FROM THE MINISTER
The Reverand Anne Dollery
Preparing the way
It was chaotic – large dumper trucks, diggers and work men trying to direct the traffic in a large car park that was the centre of a redevelopment. We could not see what they were building. We could see the queue of cars, as parents with toddlers and school children looked for somewhere to drop their children off, and a pantomime cast who had come to rehearse tried to find somewhere to park. Then I looked into the distance and realised they were making a new road to let people into the community centre. The chaos suddenly made sense.
In Advent we are called to get ready to welcome God’s son, to ‘clear a road through the wilderness for the Lord, to prepare a highway across the desert for our God’ (Isaiah 40:3)
Road building is something that takes a lot of time and effort – it is usually only done by professionals. God comes to build and make the way through the wilderness and deserts of our lives, born as one of us. A way of faith, hope and joy, built on his love for us.
It is amazing that ‘all’ we need to do to prepare God’s way is to make space in our hearts and minds to welcome the Christ child. To make space for the baby, God’s Son who comes to redeem us. But time is short and there are many things to do. Christmas week is like a distant train, speeding along, getting steadily closer and closer, louder and louder. Decorations, card writing, shopping, visiting, entertaining, for some longer hours at work. Now, in this Advent, when money is short and many are looking for work, God asks us to give him our attention. To give him time and thought in a busy season. Time to ask questions and ponder, as Mary did; to listen to God when we are under pressure and things are going wrong and we do not understand what is happening, as Joseph did; to seek God and set out on the journey as the wise men did.
So that at Christmas we can welcome Jesus, God with us, praising God with the angels on high! And so that through the coming months and years Christ’s love can grow in our lives, through his Holy Spirit.
God building his Way in our lives
With love
Anne …
