A Word from Pastor Charlie

Posted on Nov 26, 2016 in Advent Devotions |

I remember summer nights in my neighborhood when I was a child, waiting until it got dark enough to play Hide and Seek, or variations of that game – Kick the Can or Ghost in the Graveyard…I imagine there are others you can remember, too. The game always had the same premise – someone is “IT” and the others kids would hide and try not to be found and/or caught by the “IT” person. Each round began with the person who is “IT” closing his or her eyes and counting to 100 (the extent of our math review studies during summer vacation). When the magical number of 100 was reached, “IT” would say, loud enough for everyone to hear, “Ready or not, here I come!” 

Ready or not, here I come. That is the proclamation of Advent. Ready or not, Jesus comes to us in a wonderful, unexpected and unique way. God in the flesh comes to us, not as a mighty king, or a powerful warrior, with trumpets blaring and parades leading before him. No. 

Jesus the Christ, God’s only Son, comes to us as a baby, born in a cattle stall, to a peasant girl and her husband to be. Ready or not! 

So often I find that our Christmas preparations come upon us quickly – Thanksgiving is here, and the next thing you know, the race is on through December – ready or not! We know it is coming, and we know we really ought to slow down and take time to focus on the reason for the season, the time with family, and the hopes and fears we carry in our hearts. Still the calendar fills up, and there is much to do and much to be done. It happens every year, whether we are ready or not. 

Our hope and prayer is that the collection of devotions, prepared by members and friends of Epiphany Lutheran Church, will provide you and your family an opportunity to prepare your hearts, minds and homes for the coming of the Christ child once again. May this not be “just one more thing” to add to your “to do” list before Christmas. Instead, may it be an opportunity to focus on the Gift, and give thanks to the Giver. 

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heaven.

(O Little Town of Bethlehem)

 

Amen, Come Lord Jesus

(whether we are ready or not!)

^