Stop, Look, Listen and Be Blessed
Tomorrow is the second Sunday of Advent, when the second candle — the Faith candle — is lit on the Advent wreath. We have purposed to slow down and breathe in THE REASON for this miracle season.
We are looking for the sights, sounds and gentle nudges of Father God. Then I’m sure He wants us to GO and exhale Him to our world that needs His hope, love, joy and peace so very much.
Carl, his daughter, Veronica, and I breathed in our Lord when we chose to walk, but could have driven, through The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s unique outdoor production, “Follow the Star”, that SHOWS and TELLS about the life of Jesus.
We witnessed the spectacular Nativity story of the birth of Jesus starting with the Annunciation, Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to God’s Son. The walk/drive through also depicted live characters (and there were many) with nine more scenes of the life of Jesus – the Nativity, the Triumphal Entry, Last Supper, Betrayal, Pontius Pilate, Crucifixion, Resurrection, ending with a Christmas-Present scene with a modern-day family reading the Christmas Nativity Story found in the Gospel of Luke.
What a beautiful way to put our focus on the Reason for this wonderful time of the year! Besides this beautiful production, we’ve seen other “faith and promise” displays in people’s yards and doorways in our own community. They ignite my passion and love for this season. No harking of angels in the sky or a star so bright it caused us to follow it, but simple, hopeful expressions that Jesus really is the Reason for the season.
We are noticing. We stop. We are in the moment. And isn’t that what Advent is all about? I’m sure God wants us to pause and even stop thinking about the things we can’t do anything about. The second Advent faith candle will be lit tomorrow. I choose to place my trust in the promises God has given me.
f God loved us so much that He would send His one and only Son to this earth as a baby to be one of us – and we believe it by faith – then ANYTHING we trust and believe God for – IS possible.
