By
Beth DeCristofaro
(Daniel said) “This was the dream; the interpretation we
shall also give in the king’s presence. … In the lifetime of those kings the
God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered
up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:36, 44)
While some people were speaking about how the temple was
adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, Jesus said, “All that
you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon
another stone that will not be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-6)
Piety
Glory be to the
Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Study
‘Tis the season for over-the-top,
in-your-face decorations everywhere.
Unfortunate that they arrive earlier every year. But I must confess, I do enjoy the festive
feel. I particularly love the myriads of
flowers used, especially in church and lights glimmering merrily at night. Peering through the consumerism, it is
hopeful to celebrate as a people, as Christians together. We await the blessed human event of a divine
baby’s birth at the same time we celebrate the eternal Kingdom that He ushered
in with his Life, Death and Resurrection.
Tinsel, poinsettias, LED figurines,
nativities, elves, “Christmooses” (Christmice?) and other modern “costly stones
and votive offerings” are very short-lived.
They are apt metaphors for Jesus’ prophecy that in days to come there
will be no stones standing. We certainly
spend a lot of time decorating for the holidays, putting on our faces to go to
work, acquiring the most profitable career reputation, accumulating just the
right cars, addresses and beach homes. Or we might hide from life through addictions,
false identities, and power trips. All
of these, just like our own lives will of course also be thrown down. Have we prepared our own temple for Jesus to
dwell within with as much effort, time and focus?
Action
Many things about life are both brief and
treasured: rainbows, infancy, the lights
of Christmas, even a 40+ year marriage can feel short to two who are deeply in
love and committed to each other. What
can you do to bring some sense of the eternal into your everyday so as to
celebrate the exquisite gift of God’s presence, right here right now? Am I focusing on “costly stones” or the
attractions of culture rather than actively and humbly building God’s Kingdom? Consider an on-line Advent retreat or reflection.
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