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Advent Day #7 – “Alert”

In Roman London, four “curfew churches” tolled bells to call citizens home and close the gates of the London Wall. Specific messages were sent based on the bell type or striking sound. Holidays, meals, or funerals all had different sounds alerting the community about news. Social media networks may be new but the concept is as old as living in community.

During Advent, we signal to each other our anticipation of God being born human. I’ve never known a war on Christmas because my friends of all or no faiths have always wished me a happy holiday, as have the merchants and organizations I associate with. I couldn’t ask for more living in a secular country with religious freedom at the very heart of its constitution.

O Lord, teach us to rely on your strength and accept responsibility for our fellow citizens, that we may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. Amen.

#AdventWord2018 #AdventWord #stannesreston #alert

Advent Day #6 – “Sprout”

“Maybe that’s what you’re supposed to be thinking about,” said my smart wife when I told her that my mind kept returning to the Jolly Green Giant’s buddy when I was prompted with the word “sprout” for this Advent entry. 

This advertising character debuted in 1972 when I was eight years old. Sprout was designed to make vegetables in the product line more appealing to children, usually slathering them in cheese, butter, or creating new blends. The character was supposed to represent the consumer but as a sprout myself he’s stayed in my mind for nearly 50 years. That’s what happens to impressionable kids. They recall the darndest things decades later.

And I realize that Sprout also represents whimsy, learning, and a child’s impressionability. Those are qualities that I search for during Advent. As I’ve aged, I’ve learned that childlike wonder and whimsy are good feelings to be able to appreciate and share with others at times. Something happens around Thanksgiving between the Christmas carols, the shows, and the building anticipation that children show so well during this time of year. Every child’s birth changes the world, but the child’s birth we celebrate on Christmas changed everything.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

AdventWord2018 #AdventWord #stannesreston #sprout

Advent Day #4 – “Night”

Night is when I search most for God’s presence. Something primal exists in the quiet. Triumphs, failures, and all the ordinary replay in recursive loops. And this is the time where the dread questions pop into existence without the day’s bustle to push them back down. What if? Did he? Did she? How? Why and all the other questions.

This is also a time where my mind careens through its day and a time when mindfulness practice doesn’t compel me to sweep thoughts away. They rush in to fill the sudden void. Clocks tick. People breathe. Sometimes a car passes by and muffled voices reach the window.

This is when I reach for God. I’m aware of God the rest of the time, but I am striving now to do more of what we pray during the Eucharist,

Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal.

Advent Day #3 – “Focus”

Red lettering is sometimes used by Bible printers to signify the words of Jesus. Some only highlight the words of Historical Jesus, words attributed to Jesus, living as human. Others attribute anything that God has said in red lettering. And there is every kind of color-coding in between.

But I find myself losing focus sometimes when I read a Bible with red lettering or footnotes in much the same way that I turn down the volume of music in the car when I’m searching for my destination. A Bible in all black text or even on a screen allows me to focus more. I’ve discovered the myth of multitasking and appreciate that my best efforts–at work, at prayer, at being present, even washing my hands, are performed better with focus.

And that’s what I want to do more of this Advent season–give myself the gift of focusing more on what God means to me and how I can serve the world as a member of God’s church.