“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2: 10-11 (KJV)
A friend sent me a link to a YouTube segment recently that was about the Advent season in North America; with the opening word ‘Waiting’ was in bold font and white on a black screen. While the photos of people rushing through their daily activities in a busy city, the tune ‘Silent Night’ was playing in the background and the following message was delivered.
“Waiting; it is not an attractive word. It seems boring. What if you were waiting for something that would change your life; how would you get ready for it? Would you make yourself busy filling your life with noise and distraction; rushing to get gratification? Would you spend all your time doing everything but slowing down? NO? Well, this is what we do each year we have an opportunity to dramatically change our life. But most of the time we miss it. We spend our time running around trying to get everything done on time; when most of us forget to get the most important thing ready and that is our heart. This is what Advent is all about; slowing down and waiting, to get our heart ready to bring Jesus into our life a bit more fully than before. Advent; take time, slow down, open up.”
Slow down my friend, there is a Savior named Jesus, desiring to be closer to you. In eight short days from today, we will hear the song Silent Night sung on Christmas Eve in our home congregations; so between now and then, slow down, take time and wait. I thought that I would close with the words from the hymn ‘It came upon a midnight clear’ today; this was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears in 1849.
“It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men from heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled; and still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world: above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, and ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. O ye beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow; look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; oh rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing. For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay