Something New Part II & Clouds/Change

I had planned to post a weekly blog that corresponded with Advent, but somehow a month has elapsed and I missed Peace, Joy and Love...I returned after seven weeks to find Joy from the pulpit but not in hearts. Not entirely. Not with reckless abandon. Not nearly enough in response to the 'Ultimate Gift', when the only appropriate response should be 'Everything that is within me'.

How dare we act like it's deserved. How dare we water it down and give it a season on our liturgical calendar, merely going through the motions of everything we have always done like it's our slaughtered lamb. Like it's worth anything in its own right. Advent, for the believer, should be experienced daily and lived out in a real way. Without Jesus' birth, there wouldn't be his death. Without the cross, we wouldn't be redeemed (New Covenant). Without that redemption, we aren't sanctified. And then where are we in light of the Second Advent? Where is the urgency when we keep sweet 8 pound baby Jesus in the manger? Just something to think about...

And in the tradition of my disjointed posts, I'm switching topics.

If you've been keeping up with me, you know that I have written many an entry on seasons and waiting. This past week we had a series of winter storms that caused it to rain for days on end. The sky was dark and void of sun and moon for day after day. Then, without notice, a brilliant flash of blue and sunbeam that was quickly swallowed up again. And that evening, moon broke through dark sky to reveal its splendor. The brightness broke through the darkness.

This was such a good reminder to me. It actually reminded me of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman

Sometimes He Comes in the Clouds (the first half)

These are the places I was so sure I'd find him

I looked in the pages and I looked down on my knees
I lifted my eyes in expectation
To see the sun still refusing to shine, But
Sometimes He comes in the clouds
Sometimes His face can not be found
Sometimes the sky is dark and gray
But some things can only be known
And sometimes our faith can only grow
When we can't see
So sometimes he comes in the clouds 

Yes, a very good reminder, indeed. And as I have been reflecting, I realize that there are many things that I cannot change, but there are also many things that I can, but I just haven't.
 
I sense that this new year is going to bring much change. I have had an inexplicable urge the last few days to start packing up my house. It's very odd. Maybe God is trying to prepare me for an actual move, or maybe it's figurative for all of the changes that are coming my way. I am ready for change. Ready for a new season.
 
I received a yearly planner for Christmas and the cover says 'Hold on Tight'. And I think that may be a theme for 2011. And that as long as I am holding on tight to Jesus, I'll be just fine. In fact, better than fine.