3rd Sunday in Advent
Luke 2:1-6 and 2 Peter 3:8-15a
In Luke, Mary and Joseph are in the waiting game. Wait to go to Bethlehem. Wait on a donkey. Wait to find a place to stay. Wait in a stinky stable. Wait for Baby Jesus to be born. Endless waiting.
In 2 Peter 3:14, we recognize that we too wait, “while you are waiting for these things [new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home (v.13)] strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish.” As we wait, we place our trust in God’s promise of redemption through Jesus Christ. Like Mary and Joseph, we do not wait in passivity or with indifference. Mary and Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem, sought a warm place for Mary to give birth and received with joy, baby Jesus and all the visitors who followed. There was peace in their waiting but nothing ever came to a standstill (as any new parent will tell you, there is lots of work involved in preparing for and having a baby). So what preparation is involved in our Advent waiting? Where do we find peace in the busyness of this season?
With Mary and Joseph as examples, along with instruction from the apostle Peter, lead lives of holiness and godliness, wait for and hasten the day of the Lord, we are provided with the “how to” for our preparation.
If you look up hasten in a thesaurus you’ll find these synonyms, advance, go forth, progress, promote, and even go to town (Bethlehem anyone?). Though we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas, we live as Easter people because we know how the story goes! Because of what God has done for us, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can live lives that promote and advance love, mercy, justice and peace.
How will you promote peace this week, while finding peace in this year’s Advent waiting?
Dear God, like Mary and Joseph, we will wait in peace, knowing your promises of redemption are not just for Christians but for all people. Help us to promote and proclaim this good news to all those we encounter this week. Amen.
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