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 Growing up I always found it strange that in
December, while we sat in a sanctuary adorned with lights and
garland and a big tree, we also heard very “un-Christmas like”
readings with admonitions to keep awake and be alert because the
coming of Christ will be like a thief in the night.
What happened to angel appearances to Mary or Elizabeth and journeys
to Bethlehem?
As I got older, I realized those pieces were there too – just a
little later in the season. And really you need both to make a more
complete picture.
Logic will tell us that Jesus could only be born and placed in a
manger once. He isn’t born again each year. Instead we tell this
story every year to remind us of the humble beginnings of our
Savior. The gift God gave to the world – the best Christmas present
imaginable – visible first to those considered the lowliest and most
insignificant.
We tell the story to remind ourselves that Christ does indeed shine
light into our darkened world, even if that light seems dim at
times, blocked a bit by our sinful nature.
Telling the familiar story is important. It helps to focus us. Gives
us something to think about besides the craziness that can happen,
especially at this time of the year.
But the other side is just as important. While we prepare to
celebrate Jesus’ birth, we also need to prepare for that day when he
comes again. Unlike knowing Christmas comes on December 25th each
year, we have no idea what the date will be when Jesus returns – try
as some people might to figure it out. It is hard to be ready for
something if you don’t know when it is going to happen, but that is
what God calls us to do.
The good news is that if we take our preparations
seriously, they happen every day. It isn’t like having to
frantically clean the house if company is coming because we are
already ready. It is here those charges to keep awake and be alert
come into play.
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If we think about it, those around when Jesus was
born could have used that same suggestion. So many people missed
what was happening because though they were awake physically, they
were not alert. They were so focused on one particular thing that
they missed everything else happening around them.
As we get closer and closer to Christmas, let us also consider how
we might merge these two ideas. We prepare for family celebrations
with decorations and presents and food. We prepare by coming to
worship, singing familiar songs, and hearing familiar scripture.
But we also prepare by living as Christ’s hands and feet in the
world. Helping to shine the light of God that first shone so
brightly over a manger in Bethlehem. It is then we will discover
that we really don’t have to wait to celebrate Jesus’ arrival after
all. We can find him arriving even now.
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