-New Urban SPIRIT- As High Holy Holidays Draw Near, A Time to Reflect and Strive to Become More Than The World's Example
In just four short weeks the Christmas holiday will soon be upon us, and it begins today in Western churches with the festival of Advent, celebrating the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. For many of us from the Americas who now live in Germany and other parts of Europe, the deeper meaning behind Advent can often be somewhat of a mystery as it's it's not as heavily recognized in some parts of the region. To put it succinctly, the Christian season of Advent has two aspects to its' celebration: the first is of personal anticipation and preparation to celebrate the coming birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. The second element is the expectation and longing for Christ's eventual return, and for our hearts and lives to be equally ready when that time comes.
Even outside of the Christian tradition, as society broaches the oncoming December holidays, thankfully outside of all the bells and whistles of merriment and bustling activity, it often becomes a time for reflection and introspection. We can feel it within ourselves the desire to start the coming year fresh with clean hearts and renewed life purpose. Given the current state of the world, we need that desire more than ever- to put on the armor of light in what sometimes seems like overwhelming darkness. Just as during Advent we symbolically light candles to prepare our hearts for Christ's coming, we can be encouraged that this time year should be embraced as a time of faith and hope against a world that seems dark and forbidding. We can make up our minds to cast away that darkness, and seek the spiritual pruning & nourishment that renews in us clean hearts, with lives that bear fruit.
So if you're feeling slightly overwhelmed by what increasingly feels like a world gone mad, or even by thinking you yourself have gone a bit mad and are not striving to be your best salt & light in the world- take heart, and you can begin again- cling to your sense of hope, stand firm in your faith. The world as it is now, won't always be like this...and your life, like a vine, can flourish by grace.
Tonight's NUY 40+ SPIRIT spotlight features Kirk Franklin's "My World Needs You":
