Preparing for Advent

November 28, 2019

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

I had occasion to accompany two people for medical procedures this week that required them to take a light anesthetic that would result in it not being safe for them to drive after the procedures. They both reported some remembrance of the procedure but mostly they floated in an out of sleep. Neither felt incapable of driving although they followed their doctor’s advice.  They probably were unaware of any residual brain fogginess. A few years ago, I took another friend to a similar procedure. I sat with him as the doctor told him the results and I drove him home. The next day he did not remember the conversation with the doctor or how he got home. He knew the results which were all good because he had received a written report. I am sharing this because I think a lot of us end up in a fog when the world is too much with us. I rather think that is what Paul is suggesting in the above scripture.

Christ came to remove the fog of the world from our lives. He did it with simple, easily understood ideas. Love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He shared how to live in the light by telling stories of everyday people doing everyday things. He modeled loving by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming everyone and anyone to his common table.

There is a great deal of darkness in our world today we might describe as dirty fog. Christ provided us the way to move into his light and leave the fog behind until it is totally vanquished from the earth. We are also called to guide others out of that fog.

Prayer: God grant us the courage to hold up those things that baffle us in our world today to the light of your love in our own lives. Help our lives be an example for others to escape the fog. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.