The Introduction
Imagine the valleys of your life. Those times when yawning need was met by silence. When the desire for companionship found only absence. When there were bills to pay and only holes in your pockets.
Now reflect on the mountains. The tasks that seemed insurmountable. The illnesses that dragged on and on. The hurt that seemed to grow rather than diminish with time. The challenges that seemed to have been designed with someone bigger and stronger than you in mind.
The way of the Lord is the smooth way. No valleys, no mountains, just a journey through pleasant country. Never been there? Neither had Jesus on this earth. Jesus sums up his experience with a rather sad evaluation: “My kingdom is not of this world”. This world has a rough topography, complete with sin, death, and crucifixion. Yet we trust the word of Jesus because he’s travelled these same valleys and mountains on the road to salvation. We’re never so lost that we can’t be found on these wild roads.
Map out the prominent valleys and mountains of the past year. Where do you see hope in the smooth way?
The Scripture (Luke 3: 4-6)
John the Baptist went through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet: Thunder in the desert! “Prepare God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the potholes paved over. Everyone will be there to see the parade of God’s salvation”.
The Story – Life’s a Never-Ending Story
I’ve learned a lot about myself from the old house I bought a couple of years ago. It was a leap of faith, taking on a 100-year-old fixer-upper by myself and on a limited budget. I think I was drawn to the project because, without fully realizing it, I had some similar interior work to do. There was potential in its redeeming features, but the wear-and-tear of years called for serious TLC.
At first, I thought I could whip it into shape no problem – and drastically underestimated the time and effort (and money!) it required. That taught me to be patient and ploddingly diligent and forgiving of flaws and accepting of disarray. I learned that to be transformed you have to tear down walls and remove decades of crud. Maybe find interesting relics from the past – above the ceiling that’s coming down, a gas light! – no use now. Laid bare, something new and better can take shape.
Friends and neighbours compliment the fruit of my labour and express relief that I’m making progress. Long-time homeowners, they all chuckle. ‘The work doesn’t end. You’ll never be done’. Here’s to that.
The Reflection
The Sunday before the beginning of Advent used to be called ‘Stir up Sunday’ for two reasons. The prayer for the Sunday begins, ‘Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people’. A wonderful prayer that wants us to ‘bring forth the fruits of good works’. It is by what we do that we will be known, so it is important that our works are good, important that we do something. We now often spend weeks preparing for this one day. How much time do we spend preparing for the coming of God to us? If someone is coming to stay, we will make sure there is room for them, that we have time for them, that we will give them some attention. God comes and seeks room in our lives and wants us to be aware of God’s presence. We need to give generously of our time and attention. Are you prepared for this?
The Commissioning
Are you ready for the challenge of Advent?
We will hear the words of the messenger who calls on us to repent.
We will join with Mary and Joseph on a faithful but difficult journey.
We will prepare our hearts and minds for God’s Chosen One, who is on the way.
Are you ready for the challenge of Advent?
With you beside us, Loving God, we have nothing to fear! Amen.
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