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Advent Devotion: 'Imperfect Perfection'
CHICAGO, IL (December 18, 2003) - Covenant Communications has posted several
Advent devotionals taken from church newsletters and emails. This one is
from pastor Kyle Small at Excelsior Covenant Church in Excelsior,
Minnesota.
When I think of Advent, I immediately think back to days at Augustana
College as my friend would sing "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." She
would walk from the back of the chapel to the front chanting in her
unbelievable soprano voice this simple, perfect introit. The nave filled
with her melodious outburst of Messianic glory. The phrase continued
over and over in perfect fashion. All I could do was sit and breathe in
as my friend sang to God with all she had. It was perfect.
Advent always seems to be the "perfect" season. The cold gathers a
family around the hearth. Christmas lights offer a fresh accent to
neighborhoods. The amount of chocolate and goodies is perfect for
everyone. The hustle and bustle of shopping is energizing and friendly
(not really, but at least a goal). We work hard to make Advent and
Christmas perfect. Even the way we tell the Christmas story makes it
perfect.
The story takes place in a quaint little town called Bethlehem. Young
Mary and Joseph have a romantic ride on a donkey and eventually a
newborn babe arrives on a snow-packed Christmas morning dressed in
freshly pressed swaddling clothes. Just after mom and dad cry in joy at
this beautiful baby, visitors arrive. Visits from fresh-scented
shepherds, radiant angels and, eventually, adorned wise men all gather
around fluffy, cuddly animals like camels, sheep, goats and cattle. What
a perfect morning to celebrate the newborn baby. Picture perfect.
But if we take some time to re-imagine the story, it might look a little
bit different. An unwed mother conceiving a child has to be taken to
Bethlehem by a fiancé who sacrifices his reputation to save Mary's
character, all because a king is in need of some cash. If this isn't
enough, once they arrive at their destination, their holiday suite is a
barnyard. And, just at the right moment, Mary turns over to the horse
trough to deliver their first-born son.
Soon after the mess of birth is cleaned up from the barn floor, visitors
arrive. Shepherds, minding their own business, were "watching their
flocks by night" when out of thin air a bright light appears and freaks
out the simple lamb lovers. An angel appears from behind the light and
tells them some crazy story about "good tidings of great joy." (Writer's
note: By the way, shepherds usually refrain from using big words like
"tidings.")
The angel then directs the shepherds from their duties up the hill to a
baby wrapped in "swaddling" clothes. (Writer's note: oh, eloquent
angels, define "swaddling.") The shepherds agree to go to Bethlehem and
they tear away in haste, carelessly leaving their animals behind in
order to see this spectacle. Juvenile boys running to see a baby . . . does
this sound like your high schoolers?
A re-imagined picture of Advent loses its currently perfect glamour.
"Unwed Couple Visited By Low-Class Shepherds" doesn't have the same
image as the often-depicted nativity scene. Yet its perfection does not
change. If this story happens tomorrow, just as it did over 2,000 years
ago, "perfect" would not be how we would describe the event. Yet in its
imperfection, it is wholly perfect. The miracle happens in the reality
of life, and life is messy.
This Advent, prepare for the coming of the Lord while reflecting on the
messy things in life. This Advent, imperfection will happen. The turkey
will be dry, the cleaning will be never-ending. Christmas cards will go
unfinished and finances will seem out of control. The season will not be
picture perfect as we envision it. Yet the good news is that Jesus did
not arrive in a picture perfect manner either. The Advent colors of blue
and purple - symbolizing Jesus' kingship - are soiled in the
less-than-royal stable. Prepare for the coming of the Lord anyway, not
through the hurry of perfection, but through the ordinariness of
imperfection. Re-imagine your life circumstance and celebrate the good
news contained within. Prepare in the mess!
To read devotionals posted earlier, visit the following:
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