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1st Sunday of Advent Sherry Lohman - November 29, 2009 Jeremiah 33:14-16 As a graduation gift, my grandfather gave me a large cedar chest which he had built himself. I don’t know--is that a thing of the past? Do furniture stores even offer Hope Chests any more? The idea behind it, was to begin collecting things that you would later use, after you were married and beginning a family of your own. So one would begin collecting new embroidered towels, dishes, and keepsakes that had been passed on, like grandma’s hand made quilts. And then you waited—waited for that day when your hope had been fulfilled, and you could pull out that chest and carefully, begin removing and using all the things inside that carried you along in your hope. On this first Sunday of Advent, we begin preparing our hearts and minds in the Spirit of Hope. It is the season during which we prepare our lives—our hearts, minds and spirits—for the coming of Christ. It is a time, too, when we carry on traditions of sending cards, baking Christmas goodies, and exchanging gifts with loved ones. It is probably the busiest time of the year, and yet, in these next four weeks, we begin looking forward, with anticipation, to the coming of Jesus. Unfortunately, sometimes, with all of the other traditions, Jesus is pushed to the margin. Not intentionally, of course. There are just so many ways we want to share our love. We may carry our own particular hopes for the season – for our families and friends. We may hope for restored health, a new job, or answers to things that disturb or perplex us. Or perhaps we are hoping for new direction or purpose in our lives. As a nation, we hope for peace; for leaders who will lead with integrity. We hope for a solid economy, and for the welfare of other countries. As a people of God, as this family of Hope, we, too await, with anticipation to the new and creative ways God’s Spirit will move us in the coming months and years. This is not a desperate hope, but one we look forward to, confident that whatever it is, wherever God leads us, God is Emmanuel: God with us. What specific mission has God got in store for us for the next month and into the next year? What are the many ways we might serve God and serve others? How can we help? Where can God use our gifts, financial and otherwise? How can we be good stewards of the earth? The challenge for us, is to carve out some time where we can be still, so that we might recognize and hear the voice of God. This can be difficult, especially this time of the year. Aside from the busyness of the season, we carry our concerns and distractions, our habits and endless tasks within us. It’s a little like throwing worn towels and broken dishes into our hope chest. These next few weeks, I would like to invite you to join us in slowing down, allowing for time to be still and listen for our God who waits for you, so that your hope may be renewed. What’s in your manger, that’s taking up room for hope? Is it an obsession with food, or exercise, drugs or alcohol, or television or sleep; anything that controls your time and drains your energy…anything that puts you on the opposite side of healthy. Or perhaps it lies deeper; worry, anger or jealousy, disappointment or behaviors that gets in your way of connecting with God. As a symbolic gesture, bring to this manger whatever it is that might keep you from listening for God’s Spirit. What will you put in the manger? I have brought with me, today, a stack of newspapers—symbolic of the worldly/material goods that might draw and drain our time, attention and financial resources. Over the next few weeks, as you begin filling this manger, we are, in a sense, removing that despairing, giving up on hopes that don’t really fulfill us, and handing them over to God. It is a first step in making room within, so that we might better hear God’s voice. That’s our first step; paying attention, examining ourselves, so that we might begin to do some housekeeping. Our second step, then, is to call upon God. As we begin to clear out the clutter within, we make room for new hope. Cry out that God may deepen your longing. “Deepen our longing for you, O God. Deepen my longing for you, O God.” Use this prayer during the week. Memorize it, allow it to be written on your heart, and if you pray no other prayer during the day, pray this one. “Deepen my longing for you, O God.” It is time, God of hope, for us to stir in our sleepiness; to wake from the routine we walk through, without really paying attention. Help us to lay aside that which consumes our hearts, so that we may live according to your truth, longing with desire for you. Amen. |