A Devotion for the Third Week of Advent

The Revealing Power of Light

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2)

I don’t like going to the doctor’s office.  Rarely do I leave an appointment without feeling embarrassed, ashamed, sick, faint or disappointed.  Is there anything more humbling than to sit in a cold, stale room, wearing nothing but a thin sheet and hear the doctor say, “well, Mr. Parkinson, it appears you could stand to lose a few pounds.”  And yet, I go to the doctor anyway because it’s good for me.

When I was a teenager, my doctor’s office had the brightest overhead lights.  Sitting under those lights exposed every blemish.  I was so self-conscious about the revealing power of those lights that I would spend hours before a doctor’s appointment scrubbing underneath my fingernails, cleaning behind my ears, and applying moisturizer to every patch of skin that was even remotely dry.  If I was going to sit under those bright lights, then I needed to clean up.

Advent is a season of cleaning up in preparation for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World.  Just like those overhead lights in the doctor’s office, the light of Christ exposes every blemish within us.  And while that may sound unpleasant, it’s not a bad thing.  Only when our infirmities are exposed can they be rightly diagnosed and treated.

John the Baptist came ahead of Jesus to witness to the Light (John 1:7).  His message was simple: “Prepare the way for the Lord” – get ready for the coming of the Light!  How should we get ready?  “Repent,” John says.  Clean up your act.  “Those with two tunics should share with those who have none, and the one who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11).

In the final days of Advent, what blemishes are in our hearts that need to be cleaned up?  What news years resolutions do we need to make to live godly lives?  What sin do we need to repent of in order to be ready to stand in the Light of Christ?          

A Devotion for the Second Week of Advent

What are you Waiting For?

“God will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the older order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4)

Advent is a season of waiting.  Typically we think of waiting for the coming birth of Jesus, which we celebrate at Christmas.  But Advent is about waiting for so much more than that.  During Advent, we wait for the coming Kingdom of God.  We wait, we hope, we pray, in anticipation of that great and glorious day when Christ returns and true peace reigns in the world.  We wait for the day when God wipes every tear from our eyes – when crying and mourning and pain will be no more.

Last week, I experienced an “Advent moment” – a glimpse of everything we’re waiting for.  I was at “The Neighborhood Table,” the community supper hosted by our congregation in Sharpsburg.  At one point during the meal, I stood and looked over the crowd. 

At one table I saw a member of our congregation eating with an elderly women who often has no one with whom to share a meal.  At another table, I saw a deaf man talking with another member of our congregation through sign language.  At another table, I saw six middle schoolers eating what may have been the only hot supper they’ll have this week.  Across the room I saw old people, young people, rich people, poor people, white people, black people – all laughing, eating, sharing, and enjoying each other.

There was an energy in the room – a spirit of unity and peace.  When the meal was over people didn't want to leave.  Even after the kitchen was cleaned up people continued to linger, talking and enjoying fellowship.

I believe I was witnessing a glimpse of what we’re waiting for.  It was a taste of the Kingdom of God breaking out right there, among us.  That’s what Advent is about.  Advent isn't about waiting for presents or for a few days off to see family.  Advent is about actively waiting, looking, praying for the coming Kingdom of God.  And when we get a glimpse of the Kingdom, Advent invites us to rejoice, for God is with us!     

A Devotion for the First Week of Advent

Emmanuel at All Costs

"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). 

A few weeks ago a member of our congregation discovered that her friend was planning on spending Thanksgiving alone.  Without hesitating, she invited her friend over for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a kind invitation offered with the firm conviction that there are certain times when no one should be alone.

True, each of us needs “alone time,” but none of us want to be alone all the time.  There are moments when there is nothing worse than being alone.  The highs and lows of life are best shared together.  It’s why we gather with friends and family for Christmas dinners, have visitations for persons in grief, throw birthday parties, and stop to see a friend when they've had a bad day.

Since we are created in God’s image and likeness, it should come as no surprise that God doesn't like to be alone either.  Our God is the God who refuses to be alone.  After all, we were created to be with God – to be God’s companions.  We were created to walk with God in close, personal relationship.  Sin is our choice to turn away from God – to leave God’s presence, and try to find our own way.

Advent is a time for us to remember the God who refuses to be alone.  Even though we turn away, God refuses to let us go.  The story of the incarnation is the story of God chasing us down.  On a starry night in Bethlehem God took on human flesh, and entered into the dirty, broken, messiness of life because God refuses to be without us.  Because, despite our sinful arrogance, God wants to be with us - forever.  Advent is a time to remember the God who is bound and determined to be Emmanuel “God with us.”