Reading
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Matthew 1:22-23 (NRSVUE)
Reflection
We are now in the season of Advent. Advent means “coming” but also implies “presence.” As we make our way through the season of Advent—including the four Sundays leading up to Christmas—I’m reminded of a few lines from the United Methodist Book of Worship, as it describes Advent: “The season proclaims the comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Each year Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for these comings.”
When I read those words again this year, I found myself pondering the ways in which I’m celebrating, anticipating, and even participating in the “comings” of Christ.
As I celebrate, I realize that our world is often not representative of the saving and loving nature of Christ. Like it announces in our scripture passage above, “God is with us,” but we don’t always behave as if that’s true. We’re called to be the Light of Christ to the world—which so desperately needs more light—but we often fail to live as though Jesus is among us, loving, guiding, and teaching us. We sometimes forget we’re celebrating the coming of Hope itself into the world when Christ was born. Instead, it is so easy to approach the season as if it’s a cultural obligation that adds stress to our lives. Or we might see it as a unique birthday party in which all of us get presents instead of the one whose birthday we’re celebrating.
The more I think and pray about what Christ’s presence means in my life, the more profound the Christmas season becomes for me. All of that celebrating and anticipating leads me to participate more fully in what Christ is doing in our world today.
One of my favorite ways to prepare for Christmas is to spend time thinking about how I’m spotting Christ among us (“God with us”). And then I like to write those things down each day in a journal or type them into my smart phone or computer. If you’re interested in doing that kind of spiritual exercise during Advent, I’ve come up with a few “starter” questions you might find helpful in your daily journey through Advent:
- Is my heart anticipating Christ to be at the center of my day? If so, how might I stay there in that place of anticipation and readiness?
- Where have I seen Christ present among us today? Was that presence made known through people’s kindness, through suffering, or through some “hopeful happening” that I witnessed?
- How have I participated in the “coming” of hope and love? Did I help shed the Light of Christ in some way today? If so, was it “close to home” with people I see each day, or was it with someone I just met? Is there something new that the love of Christ is letting my eyes see as an opportunity to serve?
Prayer
Almighty and Loving God, we thank you for the coming of the Christ child into the world. We thank you for the ministry and life of Jesus, which makes such a coming real and powerful. We thank you for the way that Christ was willing to give everything, even his life, because of his love for all. And we thank you that through the resurrection of Christ, his presence is among us today. Through the work of your Holy Spirit, train our spirits to be in tune with Christ’s presence in our lives and in the world. Equip us to serve faithfully until Christ comes again in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. And in this of Advent, makes us aware of Christ who is before us, within us, and all around us. Amen.
