Comfort

So yesterday I didn't post an Advent blog because I ended up at the hospital with a dear friend.  Her husband died rather unexpectedly early in the morning and we were starting the journey of grief together.  As a result, I just didn't think about posting.

But this morning as I opened my Bible to today's lectionary texts, I was greeted by these words...

"'Comfort, comfort my people!' says your God." (Isaiah 40:1 CEB)

Having walked through this experience with countless families now, including my own, I am so thankful that one of the reminders of Advent is that Jesus is our greatest source of comfort!

Spare Change

One of the texts that is a part of today's Daily Office Advent readings (for more info on that, check out www.crivoice.org) is Luke 20:41-21:4. At the end of chapter 20, Jesus warns his disciples about the religious leaders who are making a show out of following God.  As we turn the page to chapter 21, Luke provides an illustration centered around the offfering buckets.

The scene opens with Jesus observing the people coming and bringing their offerings and placing them in the coffers.  Luke first describes those who are rich coming and casting their money in, followed by a poor widow who casts in her two leptas (the smallest coin that existed at the time - basically two pennies).  In response Jesus says, "She has given more than everyone else because they gave out of their abundance, but she gave all she had."

In the CEB it reads, "All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she...has given everything...."

Ouch!

Sometimes when you read the scriptures, it's appropriate to say, "Amen!"

Sometimes the best response is, "Ouch!"  And most of the time that is true with the words of Jesus.

It's so easy to give to God out of our spare change - and I'm not talking just about money (but in our culture that can often be the focal point).  The larger principle Jesus is pointing us to, calling us out on, is that we tend to give to God out of our leftovers, our srcaps, not from the best of who we are and what we have.

Advent is a reminder to us that God gave us His everything, and His desire is for us to give Him our everything in response.  After all, is spare change the best response to everything?

Expanding Hearts

One of the texts from the daily lectionary for today is from 1 Thessalonians 3:

"May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone...." (v.12)

This past Sunday in our Faith Family we recognized that in coming to our world and becoming one of us (Jesus in the Inccarnation), God demonstrated as powerfully as possible that we truly matter to Him!  As a result, we are called to allow His love for us to flow in us, and through us, to those who are in the world around us, so that by embracing them, we are an extension of His love.

When we think about that idea in light of this passage, it reminds us that we are called to do more than just love in a static way.  What we are actually called to do is allow our love to grow and expand further than it already has.  Our hearts shoulc continue to expand!

One of the most tangible moments I experienced this was when my second son, Seth, was born.  Since his older brother had been around for a few years already, I had already experienced a depth of love in my heart I didn't even know existsed.  Now that Seth was about to arrive, I was actually apprehensive because I thought there was no way I even had any more room in my heart with how much I already loved his mom and older brother.

But much to my surprise, when he arrived and I was able to hold him, it was like my heart actually expanded and my capacity for how much I could love grew.  It had to have grown, because I actually loved Seth as much as his older brother, which I didn't think was going to be possible!

Now, it's easy to love your kids and to allow your heart to expand with love for them, but it's a whole other matter to allow your heart to expand for rest of the world around you!  Oh I might be able to muster an expanded heart for someone I deeply care about all aready and I relate to very well.  But what about the person who absolutely just bugs me?

"May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone...." (v.12)

But what about the person I don't agree with?

"May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone...." (v.12)

Ok.  How about the person I know is a total sinner and is clearly not even wanting to walk with God?

"May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone...." (v.12)

And maybe that's why this blessing says, "May the Lord cause...."  Yep.  He's going to have to do it, because I know I certainly can't make that happen without some Divine intervention!

"Come, Lord Jesus, Come!"

Changed Hearts & Lives

Yesterday we saw John the Baptist born and his father's powerful reaction at the coming promise of God.

Today, that little boy is all grown up.  

In Matthew 3:1-12 (CEB), John is on the scene "preparing the way for the LORD."  He's quite a picture actually, in his ancient prophet clothes and strange diet.  Despite his craziness, his message is consistent, "Change your hearts and lives." (v.2)  

At first he is speaking to whoever will listen, but soon some of the "religious right" show up, apparently to see if he is just a nut or what.  Most likely they want to make sure he isn't going to threaten the way of life they belive to be right, namely theirs!

He doesn't waste much time jumping on them, and says the same thing to them he was saying to the masses, "Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives." (v.8)

In anticipation of the Advent (literally "coming") of our LORD, this season is a great time to reflect on what needs changed in our hearts and lives.  This materialistic, individualistic, consumer-driven world has a tendency to push it's way into our lives, so much so, that we can easily begin to think that it's "right." 

Thankfully, John's message during this Advent season is a powerful reminder that anything which doesn't line up with the Kingdom of Heaven is ready and waiting for change!

Bottled Up Praise

Yesterday I reflected on the encounter Zechariah had with Gabriel in whch Zechariah was required to exercise his faith muscles. (Again, see Luke 1 for the full story.)

As that story unfolds, Zechariah is rendered speachless for the duration of Elizabeth's pregnancy.  When the boy (John the Baptis) is finally born and welcomed into the Lord's covenant, Zechariah confirms his name is John.  In that moment, we read, "Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God."

On the surface it might seem like Zechariah was just full of praise because he could speak again, and while that may have been his initial burst of praise, we see from what he says (Luke 1:67ff) that this is more than just relief he can talk. 

Can you imagine everything that got bottled up during that nine months of waiting that isn't recorded?

"I can talk!  Praise the LORD!"

"Elizabeth, you're a mom!  I love you so much!  Praise the LORD!"

"I have a son!  His name is John!  Praise the LORD!"

"God's promises are true!  He fulfills His word!  Praise the LORD!"

Nine months of bottled up praise come pouring out of Zechariah.

This nine months of anticipation is the essence of Advent.  Expectant waiting, filled with hope, that will eventually result in an opportunity to let loose with praise - for our Promise has come!

How can I be sure?

One of the stories of Advent is the encounter between Zechariah the priest, and Gabriel, the Lord's angel.  Zechariah is on duty in the temple burning incense for the people when he is visited by Gabriel. Of ccourse, Zechariah is a bit disturbed, but manages to listen to the Divine message being delivered that he and Elizabeth will conceive a son in their old age, who becomes John the Baptist. (See Luke 1 for the full story.)

In response to this shocking news, Zechariah's first words are, "How can I be sure this will happen?"

In many ways, that feels like the honest cry of Advent.  We want to believe one is coming!  We want to be filled with hope!  We want to see deliverance!  But how can we be sure?!?!

After all, look around.  This world is broken, and we all know it.  We may have already encountered the Divine and are doing our best to follow Him, but there are still times when our hearts (if we are honest), cry out, "How can I be sure?!"

And that's the thing about Advent, it requires our trust.  Gabriel may have responded to Zechariah's question as if he couldn't believe he would have any doubts ("I've been sent here directly from God's presence!"), but we don't have that perspective.  So we must exercise our faith muscles.

"Lord, this Advent season help me to trust You, even when I don't feel sure!"

Advent Begins...

On this first (Sun)day of Advent, I offer you the words to this simple hymn as a reminder that this is a season of anticipation and waiting, filled with hope!

Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

   Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;

   Behold the King of glory waits;

   The King of kings is drawing near;

   The Savior of the world is here!

   Fling wide the portals of your heart;

   Make it a temple, set apart

   From earthly use for heaven's employ,

   Adorned with prayer and love and joy.

   Redeemer, come, with us abide;

   Our hearts to thee we open wide;

   Let us thy inner presence feel;

   Thy grace and love in us reveal. Amen.

              ~ Georg Weissel