This is the first installment of weekly emails in which I will share some simple
thoughts to help guide us through our time of transition. I will not seek to give
answers. Rather, I seek only to stir your thoughts as together we seek to discern
where and how God is calling us to move. By the way, I choose not to call this a
“blog”.
Since Advent has begun, let us focus on its meaning and value. Advent is a
time of preparation and being ready for the coming of our Lord and Savior. No, it is
not about decorating or shopping, or some of the other activities that we might
associate with Christmas. Yes, those things may occur, but it is about preparation
and the readiness of one’s heart and spirit to receive the greatest gift that we have
been given, God’s Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
May I suggest this as a time for daily prayer, remembering, reading, and
reflecting upon many of the scriptures that point to the coming of a Savior. I
suggest readings such as Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 11:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-9,
Jeremiah 33:14-16. You may be aware of other appropriate readings that you can
add to this list.
What does it truly mean to prepare? I am not going to give you a hard and
quick answer. Preparation may vary for every one of us during the season of
Advent. For some, it may be a quiet listening. What is God saying to you, in what
ways is God stirring your heart? For others, it may be a joyful expectation and
anticipation like a child who can’t wait to open those gifts under the tree. For still
others, it may stir memories of Christmases past that no longer occur because of
changes in family structures that may have occurred.
Whatever the situation may be for you, keep your focus upon the gift that has
been given and that we celebrate again, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Nik
