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Isaiah 9:2-7
2 Peter 1:12-21
Luke 22:54-69
(This meditation is based
on the following scriptures: Isaiah 6: 1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; John 1: 6-8, 19-28)
Advent is a time of
renewal, a time of planning and preparation, a time of New Beginnings for our
life’s journey. It is a time to set new
goals for the course our faith journey will take us. In each of these three scriptures, I find
that we are being told to plan and prepare for the coming of Christ.
First, we need to look
back and see what “stepping stones” have been our inspiration and guidance,
especially through good times and difficult times, toward our heavenly journey.
Many years ago, an elderly friend told me, “Dixie, if you would like ‘balance’
in your life, always have three friends, (1) an older person, who is your
mentor, counselor, and gives guidance to you and from whom you are learning;
(2) a Christian friend with whom you have the same goals, one to whom you can
relate on an equal level; and (3) a person, younger than you, but for whom you
can be a mentor, a guide, and a teacher.
If you keep these three friends in your life’s journey, you will have a
strong mental and spiritual balance.”
John 1 describes
preparations for the coming of Christ, and I think of Mary and Joseph planning
and preparing for their journey to Bethlehem, especially Mary riding on a
donkey when she was nine months’ pregnant.
(I wonder today if my obstetrician would have allowed me to journey
many miles, sleeping under the stars or
in uncomfortable quarters, and packing the necessary things for this journey to
fulfill the prophecy of God.) How very
strong was their faith!
I think back almost 15
years ago, when my son and daughter-in-law gave birth to triplets. There was much preparation, confined to bed
for 4½ months, purchasing everything in triplet, and many difficulties to face. I think of the kind, generous, people who
provided transportation for Mary so she could visit the babies every day. These babies are miracles as they grew from 1
pound, 2 ounces--hands the size of a nickel, fingernails the size of a sesame
seed, and a wedding ring would make a bracelet.
I realized the balance in life of holding onto the Hand of God for
strength and love and asking God to carry me when the going got very difficult.
As we travel on our
earthly journey, we need to take the time to read scriptures, pray, and ask for
God’s guidance and help. Our lives will
grow spiritually and we will realize the blessings of Advent and the birth of
Christ.
Prayer: God, grant us the
spiritual wisdom to learn Thy will on this ear.
Help us to follow in Thy path always.
Amen.
Dixie Hungerford
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ADVENT 2007
Epworth United Methodist Church