|
In the rhythm of the school year, the three-week span of school between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break can be a chaotic time. In schools across the association, teachers are feeling the pressure to stay on schedule and meet their curricular goals for the semester; choral artists are preparing and rehearsing for Christmas performances and vesper services; athletes are exhausted from competing in holiday tournaments; parents are caught up in the fever rush of work, school, activities, shopping, decorating; and students are feeling the crunch as they try to balance it all.
In the rhythm of the church, this same span of time, or season, has a special designation. Several years ago, in Kindergarten Chapel, I asked my students if they could identify the name for this season in the church. One eager young man about three rows back confidently raised his hand, and when I called on him, he proudly exclaimed that this season is known as “ADVIL!”
Although we can certainly relate to the need for some Advil to cope with the headaches often associated with the chaos of the season, the intention is to celebrate the season of Advent in order to discover and practice the virtues of love, joy, hope, and peace through the readings, songs, and prayers of the season as we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ - both as a baby and again as our redeeming Savior. Therefore, as we embark on our own Advent journey, perhaps we should consider this Advent prayer:
This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth,
When He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light."
"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray.
~Renee Swope, “The Manger of My Heart” from Proverbs 31 Ministries
Blessings,
Rob Devlin, Executive Director
| 
