One of the joys of being a grandparent is watching your children adapt to the new people in their lives. Bonnie and I have watched over the past years our granddaughters Anna and Evelyn changing the lives of our son and daughter-in-law. The experience has caused both Bonnie and me to remember when our lives were so dramatically changed by the arrival of our son. You think you are ready. You read the books, buy all the baby stuff, gather information from those who have gone before you, and even listen to the advice of your parents. You feel that you are prepared. You have done everything you can imagine. Then the day arrives and your world is forever changed in ways that you never imagined and can never truly explain to another. This little person enters your life and at once your world in opened to a depth of love, wonder, and responsibility that takes you by surprise. For all the sleepless nights and moments of worry, there is such joy. After a while, you can’t imagine your life without this child who changed everything.
Advent is the season of preparation as we get ready for the arrival of God’s son, the Christ child. We prepare through devotions, worship, and prayer. By the end, we think we are ready, but nothing can truly prepare us for the change that takes place when Jesus arrives in our lives. Nothing is the same. The Christ child comes and our world is open to a depth of love, wonder, and responsibility that takes us by surprise. For all the challenges, there is such joy. After awhile, we can’t imagine our lives without Jesus, who changes everything.
My prayer this Advent season is that we open ourselves to the coming of God’s son. May we welcome the one who changes everything. And may we discover the world of joy, love, and wonder that God intends for us all.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
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