From the Pastor

December 2003

...Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. -- Luke 3:4

I have set a new personal record! Every year, I try to have my Christmas shopping finished by 1 December, so that I can focus on other things in the days leading up to Christmas. This year, I somehow managed to finish before Thanksgiving.

There are, of course, still things to be accomplished. I have all those gifts to wrap (things that I wrap tend to look like they have been run over by a truck), cookies to bake (I always make too much), and a house to decorate (as Brian about how much he loves snowmen!). In gneral, however, I have been feeling pretty prepared for the season.

It occurs to me, though, that what I have accomplished is about filling up and adding things. I have selected and purchased gifts to give, and have responded when asked by loved ones what I might like to receive. I have begun to think about getting out the decorations and what new ones may be needed. I have purchased plates, napkins, and cups for the caroling event. I have thought about what holiday treats to bake, and have laid in some of the supplies and arranged for a day to do the baking.

Even though these preparations have been going well, it seems to me that the real and truly meaningful work of this Advent season is still ahead of me. The filling up is going splendidly, as evidenced by my closet and pantry. Now perhaps it is time for some cleaning out and making room...in the depths of my heart and my soul.

It has been easy for me to determine wha I need to add to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. What is harder is figuring out what I need to remove as I prepare for the birth of Christ. As I consider this, I realize the list of things that keep me from truly having room to welcome Jesus into my heart could get very long. As hard as it may be, however, I need to look honestly at those things and ponder what I can do to remove them, if the wonder and the miracle of the season is to have any lasting effect on who I am and how I live.

The gifts I receive (and give) will fade. The cookies will be gone. The decorations will come down...but if there is room in my heart for what really matters--for love, peace, faith, and hope--the true reason for joy in this season will linger long into the future.

In this season of preparation, I encourage you to take time out from the adding of things to ponder what you may need to remove in order to make room for Jesus. What crowds out the joy? What creates a barrier to the deepest part of your heart and soul? Anger? Jealousy? Hurt? Simple lack of time to consider just who this Christ is and what he means for you and for the world? Whatever it is, take the time to reflect on it and have the courage to be honest about it with yourself and with God. If you ask, God will help you to prepare to meet the Messiah, by helping you clear out those things that get in the way of his arrival into your heart. When that is accomplished, the things that you add to help with the celebration will have all the more meaning!

Blessings and peace to you this Christmas and always.

In Christ,
Pastor Brenda