Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus.
Why is it only four weeks of preparation?
What do I do with the other 48 weeks of the year?

The days before Christmas
seem more like a preparation
for partying and gift-giving,
with focus on family get-togethers,
special foods and wrapped packages,
crowding out an honest focus on Jesus
and His mission in coming to earth.
How we slide into idolatry,
the ice of the winter season catching us unaware
until we are put on our backs, looking up.
Then we see Jesus.



* * *

He came ~ Emmanuel.
Emmanuel ~ He is with us.
Yet, He is coming still.

God gave us Jesus.
Jesus lived among us.
And, Jesus is coming again.

While some failed to recognize Him
or did not acknowledge Him
as God’s Son
at the first coming,
His second coming will leave no doubt
about His identity
or the purpose of His coming!

(Am I anticipating His return
or
am I living in such a way that ignores its approach?
Do I long for His coming
or
am I satisfied with things as they are?)

Twila
December 2006

--------------------------------


At Christmastime, we celebrate
the arrival of God's Gift to us,
Jesus .

Many who knew of God's promise
of a Redeemer
and anticipated its fulfillment
did not recognize or embrace Him.
King Herod saw his rule threatened and sought to kill Him.
The priests knew Him as an exposer of their hearts,
criticized Him and manipulated to have Him slain.
One joined His disciples, seeking to work his own agenda.

Some chose to follow Him; they became disciples.
Many were hungry for truth; they listened to His teaching.
Some struggled with physical problems;
they wanted His healing touch.

His mother and Joseph embraced Him
and yet their way was fraught with difficulty:
a pregnancy that could not be explained
or understood in human terms,
a journey of days to pay taxes as she was to give birth,
fleeing to another country, living as refugees
and without the support of family and friends,
returning to their hometown,
a village of which it was said:
"Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?",
and raising a family there,
and then the crucifixion death of Jesus.

That same Jesus was resurrected
and has gone to sit on the right hand of His Father,
having paid in full the debt I owed for my sin.
He now awaits God's direction for His second coming,
when He comes to gather those
who have personally accepted God's gift of forgiveness
through Jesus' sacrificed life.

Some are anticipating Jesus' second coming;
they have prepared and are waiting.
Some ignore the mention of it,
choosing to enjoy life as they know it.

BUT, Jesus will return!
God has promised – and He keeps His promises!

Stay focused on Jesus at Christmastime
and throughout the new year!

Twila
December 2006