The exact day of the first Christmas is unknown, but as I anticipate the traditional day of December 25th, I have a target. This month I am striving to make a point to celebrate Advent on a daily and weekly basis. I am using a devotional resource book from The Foundry Publishing, called Long Expected Jesus. The concept of Celebrating Advent is something I have not explored before. Historically, I had just moved through it – one week at a time, without specific focus on ‘devotional Advent’ thoughts. Today I start with Mark 13:35-37 (NIV), and I am celebrating.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
This is a major warning — effectively, Jesus is saying that we should Anticipate . Clearly a good idea. Its never a good idea to ignore something important. I think back over my college years, and all those times when I did not prepare well for exams and quizzes. I did OK, but I could have done better. If it had been a matter of life and death, would have tried to do my best. If I lived during Jesus’ time, and suffered through the consequences of missing Jesus’ coming, it would have caused me a profound sadness.
A homeless beggar in need of food will never want to miss an opportunity for nourishment. There would be a sense of great loss if the opportunity was missed. The opportunity for nourishment would mean comfort for the body, the mind, the spirit, and the soul. How mush more then, if we anticipate the coming of Christ into the world — we can see there is comfort for the mind, the body, the soul, and the soul. And as the song says – comfort and joy.
Advent week 1 is about anticipation. We should contemplate the Coming of Christ into the world. Whether a person is a believer or not, the actual coming of Christ Changed the World. The change was profound.
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- It changed the way millions of people think.
- It gave us a hope.
- it gave us a whole new perspective on who God is.
- It gave us a real way to have a relationship with God
- It enabled us with power to change ourselves
- It enabled us with power to change the world.
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