Fourth Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, December 24 – Evening

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

Illustrated by Oliver Bayer, age 9

Whenever teaching a class on advent, I start with a definition. “Advent can be the start of something or the arrival of something or someone.” Immediately (keep in mind these are church settings) I hear someone in the room, if not every four year old say, “It’s Jesus! We are waiting for Christmas!”  We talk about advent as being the beginning of the church year, and a time of waiting and preparing for Christ’ arrival.

Every year when Advent starts, I am reminded of this definition and realize that my idea of waiting and preparing has changed considerably over the years. As a child, I waited for Jesus’ birthday and prepared by circling the things I hoped to receive from Santa in the Toys R Us catalog. Not until I was a young adult did it really begin to sink in that we wait and prepare every day, sometimes for little things and something for the big ones.  We wait and prepare for the beginning of each new life…doctor visits, vitamins, baby showers, and saying, “Can’t wait to meet you.”  We wait and prepare for the end of life too…doctor visits, medications, giving things away, and saying, “Can’t wait to see you again.”  While admittedly more difficult for us than the beginning, we do declare as people of faith that loved ones are now in the hands of our Lord.  As I continue to age I am trying to wait with eyes that see the end of life on this earth, as the birthing process for life in the church triumphant. For some of us the birth is quick and others it is a long labor.  Through all the waiting and preparing I need to remember that, “In life and in death that we belong to God (Brief Statement of Faith).”

Gracious God, may the character of Christ be reflected in all of my preparing and in all of my waiting as we celebrate advent, and live through this year.  In the name of the One who has come and is coming again. Amen

Tammy Winchip, SMPC Preschool Director