Luke 21: 25-36

 

Advent extends an invitation.  The invitation: don't just do something -- stand, watch, prepare.  Stand. Choose to believe that ours is a safe universe, a universe God chose to enter as an infant.  Watch. Look for a coming that has already come and will come again.   Prepare.  Snatch moments from our busyness.  Watch for wisps of awe and wonder to show up.  Rediscover that God has chosen to dwell in us and we are invited to dwell in God.

While the world frantically shops, hoping to find joy which is announced in the piped-in music to show up in purchases, we are being called to STOP.  No, not to zone out, but to stand and be alert for signs.  And so we hold in tension the delicious preparations of celebrating Christmas with seeking moments of silence in which to be vigilant.  What if -- just what if -- Jesus is already right here, standing silently with us,  walking ahead of us, showing us we don't have to do it all?  Could it be that we are called to be still, to notice,  to listen -- and then follow?  Susan K. Brock writes

 

We are waiting, O God,

for the day of peace,

Give us the will to bring that day

through our own simple

goodness and hope.

Fill us with patient desire,

that our work may be holy,

 and our holiness bright,

 through the Christ 

for whose coming we long,

and the Spirit in whose

presence we live.

Amen 

 

Come to St. Timothy's on Sunday.  Let's lift our hearts and voices in praise and thanksgiving as together we watch, we prepare, we get ready for Christ's arrival in our hearts once again.