If there’s one message at the heart of Advent it’s that of the way God can transform our lives through the gift of Christ. The following, taken from my book Daily Prayer 2, explores something of the change that his coming among us makes possible.
Something beautiful for him
Read
She will give birth to a son, whom you are to call Jesus, for he will redeem his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Ponder
When I was a boy, part of the magic of Christmas was simply walking down a street and seeing a Christmas tree in the window of nearly every house, lights twinkling cheerfully in the gloom. Whether they are real or artificial, once suitably adorned, Christmas trees provide an arresting focal point and encapsulate the celebratory mood of this festive season.
For me, a Christmas tree also graphically illustrates the good news at the heart of it all: the changed lives made possible by God’s coming amongst us in Christ. Just as the tree is turned into something special by the addition of lights, tinsel, baubles and so forth, so we, too, can be transformed – redeemed, renewed, refashioned by his grace. And this change is no mere outward decoration but a transformation deep within, a realigning of heart, mind and spirit from self to God, from our way to his. The process, though, is not a one-off but ongoing, and is dependent on our consecrating ourselves afresh to him each day so that he can work his miracle of grace within us. Fail to make time for him, lose sight of his love, forget to respond, and we prevent him from working as he would. Don’t let that happen. Put Christ at the centre of your life, this Christmas and always, so that he can shape you into something beautiful for him.
Ask yourself
Is God continuing to transform who and what you are? Are you as eager and open to his doing so as you once were? Do you need to re-consecrate your life to him?
Pray
Loving God, thank you for the transformation you make possible in Christ – the way, through his grace and mercy, you are able to change who and what I am. Thank you for working within me to fashion something pleasing to you, from the old self bringing forth a new creation. Forgive whatever prevents me from more fully becoming the person you would have me be: my complacency in discipleship, my ignoring of your guidance, my forgetfulness of your love, my failure to walk the way of Christ. Teach me to put you at the centre of my life, not just today but every day, so that you may continue to make me new. Amen.
Remember
In the fullness of time, God sent his own Son, born of a woman and born under the law, so that we who were subjects of the law might be redeemed, and, through adoption, become his children. Galatians 4:4, 5
Close
Through your grace, Lord, grant that, each day, a little more of you may be seen in me, my life being transformed into your likeness, to your glory. Amen.