“Be ready at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.” -Luke 21:36
With less than two weeks until Christmas, a common question from friends and colleagues is, “Are you ready for Christmas?”
A bit of a loaded question! What are they asking? Am I ready for all the gift giving? Am I ready to host my family? I want to be prepared when we all gather, and so hearing these questions stresses me out a bit because at this point, I don’t feel at all ready.
So many things in life are much more manageable when I am amply prepared. As a middle school science teacher, it was important to have a lesson plan ready to go. I never knew when I would be woken up in the middle of the night by a sick child. It’s so critical for a teacher to be prepared for a substitute so that students don’t run amok.
We are called to be ready for so many things in our lives. Ready to react when driving in order to avoid an accident. Ready to answer the phone when a loved one is struggling and needs a listening ear. Ready to deal with home and car repairs that catch us off guard. Ready to cuddle a crying child who has bumped her head.
As a part of my journey of faith, I want to be ready to express my faith in a way that does not polarize me from others. To be ready to speak in love towards those who spew hatred. To be ready to find common ground with those who are different from me. To be ready to be selfless, sharing my resources with those who are lacking. To be willing to welcome those who are enduring the hardship of living in war torn countries in order to help them have a better and safer life.
These are the difficulties I am faced with almost daily. These (and more) challenge my faith and stretch my resources. Yet, being ready does not happen instantly. It involves a time of waiting. At this time of year, this all seems even more pronounced. In this Christian Season of Advent, there is this time of waiting. A time for reflection. A time to be ready for whatever need God puts in my path.
This time of waiting allows me the opportunity to look in devotion and wonder at God’s plan for my life. To get myself ready to receive Christ once again into my life and my heart. Time to pause and marvel at how God came with love and humility as the Christ child in order to bring salvation to the world.
It is a tradition in many Christian churches to light advent candles each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each candle has their own story to tell. In this time of waiting with anticipation for the Christ child, we recall, through scripture, how God prepared so many for this world changing event to occur.
But what am I really being called to do as I wait once more for Christmas?
I know I need to be living my life in a way that lets others recognize Christ living within me. To prepare my heart so when I encounter people, they can see the compassion and humility in me. To allow people to see by my actions that I am a person who values others. And that means ALL others.
Christ calls me to go to the fringes of society and to notice, to actually see the hurting people who dwell there. To be willing to come alongside and make the situation better.
I have noticed there are many people who only really care for themselves, and who only see value in those who are like them. Those who vote the same way. Those whose skin color is the same. Those who go to the same church. Those who live in the same neighborhood. Those with the same country of origin.
As a follower of Christ, I must be ready to share love with every person I encounter as I move about my day-to-day life. To be ready to love, especially those who are not like me. To find the time to share my time and resources with others.
It’s easy in the Christmas season to get caught up in the flurry of the secular parts of the season. To focus on shopping, and holiday activities. To worry about having the right decorations and sending the best cards. I am guilty of that at times.
I am not proud of how I sometimes push aside what the season is really all about because I am packing too much into my days. Being at the ready means I need to find time to sit in the quiet of the winter evening so I can hear God speak to my heart. Pause in order to discern how best to spend my time and with whom.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
In these last days before Christmas, we have a wonderful gift: time. Time to pause, get ready, and to ponder about God’s coming in Christ. To pretend that Jesus has yet to be born, and to prepare our hearts just as we get ready to receive a new baby into our homes.
Yet many get stuck in Bethlehem. Be cautious not to linger too long there, worshiping the baby Jesus. For at this time of year we must also prepare for Christmas while keeping Jesus’ death on the cross in our memory. Christ was born so that he would die for us. Thus, we need this time of waiting to ponder the incredible implications of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.
Take some time each day to sit in the quiet of the day. Read Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth in Luke chapters 1-2. See how Matthew’s account tells the story from a different perspective in chapters 1-2. Journal the thoughts and images that are present in these stories. The images and thoughts that guide you in your readiness for Christ. Pray about how you can be more mindful of Christ’s working in the world around you.
PRAYER
Loving God, thank You for showing me how to live for You. Guide me this holiday season and beyond to be ready to bring the light of Your love to those who are living in darkness. Your love is the best gift. Thank you. Amen.
ABOUT JENNY SEYLAR
A mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, and pastor, Jenny Seylar became a widow in September 2017, and though it rocked her world, she chooses not to be defined by it. Despite her husband's unexpected death, she seeks joy in daily life with the support of family and friends. Her three grown children, their partners, and two young granddaughters bring love and engagement to her life. When not serving as a hospital chaplain or writing, she enjoys outdoor activities like walking her dog, biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She values creating authentic relationships with people on their faith journeys, finding fulfillment in her roles as a writer and chaplain.
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