Friday’s thoughts
What about Advent is helpful within the context of the fact that when Christmas comes we will not be prepared? I have been through so many of these Advent seasons it seems true we will never be prepared. It is impossible to be completely prepared. It is a time of unfinished business and loose ends. It’s a time of getting places; not being places. It’s a season of wishing for more time but we don’t have more time. We are left with doing the best we can with the time we have.
At the center and source of it is an infant in a manger. I see (symbolically) three phases in the season and three messages from the child in the manger.
1. The child smiles at us. The child is saying to us, “In the chaos keep cool.” When the chaos seems to be dominant; it isn’t.”
2. The child winks at us. The child is saying to us, “What you think you know for sure; you don’t. Some things will surprise you. Things aren’t what they seem.”
3. The child nods at us. The child is saying to us, “What you think it’s over; it;s just beginning. Goodness doesn’t end. What youthink is finished; it isn’t.”
Advent is a time of preparation for which we cannot prepare. The best we can do is be open to the calm in the chaos even when it passes our understanding; listen to the mystery of the season and let it surprise us; and realize that Christmas is a beginning and we don’t have to be prepared. All we have to do is show up.
How are your preparations going in Advent? Are you going to get most everything done or will there be much that isn’t accomplished? What can you let go of and what must you hold as essential?
If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If the email address doesn’t appear click on the space to the left.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
