During Advent we pray "Come Lord" and in watchful anticipation we look towards both the celebration of the Nativity and that time when Christ will return. This season fills our need to plead for God to come close (even though it is usually we who have meandered far from God) and to focus upon our desire and longing for hope. It lifts our eyes and our hearts above the common and fixates us instead on that which is to come; Advent promises that this life is not all there is, that God is bringing about a new creation and a new order.
An order that was begun in a stable long ago, confirmed upon a bloody cross, promised in an empty tomb, and will celebrate with a triumphant King returning to claim what is His.
I wonder...as we pray, "Come Lord"....if there is not something more we can do during all the year, but perhaps especially at Advent and Christmastide.
Can we not also pray, "Come Lord, and direct me to Your people who are broken and outcasts from society? Let me see them with Your eyes and show them Your love."
Can we not pray, "Come Lord, so many are hungry, both for food and for Your word, which is eternal. Show me who to feed and let my hands distribute Your love?"
Can we not pray, "Come Lord, there are so many who are lonely during this time of rejoicing, fill me with Your compassion for them that I may seek them out and let them know they are loved?"
Can we not pray, "Come Lord, there are so many who are angry and divided from one another, let me sow seeds of fellowship and unity, so that Your peace might grow in hearts, and Your love be spread?"
In this time of preparation for the heart and soul, we pray, Come Lord. Let us seek You as faithfully as the wise men and be drawn near. Let us rejoice in Your coming with the simple, trusting faith of the shepherds. May we drink of Your living water, may we rest in Your peace, may we follow You faithfully. May we be eager to not only kneel at the manager, but also at the cross, may we rejoice at the empty tomb and fix our hopes upon Your return. Come Lord, into my heart, and make my hands reach in love to those who hurt, my voice speak Your words of life, my feet travel to those in need, and my ears open to the cries of the oppressed. Come Lord, make Your home again within my heart, that I might celebrate the nativity all the year round. In the name of Him who left heaven for a stable's manager for love of you and I, Amen.
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