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Rector's
Messages
Advent
2007
"Prepare
the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." -Luke 3:4
Stuart
McLean is one of Canada's most popular and entertaining storytellers. His
Christmas recording Vinyl Cafe: A Christmas Collection contains some
wonderful stories, including "Dave Cooks the Turkey". Dave
volunteers to look after Christmas dinner at his house, in order that his
wife Morley and their children may volunteer at the foodbank on Christmas
day. Only late on Christmas Eve does Dave discover that looking after the
turkey means looking after all aspects of the meal. He has overlooked one
crucial piece of preparation. The story is hilarious, and provides some
interesting insight about holiday preparation and celebration.
Advent
presents a number of challenges. It is the first season of a new church
year, but is often lost in the end of the calendar year. Advent allows us
to prepare for the coming of Christ into our midst, but is often collapsed
into an early start of Christmas festivities. The focus of Advent is
preparation, but activity and holiday planning often blur the focus of
this wonderful season of preparation.
Preparation
is crucial to taking hold of life's large moments. Young people study to
prepare for life following graduation. Careful retirement planning is
given serious and detailed preparation. Preparation for life events runs
the gamut: financial planning, obtaining skills, physical conditioning,
emotional preparation, and spiritual practice. Members of the Christian
community are called to thoughtful preparation for spiritual events such
as baptism and marriage. Preparation allows us to fully claim the promises
of God, and enables us to keep faith with both God and others. This time
of year many people are planning to spend time in comfort and with good
company. Others are preparing for a Christmas alone or in need.
"Prepare
the way of the Lord." John the Baptist called God's people to
prepare for the coming of the messiah. The kind of preparation John called
for is known as conversion. It has little to do with activity. It has
everything to do with reflection, prayer, relationship, and faith. How
else does one really prepare for the coming of justice and peace? This
advent season catch the wave of the season. Take some time for prayer.
Create some opportunities to be kind and generous to others. Become
reacquainted with the scripture stories -those leading up to the birth of
the Christ child. Prepare for a Christ who comes not as a fleeting guest
but as a constant companion-one who will take you on a journey into
faithful community.
Canon
Rod Gillis Advent 2007
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