ADVENT'S GOOD NEWS

A tiny slip of paper wakes me from sound sleep: my list. Raspberry layer cake, appple pie, cinnamon rolls, cookies yet to be rolled out, a few presents that still need sorting and wrapping. This is nothing new- there really is nothing new under the sun, or under today's cheerless gray sky, but how to handle the stress and seemingly endless errands and preparations for the holidays?

I can make my heart ready for this day, for this task, for these duties, for family and friends and the guests God brings. I know you would say I can shorten my list, but that would grieve my heart, for it is my passion, but I can sit in God's presence and strengthen my heart to bear the gifts of giving without the weight of worry and resentment. How?

"My heart is ready, O God; I will sing, sing your praise. Awake my soul... I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples. among the nations I will praise you, for your love reaches to the heavens and your truth to the skies." Psalm 108

Faintly, in the reflection through our sun room windows, our Christmas lights appear outside on this dreary day. So too, in my life, Christ's light shines from within me to dimly display the glory of His love to a needy world. My choice is to see the day, with all its chaos and caroling as His, and know the truth that reaches these foggy New England skies: His love reaches to the heavens and has come down from the heavens to touch us and heal us, bringing hope and joy and peace. He brings me His love and lifts my weary head. "He is my glory and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3

My heart is ready. Is yours?

"Come thou long-expected Jesus, 

Born to set thy people free

 From our fears and sins release us, 

Let us find our rest in thee.

 Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King.

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring 

By thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all-sufficient merit

Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"For what greater grace could God have made to dawn on us than to make His only Son become a son of man, so that  a son of man might in turn become the son of God. Ask if this were merited; for its reason, for its justification, and see whether you will find any other answer but sheer grace...Let us then rejoice in this grace."

 Saint Augustine  Sermon 185

ADVENT'S UNLIKELY OFFERING

Journeying seems so challenging, so exhausting, so fruitless at times. I have wondered this month if I am only, "Santa's helper," or a "handmaid of the Lord." The latter seems unlikely. I have baked and struggled, wrestled with self and welcomed others, but I have yet to make it  to the manger. The mall, yes, the grocery, many times, the parties, as best as I could. But the manger eludes me- I seem to be on the road to Bethlehem, but not arriving.

My heart seems a thousand steps behind me, the pace of life and its lures seem to slow my footsteps. Of course I am tired, aren't we all, but the call still comes from Hannah's haunting prayer: "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I will give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Can I offer back to God the very gifts I prayed for? With a half-frozen heart I walk Advent steps towards Bethlehem and I realize Mary struggled as I do. Her life, her love, her family, other's concerns for her all had to be sacrificed on the way to bring the Light of the world to the Inn. Mary, indeed, was the Savior's first refuge, filled with grace she offered Him shelter under her heart, near her soul.

Can I shelter Him in my heart or will I continue on wearily walking through the motions of the Christmas chaos? My heart begins to thaw as the pain of offering all He has given finally touches me. I have numbed this emotion with baking cookies and sewing  matching pajamas; now I know I must go myself to the Inn and see the Christ-Child born. I cannot continue on the road, busy myself with passing time, so I allow the sadness of this great offering to hasten my feet to kneel at His. He alone can heal the sin and sorrow of the  world. His joy comes breaking through my Advent anguish.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"Comfort, comfort My people, says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins."

 Isaiah 40:1-2

ADVENT'S UPSET

I have this illusion that Christmas is about a list, and gifts and presents and parties and family gathering, and it is, but there is a deeper meaning that fuels the outer purposes. God comes to me in the incarnation so that I might come to Him. I can rest my weary soul, and obey the tender call of the Savior: "Come to Me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest,  Matthew 11:28 

I can only give what I have received. If I have Christ's Presence within me, "Immanuel, God with us," Matthew 1:7 this peaceful Presence is mine to share. However, what I mostly have is the remnants of a lingering cold, the tiredness that comes with recovering, and the overwhelming sense that I am missing it~ missing the boat, missing the call to love and give and share. 

God's list looks nothing like mine. He interrupts my Advent with a simple question: "Are you being My light to a dark and lonely world?" That's all. Reign it in and ask Him to rain down from heaven His joy and Presence. The Gospel rings true as Jesus reminds me quietly, "Apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 

But I am not thinking of vines and branches, I'm thing of holly and mistletoe and how disappointing circumstances can be~ words not written, hearts not understood, gatherings not taking place. In this He speaks so softly, "I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. Forsake your dreams and your ideals and be My love and light to those I bring. They may not be the ones you are looking and longing for, but they are Mine and I would have you love in My Name."

Who do you need to love today?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Christ being Lord and King, and the King's Son, brought to us things far greater, being ever with the Father, and beholding Him continually." 

