Advent begins.....

(Yesterday was the beginning of Advent.  For the last several years, I have posted some meditations I wrote during Advent in a past year.  I will do that again this year starting Dec. 1.  It is time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child.)

ADVENT

Await my soul in glad anticipation--the Savior is coming! Be still my heart!
Dance and sing in wild jubilation! The King is coming, His grace to impart.
Veiled in wonder, God incarnate. Mystery to ponder, wisdom and love.
Echo the angels, sing Hallelujah! Peace on earth, sent from above!
Night of darkness banished forever, Son of God, Love's pure Light!
Tell the nations, spread the glad tidings. Joy came down to earth that night!

I wrote this poem 10 years ago, but always think of it when Advent begins. Advent is the time of waiting. A time to anticipate the birth of Jesus Christ. I discovered a wonderful book several years ago, called simply "The Advent Book" by Jack and Kathy Stockman. This book was their family's way to 'journey to Bethlehem'. For each day in December there is a door to be opened and part of the story from scripture told for that day. I thought it was not only a beautiful book to look at, but a wonderful way to pass the time waiting for the Christ Child. So that year I sat down and each night as I opened the doors, I wrote my own meditations for the scriptures, as a way to travel towards Bethlehem and Jesus. It was a meaningful time for me, and last year I shared these writings with a few friends and relatives. This year, I thought I would put them in a Blog and add some suitable pictures (since you can't see the doors as I open them) and let whoever wants to read my insights, to do so. This is my journey, my waiting time. It may be different for you. Each one of us has to make the journey on our own, reading the scriptures, and seeing what God says to us in them. I hope you will make your own journey and not just rely on mine. I will start the story when "The Advent Book" starts, on December 1st and continue through until the end. I always write my meditations in the form of prayers, so keep in mind that I'm addressing God throughout. These are my thoughts and insights and you might not agree with all of them. Any poetry is mine and not to be copied or used elsewhere without my permission

"My love will never leave you".......

Isaiah 54:10  “My love shall never leave you.” (NAB)

“….my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (NIV)

“….my love won’t walk away from you.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,

These words of unshakable love that never leaves us, are the hope and promise we cling to at all times.  These are the words every child wants to hear from their parents---“no matter what, I still love you and I won’t leave you.”  We acknowledge that we do wrong, no matter how hard we try not to.  But here, you assure us that you still love us.  The love is always there.  We may walk away from it, but it will not walk away from us.  Your eternal life----your very being----is the one constant in our life. 

As I prayed for family and friends earlier, I thought about all the names I forget to lift up every day in prayer.  Sometimes many of them “slip my mind” in my hurry.  I have a piece of paper with the names of just about everyone I know on it, but I don’t name them all each day.  Even when I fail to say their name or remember to pray for them, my love is still with them.  I’ve formed that relationship with them in my mind and heart---one that loves them at all times.  Their names are written in my heart in permanent ink and no one will ever erase them.  As long as my heart beats, their names are going forth in prayer as part of me.  This helps me understand your love for me.  I’m only one of millions of your children who live now or lived in the past or are yet to live---but I know you love me.  Your love is unchanging, unending, always present. 

We are approaching the crazy Christmas season that we have created around your gift of love to mankind---the birth of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes the poor baby in the manger is lost and ignored by us----but he is still there.  The love gift awaits our seeking hearts and world-weary souls.  Your love hasn’t left us, it hasn’t been shaken, it hasn’t walked away.  On the contrary, it lies sweet and new and holy and eternal in the manager, it hangs on the cross, and it bursts forth from the empty tomb bringing salvation to all mankind!  Hallelujah!  Thank you, Lord!  Joy to the world!  The Lord is come!  Amen.