Continue To Seek Him
By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries
Like millions of people, I love listening to and singing Christmas Carols. They warm our hearts and move us as they evoke the sights and sounds of Christmases long ago, both those from our childhood and those that hark back to the birth of the beautiful baby born in a manger. Even in the secular world, there are often small moments that interrupt consumerism and allows the true meaning of Christmas to shine through.
There is a sense of exaltation and well-being from a beautiful carol. Even the word carol fills our hearts with the love that Jesus brings. Carols (joyful songs) bring us together and connect us in groups of shared experiences and feelings.
As much as I love Christmas carols that speak of the majesty of Jesus' birth, I love Advent carols as well! Not many may know there are Advent carols. They talk about the birth to come, of that time when we are longing for Jesus, looking for that expectant hope that comes on Christmas Day.
As I wrote in my November 29th devotional, we need both Advent and Christmas. During Advent, we prepare our hearts to receive our newborn King. Today is December 17th. That means there are still eight more days to prepare to walk that journey with Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem for the census. Joseph walked alongside the donkey laden with a heavily pregnant Mary. Did he think about the words of the angel who told him not to fear? Was there anxiety about the baby to be named Jesus and what their future would bring? Was there anticipation about this child conceived by the Holy Spirit? And what He would look like? How would he parent God's Son? And Mary, still very young, unwieldy, uncomfortable, perhaps a little frightened of labor and giving birth. What would it be like to touch the face of God?
What did it feel like when Jesus became the Lord of your life and your King? Did you take it for granted, or do you continue to prepare daily to spend time with Him and receive His goodness and love? Let's continue to look for Him, seek Him, and be ready to tell others about His wondrous redeeming love. We sing Christmas carols, but Advent carols speak of preparation to receive the Christ child. Please prayerfully read the lyrics to my favorite Advent carol written by Charles Wesley in 1744 entitled "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," and feel the joy and anticipation of Jesus’ coming.
Come, thou long expected Jesus
Born to set thy people freeF
rom our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now thy gracious kingdom bring
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne
By thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Prayer: Abba, Father, let us continually look for You in everything we do and say. May Your heart sync with ours and fill us to overflowing that we might know the joy of Your presence and the love You bring each day. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
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