PREPARING FOR 2ND SUNDAY
The second Sunday in Advent focuses on John the Baptist and his focus on acting ethically as a way to prepare for the Lord. Again the Epistle lesson, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, is a helpful lesson for pastors and they seek to make the personal preparation that can lead to them recognizing the birth of Christ in their lives. A major focus of that lesson is that all the material aspects of life, which can become such an all-consuming obsession for people, will eventually pass away and then what is left. “Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of person ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, . . .” (v 11).
SMALL ACTS
As with the first week of Advent, we are seeking a small act that can be taken amidst all of the other busy activities of the season but which will have a personal nurturing benefit.
The focus of the second week is ethical action, as called for by John the Baptist. This is not a means of saving ourselves but as a manner of preparing us to recognize Christ in our midst. Ethical action is a step towards righteousness or right relationships. That should be your personal act of preparation during this second week. Again we focus on five days. Of course, it can be carried on to the additional days but I hope that you are taking at least one day off and that Sunday is filled with extra pressure.
DURING THE SECOND WEEK
Place a piece of paper by the side of your bed. Each morning as you wake, jot down one act of kindness or act of justice that you can take that day. It can be something very small but it should be intentional as a movement of preparation. One time you might do something special for the secretary that supports your ministry. Another time it might be something for the neighborhood child or elderly adult. To separate it from your continuing ministry, it should be for someone who is not a member of your congregation. It could also be writing a letter protesting an injustice, or a visit to an Alzheimer patient who won’t even remember you’ve been there.
May you discover Christ’s presence in such actions.
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