Daily Advent Reflection: December 19
Third Saturday in Advent
Psalms 55 · 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Isa. 10:20-27
Jude 17-25
Luke 3:1-9
Is your life made easier when you get into your car and tell your car/GPS where you want to go, and it provides a map with directions and traffic info for you? I enjoy using this technology, but sometimes we need to recognize that it is not perfect, and if we depend on it too much and not double check it from time to time it can cost us a lot of time and distance. As an example, if I tell it I want to go to Jackson, Michigan, and it interprets that as Jackson, Mississippi, I will be OK when I travel I-94 on cruise control from Milwaukee to Chicago, but then the route will diverge significantly. If I am not paying much attention (and it is so easy to get distracted by companionship or use of other technologies in the car) then I may end up going quite a distance before needing to make a course correction.
This can happen in many aspects of life, particularly as we attempt to follow the Way of Jesus. We set a course, and it may go well for quite some time. But we get comfortable with our life’s cruise control, or we may get distracted by any/all of the things that make up the “busy-ness” of our lives. So we may not notice when we start to diverge. And then…
We learn today from the selection of Luke appointed (Luke 3:1-9) that God’s word came to a man named John, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah. He responded by proclaiming a baptism of repentance. In other words, the Israelites have gone off course – they needed a correction in following God. People come to him because they have heard he is a prophet, and John is not exactly kind to them.
We may enjoy Advent because it brings to us themes of hope. Of light in the darkness. And, of course, we are preparing for Christmas – however that might come to us this year. Especially this year we need light and hope, and Christ.
Advent also brings us the encouragement to examine ourself and check the course we are actually on, and if it is the best course for us to follow Christ. (For those of you who participate in a 12-Step program, this might sound familiar – particularly to Steps 4, 5 and 10.) Search your heart. Where and how in your life have you not loved God, your neighbor, yourself, to the best that you are able? Admit it. Own it. Then turn around (repent) to correct to a more true course in following Jesus.
Take advantage of this opportunity that Advent encourages. When we do we find that we experience a deeper, fuller journey with Christ. Our hope of the season expands. Our light in the darkness burns brighter. Our Christmass celebration becomes more joyful. Because it is our role, our call, our mission as a member of the body of Christ to bring the hope of Christ and the light of Christ and the joy of Christ into this world.
The Rev. Terry Garner
St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Mequon