Advent Day 3: Awake

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Unexpected God, your advent alarms us.
Wake us from drowsy worship
From the sleep that neglects love
From the sedative of misdirected frenzy
Awaken us now to your coming,
and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.
~Steven W. Manskar, A Disciple’s Journal 2014



Why We Need the Gospel of John 
When most people think of the Christmas story, they image the account found in Matthew and Luke. You know, the classic nativity scene with all the figures and the drama: Joseph, Mary, shepherds in the field, sheep being watched over by night, angels heard on high, three kings from the East, etc...

But John’s gospel approaches the story differently.  We do not find in John any reference to innkeepers, starry nights, a travel weary young family, or night time visions.  In John there are no magi looking at the stars, or census’ being taken of the Roman world.  In John we only have one center character: “The Word… (who) became flesh dwelt among us, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

In other words, John is focused on God. John reminds us that Christmas is about God stepping into human history, choosing our frail humanity to rescue us from sin and death; God dwelling among us. God wailing loudly as a newborn. 

When you really stop to consider it, the incarnation is mind-blowing.





...so when did Christmas become a sweet bedtime story instead of the miraculous, scandalous, earth-shattering event that it is?
It’s no wonder we need to come awake! To look and see where and how the Spirit is moving (where and how the Spirit is bringing miraculous life into the world)!
To be open for the Spirit to move in us (to awake from our own darkness).
To pray constantly.
To notice.
To share and testify to that good news.

Awake my soul indeed!!!
Let’s pray for the same so-excited-I-can’t-sleep passion that children have on Christmas eve.
Let’s pray for God to open our eyes and our ears that we might experience fresh grace this season. —and focus first on God: THE figure in the story we’re remembering.


Tomorrow's Word: Promise



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