After a little sabbatical time (translation too busy to muse) we return.
And what better time than now... The season of Advent leading us to Christmas.
Some advent reflections for today.
The season of Advent begins this Sunday (Nov.30th). So what do we do with this
in-between time... This time of preparation and waiting for Christmas.
In the scriptures for the season we find ourselves with kingdom words ringing in our ears.
From Christ the King Sunday into our advent season, Jesus on earth and in heaven.
In other words, a fully human and fully divine being.
Perhaps advent is a good time to pray that Jesus assumes his throne in our lives;
that his reign takes some priority in our lives; that we will respond to his kingdom words
and that we will be an instrument of God's kingdom coming on earth. Those in-between days
may prove to be very important ones in our lives.
And so, as we take a moment to think on the priority of Christ in our lives, we also find that
we are looking forward to the coming of the Christ-child.
We hear the words "waiting" and "anticipation" connected with the Advent season.
Oh, let this not be a time of passive waiting and anticipation!
Advent is all about prayer and reflection on the season and THAT is not passive waiting!
Prayer is calling out to God and receiving God's responses into your heart.
Advent prayer is that of thanking God for what you already know to be true through the
birth of Jesus, and of opening your heart to receive the Christ-child in new ways.
Kingdom words.
The heavenly choirs sang kingdom words at the birth of God's Son.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace."
The Prince of Peace has been born!As the world rushes toward Christmas, let us be willing to wait and anticipate and pray and
reflect through Advent.
Let us be people who grow strong in God's promises.
Let us become those who carry the Light of the Lord into our dark world.
So, what do we do with this week? This in-between time?
We begin our Advent prayers early by seeking to turn kingdom words into kingdom-on-earth living.
"Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy." (Prayer of St. Francis (in part)
May your movement into the Advent season be filled with all the blessings that God intends for you.
Blessings,
Rev. Jamie York
Hastings Roseneath Pastoral Charge
The United Church of Canada
http://www.harpcharge.com/phone: office 905-352-2000
