Preparing
Even if you're running behind.
The friend from whom I get my firewood sent me this picture of his outdoor Advent wreath. His text read, Finally got prepared for the season!!!
Advent is an exercise in preparation. Preparation for the Christmas celebration, thanking God that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory… (John 1:14)
It is also an annual recollection of our need to prepare for Christ’s return. Lessons for the 4th Sunday in Advent include Psalm 24, which calls us to a lifestyle of preparation,
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Preparation includes reform of our actions and examination of our motivations, renouncing our idols to seek the face of God, which for Christians is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Psalm 24 concludes with a rousing affirmation that those who have prepared will stand in the New Jerusalem to celebrate the Lord’s arrival,
Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!
May we take time, even if Advent has gotten away from us in the holiday rush and the cares and challenges of life, to pause and seek God’s face. There’s still an Advent Sunday to make it to church. There’s still God’s word to read and God’s delight when we come to him in prayer.
Like my friend texted with the picture of his Advent wreath, Finally got prepared… Running behind doesn’t mean that God will ignore your running.
Our King and Savior now drawns near; O come, let us adore him.
Amen. We are being transformed for life in, through and with the Trinity. Blessed Advent!
“ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
I see this statement in the Psalm as what the believer here and now is capable of during mystical contemplation through God’s Messiah and only through God’s Messiah. We sit under His shadow as the Contemplation is Graced upon the Son, and we’re being His Body become fully aware of what the Messiah is envisioning via perfect impression through His very Spirit.