Advent: A Calendar of Devotions
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Thursday, December 3, 2015
Read Luke 2:
41 Every year Yeshua’s parents went to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required. 43 But after the festival was over, when his parents returned, Yeshua remained in Yerushalayim. They didn’t realize this; 44 supposing that he was somewhere in the caravan, they spent a whole day on the road before they began searching for him among their relatives and friends. 45 Failing to find him, they returned to Yerushalayim to look for him. 46 On the third day they found him — he was sitting in the Temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; 47 and everyone who heard him was astonished at his insight and his responses. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked; and his mother said to him, “Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!” 49 He said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.
52 And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature, gaining favor both with other people and with God.
.Social gatherings during Advent can seem almost magical. An ambience of excitement and anticipation is created by beautifully decorated homes, the sound of carols playing, carefully prepared food, and lively conversation. It was at such a gathering that I heard a new and very descriptive phrase.
Several of us were chatting when Robert, a man in his early fifties, walked into the room. Obviously well liked by the people present, he was described with adjectives and phrases such as "friendly," "an astute business leader," and "a good family man." Then, one of the women added, "Yes, but isn't it disgusting that he has no wrinkles on his face, while the rest of us find a new wrinkle daily!" It was at that point that Robert's business associate replied, "More important, he has no wrinkles on his soul."
For weeks, that phrase kept tugging at my mind like a dog toying with a neighbor's newspaper. At another event, I asked the man who made the latter remark exactly what he meant. Settling back into his chair, he replied: "Robert is the most centered man I've ever known. He knows who he is, and his priorities are crystal clear. He is not pious or judgmental, but he is unashamedly a man of faith and prayer.
Prayer: Loving God, in the busyness of this Advent season, enable us to stay focused upon your gifts so that our lives may be free of clutter. I pray this in the name of the One whose birth we celebrate. Amen.
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