It happened again yesterday - a last minute call from a friend looking to see if I could help them get a certain Christmas gift ordered and delivered by this Friday. No problem, I said. Of course, its just a matter of how much of a price you want to pay to have it delivered at the time you desire.
I thought of this earlier as I have been asked by my family in Pittsburgh to facilitate sending them a turducken for their Christmas celebration. The most expensive part of this, and the most difficult to coordinate, has been the timing (for its got to get there in time for them to thaw it) and packaging of delivery. Overnighting a turducken cross-country, in case you haven't noticed, "ain't cheap." But, the command given was, this is what we want - do what it takes to make it happen. Personally, I can't wait to see the reaction when the final shipping charges are calculated, for I am sure that it will be a bit higher price than they expect.
In both of these cases, I am reminded of the events that led up to the arrival of the Christ child. As we read in the prophets, the people of God were desiring a savior, anticipating the arrival of the messiah, and they wanted him now. As happens so often in life, however, getting what we truly want often involves things we don't anticipate and at costs we cannot anticipate.
Who was expecting, for instance, that the mighty savior and deliverer of the people would come not in full military armor, but in a manger?
Who was expecting that he would be born of an unmarried teenage virgin?
Who was expecting him to come when he did?
Who was expecting that the cost of his arrival would be a complete and utter devotion to following him - a devotion that demands that we set aside the things of this world to solely focus on bringing about his kingdom?
Who was expecting that the cost of discipleship would involved being people who love and forgive - even if those who have done us wrong have no idea or show no signs of remorse?
Are you ready for the cost and timing of Christmas any more than they were?
See you Sunday!
Lamar
P.S. Don't forget our Advent Luncheon @ 12:10 today - our District Superintendent, Roger Lathan, will be our guest speaker.
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