Advent

As we stand in the midst of
the advent season,
perhaps it's best to ask
what this season is all about,
and how we might
grow more holy,
reflect Christ's love more accurately,
and preach the message
(Christ would have us preach)
more faithfully.

Preach (that is)
with our lives
words
and gifts.

So what is advent all about?
I'm not asking what Christmas is about.
Everyone knows
Christmas is about Christ's birth,
or
about pretending a large man
in a red velvet suite
gives gifts
to obedient children.

A time to spend too much money
on gifts for people
we hope will love us
and give gifts to us in return.

A time to correct people when they wish us
a “Happy Holiday”
instead of a “Merry Christmas”.
A time to be lonely and depressed
if any of the hopes and dreams
that danced in your childhood mind
have no chance in sight
of coming true.

I'm not asking what Christmas is all about.
I'm asking what Advent is all about.
The candles,
the wreath,
the scriptures
the prayers
what do they all try
(so consistently)
year after year
to teach us?

Advent is the celebration of an event.
The event is God coming,
to walk the earth.
Coming to walk in our shoes,
coming to feel our pain,
coming to be tempted,
tried,
tested,
convicted,
and killed,
coming to culminate the purchase
of our souls,
by laying down
His perfectly lived life
and then rising
to conquer the grave.

We celebrate
that He came,
and
that He will come again.

This time,
coming to claim His bride
and take her home.
Coming to gather those
who have kept watch for Him,
coming to welcome the chosen
into His kingdom,
and banish the powers of darkness
to hell.

So Advent Candles
(lit one per week)
remind us of the gift of Christ's birth
at just the right time,
and they point to His return.

The prophets foretold
of His coming.
Anna, Simon and 3 wise men watched.

Christ will come again,
And He asks us to watch
and be ready and waiting.

Christ is the light of the world
coming (like the candle)
to dispel the darkness,
to give us sight,
and just as the star
lead the wise men to Christ,
so the candles
bid us,
to seek after Christ our Savior.

Just as the shepherds
on the hillside were invited by angels
to come and worship,
so we,
are invited to seek Him out
and worship
and follow
and rejoice.

So let us
celebrate the event of Christ birth,
and anticipate with excitement
His return
Let us live as Christ lived.
Testify to the Fathers love
and faithfulness
as we serve
others
for the love of our King.

Let us be more holy
that is
more set aside, for God.

Not whisked through this season
with credit cards,
tinsel, and packaging
but focused
on the gift of God.

Telling (like angels)
how He brings peace
to all men
on whom His favor rests.

Let us worship Him
in Spirit and truth
and be set aside
for His use.
Let us reflect Christ,
love more purely
and
not be diluted,
(rendered ineffective)
by materialism
or love of money,
not seeking the gift,
but rather the Giver.

And let us preach
with words,
life,
and
gifts
the message
of our passionately loving,
tenaciously pursuing,
all powerful,
incredibly merciful,
adoring Father,

and tell how
He showed us his great love,
by sending His son
to save our souls,
and show us
His love
and instruct (by example)
how to lay our lives down
for each other.

God bless our celebration of Advent,
with an joyful anticipation of your return.

c Kim Damon 2013