Some of my favorite face book or twitter posts are those acknowledgements of unexpected joyful moments. Those moments of joy when you find your keys that were lost, or when a young child spins in circles laughs and makes himself dizzy for the first time are moments of joy. One friend posted some of the most beautiful pictures from the ice storm last year and there was such joy in the sky and sun reflecting in the ice and snow.
Last night my husband and I discussed the readings I posted earlier this week and a beautiful advent prayer a friend posted. ( Luke1: 68-79 and Philippians1:3-11)
It was fascinating to talk about what brings us joy and to find out that for both of us it is very simple things not the things the media puts out but the things that touch our hearts. He said that the quiet that comes with snow brings him joy. As I thought about it there is a different silence when you wake up to a neighborhood covered in snow. For me it is watching people enjoy my cooking or watching someone un-expectantly smile/laugh when they least expect it and no matter how hard they try to stop they can’t.
So how can we choose our joy? Maybe it is more about trying to be present in each moment of this time of Advent. To allow yourself to be distracted by what is most important and to not spend all of your time caught up in the frenzy of the season. In order to avoid some of the craziness of this holiday season I have discovered some great times to shop and I try and get together with friends more than worry about what will be happening in a few weeks. Take a breath realize what is truly the meaning of the season. Take some time and read these two passages from the Bible again.
Take care not to sit in the darkness, take time to find joy this season. What are the bright spots in this season? How might you create some joy in another person’s life? I know that during this time of year when my friends are struggling I just want to help, but that takes time and effort. What would make a friend who is struggling happy today? Sometimes it is a simple phone call, e-mail and sometimes a wall post.
I hope you remember that you are special and loved. You are important to the world and as you begin each day during this time of waiting, expect joy each day, expect good things to happen and help spread kindness. I know that sometimes I forget that I am special and that I can expect good things to happen each day. I hope each day of Advent brings you a little closer to God.
A friend shared this Advent prayer written by Henri Nouwen:
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy or your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen
Showing posts with label Luke 1: 26-38. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke 1: 26-38. Show all posts
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
Steve-o's Devos: Do Not Be Afraid
As we get ready to gather for the service of the longest night, it is an important time to pause and reflect on this simple yet world-changing story that announces the coming of Jesus (click on the title to read the passage). I could probably spend a lot of time here trying to unravel all the bits and pieces of Luke's story. It is a story filled with mystery, unusual characters, and odd incidents. It is a story that tries to give a careful history of Jesus and wants to start out with an important announcement...really a proclamation for all time.
Two centuries separate Luke's careful account of Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she will be the mother of all mothers. Human history has had various ways to understand the story from more mystic and ancient magically descriptions, to a host of well-reasoned scientific explanations, to a lot of back pedaling and waffling over what "really" happened and how it impacts whether you should follow this Jesus.
The reality of all these various arguments, philosophies, and thoughts boils down to Luke's simple laying out of events. I wonder if he would have elaborated so much if he thought we would have stumbled with incredulity at parts of his tale? But truly we are called to focus on these pieces of bizarreness with jaws dropped. An angel appeared? Mary was a "virgin" and yet is going to have a baby? God's interested in us?
It is the foundation of the message here where that last question is intended to break through. God has taken a hard look at us and realized there is something missing. It means that whatever we thought was normal, whatever thought was a sure thing, is going to get turned upside down...sometimes for good. And do in the midst of this unusual love story, for that is what this is, God's love story for us all, that Gabriel's words, "be not afraid" feel odd and yet are such a welcome to our ears, and to Mary's.
Gabriel's pronouncement opens the door for what should surely have overwhelmed a woman of age let alone a teenager awaiting to be married. In the message Gabriel shares, it is perhaps no mistake that Mary is directed to go to another older woman who can give her perspective and help her through what will be a rough time in the coming weeks. It is this sense that God's hope for us and all that it might mean comes with a promise, but also with the blessings and resources to see us through.
As you come to worship with us in the coming week, take a moment to remember who those loved ones were that might have said "don't be afraid" and take a moment to pause and give thanks for all those who were with you when that voice might have been suddenly and unexpectedly silenced. Even Gabriel did not return to comfort Mary. That job was left to a great cloud of witnesses, her family, and a community that needed to discover what it meant together to be thrust onto the center stage of God's new hope for the world.
May this week be a reminder of hope for you filled with memories of those you loved and those who helped to love you through the loss of someone dear. Amen.
Two centuries separate Luke's careful account of Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she will be the mother of all mothers. Human history has had various ways to understand the story from more mystic and ancient magically descriptions, to a host of well-reasoned scientific explanations, to a lot of back pedaling and waffling over what "really" happened and how it impacts whether you should follow this Jesus.
The reality of all these various arguments, philosophies, and thoughts boils down to Luke's simple laying out of events. I wonder if he would have elaborated so much if he thought we would have stumbled with incredulity at parts of his tale? But truly we are called to focus on these pieces of bizarreness with jaws dropped. An angel appeared? Mary was a "virgin" and yet is going to have a baby? God's interested in us?
It is the foundation of the message here where that last question is intended to break through. God has taken a hard look at us and realized there is something missing. It means that whatever we thought was normal, whatever thought was a sure thing, is going to get turned upside down...sometimes for good. And do in the midst of this unusual love story, for that is what this is, God's love story for us all, that Gabriel's words, "be not afraid" feel odd and yet are such a welcome to our ears, and to Mary's.
Gabriel's pronouncement opens the door for what should surely have overwhelmed a woman of age let alone a teenager awaiting to be married. In the message Gabriel shares, it is perhaps no mistake that Mary is directed to go to another older woman who can give her perspective and help her through what will be a rough time in the coming weeks. It is this sense that God's hope for us and all that it might mean comes with a promise, but also with the blessings and resources to see us through.
As you come to worship with us in the coming week, take a moment to remember who those loved ones were that might have said "don't be afraid" and take a moment to pause and give thanks for all those who were with you when that voice might have been suddenly and unexpectedly silenced. Even Gabriel did not return to comfort Mary. That job was left to a great cloud of witnesses, her family, and a community that needed to discover what it meant together to be thrust onto the center stage of God's new hope for the world.
May this week be a reminder of hope for you filled with memories of those you loved and those who helped to love you through the loss of someone dear. Amen.
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