O come, o come, who?

Advent is a time of preparation. But just what are we preparing for? Are we preparing for December 25, a period of 24 hours when we exchange presents, spend time with family and friends, go to church, and overeat? Or are we preparing for a person, the second Person in the Trinity?

Is Christmas about gifts, fun, or Christ, the Word incarnate? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16). Are the gifts evil? No. But do we let them get into the way of our preparation for Christ? The gifts will only last so long. The food will only fill us for so long. But Christ will be here for eternity.

Many times this season we will sing, “O come, O come, Emanuel”. But where are we asking him to come to? Are we “captive Israel” that is calling to be ransomed for? If so, what is it that is keeping us captive? What is it that we need Christ to save us from, so that he can come in all the more?

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I am going to Nicaragua tomorrow until the following Saturday, Dec 16. Please pray for those of us from the seminary going. I hear there is an internet cafe in the area of our hotel, so I will post updates as I can...

Have a happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!!