November 29, 2023 – Advent One

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4: 5 -7, (New Living Translation)

                Christmas must be starting. The Lego gingerbread house has been assembled and is on show.

                Our seven-year-old grandson, Spencer, paid us a visit on Saturday. He is a Lego wizard. He found a small set of Lego in some boxes and proceeded to put it together. It was labeled for ten-year olds plus but in a few short hours he had the thing assembled. Voila – we had a Christmas gingerbread house. It now sits on our sideboard.

                Let the Christmas season begin!

                What kick-starts your Advent/Christmas season? The first Christmas carol you hear?  The first snowfall in December? The first Christmas ads on TV? The extra flyers that show up in the mail? The Christmas cooking shows on Food network that begin in early November? The romantic Christmas movies on Hallmark? Doing the special Christmas baking? Putting up the familiar Christmas decorations? Christmas panic and urgency as December hits and you haven’t begun to shop?

                In my childhood, there was nothing better than the arrival of the Sear’s Wish Book, full of wondrous toys.

                Most of us, for good or ill, have something that says “Tis the season.”

                Some of us might groan at the thought. Some might a little skip in their step. Some might grumble and complain. Others might feel full of Christmas spirit and generosity. Some will depend on the kindness of strangers.  Some will seek peace and goodwill.

                You can’t ever stop Christmas. Although, I read this week of a human rights organization which deemed Christmas as “religious intolerance” which is kind of funny in an ironic way because that designation is, itself, its own form of religious intolerance. I doubt they caught the irrational stupidity of their statement.

                “At the right time” we are given the Christmas season. Just when we are ready to despair at what is happening in the world or what we are dealing with in our personal lives, God has some Good News. “God sent his Son, born of a woman.”  Sure, there is a lot of hoopla, celebrating, busy-ness as Advent unfolds, but the key message is just that – just when we needed it most, God gave us the Gift of his Son. Now, we have hope. “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’”

                We may be world weary, full of cynicism or skepticism, disenchanted with certain factions of our lives, stressed by overwhelming circumstances, bored with our lifestyles, uninterested in the sacred or divine, apathetic about the needs of others, lost in bad habits and worse choices, overcome by the demands laid upon us, etc. etc.

                But when the right time came, maybe just in the nick of time, God throws us a lifeline. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 9 - 12, The Message Bible)

                When I get our Nativity set out this year, set it up under the Christmas tree, then I may sense that Christmas has begun.

As always, just at right time.

Dale