This year I’ve been thinking of Advent as a flowing river. We are invited to step into the story, letting the stream of events swirl around us. The prophecies of old and the promises of God course by as we light the candles and sing the carols together each Sunday, yet we still stand in the stream of time, waiting for the arrival of the long anticipated Messiah.
As I reflect on it, there seems to be three different Advents that we are waiting for. The first is the coming of Christmas Day. On this day we celebrate God’s amazing plan for our salvation and redemption with the birth of Jesus, the Christ who was foretold in scripture. We mark the days with Advent calendars and the weeks with the lighting of Advent candles and it all leads up to this annual event by which we remember the gift of love God has given us.
But we also wait for the return Advent of Jesus, when the kingdom of God will be unshakably established for all time and the whole earth will rejoice in the restoration of all creation. When I see the Advent colors, the candles, the Christmas decorations, I’m reminded that another year has rolled around and still we are people who wait for our coming King.
Finally, I wait for the Christ to be fully birthed in my life. As much as I wish that what Paul said was true of me, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” (Galatians 2:20) I know that I’m still in process. Sure, I have a few fleeting moments when it is Christ who is in charge and I’m surrendered to his will, but it is far more common for me to be in a struggle for power and control.
And so this Advent I celebrate the wonderful story that has already been given to us, even while I look forward to the future events that remain hidden around the bend. And perhaps most importantly, I remember that in this moment, right now, I can surrender and welcome the Advent of Jesus into myself. Thomas Merton said, “The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” I want so much to be flooded with the reality of that, to be “ready for Christmas.” Amen! Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A Litany of Gratitude
As I reflect on this season of Thanksgiving, and all the many blessings I have in my life, I have been thinking of the gifts and graces that I have received from serving as an elder at our church. This isn’t maybe the normal way of thinking about service, and I’ll admit that lots of times I’m more focused on what I’ve given than what I’ve received. Sometimes, I’m more prone to conjure a litany of complaints than otherwise. But as I prepare to leave the Board after a longish stint, I’m in a mood of thankfulness.
I have received the obvious gifts of a place to serve and use my talents, the camaraderie that develops from working on a team, the fun of being in the middle of things. But the real standout moments have happened when I have been invited into other people’s stories and been asked to pray for and with them. These moments of prayer and anointing have been incredibly humbling and sacred times for me. I have been awed, over and over again, at how God meets people at their point of need, and in some mysterious way I also receive a blessing just by being a part of it.
There are certain moments that I treasure and which I will carry with me always. The chance to participate as a celebrant of our communion liturgy was a surprisingly big deal to me, partly because the inclusion of women in the life of our church is always on my heart and partly for the personal expression of trust that I took from the opportunity.
Another moment occurred after an anointing service, when someone I didn’t know well circled back after everyone had left and offered to anoint me, too. It was a profound and unexpected blessing.
And just last week I was invited to come to the final meeting of a James Bible Study. After the group discussed the last verses of James, where he exhorts them to call the elders to pray and anoint them with oil, they had me pray for each person who desired it. Again, I left incredibly blessed and touched by the experience.
There are twelve years of anecdotes and not enough space to recall them all, but, my heart is full of gratitude for each person who has trusted me with their need for healing, guidance, forgiveness or blessing. You have no idea how much it has been a grace in my life to be invited to stand in the gap with you. It’s been an amazing privilege!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have received the obvious gifts of a place to serve and use my talents, the camaraderie that develops from working on a team, the fun of being in the middle of things. But the real standout moments have happened when I have been invited into other people’s stories and been asked to pray for and with them. These moments of prayer and anointing have been incredibly humbling and sacred times for me. I have been awed, over and over again, at how God meets people at their point of need, and in some mysterious way I also receive a blessing just by being a part of it.
There are certain moments that I treasure and which I will carry with me always. The chance to participate as a celebrant of our communion liturgy was a surprisingly big deal to me, partly because the inclusion of women in the life of our church is always on my heart and partly for the personal expression of trust that I took from the opportunity.
Another moment occurred after an anointing service, when someone I didn’t know well circled back after everyone had left and offered to anoint me, too. It was a profound and unexpected blessing.
And just last week I was invited to come to the final meeting of a James Bible Study. After the group discussed the last verses of James, where he exhorts them to call the elders to pray and anoint them with oil, they had me pray for each person who desired it. Again, I left incredibly blessed and touched by the experience.
There are twelve years of anecdotes and not enough space to recall them all, but, my heart is full of gratitude for each person who has trusted me with their need for healing, guidance, forgiveness or blessing. You have no idea how much it has been a grace in my life to be invited to stand in the gap with you. It’s been an amazing privilege!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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