“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” – Matt. 3:3**
Have you ever walked into a dark house, having forgotten to leave the lights on? If it’s winter, it’s cold and dark…and doesn’t feel very welcoming. But walking into a warm house full of light, especially Christmas tree lights or festive candles…that is truly wonderful.
Repentence, Yes But…
We are told by John the Baptist in the Old Testament’s Book of Isaiah and the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths. In a recent Advent bible study, my pastor told us back in Jesus’ days, when a royal guest was arriving, they would fill the potholes in the road…and that we, too, need to fill the “potholes” in our lives that have been caused by pride, jealousy, greed, lust, sloth…etc. In short by our shortcomings (unforgiveness, resentment, anxiety, depression, over-indulging, etc.) Yes, we need to be repentent and “ready” for Christ’s second coming, but…
Let Your Hearts Be Light…
I also think it doesn’t hurt to ready the way for the Lord by adding some light! When Advent started, I was skipping around singing the tune from the musical “Annie”, “We need a little Christmas, right this very minute!” And then my husband and I both caught a terrible cough/cold going around, which brought us to a standstill for two weeks. You too? But just when it couldn’t seem darker and any more dreary, we finally put the lights on the tree and lit the candles on the Advent wreath for the third Sunday (“Joyful” Sunday) and it was if, magically, I was back in the spirit again. A good snowfall and baking cookies with my grandkids this past weekend was icing on the cake!
Christmas Family, Then…and Now
The Gospel of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus. I find it so interesting that Jesus had such a dysfunctional family! Three of the women in Jesus’ lineage were “sinners”…one lay with her brother, one lay with another man’s husband, one committed adultery by betraying her own husband, and the other disguised herself as a prostitute to trick her father-in-law into making her pregnant. And that’s just the women. The men were also sinners, committing all of the seven deadly sins. Wow. Maybe it makes our dysfunctional families seem not so bad after all as we look to our own gatherings at the holidays! And it reminds us Jesus was fully human and fully God…so He knows where we’ve been and where we need to go! And we’ll get there if we trust Him.
Traditions are Important
I believe we can find comfort in the little traditions of the season…decorating, card sending, baking, gathering with friends and family…lighting up our days and nights with joy. Keep the ones you like, and get rid of the rest. Or start your own new ones. And wherever you are, try to be with at least one other person during the holidays…to soak up the light in someone else’s eyes and soul, to share yours too…and to spread the Good News that the real light, the Messiah is with us!
Lord, we pray that we will remember, as we go through this busy Christmas season, that what’s really important is that You are with us, and we can treasure your gifts of joy and peace now and forever, Amen.
