Luke 3:7-18
The first thing that came to mind after reading today's passage is, "That's good news?" Visions of being chopped down at the root and burning with the rest of the chaff in an unquenchable fire doesn't sound so good. Since our challenge for the week is to find a way towards peace through our readings, I re-read the passage to find that way, and don't you know, there it was.
The way towards peace is in John's response to those wishing to be baptized by him. Give unto others, don't be greedy, treat everyone fairly, and be happy with what you have. I especially like the last piece of advice.
One of the church's elders sat in our Youth Sunday School last week. Towards the end of the class he asked permission to begin a conversation about Christmas. The youth said it was cool and he asked them this question: "Why do you give gifts at Christmas?" The youth were dumbfounded, they honestly didn't know how to answer.
Then, from somewhere in the middle of the class a voice rang out, "I can't speak for everyone, but I give gifts because I feel like I have to." The proverbial can of worms had opened and a spirited conversation on the shortcomings of Christmas in a commercial world began. One of our youth actually said that if she could only give gifts to her immediate family that would be more than enough because to her those were the only people she wanted to show true appreciation to.
If Advent is the expectation of Christ's entrance into our lives, we then need to be open to all the ways he is coming. We also need to be aware of those who are preparing the path for our journey with Christ. Jesus had John the Baptizer. Who do you have? Our communities are filled with people waiting to show us little, and sometimes big, visions of Christ, we just need to have the open hearts and minds to let it happen.
Go out today and begin appreciating the things you have. My bet is that once you are satisfied with what you do have you will find a piece of peace you might have been looking for.
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