Advent

I have been quite challenged lately by how I allow clocks and calendars to run my life. I schedule appointments at certain times on certain days, I celebrate all the appropriate "holidays" on my calendars...but as a Christian, should I somehow mark time differently? If time belongs to God, how am I to use it to tell His story, not just the self-indulged frantically-paced story of me? I explored what some would call the "Christian Calendar" this last year...and it is for me (as well as for many in the world), a way to mark time differently - to tell... to remember...God's story (past and future).

So I will start with Advent as I long to celebrate Christmas differently this year. I want a celebration not based on candy, foiled wrapped gifts or flashy lights. I want to celebrate a simple phrase..."For God so loved the world that He sent His Son..." I want Christmas to focus on Jesus. So here are my advent thoughts (some mine, some borrowed) all helping me remember Who keeps time and history, and the events of time and history that lead to the amazing birth of God on this planet.

O come, O come, Immanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Immanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.