Sunday Devotion for Advent 2: Christmas Singalong

Hosea 6:3        “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

At this time of year, I usually tune my car radio to a station that plays Christmas music all day long for the month of December. I like the old familiar songs that I grew up with. Most mornings, you’ll find me crooning to Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Andy Williams as I drive to church. The songs get me in a great frame of mind and even when interstate traffic is slow, I just enjoy more time to sing along with my favorite performers.

Christmas is all around me on my journey. I see festive signs, Christmas trees, and seasonal sales everywhere. I laugh at some of the billboards and smile at church notices. I watch people hurry and scurry over at the mall. I even have a child’s delight when I see bright colored Christmas lights and lawn decorations when I head back home in the evening.

I love this time of year, but I also remember that Christmas has not come, and that this is actually the sacred time of Advent, when Christians everywhere are supposed to be focused on the Second Coming of Christ. I ponder quietly and wonder if I am prepared for that amazing event. I switch off the Christmas music and turn on my heart to pray.

Will Christ come again this year?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, I think You also enjoy the bright lights, joviality, and festivity of Christmas. People everywhere appear to love this time of year for different reasons. I hope and pray that they will also quietly stop and think about You, Your Teaching, Your Life, and especially Your Return. In Your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org. He loves to receive your feedback.

The image is one of John's original drawings called "Advent 2." You can view a larger image at his art site on www.stushieart.wordpress.com.

New Business

First: a new member blog this week. Welcome to Paul Andresen's A Rock and Roll Devotional: Song involves the entire body in prayer; both the individual body and the Body of Christ. Let the body rock. Paul is a pastor in Arkansas, and he already has two blogs over there on our blog roll (check out Time Loves a Hero and There's a Fat Man in the Bathtub with the Blues). This new blog ties popular music to scripture!

Second: blog reader Ken Malloy sent a wonderful Christmas meditation, All I want for Christmas is .... Peace, "based on the Pastor's notes of Pastor Lloyd Ogilvie. His sermon was delivered to the Congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood on Sunday December 21st 2008." It's worth a read, and is a lovely reminder to extend the feeling of peace throughout the Christmas season and beyond.

Third and finally, a potential new change to the blog schedule. What would be more useful to you, for those of you who check out Mark's lectionary ruminations here: post/discussion on the Thursday before the appropriate Sunday, or the Saturday (one day) before? A poll is posted a right, and, of course, comments are welcome here!

And, now, to Epiphany! And beyond! (I've been watching a lot of Toy Story this year.)

Sunday Devotions: Christmas King

Christmas King

I saw You today
Resting peacefully
In a ceramic cradle.

Your mother’s porcelain eyes
Tearfully gazed
Towards Your own.
She was surrounded
By doting shepherds
And kneeling kings.

Your human father,
With a clay crook in his hand,
Stood over You
Like a stone sentinel,
Whilst a ceramic cherub
Joyfully sang a muted song.

You looked perfect;
And the holiness
Of Heaven hailed You
As the Coming King,
Whilst the worldliness
Of the store
Displayed You
On a shelf,
Above boxes
Of
Christmas
Cigarettes.

© John Stuart 2008