Sunday is the beginning of the Christian four-week season of Advent — a holy time of preparation for the remembrance of Christ’s birth… and anticipation of his final return. Many Americans spend a lot of time and money and fuss on getting homes and kitchens and schedules ready for the event of Christmas. Advent invites us to get our souls and world ready for the coming Christ Child.

The theme in the traditional services picks up a line from a Christmas carol:

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King…”

What keeps you from being ready and willing to receive your king?

Isaiah 2:1-5 envisions a future where people stream to Jerusalem to learn God’s ways. In response, they beat their swords into plows, refuse to learn war, and people walk by the light of the Lord. How much change would that require? How prepared are we to even want to make such changes? What does the light of the Lord illumine about our world — including the world we have inside us?

Romans 13:11-14 warns that our night is nearly over and we Christians should act like it, to act as those people in the Light, not as those who hope their doings are cloaked in darkness. Just as anxiety tends to make us half awake when we sleep, we seem to be half asleep when we are supposed to be awake.

What would it mean to you — your church, job, family — to fully receive the Light, to receive your King?

I hope to see you this Sunday as we gather together. I urge those who are able to shake off fears and inertia to actually come be a part of worship. I’m grateful for the live-streaming (and all those who make it possible), but it’s just not the same as the warmth and lift you get in-person.

As always, I would really love to get your comments or questions — ahead of time or afterwards. Just click here.