Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
– Isaiah 40:3-5 (NRSV)
| Happy New Year! Advent is here! It’s the beginning of the Christian year! The word Advent comes the latin word adventus. In ancient Rome, a messenger would come to a town and announce that the emperor was coming. The town would make preparations to ensure that everything was just right. The word adventus was the ceremony to celebrate the approach of the emperor or king. During Advent, we prepare to make everything just right for our Christmas celebration. You’ve probably noticed many people up at the church, preparing for The Reindeer Project, preparing for Night in Bethlehem, and preparing the sanctuary with decorations. If you’re a musician, preparation for this time of year starts in September. We prepare so that the music is just right. There are so many songs about Christmas, both secular and sacred. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, White Christmas by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time. Some have developed a play on words with the lyrics, saying, “I’m dreaming of a right Christmas.” Isn’t that what we long for – everything to be right – the perfect tree, the perfect present, the perfect party, the perfect song? How can we make it right? Only by the grace of God can we make a right Christmas. God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. The perfect and right gift is love. Over and over Christ implores us, “Love one another.” The way to make a “right” Christmas is to get right with yourself, to get right with your neighbor and to get right with God. The way to get it right is by loving God, by loving your neighbor and by loving yourself. During advent, “let every heart prepare him room.” |
First Reflections 