Advent: Week 2

Revised Common Lectionary: Advent Week 2
Malachi 3:1–4
Luke 1:68–79
Philippians 1:3–11
Luke 3:1–6

This is the second post of four-part series. Read the series introduction here.

So much of our activity during the holiday season is preparation. We prepare mountains of food for a particular feast or party. We prepare gifts for one intense moment of unwrapping mayhem. It seems we put so much effort into things that will be forgotten so quickly. All the food will be eaten until all we remember is the bloated swelling of our stomachs, but that too will pass soon enough. The presents we give will probably be replaced by the new gift given at the next celebration. We work so hard to prepare what won’t last.

But, what does last are the moments shared with others during the season. Good or bad. Joyous or tragic. Giving or receiving. Pouting or thankful. Plenty continues relationally even after the dishes are cleared and the shredded wrapping paper gets thrown away. We prepare so much (food, gifts, cards) in hopes that what remains will be love between the ones we gave our gifts to and us. We hope relationships grow stronger over the conversations and time spent. We hope our preparation will produce something love can use to refresh and transform our relationships.

Moses prepared the Hebrew people to be rescued from Egypt. The kings for Israel prepared the people to look for the coming of THE KING, who would rule with compassion and justice. In the fullness of time, God prepared the world and its history to meet love incarnate. And now we are being prepared for the coming of the everlasting love of Jesus. The giver continues to give gifts of himself.

No matter how much we prepare, and how good our intentions are; we need Jesus to redeem them. So our Advent prayer remains: Come, Lord Jesus. Come, bring to us what we cannot bring for ourselves. Come into our preparations for gatherings and gifts. Come, transform our meals together into more than food and drink. Come, transform our gifts into something more. Come, bring amoung us your love.

Image Credit: http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/second-week-of-advent-peace-candle.jpg