Sunday, December 6, 2009

Advent, Jesus as a child.


Advent, Jesus as a child.

 I have worked in retail almost all my life. Mostly in Jewelry for the last 30 years.

 This is the first season in all those years I will not be dealing with the greed and over commercialism of this time of year.
 Now I can say to whomever I meet, 'Merry Christmas' and not have to worry if the bosses will over hear me NOT saying "happy holidays".
  Not that it's bad to say it in this religious pluralistic world.
 But for me as a Christian, and a bishop in Christ's church, The deep meaning that Christmas has for me just flows out of me during this time of year.
  Now having said all that.... Lets get back to Advent. The reenactment of the coming of the Christ Child that we take 4 weeks to observe. Unlike the lenten season, there is nothing to 'give up'...or is there? The coming of this gentle child of peace, on a quiet and cold night, needs to be taken seriously. Set aside all the parties, the dinners, the shop till you drop days, the presents, and let us focus on the birthing of Jesus into our hearts. I realize it's for our loved ones that we do all the cooking and shopping..but.. taking some silent time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the little one puts all the other stuff into a better perspective.
  Can we give up the stress? Can we give up the greed and the 'I wants'? To hear the cry of the small babe of Bethlehem? Can we prepare the rough and dusty mangers in our hearts to accept such a one as He? Yes! By simply asking with meaning for the Christ Child to come into our hearts.  As each candle of the Advent wreath is lit,let us figuratively light a matching one on the wreaths of our minds and hearts to dispel the darkness and clouds of worry and uncertainty life brings us.
  Sounds simplistic I know..but it's sometimes in the simple things that more profound things happen! 
 We all know that God is ever around us, with us and in us, yet at the vespers for Christmas eve in the Eastern Church, we sing S'namy Boh, or God is with us! It's on that eve that we awaken from our yearly slumber and declare God is with us (once again).
 Let us this season of Advent not only allow the Child Born in a Manger be born anew in us JUST for this season.. but for the whole year. Let that Child in the manger of our hearts GROW in us so that we can be the face of Christ for those who are lost and hurting who are so desperately seeking Him.
 Shhhhhh..... He's coming!
Blessings,
 +Mel

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