ready, prepared, and willing to respond to your call in my life.  Amen.

Mark Conner