Today, as we begin the Advent journey, our scriptures call us to listen and stay awake. Isaiah evokes the image of children estranged from their parent, rebelling against their upbringing. The image is as contemporary as it is timeless.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the logistical preparation of Advent: get fresh candles for the Advent wreath, hang garland around the front door, decorate the Christmas tree, address and mail Christmas cards.
In all this running around, I am missing something deeper. How do I prepare my heart to turn toward Jesus?
One of the hardest spiritual disciplines is to surrender control. Part of what makes it difficult is the discernment required to know when such surrender is what God requires. Think of the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
How long, O Lord,
how long must we wait
in the narthex of preparation,
marking time until
future’s procession is fully formed,
only then to be released
to step across the threshold and into
the revelry of vocative destiny.
