Hustle And Bustle

O Holy Saviour, born a Child and yet a King, have mercy upon all who do not yet know the blessings and comforts of Your First Coming. Holy Spirit, take control and bring us all to Your feet, in absolute submission to You. Rule in each heart, dear all-sufficient Holy Spirit that each one of us will receive Your Light and Your Peace, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Season. Amen!  

On the first day of this week, this Second week in Advent, this was part of our closing prayer. For today and the remainder of the week, I want to share what was given to me about the hustle and bustle of the Advent Season, or the Christmas season. I feel pressingly constrained to bring it to you at this time, because of an experience which I had.

I had attended Church worship on the first Lord’s Day Sunday in Advent and during her prayer, the liturgist, spoke about the ways many people, including believers, lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Things, which really do not have anything to do with the Birth of our Saviour, have become highlights for many, believers and non-believers alike. Mention was made of all the effort, money, energy and more which were invested in:-

Christmas preparations being made for visiting family and friends.

The preparation of specific, seasonal Christmas dishes.

The purchasing and making of Christmas decorations.  

Exchanging of gifts of all kinds.

Responses to charitable causes, and more.

The truth was that the concerns of our liturgist, as she led us in prayer, were all a reality. The same story is voiced and lamented each year and increasingly so, as we hear over and over again about the commercialism of Christmas. We hear it being said that many are following the world – its commands and demands – and Jesus, though not being altogether left out, is not the, ‘Reason for the Season’. 

As I pondered on this fact about following the commands and calls of the world, I was made to stop and return to the first Advent, the first Christmas, if you like, and note some arrestingly interesting facts.

Will you surrender your minds to our Lord, as His Holy Spirit grants us treasures to ponder in our hearts? Here is a simple, matter of fact text, one which is very well known. These are words which we read or listen to on every Advent Season. And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2: 3.

It is upon these words of the above text that we shall have discourse. They will be our preparation, inspiration and fortification for the remainder of this second week of Advent, as we ponder upon them.

However, this verse comes after an introductory piece which provides us with extremely interesting information. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world, (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) Luke 2: 1 - 2

On this precious and privileged time, what are our eyes seeing, our ears hearing, our hearts drumming with excitement and our minds curious to know what is happening? We give God, the Holy Ghost, thanks and unhindered praise, for all that we have received, are receiving and will receive.

What is being spread out, unfolded before us, like a magnificently prepared carpet, on which we are to wander, in wonder, love and praise, are three powerful statements. At first, they make some a bit uncomfortable, others become skeptical and there are a few who simply will downright refuse them. Still, there are others who, like the Athenians, whom Paul encountered when he brought His very different teachings to them, are asking to know more. May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? Acts 17: 19b.

There is much more planned for us and we wait patiently to receive it all.