Who can stand when he appears?
Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming! … Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. – from Malachi 3
These next two days are busy at the mall. No matter how much online shopping I’ve done, it’s too late to get the last things any other way. So along with a bunch of other folks, I’m looking for a parking place at Marketplace Mall.
Actually, I am done shopping, but I might head over there anyway. To sit quietly in the eye of a hurricane is very relaxing. When I have nothing to do but watch people with lots to do, my adrenalin quiets to a normal level and I feel happy.
I don’t know how “fair” that is. But it’s measurably healthy for my usually sped-up, sleep-deprived, angst-ridden body. Nerves, muscles, circulation and brain functions matter. All of them get a break.
There are kids here, riding the carousel with grandparents. I think about sons with their dads, daughters with their moms. And vice-versa of course. When I grew up, sons went fishing with their dads and daughters made cookies with their moms. Grandpa carved and whittled with his sharpened knife, which I coveted. Grandma wore an apron over her Christmas dress and woman-handled the turkey mostly by herself.
We have unsharpened all those roles, made them more complicated and confusing, but also more fair and true-to-life. Diversity flourishes and we can all look each other in the eye.
It only remains for God to show us again how to “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” Jesus is coming, with his refining fire and with his gentle touch.
I remember the moment I felt nine years old and imagined Jesus leaning against the village well, a visitor well attended. But I squirmed through the crowd and found myself sitting in the dust with my back against the bricks of that well, feeling the sun. Jesus’ legs were beside me, and I put my arm around them and leaned against him.
I didn’t see his eyes, but I felt the strength of his warm hand settling on my head.
There is no place I’d rather be.
If your children are small, their eyes are probably sparkling with excitement. I want my eyes to sparkle too. We’re spending part of Christmas with Jack and Aly. Last night they got to open one gift from us. Their energy and joy were contagious.
All those pills I take every day? I probably don’t need them as much this morning.
Jesus is alive. Put your arms around him, and feel the sun.
O Jesus, the heat of your love burns up the crud in me and I feel pure inside. This is the Pure you made in me, made for me to know and be. Your Pure passed on to each of us – what a gift. With your eyes wide open you might know how bad I am at receiving this. Thank you for not letting that stop you. Don’t let it stop me either.
http://www.davesandel.net/category/advent-and-christmas-devotions-2017/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1637
