I managed to freak everyone out by working a rare early shift this morning, the reason being that we had a service of Wholeness and Healing at St Michael's tonight. Andrew Bradley (former Christie chaplain) was our guest preacher and his sermon centred around the desert imagery in Isaiah 35:
" The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus."
The three images he presented us with also work pretty well for Advent.
Firstly was the image of a journey or travelling. Advent is a journey, whether you're religious or not we're journeying towards Christmas day. For me it's a journey towards meeting Jesus.
Secondly the image of the desert as a chaotic place. I don't know about you but my Advent is always chaotic, usually resulting in a meltdown on around the 20th of December (I meet the bishop that night, so fingers crossed). There's so many things to remember and to do during Advent that it often feels like it's getting away from us.
Thirdly and finally the image of the desert as a baron place where nothing flourishes. All our efforts during Advent can feel fruitless as we strive towards creating a perfect and special day, and we beat ourselves up over not getting things "right".
I don't believe there is a perfect Christmas. I think it's our own attitude towards Christmas and making the most of the small things that can make it truly magical. Isaiah tells us the desert will blossom, for me that will happen if I realise Jesus loves and accepts me the way I am- the journey I'm taking, my chaos and even the ways in which I'm fruitless. He knows all this about me, and he loves me anyway.
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