Advent Music Is Playing

It was about 5-7 years ago that I began to make the switch of celebrating Christmas to celebrating Advent.  I am not sure the process is complete but it really has changed my focus so much.  In just two days the advent season begins.  For me Advent is a lot like Lent.  A preparation.  In Advent I am preparing myself not only for the birth of the Christ Child but the Second Coming of my Savior. 

I heard a sermon a few weeks ago and the priest said "what if Jesus walked in the doors right now - are you prepared?"  As Christians we are called to be prepared at all times, in all places, keeping the lamps lit and our hearts open.  The season of Advent is this reminder.  Prepare!  Hope and Love! Await!

The scripture readings for today are powerful reminders of what we are waiting for:

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name’; and again he says,

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him’;

and again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Romans 15:7-13

 
and
 

"After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’" 

Luke 19:28-40

I pray God make me a disciple and keep me from being a Pharisee as I await.