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

ADVENT'S HELP

Rain pours ceaselessly from the sky, as if heaven were weeping for us all. The weariness of the days and the demands of the season empty us even as we long to be filled. Surely we have need of One who can help, One who can save. The prophet Isaiah gets front and center stage during Advent for all the promises God makes through him of the coming Messiah: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Struggling with loving and helping, I went to church discouraged and feeling ill-equipped for the day. We began by reciting a familiar prayer and the words struck me full-force: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven..." As I lifted my hands to pray, it was as if God reached down and said, "You are My child and I want you to take My hand and let me help you. And now, reach for your loved one's hand, they need your help, not your anxiety, they need your calming presence." 

 And when I got to the words, "Thy Kingdom come," God whispered, "My kingdom is within you, since I have come as Emmanuel. Whereever you are I desire to be with you. Look for Me, listen for Me and bring Me with you to every situation you find yourself in."

Emmanuel comes to us, personally and intimately, and because we have seen Him we both worship and adore; our souls finding their footing in Him and our feet running to shout the Good News. We say, "God be with you," or, "God help you," in times of crisis, how much more so at Advent when the Son comes down to bring God in the flesh, a tiny Babe, that we might have His Presence with us. Indeed, God is with us.

Is there a place in your life you need God with you? Ask Him to reveal Himself.

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us," the Master took on Him the form of a  servant. For He  became the Son of man, who was God's own Son in order that He might make the sons of men to be children of God."

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

ADVENT'S PRESSURE

The pressure is exhausting. How many decorations adorn your home, how many cookies baked and eaten, how many parties invited to, responded to and attended? I feel like a Nutcracker set up to keep watch over the Christmas cheer! Today I rested my weary soul for a few moments at a friend's home: no rush, no hurry, no need to pick up, clean up, be "up." We sort of sat there being together. It was so refreshing, the being.

All the doing confuses me, I thought Christmas was about love and joy and, "peace on earth, good will towards men." How did we ever get so wrapped up in the trappings and the tree? Nothing inherently wrong with those, but they somehow steal joy instead of giving it and the insanity of the long "to-do list" leaves little left in us for loving.

When I am worn with trying to grasp the meaning amidst the madness I let Christmas music make my soul obey. It's as if I drag parts of me around saying, "enjoy this, you know you should enjoy these friends, this party, this breakfast, this tea," when what I'm really looking for is nothing this world has to offer. I am leaning hard against heaven hoping for a sign that I am not alone and help is on the way.

I crave peace and joy and long for holiness and contentment within. It isn't that I demand everything be wrapped up in a bow, but I have to have a holier calling on my frazzled pace. I need a song in my soul to carry me through the demands of the Advent days. Surely it shouldn't be this way, but somehow the world has crowded the manger out and we are required to pay some kind of fee for the season- be it in cookies or cakes, packages or parties.

Do you need to quiet your soul? Listen carefully, heaven and nature are singing.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. " Luke 2:14 If you desire to learn something from Cherubim and Seraphim, you shall hear the mystic song of His Holiness, and that, "heaven and earth are full of His glory." Isiah 6:3 If you enquire of the higher powers, you shall find that their one work is the praise of God."

John Chrysostom Fourth Century

ADVENT'S GIFT

Sometimes Advent doesn't look like what you think it will, take today for example, this day it looks like banana muffins. A friend's husband is deployed, four kids, three still at home, she hit her head and has a concussion; I have Christmas "things" to do and today it is to deliver muffins and a meal. My preparations for Christ's coming must include others, bringing them love and joy and strength through encouragement, There is no other way for the light of God to be shed abroad in the world unless I pick up my small candle and bring hope where I go.

The baked zitti will feed more than one hunger. We are hardly ever looking for merely food when we gather as families, we are longing for love and appreciation and to know we are cared for. When I freely give this, the light of Christ has dispelled some of my darkness. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you." Isaiah 61:1, 2

I am not boasting that I have made a meal and lifted a burden from a friend, I share because it is a choice to lay down my, "to do list" and listen to the still small voice of God:

 "You know you have chicken and zitti and cookies and muffins," 

"Yes, Lord, but I am so busy."

 "What you do for the least of these you do for Me." 

"But when Lord, I do not see you here as I struggle through the weight of my own agenda."

"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. If you love me you will keep My commands."

"But I am overwhelmed."

"Feed My sheep."

"yes, Father." 

So Advent comes crashing through my list, my longings, my desires and I make myself available to Him to bring a gift to another.

Where do you feel parched and weak? In need of a Savior?

