CHICAGO, IL (December 18, 2003) – Covenant Communications has posted several Advent devotionals taken from church newsletters and emails. This one is from pastor Kyle Small at Excelsior Covenant Church in Excelsior, Minnesota.
When I think of Advent, I immediately think back to days at Augustana College as my friend would sing “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” She would walk from the back of the chapel to the front chanting in her unbelievable soprano voice this simple, perfect introit. The nave filled with her melodious outburst of Messianic glory. The phrase continued over and over in perfect fashion. All I could do was sit and breathe in as my friend sang to God with all she had. It was perfect.
Advent always seems to be the “perfect” season. The cold gathers a family around the hearth. Christmas lights offer a fresh accent to neighborhoods. The amount of chocolate and goodies is perfect for everyone. The hustle and bustle of shopping is energizing and friendly (not really, but at least a goal). We work hard to make Advent and Christmas perfect. Even the way we tell the Christmas story makes it perfect.
The story takes place in a quaint little town called Bethlehem. Young Mary and Joseph have a romantic ride on a donkey and eventually a newborn babe arrives on a snow-packed Christmas morning dressed in freshly pressed swaddling clothes. Just after mom and dad cry in joy at this beautiful baby, visitors arrive. Visits from fresh-scented shepherds, radiant angels and, eventually, adorned wise men all gather around fluffy, cuddly animals like camels, sheep, goats and cattle. What a perfect morning to celebrate the newborn baby. Picture perfect.
But if we take some time to re-imagine the story, it might look a little bit different. An unwed mother conceiving a child has to be taken to Bethlehem by a fiancé who sacrifices his reputation to save Mary’s character, all because a king is in need of some cash. If this isn’t enough, once they arrive at their destination, their holiday suite is a barnyard. And, just at the right moment, Mary turns over to the horse trough to deliver their first-born son.
Soon after the mess of birth is cleaned up from the barn floor, visitors arrive. Shepherds, minding their own business, were “watching their flocks by night” when out of thin air a bright light appears and freaks out the simple lamb lovers. An angel appears from behind the light and tells them some crazy story about “good tidings of great joy.” (Writer’s note: By the way, shepherds usually refrain from using big words like “tidings.”)
The angel then directs the shepherds from their duties up the hill to a baby wrapped in “swaddling” clothes. (Writer’s note: oh, eloquent angels, define “swaddling.”) The shepherds agree to go to Bethlehem and they tear away in haste, carelessly leaving their animals behind in order to see this spectacle. Juvenile boys running to see a baby . . . does this sound like your high schoolers?
A re-imagined picture of Advent loses its currently perfect glamour. “Unwed Couple Visited By Low-Class Shepherds” doesn’t have the same image as the often-depicted nativity scene. Yet its perfection does not change. If this story happens tomorrow, just as it did over 2,000 years ago, “perfect” would not be how we would describe the event. Yet in its imperfection, it is wholly perfect. The miracle happens in the reality of life, and life is messy.
This Advent, prepare for the coming of the Lord while reflecting on the messy things in life. This Advent, imperfection will happen. The turkey will be dry, the cleaning will be never-ending. Christmas cards will go unfinished and finances will seem out of control. The season will not be picture perfect as we envision it. Yet the good news is that Jesus did not arrive in a picture perfect manner either. The Advent colors of blue and purple – symbolizing Jesus’ kingship – are soiled in the less-than-royal stable. Prepare for the coming of the Lord anyway, not through the hurry of perfection, but through the ordinariness of imperfection. Re-imagine your life circumstance and celebrate the good news contained within. Prepare in the mess!
To read devotionals posted earlier, visit the following: