Embracing Advent
Psalm 115:2 Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"
Q: What’s the best way to keep Christ in Christmas?
A: Go to church on Sundays.
It always amazes me that so many people complain that Christmas just isn’t the
same and yet they never seem to connect their spiritual emptiness with their
lack of attendance at Church worship. If they are bombarded with commercial
pressure for well over 60 days, then they are bound to be overwhelmed,
especially if they don’t take time out to be with the Lord and His people during
the season of Advent.
Over the years, I’ve sadly watched young parents crucify themselves emotionally
and financially in order to make Christmas perfect for their children. I’ve seen
families get frantic and fight over details about who is hosting Christmas
dinner this year. And I’ve looked at beleaguered workers and sales people
practically killing themselves in order to boost their figures in the last month
of the year. In the midst of so much pressure, it’s so much easier to let go of
God and miss the point of the whole celebration.
The Church prepares us for Christmas in meaningful, traditional, and
time-honored ways. The four Sundays in Advent are worship vehicles to bring us
closer to God in peaceful, priceless, and precious ways. Instead of wondering
what Christmas is all about and turning it into a nightmare, we honestly and
simply need to get with God’s program and make Advent a spiritual adventure
where we refocus our lives on Christ.
The Gospel Truth is always this simple. We don’t need to put Christ back into
Christmas; He is already there. We need to put ourselves back into Christ –
Church gives us that wonderful opportunity every Sunday.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us from the merciless busy-ness of Christmas and lead
us to the stillness of God’s Kingdom. Protect us from going overboard in order
to please other people and enable us to make and take time to please You. Give
us a heart to be in worship on Sundays and open our souls to Your Holy Presence.
In your Sacred Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.
John Stuart traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA