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Letters from the Land of Advent - As Clear As it Gets

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the world.  He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word." - Hebrews 1:1-3

There's a lot going on this time of year.  Am I right? 

A lot.

Traveling through December is the emotional equivalent of strapping yourself into a rollercoaster at Holiday World.  You're bound to ride the highest highs and feel your stomach drop as you plunge to the depths.  You'll get whiplashed by the twists and turns of the family drama.  All the while, the marketers will be trying to grab your attention through any means possible:  radio, internet, your Instagram feed.  Today, I heard a report about Mattel's efforts to push out the Baby Yoda plush toy just in time for Christmas.  For $25 you can preorder yours today.  Or, you can pay for the one on Etsy for $300 and it may arrive in 14 months. 

By the time we get to the end of the Christmas season, we can feel a lot like those on the rollercoaster as they come to the end of the ride:  a bit frazzled, full of adrenaline and not entirely sure just what happened.  That sound of hyrdaulic brakes is actually your inner introvert crying out for some relief!

Thankfully, sometimes we get a break from it all. 

Mine occurred yesterday.  I was trying to fight off a bug that's been hitting our family, and so was confined to my couch and some light prep work for Sunday.  A friend of mine sent me a link to a sermon from the pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  There's no way I'm gonna do justice to how skillfully Pastor Wesley preached the Word.  But, I can try and give you the main point.

 "We serve a God who speaks to us."  

Think about that for a moment.

God isn't some impersonal force, but a lover and a good friend who speaks to us.

"We serve a God who argues with us when we say "no" ...

 A God who summons us when we stand in wrong places ...

 A God who commands us when our life is out of order ...

 A God who SHOUTS when you ain't listenin'.

 A God who whispers when you're too busy ...

 A God who invites us into great things."

 Through all the clutter and commotion of this month, there's this word of encouragement. 

God is bound and determined to get his message of salvation and forgiveness to us.  In ages past, God raised up prophets and used many and various ways to try to get the message across.  But, in these last days, God has given us the singular Word to make it abundantly clear:  Jesus.

At the end of the rollercoaster ride of this Advent/Christmas season, we will all arrive again at the manger, along with Mary and Joseph and those shepherds.  We will come through a thousand different competing voices, begging this and demanding that.  But, don't forget to keep your ears and your heart tuned for that voice of God ... summoning, commanding, shouting, and - yes - even whispering for your attention, inviting you to live life according to his rhythm and terms.

Let the one who has ears to hear, hear.

~Pastor Wes

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