A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

 

 

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,       

 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

 

Advent is a time of preparation. We are looking toward the coming of Christ. We remember His birth and look forward to His second coming.

 

There are many ways to prepare. Our lives are often so busy, that they seem anything but straight or level. Most American lives in December resemble an advanced motorcross bike racetrack more than a straight and level road.

 

We need the message of the prophets – the reminder to take time for the Lord. The reminder that Christ is indeed coming. We need the Holy Spirit to bulldoze through the craziness of our lives so that we are ready for God’s presence. As the world and the culture around us constantly pushes us to get busier and busier, we need those voices telling us to breathe and focus on God.

 

Recently as part of examining the third commandment and its explanation in the catechism, the confirmation class analyzed how they had spent their time the previous week. Afterwards, one student remarked, “I feel kind of bad now – God didn’t get much.”

 

During most weeks of the year, we fall short on the time we give to God. (That third commandment specifies 1/7 of our time each week be dedicated to gladly hearing and learning God’s Word.) Ironically, in December, when we are celebrating God manifesting Himself in human form, all the other cultural expectations can threaten our time with God even more.

 

I remember last year overhearing the Sunday School students being asked what the most important aspect of Christmas was. It took quite a while for the answer ‘Jesus’ to be expressed. They named many important aspects, but they had some difficulty in identifying ‘Jesus’ as the most important.

 

Children learn by observing the adults around them. Oftentimes they, and we for that matter, equate importance with time and energy. Think about all the different messages they inadvertently receive during the holiday season. Where do children see time and energy being spent by the adults closest to them? Where do you find yourself expending the most time and energy? If any of us were to analyze our time during December, many of us would chime in with the student who confessed, “I feel kind of bad – God didn’t get much.”

 

Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. Rather than (or if you are extra ambitious, along with) making traditional New Year’s resolutions, make an Advent resolution. Focus on the coming of the coming of Christ this Advent. Set aside some time for God amidst the various commitments, to-do lists, and errands.

 

There are many and various habits we can adopt to help open our eyes and ears to the coming of Christ during the busyness of the holidays. We can all find an approach that works for us if we look and try some. There are both printed and online devotionals available. There are rituals we can adopt to enjoy with family and/or friends. There are even apps that can be downloaded for the more tech savvy. Of course, I highly recommend that old stand-by – Sunday worship.

 

Think about what might mean to set aside 10-20 minutes a day to be together as a family (or ‘family unit’ of friends) during the chaotic month of December. Make that time sacred and include God. Included in this month’s newsletter is a blue bulletin-like sheet. Called ‘Lighting the Candles,’ it is a ‘simple form’ of readings, prayers, and songs to accompany the lighting of an Advent Wreath. It is designed to encourage family (or friends) to gather together to ‘keep that (God’s) word holy and gladly hear and learn it.’ (Luther’s Small Catechism – the 3^rd Commandment)

 

Song suggestions from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (a.k.a the plain-red hymnal) were provided by Sundays and Seasons. Lutheran Book of Worship (a.k.a. the old green hymnal) numbers have been added where available. Both congregations have more than plenty LBWs available to take home and use (and preferably keep for future use).

 

Whether your ‘family’ is young or old, shy or demonstrative, musical or tone-deaf, taking time together to hear Scripture, pray, and sing (or read aloud for those in the tone-deaf category) is beneficial. Marking the beginning and ending of that sacred time by the use of candles, delineates this time as special. (Battery operated candles are recommended if there are any budding pyromaniacs participating.) Gathering together as believers to spend with God quiets our hearts and focusses us on the true ‘reason for the season’ – the coming of Jesus Christ. He is truly the most important aspect of Christmas and our whole lives.

 

The grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

In Christ,

 

Pastor Carla

 

 

 

 

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’ ” (Mark 1:1-3)