This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent! Yes, already! I look out my window at the sunshine and green grass and it just doesn't seem like the end of November already. It doesn't look like what I expect it to look like to get me in the Christmas spirit.
That's the whole point of this year's Advent series. God works in ways we do not expect. The introduction to this series says: "God enters our world in many ways--some large and dramatic, others (maybe most) small and subtle... God's presence is disruptive and surprising, never safe or predictable."
Not too long ago, I thought I had pretty much killed a plant in my office from neglect. I was about to throw it out, when I noticed a shoot coming up from the roots. It immediately reminded me of the quote 'a shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse...', from a popular advent text from Isaiah 11:1. It's for me a small reminder of God's in-breaking into our world.
As you prepare for Advent, be alert for God's in-breaking.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Isaiah 64:1-9
Mark 13:24-37
I love that photo, Wendy. And thank you for the reminder to be alert - and not to assume things are dead. That God doesn't neglect and can surprise.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments, Rebecca. You are adding thoughts to my sermon-writing process. I love this!
ReplyDeleteHello Wendy and Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI am Glad to meet you here. I love your comments.
Yes, God is so great that human beings could not understand all his ways. As the heaven is far from the earth, so are God's ways to our thoughts. But we are quite sure that God has good projects for our life and he will never lead us to the worst.
Georges from Quebec (This reminds me of a few times I spent in St Jacobs in 2010) (August).Best to Zoe, Eden....
Georges! So good to hear from you! Where are you spending Christmas this year? How are you doing with your studies and with life?
ReplyDeleteI love it that God can surprise us. Some things seem so predictable sometimes - but this is not God. And that's good!
Hi Georges: It was a wonderful surprise to read your posting. Jean & I will be in touch!
ReplyDeleteIn regards to surprises. Do miracles fit into that category? I received a quote yesterday by Albert Einstein that states " There are two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." And what makes something a miracle? I'm thinking maybe we define that too narrowly? Anyways, I know I'd rather be on the "everything is a miracle" end of the spectrum. It reminds me of young children that are experiencing everything for the first time and the joy and excitement that comes with that. Sue S.