Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem. Todd Outcalt
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Название: Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem

Автор: Todd Outcalt

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Религиоведение

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isbn: 9780835819329

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СКАЧАТЬ began organizing small bands, usually of trumpets, other horns, and drums, to play on the street corners during the days preceding Christmas—a time when many people might, as Charles Dickens had written in his novel A Christmas Carol more than a decade prior, “open their shut-up hearts” to others. Booth collected pocket change and began to address the wider needs of humanity with acts of charity—a word that, then, was deeply ingrained in the gospel proclamation of God’s love in Christ as service and redemption to the world.

      What happened then has continued to this day: Booth envisioned the formation of The Salvation Army—a people dedicated to advancing the Christian faith through education, the eradication of poverty, and to any act of charity that would meet the wider needs of humanity. Perhaps you too have participated in this movement without ever realizing the intent. And that was part of Booth’s vision as well.

      During this Advent season, our hearts tend to be more open to others, and we often acknowledge the poverty and needs of society. Likewise, our hearts are often moved to the needs that exist in our own families and in the lives of our friends and neighbors. Kindness swells, and so does the spirit of Christmas. True charity is any act that moves us deeper into the love of Christ or serves the needs of humanity—even basic ones such as food, clothing, or shelter. These acts remind us that Christ entered the world as a weak and vulnerable child, dependent upon others for his basic needs and for his growth and sustenance. His birth is an invitation for us to provide for his needs, which we see most clearly in the needs of others. For, as Jesus once said, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40).

      How have you demonstrated charity in your celebration of Christmas? How are you preparing to see Christ or to welcome him through your actions today?

      Prayer: Gracious Lord, you came among us as a small and vulnerable infant. But you also came to serve and to give your life as a ransom for many. Bless the hands and feet that go forth to serve in your name, so that in all things, even our smallest acts of charity can be a greater demonstration of your abiding love. Amen.

      ADVENT

       Day 4

       A New Day

      Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

      —ROMANS 13:11-12

      When I was a child, I could, and frequently did, sleep for twelve hours or more at a crack. My body craved sleep. Mornings were difficult. But as I have grown older and my life has been overtaken by routines, work, and myriad obligations, I have discovered that I often have difficulty sleeping. Mornings are a welcome respite, a quiet time, before the frantic pace of the day begins. Mornings are beginnings—a kind of new creation, when it is possible to start over, leave the burdens of the previous day behind, and embrace all the possibilities that a new day presents.

      I wonder if these are not some of the ideas behind the apostle Paul’s writing to the church in Rome. Here, the apostle asks believers to leave behind the darkness, to embrace the light, and to awake from sleep—a metaphor used throughout the Bible for everything from apathy to death. He calls upon believers to recognize that God’s salvation is near. These themes and ideas can come full circle as we journey through Advent.

      Consider, for example, the many distractions that pervade our lives. It is often difficult to see God’s helpfulness and interventions in our lives when our attentions are wrested away by worry, busyness, entertainment, disasters, fear, anxiety, or even the next big game on TV. When we move our attentions from these to cast our faith upon God, it can often be like awakening from sleep. The pall of darkness lifts. We see life in a new light.

      As a child, I could never figure out why my parents enjoyed the mornings so much; but now that I am older, I think I know. It is because the mornings offer us the possibility of a new order, a new creation, a new way to think about our lives—our worries and concerns. Instead of dropping back to sleep in the darkness of yesterday, we can embrace new paths of gratitude, hope, or joy.

      Today offers these possibilities and more. So, as you cast your faith into this new day, what do you see? What are you hoping for?

      Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this new day. Yesterday is behind me. And I trust that you will walk with me through this day’s possibilities, hopes, and challenges. I offer you my best, and I trust that you will forgive me when I fail and lift me when I fall. More than this, give me joy and gratitude for this day’s wonders. Amen.

      ADVENT

       Day 5

       Harmony

      May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

      —ROMANS 15:5-7

      I have a friend who writes a popular series of novels about people in a fictional Indiana town called Harmony. Though lighthearted and hopeful, the novels deal, nevertheless, with the various trials, tribulations, and troubles experienced in this small town. Harmony, it seems, is anything but harmonious.

      In many respects, our Advent preparations are attempts to bring ourselves, our homes, and our relationships into synergy. We attempt to align our better angels with the sights, sounds, and company of heaven. We spend time decorating, conversing, and preparing for God’s intervention. And there is a spirit that exists in Advent that seems to enliven the generosities, joys, and helpfulness of humanity. In short, there is a greater willingness, it seems, to embrace the possibilities God places before us—possibilities of hope, compassion, and joy.

      There are new harmonies at play in this season.

      The apostle Paul envisioned harmony as one of the attributes of the Christian life. And for him, harmony best played out in the manner in which we welcomed others and demonstrated the hospitality of God. Instead of seeing others as outsiders, Paul invited the Christian community to embrace everyone with the love of God—bringing them inside the gracious embrace of Creator God.

      This is very much a part of our Advent preparations as we offer open houses, dinners, parties, and the warm hospitality of laughter and friendship. Congregations typically present children’s and musical programs that encapsulate these invitations and offer them to the communities they serve.

      This is the kind of harmony that draws others into God’s household. And when we invite others to share in our common humanity—even recognizing that we all share the same struggles, difficulties, hopes, and dreams—we discover that we have more in common than we at first realized. We are more alike than different.

      How might we demonstrate this harmony to others? What invitations might we offer that could warm the cold heart or embrace the СКАЧАТЬ