When I was a little girl I collected dolls. My father frequently traveled abroad for his job and he always brought me back a small doll from the countries he visited. As a result, I had a nice little collection of foreign dolls.
At Christmas I always wanted another doll. One year I just had to have a bride doll. Another year I was fixated on a ballerina.
In early December I would begin getting ready for Christmas by cleaning out my doll collection. I went through dolls, had funerals for any “broken, beyond repair” small friends, went through the doll clothes I had made (scraps of cloth cut into tunics and tied with a string) and tossed the stray single sock or shoe. I then wiped down all three bookcase shelves, put everything back nice and neat in my 10 year old fashion and made sure that there was space for the much anticipated new doll I was going to find under the tree on Christmas morning. I always excitedly anticipated the new.
Today, I am not much different. As Advent surrounds us with warm candle light on dark, long days, I like to take some time and clean house, so to speak. I examine my life, discard the old useless stuff that keeps me from drawing near to my God and wipe down the shelves of my life…and make room and anticipate the new.
How will Jesus surprise me today? Where will I see him working through others? How will he show up in my work, my play and my rest?
If my life is too cluttered with Holiday busy-ness instead of Christmas Holy-ness then I might miss the promises of God. When I find the days becoming more about the obligations and less about the Holy and the mystery then I know it is time for me to clear off those shelves of my life of unnecessary stuff, both physical and psychological and make room for God to surprise me and fill me with wonder at the miracle of a baby in a manger.
~Pastor Nina