James 5:7-10
7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Having a four-year-old in the house this time of year is an exercise in patience. Not only must Samantha be patient as every trip to the store, every commercial on TV, every conversation with friends - and grandparents - revolve around what she wants for Christmas, but as parents, we too must be patient, both with a four year old, and with the world around us.
Samantha is constantly asking how many days are left until the presents arrive. As soon as a box shows up under the tree, she wants to know when she can open it. Although she understands that she will soon be able to open her gifts, patience for a four year old is in very short supply!
Christmas is truly a season that brings out both the best and worst in us. We have great moments of care and compassion for each other, we bake cookies, we go sing Christmas carols, we give to and serve those around us who need our help, the list goes on. But we also have great moments of failing to reflect the reason for the season. We feel the pressure of shopping for the perfect gift, of going to the many required parties and gatherings, of putting up with our crazy relatives… all those things that test our patience and conspire to make us forget that the meaning of Christmas is our celebration of Christ coming to this place to bring us hope and peace.
The lectionary reading for this week from James is never more beneficial for our study and contemplation than now - just two weeks from Christmas day. “Be patient…. strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
I know there will be times in the next couple of weeks when we will all loose sight of this. We will start grumbling against one another. We will need the example of suffering and patience promised, but be patient. The gift of Christ is the perfect gift, now and forever.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the reminder that yours is a kingdom that is ever unfolding. Yours is a kingdom that has come through the gift of Christ our Savior, and continues to come through each of us who are your disciples. We are called to be faithful and patient, with the promise and the hope that your kingdom comes, and your will is being done, all in your own time. Let us savor each day we have, even as the world around us rushes about. Let us seek out times of rest and sabbath, as we ask for your patience this day. Amen
7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Having a four-year-old in the house this time of year is an exercise in patience. Not only must Samantha be patient as every trip to the store, every commercial on TV, every conversation with friends - and grandparents - revolve around what she wants for Christmas, but as parents, we too must be patient, both with a four year old, and with the world around us.
Samantha is constantly asking how many days are left until the presents arrive. As soon as a box shows up under the tree, she wants to know when she can open it. Although she understands that she will soon be able to open her gifts, patience for a four year old is in very short supply!
Christmas is truly a season that brings out both the best and worst in us. We have great moments of care and compassion for each other, we bake cookies, we go sing Christmas carols, we give to and serve those around us who need our help, the list goes on. But we also have great moments of failing to reflect the reason for the season. We feel the pressure of shopping for the perfect gift, of going to the many required parties and gatherings, of putting up with our crazy relatives… all those things that test our patience and conspire to make us forget that the meaning of Christmas is our celebration of Christ coming to this place to bring us hope and peace.
The lectionary reading for this week from James is never more beneficial for our study and contemplation than now - just two weeks from Christmas day. “Be patient…. strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
I know there will be times in the next couple of weeks when we will all loose sight of this. We will start grumbling against one another. We will need the example of suffering and patience promised, but be patient. The gift of Christ is the perfect gift, now and forever.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the reminder that yours is a kingdom that is ever unfolding. Yours is a kingdom that has come through the gift of Christ our Savior, and continues to come through each of us who are your disciples. We are called to be faithful and patient, with the promise and the hope that your kingdom comes, and your will is being done, all in your own time. Let us savor each day we have, even as the world around us rushes about. Let us seek out times of rest and sabbath, as we ask for your patience this day. Amen
Rev. Alan Williams
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