A Note From Rob ...
Week of December 6, 2009
I have had this struggle for over two thirds of my life. It began when I became a choir director in a United
Methodist church while in undergraduate school. The struggle was and still is the season of Advent.
Through the years of being responsible for leading congregations through Advent to Christmas, I have
encountered more than a little resistance. A recent article on the web page for the General Board of Discipleship
Worship section of the UMC suggests that keeping Advent is culturally impossible. Just jumble the seasons and the
scripture readings together rather than move in a sequential path toward the nativity of Jesus.
The argument is that we need more Christmas in our worship and the culture is predisposed for it.
Christmas carols are everywhere and people want to hear them on Sunday. They argue it is a win-win.
I get that. A recent article in The Anson Record speaks to the need to have a little Christmas now and
everyday.
I guess the question for those of us who are waiting for the coming of our Lord is how do we get ready?
What needs to be moved, discarded and replaced in order to celebrate Christmas? How do we make a way in our
homes, priorities, work and hearts so Jesus can find His way into our lives? How do we prepare a way for the Lord
or as John the Baptizer sings in Godspell, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” John called us to lose- win.
Please read the Gospel lesson this week from the 3rd Chapter of Luke as we prepare to receive the Word
that lived and walked with us and who will come again to us.
I hope to see you Sunday.
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