The Many Voices of Advent

Many voices cry out to us for attention and action this time of year. Work. Family. Friends. Neighbors. Charities. Volunteer Organizations. They are all beckoning: Give me more of you! 

Can you relate? Are they drowning out the voice that calls to you, “Prepare the way of the Lord?”

Every fiber of my being wants stillness and quiet to prepare the way of the Lord, but those other voices and expectations get in the way too often and I find myself in a frenzy of daily activity.

As Gerald Darring put it, the challenge of Advent is to clear the way to receive Christ joyfully – whatever in our lives is putting rocks and rough obstacles in the path. 

How do we clear the way? It may mean saying no to party or an obligation. It may mean waking up a little earlier to get some prayer time in. It may been simplifying your gift giving and Christmas preparations. It may mean taking a few extra days off to clear your mind. It may mean working on those behaviors and attitudes that are stealing your joy.

This weekend, reflect on what it will mean for you to listen more closely to the one true voice that calls you to prepare the way of the Lord and clear the way to receive Christ joyfully and fully this Christmas.