Fourth Sunday in Advent

The Spirit of Christmas
in the Present

As soon as the clock strikes midnight on Thanksgiving—if not before—clicking cash registers, honking cars, and Christmas songs on the radio ring throughout North America. Long waits in the parking garage, in the stores, and at the restaurants frustrate Christmas shoppers. But in addition to all the noise and gift receipts, the Christmas spirit shines. A family knocks on a door to deliver a homemade chicken spaghetti casserole to a lonely man down the street. A teenager sits by a kindling fire with an elderly woman sharing stories over cups of cocoa. A friend bakes homemade fudge topped with a thank you note for all who carried her through her divorce.

What does the Christmas spirit look like to you? The Black Friday maniac or the giving friend?

When I was in college, my family and I enjoyed a special Christmas with my grandma, or Mimi as I called her. She wished to see the Christmas lights in her favorite neighborhoods. I watched my parents lose hours of sleep taking care of her, but they never complained. This Christmas proved no different. They marked off an evening on the calendar. The night came when we pulled up to the assisted living facility. My mom picked out Mimi’s favorite pink sweater, combed out her wig, and dabbed on her favorite rosy lipstick. After mom got her dressed, my dad and I walked Mimi out and buckled her into the car. For the next few hours, we drove as slow as a grandma turtle. At each home we passed, her face glowed like the Christmas lights. We didn’t know it then, but that would be our last Christmas with her. That’s what the Christmas Spirit looks like—serving one another. And savoring the time.

In the Book of Malachi, we read that the prophet confronts Israel about her spirit of service to God—or lack thereof. Imagine with me that, as the prophet finishes speaking, two groups respond to his accusations.

The first group throws their hands in the air. With a critical spirit, they conclude that serving God has zero benefits, and they decide to serve themselves.

Yet, the other group gathers that night by the fire to discuss the prophet’s words. Was Malachi right? What would happen if they stuck up their noses and put their feet down? Would it be better to try and trust God? The questions swirl about in conversation. With a fear of God and respectful spirit, they repent of their actions. By the time the roaring fire dwindles to ambers, the group has signed a contract. They have put the grumbling, complaining, and criticizing to rest. They’ve committed to serving God with the determination of a flicker to become a fire.

God looked on the latter group favor. He would spare them from the future judgment.

Do you have the disgruntled spirit of the rushing Christmas shopper or the spirit of the family delivering a homemade chicken spaghetti casserole? — Ashley Scarbrough Trail

A Prayer for the Third Week in Advent from the Book of Common Prayer:

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

And his kingdom will have no end.

If you are doing an Advent wreath, the father or senior male prays: O Lord, stir up your power, we pray, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of your grace, your merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. In Jesus’s name. Amen”

This person then lights all of the candles except the center, Christmas candle. That candle is lit on Christmas Day.

Although this guide has twenty-eight days, during most years Advent will not last a full four weeks. So, if Christmas Day falls before the fourth Saturday of Advent, skip forward to the devotional for that day.

Photo credit: James Wheeler on Unsplash