to be published in the upcoming humc advent devotional booklet
(please forgive all the annoying capital letters)


Accepting the Special-ness of Advent.

Scripture: (from the Message) 1 Peter: 13-16 "So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

Truth be told, Advent is just like every other part of the year…except that it’s not.

Each January, we promise and pledge to carry the “Christmas spirit” with us throughout the New Year. It sounds exhilarating. It sounds easy. We just celebrated the birth of our Savior. We just opened many wonderful gifts. We just spent invaluable time with our family. “Everyday will be Christmas!”, we proclaim. So, we power through another list of self-improvements with every genuine intention to make “this year” better than the last.

And then something funny happens.

Mid-January comes and we stumble over or out of our first resolution. February comes and we realize that work is no more a happy place than it ever was. We should be happy that we have a job, but we are not. March comes and we’ve already started to fast-forward our time and our lives in the hopes of that one or two weeks of summer vacation when we can get away from this world that we were so ready and willing to attack just three short months ago. The vacation isn’t as great as we wanted. It rained at the beach. We come home, and life hits in the face again. A friend or family member is sick. A loved one passes. “Why am I yelling at my children all the time?”

Truth be told, Advent is nothing like every other part of the year. As Christians, we need Advent like the bunny needs his battery. It is a season to recharge. It is the feeling of renewal. It is the promise of hope in a life made in relationship with Jesus Christ. It is special.

And that’s OK.