Daily Advent Reflection: December 18
Third Friday in Advent
Psalms 40, 54 · 51
Isa. 10:5-19
2 Pet. 2:17-22
Matt. 11:2-15
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. We are waiting and preparing for the birth of our Savior. Waiting can be difficult at times. We want things or events to happen NOW. The anticipation is like a five year old waiting for Christmas morning to run down the stairs to open the wonderfully wrapped gifts under the sparkling Christmas tree.
Waiting can also be a gift--a gift in which we can grow and learn so much about ourselves as an individual person and also as a child of God. We can take the time to slow our walk of faith with Jesus and use that time of waiting to strengthen our personal relationship with our creator and to grow spiritually as a Christian.
I suggest that during this period of waiting each of us take the time for self examination. Take this time to prepare yourself for the birth of our Savior. Examine your heart and ask for God to create in you a clean heart and steadfast spirit. We are all sinners; none of us is perfect. Each one of us has made mistakes or choices that were not the best for ourselves or those that we love. That can be hard to swallow at times. No one likes to accept or be accountable for bad choices for ourselves or others, but here again is the gift! We have a God who loves us unconditionally. We have a God who wants a personal and loving relationship with each and every one of us.We have a God who grants us forgiveness and mercy simply because we ask for it. That means it is a given. What a gift!!
Living for Christ does not mean that as a follower we will not sin or screw up, but as followers or disciples, we ask for forgiveness, get up and move forward, knowing that we are forgiven. In John 14:2 we are told that God's house has many rooms and that God has prepared a room for each of God's children. There is a place, a room waiting for you in God's house which is another gift to be grateful for and to acknowledge as we wait. Knowing that God has room prepared for you, take the time to prepare room in your heart and home for the coming of Jesus. Take some time to be still and know God as it says in Psalm 46:10. Take some time to declutter the space in your heart or home to create that space for your savior.
Finally as we prepare to receive and celebrate the greatest gift reflect on Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Reflection: What does it mean for you during Advent for God to create in you a new heart and a right spirit? How can that change your approach to life and relationships?
Lisa Chmielewski
St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Greendale