Medicine from Sacred Scriptures:

"The wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. .. they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts:

"Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save." Isaiah 35:1-4

ADVENT'S PROMISE

Handmade stockings hang around a simple mantle, no fancy decorations or silver, just a few tall nutcrackers the boys remind me fall on a regular basis. I feel a little sad somehow walking by those tall carvings, as if they, too, stand watch waiting for men to return. Christmas seems to be anticipating the arrival.

One flies home mid-December, another's last final is the 17th, in time for the Hobbit's premier showing, the other travels across country close to Christmas. They all gather soon, so why the nostalgia? It is the memories of children grown, of those already gone, and those who will gather in places I can't be. A niece's invitation pulls at heart -strings, the next generation's little ones gathered for donuts and laughter is the happiness holidays hold.

The tree, the lights, the gifts, purchased and made, all hold the magic of the waiting. I long for the presence of those held in my heart. So it is with the King of Kings. I know He dwells within, speaking, guiding, ever-with me, and yet I long for His coming, breaking into the world with joy and hope. How I need hope, to be reminded I am not alone, to feel the weight lifted from tired shoulders and His care and kindness showered on my fragile soul.

Voices gathered at the dinner table speak the Promise: "The Virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a Son and they will call him "Immanuel"- which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23 Angelic annunciations are always surprising.Holding these words as an anchor for my soul, I embrace the God who comes to me in the manger and makes a way for me to know His love.

What is it you are waiting for this Advent season?

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"For when human nature was fleeing from Him, and fleeing far away (for we "were far off"- Ephesians 2:13), He pursued after and overtook us. He showed that He has done this only out of kindness, and love, and tender care." 

John Chrysostom Fourth Century 

ADVENT'S COMFORT

How do you comfort others? How do you comfort yourself? I am an innate, natural nurturer and fill up lonely, empty spaces inside of others with food. I'm sorry, maybe that isn't wise or good or in any way helpful, but when you have been feeding little people for two decades it is hard to lose the habit. I sent one of the men-boys home with a bag of happiness. He grabbed a few sandwiches for his trip and then I packed a bag of baked goods: cookies and blueberry scones and giant snicker doodles. It's what I do.

Comforting myself, not so much. I don't turn to food or shopping or even face book to be nurtured, I usually turn inward and find either, "the light's on and Someone is home," or they are not. If I am living from self and sin it seems very dark within, but when I am living from love and light I can sense God's presence within me. Let me explain:

"If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to Him and make our home in him." John 14:23 I can welcome my Father in heaven with my obeidience and my love. I can choose to, "love others as God has loved me." John 13:34 So simple. As I love and welcome others my obedience makes God welcome in me. I wonder why God wishes to come and make His home in us? Because He loves us! "How great the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 Just as I wish for my children to come home, stay a while, share meals and enjoy each other's company, so, too, my Heavenly Father longs for me.

When I live from this love, the love of the Father delighting and dwelling in me, comfort and security wash over me like a waterfall. The morning prayers are so interesting today: "In our pain and anxiety, give us comfort and security." We are not told our pain or anxiety will be taken away, but that in them we can have the comfort and security of God's love and care.

The Promise is given: "For unto us a child is born, a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:2

What are you in need of this day? A Counselor? A Father? Peace? Light within? Comfort? Security? Find in Him and in His coming all you are longing for.

Medicine from Sacred Scriptures:

"'Comfort, comfort, My people,' says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1-2

ADVENT'S ILLUMINING

Guests have come and gone as the bustling, generator-powered Thanksgiving has come to a close. I readied the house for men who previously inhabited little boy bodies to come and make their home with us for a few short days. Together we laughed and shared, cooked and cleaned and made the house a welcome for others. Napkins were folded into beautiful patterns and china and crystal adorned the table. All for guests, all for us to enjoy.

How is it then, that when the King is coming to dwell among us I struggle to make ready a place for Him? I have lists on lists already of all that is to be done before the men-boys arrive again for Christmas. If I can go to such great efforts to prepare for their homecoming, is it possible that I can make my heart a little more ready for the Holy One, the Most High.

Take Mary's, "yes" at  the annunciation. As He condescends to me will I make myself meek and lowly for Him? Will I live and love as He bids me to in the midst of a world weighed down with worry and cares too heavy and burdens too great for my small heart? "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7  

I have been pondering for weeks this mystery of Him, the Son of God, come down from heaven for us, for me; that He would dwell in me is the proof of the power of God to redeem and save, ransom and heal. Anyone at anytime from anything. This Advent join me as day after day we make ourselves ready for the King of Kings to draw near. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

During Advent we, "clean house" giving God a holy place to dwell. Join me as we shine the light within.

Medicine from Sacred Writings :

"He tabernacles among us, that we might be able with much fearlessness to approach Him, speak to Him and converse with Him."

Chrysostom Fourth Century Homilies on St. John