advent 1

The two sides of my family have always been of disparate mind regarding how best to prepare for a journey.

When my father was a child, he might well awaken in his Klamath Falls, Oregon home to a conversation along the lines of: “You know what I’d enjoy?  I’d enjoy a nice visit with the rest of the family.  Get in the car, kids, and we’ll go pay them a call… in Oklahoma.”

In my mother’s family, on the other hand, a journey was something that required planning and coordination—and a lot of it.  After all, there were itineraries to schedule, arrangements to be made and travel clothes to be purchased… and whether the person thus clothed was 14 or 40 that clothing was for the trip and was not to be worn before then, thankyouverymuch.

I must confess at this juncture that I take after the latter side of the family.

That said, as we enter the Advent season I suspect there are lessons to be learned from both approaches.  On one hand we’re told to be ready—we cannot know the day or the hour. (Matt. 24:36)  Stay awake; when that car leaves for Oklahoma your behind better be firmly parked in the back seat (metaphorically speaking).

If spontaneity is required, though, so also is preparation.  We are called to “Prepare the way of the Lord.” (Matt. 3:3) Flexibility is important, but so too is careful attention.  Remember the lesson of those bridesmaids who failed to stock up on oil for their lamps. (Matt. 25:3)

Perhaps the best travel analogy would be that of the person who journeys with a well-thumbed travel guide and an open mind.  We must be open to where the journey takes us; we must also pay heed to the guidance we are provided along the way.  It might come from a book; it might come from conversation; it might come from prayer; it might come simply from careful observation. 

Grace and peace to each of you as you travel toward Bethlehem, preparing along the way and yet ready—always—for the blessed gift we find once we get there.

Originally written for the church newsletter.