December 10, 2020 - Advent Devotion
What child is this,
Who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet
With anthems sweet,
While shepherds
Watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard
And angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary!
“John The Baptist proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.””
Think about a time you took extra care and extra time getting ready. Do you remember getting ready for a first date, a job interview, a special party, a big test, a wedding, to see someone you have not seen in a long time?
We get ready in a special way for things that matter to us, for things that are important to us. We get ready to make others feel important, and for those who are close to us.
One of the classic family favorites this time of year is, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." "Christmas Time Is Here;" but what is the true meaning of Christmas? What are we getting ready for? Why are we getting ready? Is this season about writing to Santa, buying the right tree, doing exactly what others are expecting us to do? Or is there something more important?
Linus tells Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas, what is most important, what to get ready for; this will be a sign for us: A child has been born to us! "What Child Is This? This, this is Christ The King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing." This is why we take a little extra time and a little extra care, to see Someone important to us, to see Someone we long to see, to see Someone who longs to see us. 'One more powerful than us is coming.' The One more powerful than us is worth getting ready for! Our Savior is coming to us again and again, each and every day, and one day in full glory!
Let us pray: Gracious God, today I ask for your Spirit to help me get ready for you, to reveal the true meaning of Christmas again to me, to see Christmas Time is here because you are here. Thank you for This Child, for The One more powerful than me, for not doing exactly what others expect, for longing to be with me, for every sign of your grace. In Jesus' powerful name I get ready and pray. Amen.