Advent Devotional from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

First Sunday of Advent, 2009

“Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is the reason we spend time during the Christmas holidays in daily worship. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t have something to prepare for, usually I get a little lazy about life. The floors don’t get mopped regularly – dust begins to build up on the furniture – weeds spring up in the garden – time is wasted in trivial pursuits.

This is why I need to spend these days of the Advent Season preparing my heart and mind for the real reason we have Christmas celebrations. If I don’t, I will allow all of the worldly trappings of the season to muddy up my mind, the dust and cobwebs of spiritual neglect will collect in my soul, and weeds of selfishness in the pursuit of trivialities will sprout in my heart.

I wasn’t sure about taking the time to write this year – I’m even more insecure than ever about whether I have anything of significance to say to anyone. But maybe that’s good – it won’t be about clever words and phrases or technically correct theology (sorry you theologians) – it will be about what I see and hear the Holy Spirit saying to me. And once again, if it’s of any use to any of you – then God be praised. Otherwise, hit the reply button and tell me to take you off the list. Or if you feel too shy to do that, just hit “delete.” My feelings won’t be hurt!

This season I want to focus on Colossians 1:15-23. This is a beautiful passage describingJesus Christ and His work in the world and in our hearts. I plan to look at this scripture for this Advent Season and again during Lent – it covers the whole spectrum! Jesus Christ, firstborn over all creation; Jesus Christ, firstborn from among the dead – He is all in all!

So here’s the scripture today from the NIV:

The Supremacy of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

You remember the old hymn “O, to be like Thee” don’t you? Let me remind you of the words – just as Christ is the image of God – so our prayer should be to have His image stamped on our hearts…

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

So as our culture strives to stamp its image on Christmas – let’s prepare our hearts, homes, and churches for the Spirit of Christ to be born anew in us – His image stamped on everything we say and do!