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December 24, 2003 at 09:31 am

Happy Last Day of Advent Eve!

After I post this entry, I think I’ll drive over to Hallmark and propose a new line of greeting cards…

But, seriously, this Advent has been a good one for me and I have received a lot of fulfilling insight and many invitations from God throughout Matins this season. Something that I realized this morning, is the fact that when Jesus arrives (whether analogically during Christmas or daily) I don’t “jump for joy“ nearly enough. So, in preparation for tomorrow, the commemeration of the birth of my Lord, I thought I’d share a few of the things that I learned over the last 24 days.

• Jesus is not always peaceful or rational.
• It is possible that if prayer leads to belief, then belief can lead to prayer? If this is true, then the key to belief and faith without doubt is continuous prayer.
• The first historical recording of the beloved phrase, “If you don’t know, I’m not gonna tell you”?
• It amazes me that God saves even those who come to Him late (as the majority of believers can surely attest to). But, wouldn’t it be a blessing to our Father if we could just obey Him the first time?
• Three more instructions for following God: listen, respond, obey.
• Meekness, lowliness, and humility are paths to a closer connection with God. Without these things, like the priests and Pharisees, we are missing the point completely. He gives and takes away and we must remember to be thankful in either case.
• Maybe the problem isn’t just the clothes we come in, but also our inability to reply. Am I ready to answer the King when He picks me out of the crowd? Do I have an explanation for who I am? For who I’ve become? If God asked me why I wasn’t properly dressed, would I be able to say, “Because I was busy working for you, Lord”? Or, would I be unable to respond because I was actually doing nothing? (Just standing on a corner.)
• Is it hypocritical to guard my feelings? Is anything but complete transparency — the willingness to bear all — a lie?
• Pay attention to every little detail. At this point in my life, how many lamps have I forgotten to fill? So often, we take things for granted or push the “unimportant” things off for later. But even as often, all of those things begin to pile up until there are so great that there is no time to do anything about them — we find ourselves unprepared at the last hour. If we could just do everything as they’re presented to us (sans procrastination), we would remain more readily prepared.
• How many times do I hear the name of Jesus around Christmas-time and just let it pass right by me? I pray that at the coming of my Lord and Savior — the mention of His name, the thought of His power, the witnessing of His creation — I would jump and leap for joy! Today, Tomorrow… Every day of the year!

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