Then the Glory of the Lord Shall be Revealed

Christmas for me is a wondrous time. When I was younger, that wasn’t always the case. Now, I
delight in the tinsel and the trappings. I choose to bring into my life those festivities that bring joy
and life and anticipation. I consciously look at what is happening around me and actively choose not
to participate in those things that bring stress and worry and dread.
One of the things that brings me the most joy in this season is recognising the incredible invitation
that is offered to all at this time. To accept the embrace of Jesus. When we go through the waiting
period of advent and get to Christmas Day, we not only celebrate the arrival of God in the flesh, we
are reminded that this is just a shadow, a foretaste of our hope.
Jesus lived, died and rose again. He ascended into heaven to be by the Father’s side, sending us the
Spirit so that we might have God’s presence with us and in us, guiding us until Jesus’ return. As we
sink into the knowledge of God’s love for us and choose to accept that our sinful ways hurt
ourselves, others and creation, we then lean into the forgiveness and new life we are offered by way
of the cross. As we cooperate with the Spirit, we are transformed slowly but surely into the very
image of Christ, doing that which is Holy and right. Grafted into His priestly ministry of being and
doing righteousness, justice and giving place for beauty – we now await His return. A return when, in
the words of Isaiah:
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.

Colleen