Midweek Devotion 4 December 2024

Reading

Matthew 3:1-3

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” 

Devotion

From The Clark website

Today's painting is "Waiting" by French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1991).  Created in 1887 this masterpiece lives in The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts.  The Clark is well worth a visit any time you are in the area.

Advent, the time of the preparation before Christmas, is a time of waiting.  This can be a time of somberness and meditation.  I see this in Lautrec's painting of a woman waiting, perhaps at a cafe or perhaps somewhere else (see the canvass in the left side of the painting).  Her back is to us, she glances behind.  Her shoulders are tense--see how the fabric is pulled tight across her back.  Her gaze is downcast.  She appears perched on the edge of her seat.  To me, this is a perfect image of waiting, filled with tense, expectation.  We get the sense that something is about to happen.  Will she turn and see the viewer approaching?  What happens next?  Does she break into a broad smile of welcome?  Is she relieved?  Does she stand in anger or fear?  What do you think she does, dear reader and why?

This Advent, how are you preparing for the coming of God into your life?  Is it with a heart of welcome or of dread?  Repentance is a translation of the Greek metanoia, meaning "to go beyond the mind. " Perhaps your mind is trapped in some inner doubt or despair this season?  I encourage you to go to God in prayer to re-orient toward a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit.  Pick one of the attributes of Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  Think about that word and where you find it or desire it in your life.  Try and put it into action at least three times during the day.  Before you go to bed, take stock, and give thanks for that word.  Choose another one tomorrow.  If you do that, my beloved, you will move from the wilderness to a path straight to God!

Prayer 

In this time of waiting, may we hold the world in our hearts.

In this time of waiting, may we hold each other's hands.

In this time of waiting, may we be thoughtful and introspective.

In this time of waiting, may we delight in the darkness and all it teaches us.

In this time of waiting, may we rekindle the fires of hope, love, joy, and peace within ourselves and our communities.

In this time of waiting, may we become ready for the coming day. 

Amen. (Prayer written by Cricket Hall)