onthly Meditation

Meditation for December 2008

We are now in the Church season of Advent, the time when we anticipate the second coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We also remember, at this same time, the first coming of Jesus to earth, as a baby born in Bethlehem to Mary 2,000 years ago. In his second letter recorded in the New Testament, Peter writes to those who are despairing of Christ’s return to earth: The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting you to perish, but all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

When Peter wrote this letter so many years ago, followers of Christ thought his return to earth was imminent. But, as the years went by and he did not appear as they expected, they began to doubt that his promise was true and some began to slip away from his teachings.

Peter tells them that Christ is not coming as soon as they expected because he wants to give all people a chance to lead holy and godly lives.

He says, While you are waiting for [new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home], strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 2 Peter 3:14, 15

This season of Advent is a time when we are reminded to purify ourselves so that we are totally ready to recognise and receive Christ when he returns to earth. Some people use Advent as a mini-Lent with some form of discipline to assist them in their spiritual growth in order to ready themselves for Christ’s return.

Such discipline will take different forms for different people. One may omit a favourite morsel at a meal; someone else may say a prayer for world peace each day; while still another may put an item aside for the Food Bank each week. These small efforts help to remind us of Christ’s initial coming into the world and his promised return. They help to prepare us to receive his coming into our hearts and to help make the world a better place; and, as always, we do these things in secret, as Christ admonishes us, so that they are not done for our own glory but for the glory of God and the healing of the world.

Christ came into the world that first Christmas in humility and comes daily, through us, when we perform some loving act in his name. While we wait for Christ’s final coming into the world, he desires to come in small ways through us. He is present daily in the world if we will be his hands and voice. Advent disciplines remind us that Christ is waiting to return to earth. We are the means through which Christ’s love is given to others and received by us from others, while we wait.

 © Judith Lawrence December 2008

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