As Advent approaches I am reminded that we are preparing for a great and miraculous event. The birth of Christ is the time when the world was changed forever – by God and for us. Angels bring their heralds from heaven about good news and great joy, shepherds abandon their flocks to see the baby king of Israel, and Mary and Joseph take it all in while adjusting to the new life in their charge. How could this event not inspire us to prepare our hearts and minds?
And yet as we reflect on the story that is so engrained in our church and culture that we cannot escape it even if we tried – we have to acknowledge that we are caught up in another narrative. As we prepare to welcome the baby Jesus into our lives yet again this year, we must also acknowledge that we are preparing ourselves to receive the victorious and returning Christ who will bring ultimate redemption to all of creation.
Advent isn’t just about remembering sweet baby Jesus laying in a manger – it is about preparing our own hearts and minds to be in relationship with the God who raised Jesus from the dead. We do not simply remember what God did in Bethlehem when there was no room in the inn – we think forward to the new things that God will be doing in Blount County as we make room in our lives for the risen Christ.
This year as you unwrap the bows on your presents, remember to think about what God is doing in your life, in the life of this community and in the world as we are preparing for God to come again and come fresh in our lives to change us forever, again.
