Advent Devotion – Day 20

Let earth receive her king
By Dan Macha

One of the storybook romances of our time unfolded in the union of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Cindy and I set our alarm for 5am this past April 29 to watch their wedding. Sometimes when I am standing in line at Weiss’s I will scan the gossip magazine headlines about this remarkable couple.

Of course the British are far more serious “royal watchers.” The nation follows every rumor about the status of a royal pregnancy preceding the birth of a royal child. I can assure you that cynical, postmodern 21st century England will erupt in wild celebration when an heir to the British throne is finally born. Almost every heart in London will affirm allegiance to the Monarchy when the new baby is announced to the world.

We should sense even greater anticipation as Christmas nears. We await the coming of royalty this advent season. Advent heralds the birth of the Heir to the Throne of the Nations. The familiar choral says it best:

“Joy to the World,
The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.”

Christmas is about The Monarchy of heaven extending its claim to all the nations of the earth. The child born in a manger is also the King to whom every knee shall bow one day! So, let the trumpets blow loud and long as we once again sing, “Let earth receive her King!”

Today’s Readings – Psalm 45, 47, 48, Zech 2:1-13, Rev 3:14-22, Matt 24:32-44

Advent devotions – Day 9

Imperfect Christmas
by Dan Macha

My most magical memories revolve around Christmas: trimming the tree with my older brothers, caroling to elderly folks around our rural Kansas community, getting the toy I really didn’t expect.

Later, the Macha kids initiated a “silly string” fight after the last gift was opened. Current Christmases include filling shopping carts with gifts for the grandkids, and taking them to ride the Strasburg Railroad’s Christmas Run. I have known a lot of Christmas magic to be sure.

Yet, no matter how hard I have tried, I have never quite managed to pull off that perfect Christmas. I forget to buy batteries for the Wii “wand of power;” the ping pong table top comes crashing down just after we finish its assembly, a child (or adult) sits pouting in the corner, disillusioned with the whole thing. There is always that moment when I cry out in despair “I give up! Christmas is ruined!!”

Could it be that these failures and disappointments hold the true wonder of Christmas? Our failure to keep a perfect Christmas points us toward the true need for Christmas. We live in a broken imperfect world; we are lost and flawed people. The universe needs a Savior: The One who will make all things new.

In Advent, we remember the One who has come to repair the universe and restore our hearts to HIM. In Advent, we ask every heart to prepare HIM room because HE will come again to make all things new!

At Advent, things begin to happen.

Today’s Readings – Psalm 37:1-18, 37:19-42, Amos 9:1-10, Rev 2:8-17, Matthew 23:13-26