Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
2 Chronicles 30:19
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, December 21, 2019
“That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.”
Have you ever been called a Scrooge? That’s not all bad. I kind of like the way he ended up; and wouldn’t mind to have a Christmas spirit like that at all. Charles Dickens first gave his story (A Christmas Carol) Advent and then climaxed it with Christmas.
Ebenezer Scrooge experienced Advent. He was not ready for Christmas and it was reflected in his relationship with the rest of the world. Getting ready was not his idea, he was willing to remain the miserable person that he was. He wasn’t forced to change, but he was compelled to take a good hard look at himself and see what everyone around him saw every day.
He saw a past when love once ruled his life and happiness was real. He saw a future that was a cold death if he continued on the path that he was walking. Best of all he saw his present world. It was a world where happiness could still be found, where he could make a difference in the lives of others; a world that could once again be ruled by love in His heart.
Advent compels us to look at our own life, and calls us to repentance. Then Christmas is not just another hectic time of the year, but a reason for life to have meaning. Happiness in a world like ours can still be found. Being ready for Christmas is not having the shopping and baking done, but having our hearts prepared and free to receive Christ. “My Savior and Lord, ‘Restore unto us the joy of your salvation.”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
[You are invited to Elizabethton First UMC, 325 Ease E Street, this evening to see David Browning as “SCROOGE.” Loretta Bowers will also be singing. Admission is free; it is a gift from our church to you. The time is 7:00pm.]
Link to Youtube – Create in Me a Clean Heart
