Welcome to Hank’s Place –
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” In Greek it is parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, which is the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi, Jesus baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, and His first miracle at Cana. During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting. Originally, there was no connection between Advent and Christmas.
But by the 6th century, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. His second coming. The Advent season was not explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas until the Middle Ages.
Today Advent can be a depressing time for many Christians for the original religious preparation to receive Jesus has been replaced by greed, merchandizing — santas, elves and reindeer — extended Black Friday deals we can’t live without. When I lived in Texas we could find inflatable snow covered cowboy boots and cactus for our front yard. Here in Florida it’s alligators and flamingoes!
The greed on parade, coupled with a torrent of Christmas movies that have nothing to do with Jesus – can be very depressing. One year, greatly irritated, I placed a green tarpaulin over my front lamppost and spray painted it BLACK – decorating it with white lights. It’s how distressed I was, seeing only a dark dark world with a few Christians as glowing lights here and there. So if you’re feeling depressed, I’ve been there too.
I have a suggestion that might help, dear friend. This Advent, I invite you to rise above the world’s distorted notions of Christmas, and include Jesus in YOUR Christmas. In particular, in your decorations. I suggest you decorate – yourself – with Christ — Galatians 3:26 declares, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” And Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
Yes, let’s clothe ourselves with Jesus Christ. He is our appropriate dress, especially now. May people see that we belong to Him simply by looking at us. In our behavior. In our compassion. May they see us — adorned with Jesus. So how do you do that?Paul doesn’t say. I suggest therefore that you tell Jesus it’s what you want to do! Then ask Him for His help. He WILL help!
Today, throw off that mantle of depression, put on Jesus — and COME ALIVE!
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