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Tuesday, December 4, 2012 -- Advent Week 1 -- Missing The Meaning

Tuesday December 4, 2012


He (Jesus) went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.  At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.“

What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”  When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?  Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”  (Luke 20:9-18 NLT)

Christmas decorations have been up for weeks.  Walking in the mall the other day I saw a winter wonderland, a special "North Pole" room for Santa to greet his friends, and down the hall a stable with figures of Mary, and Joseph, some shepherds, and the baby Jesus.  I'm so glad there are merchants who recognize the reason for the season.

So many people, and perhaps even us, are so pre-occupied with thoughts and activities surrounding Christmas that they miss Jesus, without whom there would have been no Christmas.  Some are busy deciding if they will shop in the mall or online.  Others will be preoccupied with shame and guilt at being in a position in life where they are distant from their family, and financially unable to provide for their kids.  There are Christmas dinners to attend, and parties all around.  The struggle with loneliness overwhelms some and the attempt to keep up with all the people demands exhausts others. 

What about us?  Advent invites us to leave the busyness of our own needs, our own plans, our own problems, and intentionally spend time in prayer.  Advent invites us to simplify the things that need doing and prioritize fellowship in celebration of Christ's birth.  Advent helps us to shift from focusing on what we can get through the generosity of people at this season, to the joy of being givers and sharers of God's generous love.

Jesus is the reason for the season.  To reject the truth of this statement will result in a Christmas season and life without direction or meaning.   Let's joyfully include Jesus in our thoughts and in all of our daily activities this Advent season, and every season. 

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