Gibson, J Daniel

English

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 29Issue 1 Hospitality - The Healing of the World Article 105-25-2003Are We Ready Yet?J Daniel GibsonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationGibson, J Daniel (2003) "Are We Ready Yet?," Consensus: Vol. 29 : Iss. 1 , Article 10.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol29/iss1/10Are We Ready Yet? J. Daniel Gibson Past01; First Baptist Church Brantford, Ontario Text: Luke 2:1-7 "In those days ... Joseph also went ... with Mary ... " I wonder ... Was it something like this? *Mary, are you ready? I've got the donkey -he s all fed and watered. And I've put the thick blanket on him, so you won't feel his bones pressing illfo you all the way to Bethlehem! Are you ready, Mary? How I wish we didn't have to take this trip right !lOW. How I wish we didn't have to do this trip at all! You are in no condition to make this bumpy tiring joumey. Mary, are you ready? I spoke to the officials; I asked if we could postpone the trip; I asked if we could register here and have the document sent to Bethlehem; I asked (f I could just go myself and leave you here. But they just accused me of being a tmuble make~: Or, maybe it was like this ... *Joseph, are you rea{(V? I've got the bag packed. 117 Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2003118 A change of clothes for you and me. And I've packed some of the swaddling cloth that Elizabeth sent over to us, Consensus now that her son John no longer needs them. I don't know how we'd be able to do this without Zechariah s and Elizabeth s help. Are you ready, Joseph? I wish we didn't have to go, but I'd rather be with you, than to stay at home alone and worry. I'll be OK, Joseph. I trust God, and I know I can depend on you. Joseph, are you ready? Maybe ... we can make it all the way to Bethlehem, get registered, and get back home again before the baby comes. Since we are freely speculating about how it might have been for Mary and Joseph, let's continue to wander and wonder in our minds about some of the other characters who participate in the Christmas story. We can ask each of them how well they are prepared for the coming of the Lord. * Hello, Gabriel! Whats it like to be an angel? You have visited Zechariah and told him about the birth of his son, John. You visited Mal)' and told her about the Lord God having chosen her to be the mother of the Sa vi ow: But your job isn't done yet, is it? http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol29/iss1/10Are We Ready Yet? Are you ready to greet the shepherds? Ready to tell them the good news of the Saviours birth? And what about the rest of you angels? You've been practicing your "Gloria in excelsis Deaf" for several million years. Do you know that the time is almost here? That the night of nights is only one day away? Angels, are you ready? *And shepherds, are you ready? You will be the first to hear the good news. You will be invited to "come and see". You will see with your own eyes what God is doing for you and for all people. The Saviour of the world will be born within walking distance of where you spend eve I)' long night doing your endless job week after week month after month. You know exactly what the prophet meant when he said, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light .... " [Isaiah 9:2] You know all about darkness and what comfort and joy there are to be had 119 in the light of a campfire or a lamp or even a candle. This time, howeve1; you will hear abollt the Light of the World, the Christ who will bring Gods radiance right into the illller darkness of our lives. Shepherds, are you ready to embrace the Light of the World? *And you, M1: Innkeeper ... we don't even know your name ... are you ready? You're so busy running a business H'ith all the preparations and details in a ve1y hectic season. Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2003120 The new census and tax have evei)'Oile on the move; and they all need lodging and food. It's great for your business, Consensus but you are looking and sounding so frazzled -evei)'OI!e wants the room with the Jacuzzi, someone isn't satisfied with the bed, there isn't enough parking, the kitchen staff wcmt overtime ... But ... something special, something wonde1jul is going to happen in the overj101v area out behind the inn in a quiet corner of the parking garage. The Son of God will be born under your roof, barely noticed among the droves of important paying guests. Are you ready, M1: Businessman? Can you fit Jesus into your schedule? Should he make an appointment? Is there room in your datebook or your palm-pilot? *And what of you, wem:v travellers, heading by camel to Bethlehem and by plane to the East or West Coast? You've made your preparations, and packed your g{fts and made your plans, and you look forward to wondeiful reunions ~vith family and friends. Are you ready for what may be an unexpected meeting with the Christ Child at some point on your busy journey? He may be at the airport; or He may be the woman ringing the Salvation Army bell accepting small donations at the mall; or http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol29/iss1/10Are We Ready Yet? 121 He may be the little girl in the refugee family down the street and around the corner; or He may be the homeless man asleep in the bus stop shelter; or He may be in a manger in a stable ... One thing for sure: you are f?Oing to run or walk or ride or drive or fly vel)' close to Him, and vel)' soon. Are you read.v? *And what of you, busy shoppers, desperately rushing, frantically t1ying to meet all the deadlines, granting all the wish-lists, filling all the stockings, mailing all the cards, cooking the turkey, keeping the cat from climbing the Christmas tree, stopping the children from opening g~fts early, tl)'ing to remember a little gijf for the mail deliverer and the paper deliverer and the custodian of the apartment bui /ding .... And, of course, remaining serene and relaxed and beaut(ful and chee1jul through it all. Are you ready to receive the One who says, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"? [Matthew 11 :28] Are you ready to receive the One Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2003122 who doesn't come into the world to make your life more hectic or frazzled or to add to your burdens? To receive the One who will come to bring you peace and joy, and freedom and relief? Consensus *And what of you, Preacher Dan? You are so concerned that evei)'One should know what Christmas is all about ... Are you ready, yourself? 01; are you like the dentist who has cavities in his own teeth? 01; Like the plumber who is too busy to fix his own pipes and now his basement is flooded? 01; like the fire department whose hall burned down while they were out on a training exercise? Preacher Dan, have you become so "professional" in your exercise of spirifllal leadership that you have forgotten to prepare yourself for what you want evei)'OIIe else to have? Are you ready, Preacher Dan -for just one night-to be one of the shepherds running to Bethlehem and not be their tour director? to listen to the angel choir rather than direct it? to be one of the sheep under the care of the Good Shepherd? to kneel quietly and worship Him and nothing else Everything is set. Are you ready? until your soul is refreshed and renewed? http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol29/iss1/10

Are We Ready Yet?

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Are We Ready Yet?

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