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Anticipation |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 12/17/2009 10:57 AM | Greetings on this chilly day,
As I was getting ready this morning, I was ticking off in my head the things that I still need to get done before Christmas. Suddenly a thought occurred to me: I wonder what Mary and Joseph were doing all those years ago a week before Jesus was born? They both had visits from angels – Mary in Nazareth, Joseph in a dream – so they knew something very special was about to happen, but had no clue as to exactly how that would all play out.
Were they planning their trip to Bethlehem to register for the census? Was Joseph finishing up a woodworking project for a client? Was Mary making sure that all was in order for their journey – extra clothes, food to be packed on the mule? Were they talking about what an exciting time it would be when the baby was born? Were they planning? Were they gathering the things they would need to welcome this new addition to their household? Did they dream together of what their child would become? Did they agonize over whether they would be good parents?
The journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem is not far in 2009 terms, but it would have taken them at least a couple of days back then. Probably even longer with a very pregnant Mary coming along. Were they scared that the baby might be born away from home and away from the support of family and friends? Did they anticipate the journey as time to be together, or did they resent this intrusion into their lives by this repressive King Herod?
No one knows for sure, and our scriptures are silent on what they did in the days before the birth of Jesus, but I think it is safe to say that they were looking forward with excited anticipation, not sure how their lives would change once the baby came.
Even though we know the story of the birth of Jesus, we still find ourselves in the same boat with Mary and Joseph. We have felt the presence of God in so many ways in our lives, and we look forward to celebrating that wondrous event once again come Christmas Eve. But like Joseph and Mary, do we have any idea what kind of excitement awaits us in the coming days and weeks and years? In our anticipation do we truly know how God’s will is going to play out? Is it scary? You bet. Is it exciting? Absolutely.
This then is a large part of what we celebrate at Christmas: joyful, fearful, wonderful anticipation of what God has in store for us in the future. Like Mary and Joseph, we cannot know exactly, but like Mary and Joseph, we look forward knowing that God is with us, now and always. And that makes it all the more exciting!
For an updated prayer list and an updated list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayers:
Randy Rawson, recovering from major cancer surgery, the outcome of which will dictate future treatment. Randy is the brother of Wendy Miles.
Alex Smith, as he continues his recovery at the Shepherd Center.
Bob Cheponis, undergoing some medical tests this week.
Upcoming Events
This Sunday will be our first “regular” service in the fellowship hall. The permit has been issued and today the pews will begin to be removed from the sanctuary. It’s really going to happen! Watch for updates and information about how you can help us during this time of transition.
Please join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday December 24th. The service is very family friendly with lots of wonderful music, meaningful scripture and reflections and our traditional candle lighting as we welcome the Christ child.
Sunday December 27th will mark a very special Praise on Peachtree with a service of seasonal music and meditation. Make plans to be here for this special service.
I hope you will join us this Sunday as we once again celebrate the Lord’s Day together. The sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent is entitled “Daylight Again” and the scripture is Isaiah 9:2-7.
Be peaceful,
Brad | | | Permalink | Trackback |
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