ADVENT'S COMFORTING KING

"Please don't go to bed before me," one of our children begs night after night; this was fine when they kept our hours, but as teenagers the plea is harder to manage! Our presence comforts and lightens the darkness. There is Another who brings light to dark places. 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness covers the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1, 2

Isaiah must have known the Advent New England had! Rain, fog and mist have darkened nearly all the days of Advent. It has been a weary journey: trudging "up hill both ways" spiritually. "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5

 I have spent some days not understanding this Light. How about you?

"The Virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Emmanuel~ which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23

I know the words, but honestly, what does, "God with me." look like in reality, in me, in Advent? He comes to brighten the darkest sky, illumine the treacherous path and bring Himself as our constant hope and help. I have Someone waiting up in the dark with me.

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

                   "The King is everywhere present (with us) and observes what is done. 

                  Therefore... show in your life much gentleness, much purity, 

               for we have a King who beholds our actions  continually. 

              In order then that this light may ever richly enlighten us,

let us gladly accept  these bright beams, 

         for so shall we enjoy both the good things present 

              and those to come, through the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

John Chrysostom     Fourth century

ADVENT'S EXILE

Heaviness sufficates my soul. I can't see my way to love and light and God in the mist. Fear hangs heavy in hearts and minds; despair grips some as they grasp for hope in the dark. My feet are walking Advent, but my heart is far behind.

"Come, Child, sit with Me awhile. Take a seat at the table and learn from Me. You are looking for light in dark places, for love where love is not yet present. You long to find Me in situations, but it is My chidlren who bring My love, light and Presence. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will have joy. The sorrow you feel is your exile." When the burdens are heavy, the regret unending, the sin startling, the alienation alarming, pour your heart out to Me. Root yourself in My love and not bitterness. Give way to holy grief as I enter in." 

Morning fog grips me, but turning to gaze within I find light. Have you found Him?

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

" 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to me, and I will lsiten to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you and I will bring you back from captivity,' says the Lord."

Jeremiah 29:12-14

ADVENT'S PRAYER

Father, you say, "if I remain in You and you in me I will bear much fruit,"

that, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, 

 faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22

You also say, "Apart from You I can do nothing." John 15:5

How, Father, do I do this?

"Listen, My Child, and walk close to Me. Love covers a multitude of sins... yours and others, see everything with My eyes of love: every interaction, every moment, every person, every thing you put your hands to. Let My love fill you, frame your perspective, inform your thoughts and actions. Remain in My love and the pain will turn to prayer, the hurt to tears that soften your heart towards others and even the list in your hands will turn to love when you  give it to Me. Your list is long because you love much. Love without the list, love from the heart and your actions will follow."

"Be love."

God, let me worship you in spirit and truth this Advent.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"He who upholds the world lieth in a manger, and He who careth for all things is a nursling in swaddling bands. The Temple is founded and God dwells therein. And wise men come and straight away worship Him..."

St. John Chrysostom    Fourth Century

ADVENT'S UNEXPECTED MELTDOWN

I'm not seeing Christmas here. Show me snow, give me twinkling lights, Someone work with me here. Heavy fog blanketed our pond at noon, driven away only by dreary rain falling drop by dismal drop all afternoon. It does not feel like Christmas.


At times in life the outside mirrors the inside. How do I find God in the rush, the noise, the endless lines and shopping lists? How do I reconcile my, "to do, list with my, "I need," list. There is a song from the musical, Annie: "I need a little Christmas, right this very minute..."  I feel like Annie on the inside.

How can I hold the tensions of my spiritual need and my every day demands? Joseph struggled as an unwilling participant in Jesus' arrival as his bethrothed expected a Child not his own. His spiritual need surely conflicted with the demands of a righteous Jewish man. He muddled through reconciling the situation as best he could, until an angel spoke to him.

I need God to speak into my confusion, my chaos, my need and my unending lists. He speaks peace and calms my soul. Just as God guided Joseph, so He will guide me. The angel's words are telling:

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, 

because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, 

because He will save His people from their sin." 

Matthew 1:20-21

I am compelled to admit I am afraid and need a Savior. One to save me from my sin, my lists, my fear and worry. He is near and sends His angels to bring this news:

 "Do not be afraid, 

I bring you Good News of great joy

 that will be for all people.

Today in the town of David 

a Savior has been born to you; 

He is Christ the Lord."

 Luke 2:10-11

God thank you that you know our hearts, the fear and worry we carry within us. Speak your Good News into our hearts that we might share your great joy.

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Joseph heard the angel say the very things which he thought in his mind,

 this afforded him an unquestionable sign that one had come from God to say it.

For to Him alone it belongs to know the secrets of the heart."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century

ADVENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT

The very fiber of the Italian cities seemed to sing with angelic presence. They were everywhere: in churches, on buildings and adorning bridges. This unidentified angel hung near a window in Sienna. What is she saying as she crushes a sword under her feet and wields a shield above her?

We know what the angel Gabriel said to Mary in Nazareth. His shocking words require some kind of D-Day fan fare. The invasion of time by the Incarnation of God rocks the world; both the forces of good and evil must have stood at attention with the Annunciation.:

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:31

Do we know God is with us? Do we know Jesus is reigning? Some grey and dark days we do not sense it. We feel the plight of refugees and the fear of terror, but there is a greater reality. We must cling to the hope God gives when Gabriel announces His invasion plans.

And we can open our hearts and let Him invade the darkness there. 

"In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5

I pray this Advent season that we might open the eyes of our hearts and know God is with us. Mary's yes ushered in God's abiding presence with us. May we know this truth deeply and allow the light of Jesus to illumine our hearts, minds and lives.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. 

We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,

 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

John 1:14