"Slow down you move too fast, got to make the [moment]
last..." sang Simon and Garfunkel once upon a long time ago. But at this
time of the year we seem to be in warp speed. The clock is ticking, the
dates on the calendar fly, there's so much to do, to get, to buy, to wrap, to
cook, to clean, to prepare, to finish...so how is THIS supposed to be the
season of waiting? The clear question arises ~ for what is it, exactly, are we
preparing? It is, of course, for the coming of Jesus, the
birth of the Child raised up by God as our Mighty Savior, as
we hear in the Song of Zechariah. John, the son of Zechariah, comes
out of the wilderness, as the voice crying in the wilderness, that
Isaiah foretold, to proclaim a baptism of repentance and
remind us to prepare the way of the Lord. We have wandered from the call to prepare that
is not exactly represented by inflatable Grinches, Abominable Snowmen, Santas
riding dinosaurs or polar bears, that fill the front yards immediately after
wobbly Thanksgiving turkeys. Sure, those things are fun for the kids but
what are we and they learning about Advent and finding Hope and Peace
in the waiting?
As we light the candle of Peace this week, we
are reminded that Advent is a time to think new thoughts about the whys
of what we do; a time to be conscious about what is the true gift
of life; time to take a break from the ordinary hurry and worry to make
ourselves ready for the Christ who saves our souls. It is a time to reflect
deeply to seek the inner peace that we already have when we choose to allow it
to surface. Yet this time is made excessively stressful by self-imposed earthly
expectations that we accept on behalf of this season. In this time of waiting
for the holy child’s birth, these meant-to-be spiritually precious few
weeks are spent waiting in lines everywhere ~ at the copier, the elevator, the
Post Office, the grocery store, in traffic, the doctor's office, and don’t even
talk about the mall! But instead of caving to irritation and anger, we can use those
moments to take long, slow, deep breaths and reflect on our thoughts, our actions,
and our moods of the day, the week, or whatever time frame we choose; to look
for “where was God in these” moments. How often have I looked for God
in the busyness of a day, or the frustrations of an encounter or task, and offered
a brief prayer, a petition, a thanksgiving?
How might a little waiting time with God
adjust my perspective during my short time in this world? One minute
now, 5 later, in the shower, just after turning out the light...just
before opening my eyes in the morning, on the way to work...I can make
those times God-moments and the more of those I have, the less stress I will
have, or at least the stronger I’ll feel in the midst of it all.
Oh, God, fill our hearts
and minds with Your Peace. Push us to ponder and discover a deeper
understanding of John’s commitment and our own. We are each to be the bearers of
Christ’s compassion to everyone we speak with, pass by, dislike, or love, no
matter our human shapes, sizes, genders, ages, colors, and beyond. Even the
decorations can take on a new vibrancy, as if preparing our inner home for the
arrival of an amazingly special guest, the One on whom our souls depend.
So, even though this is
the second Sunday of Advent, there's time to catch up and
prepare your own way for the Lord. Un-warp. Slow down. Don’t move too fast. Make some time
with the Lord to last. God is with us, Hope and Peace are in the
Lord for whom we prepare the way, and who is, at once, already here.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of Glory and Praise, calm
us in our preparations for the celebration ahead, that we may take time now to
prepare ourselves for Christ, God’s true gift. Overflow us with Your love
as we make way for the coming of our Savior in each and every day.
O Lord, our God
RESPONSE:
Guide us to Your Peace
~ God of Glory and Praise, for all who cry out from the
wilderness of hunger, separation, and fear, urge us to exhort all who govern on
this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community, to deliver the distressed
from the shadow of death into the brightness of safety and abundance. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Guide us to Your Peace
~ God of Glory and Praise, shine Your healing light and
love on those who dwell in the darkness of chronic illness or spiritual
isolation, and sustain the energy of all who give them care. We now join
our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Guide us to Your Peace
~ God of Glory and Praise, hold fast to those traveling the
rough way of grief as You embrace our loved ones now arrived in the fullness of
joy to Your everlasting splendor. We pray especially for: add your
own petitions
O Lord, our God
Guide us to Your Peace
~ God of Glory and Praise, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Guide us to Your Peace
~ God of Glory and Praise, grant continuing renewal and
unlimited energy to all who guide us in our worship, teach us Your words, and
share our journey to eternal life. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
O Lord, our God
Guide us to Your Peace
The Celebrant adds: O God of the Eternal Dawn and
Endless Love, guide us to accept and proclaim a new baptism of repentance
and to put our life in Christ above all worldly pursuits, that if suddenly
called, we will be ready to account for our time of earthly life. We ask
through Jesus the Christ, our Mighty Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our
Sanctifier; who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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