Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like
a wise man who built his home on a rock; and the rain fell and the
floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but the
house did not fall because it had been founded on the rock….
Matthew 7:24-25
It seems as if our world these last few years has been nothing short
of chaotic. Between a pandemic and civil/political unrest, it seems
everywhere we look there is something unstable. In times like these, it’s
easy to want to give up, “hoping for the best.” It’s also easy to forget to
remember our roots, and how deep and sturdy they are.
In Advent, we are called to remember those roots and make time
for focusing on our faith. While Scripture continuously reinforces
preparation—“The days are coming” (Jeremiah 33), “Be vigilant” (Luke
21), “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3)— I find my days and nights are
filled with Christmas, not Advent. Christmas cookies, decorations, dinner -
but why?
Because I forget. By the time the third Sunday in Advent rolls around, I’ve
forgotten my pre-Advent promise to do better. Once Thanksgiving is over,
I’m immersed (literally!) in baking ingredients. As I start singing, “O Come,
O Come Emmanuel,” I’ve already worked myself into a state of exhaustion,
ready for Christmas to be over. Once again I’ve doomed myself to this
busy, yet somewhat unfulfilling repeat episode of life and faith.
On the rock, however, we are steadfast and our roots are deep. If we can
remember that our faith is built upon an unceasingly stable rock, maybe
there’s still time to recover, remember our collective history, and change
directions. In spite of the chaos and pandemics of our lives, Christ is the
rock and his birth sets that in motion for our future, and the future of God’s
kingdom. May this season be a reminder that in Christ we are firm and
safe, and that Christ is coming - what a sacred day it will be.
Holy God, help us to remember that in you is where we are safe and our roots
deeply planted. In you is our strength and refuge in times of trouble. May
Jesus arrive and renew us this season, Amen.
Michelle Wildridge is Chaplain at Paul’s Run.
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