Devotion - Monday, December 2

If you are a regular reader of these posts, you know that my theme remains the same for every Monday of the First week in Advent.  I read the Advent Gospels and I recall the season's invitation to prepare the way of Messiah by exposing the places in our life where God is needed, and all that comes crashing up against the shameless consumerism of "Black Friday," "Small business Saturday," and "Cyber Monday."  Not to mention that this is the final week of classes, followed by exams.  What chance does Advent have?

The text appointed for this day is the Matthew 21 account of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem.  I remember being on an LSM retreat at which the campus pastor re-read verse 11.  It was the first time someone noted that not everyone was part of the throng that welcomed Jesus.  The text suggests a small but devoted group of followers were there to strew their garments on the road; most of the city wondered what all the excitement was about.

It is not the whole city who knows what the arrival means; but a small group of expectant followers.

We cannot turn the tides which are the academic schedule and the shop till you drop culture.  But we might be the small, devoted collection of individuals who practice the spiritual disciplines of waiting, and watching, and anticipating.  It may not happen across the whole of our community, but within our lives we can focus less on our ability to create that perfect holiday gathering and more on our desire for Messiah's presence to be experienced.

These are busy days.  Your days are way too hectic and busy.  Give yourself the gift of 10 minutes of quiet.  Set aside enough time to gaze at the heavens and notice the alignment of the stars.  Prepare the way - into your own life - for Messiah's arrival.