Welcome to December…
…and, the Advent Season:
A season where I’m attempting to slow down and simplify in order to fully enjoy the coming near (God, Himself, came near, John 1:14);
A season of growing anticipation because what (or, rather, WHO) came near is a promise of HOPE TO COME (Titus 2:13);
A season of centering my thoughts on preparedness for my groom is coming for me (making sure the “lamp is lit,” the oil is full, the chimney is clean; and the wick is trimmed – Matthew 25:1-13);
A season of watching the Eastern skies (Matthew 24:27)…
A season to FOCUS on:
HOPE – of heaven (we are all homeward bound)
PEACE – of heart (Jesus said, “I have spoken these things that you might have peace; for in this world, you will have trouble, BUT – John 16:33…”)
JOY – of His Presence (in His Presence is fulness of Joy – Psalm 16:11; and, Jesus to His disciples, “I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and your joy may be full and complete, overflowing – John 15:11)”_
LOVE – of others (“Love one another as I have loved you – John 13:34-35)”).
BUT MOSTLY, more than anything, to resolutely set my face to the future COMING; and, the fact, that Jesus will come again to set all things right.
When the High Church instituted Advent centuries ago, around the time of the Council of Nicea (circa, 350 AD), this was the intent for the season around the winter solstice (the darkest season of the year), to focus-forward – THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK.
To remember the promise,
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come again in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11.”
Somewhere over the years, we inadvertently lost the LOOK AHEAD to simply LOOK BACK.
Advent became almost solely centered on the INCARNATION and minimized the future “adventus” (His return).
When I was a girl, my folks owned, and ran, the theater in our little community.
Following the standard cartoon, that opened every movie showing, came the previews of coming attractions.
I loved watching the previews to see what would be coming soon to our theater, making note of the ones I really looked forward to seeing, and the anticipation that followed as I waited for their arrival to the “big screen.”
Of course, I’d always tell my friends at school about the movies “THEY DID NOT WANT TO MISS!”
That’s what I want to recapture during ADVENT, throughout DECEMBER:
…to focus on the preview of the COMING ATTRACTION (Jesus), and to fully experience the anticipation as I wait for Him, sharing with others what they simply do not want to miss!
If there’s one thing this season reminds me of it’s this:
I need to “feel temporary” on this pilgrim journey called life.
Something more, something better (change that word something to SOMEONE) is coming.
You can count on it.
So, in the middle of celebrating the baby in the manger, let’s all find some ways to celebrate the Warrior-Savior-King of Kings, who, without doubt, WILL return.
EVEN MORE…
I want a Christmas that whispers, “Jesus is coming again!”