During the Thanksgiving holiday, my family went to see the movie about Mr. Rogers, A Beautiful Day. I hope to go see it again so that I can catch some of what I missed the first time. Mr. Rogers was one of my favorite shows when I was little.
The simple act of putting on his sweater and sneakers was a move that made him more approachable. It also had a deep meaning for him. His mother made his sweaters until her death. This routine told us to sit down and get ready.
Advent is such a routine time of preparation. The trees and decorations go up. The music changes to Christmas Carols. Think about some of your favorite routines to prepare for Christmas. Advent begins with preparing for the return of Christ. We sing “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “O Come, O Come Emanuel”. We read Scripture that challenges us to make ourselves ready for Christ.
Today’s lesson included both an ethics lesson and a call to put away darkness and put on the armor of light. What do you have to do to get ready for the coming of Christ. Scarlett proclaimed that we had better be busy doing what we are called to do. That means that we give up ways that hurt others or separate us from God. This creates a space in our hearts to make room for Christ.
Just as Mr. Rogers took off his coat and put on his sweater in order to connect with the children and transition. Advent calls for us to take off behaviors and attitudes that keep us from connecting with God and with others. In Wearing God, Lauren Winter poses the question, “Do you put on Christ each day?”
Putting on Christ is putting on the armor of light. It is shaping our lives so that others see Christ’s light in our actions of worship, devotion, compassion and justice. So I challenge you to look in the mirror and see what you need to take off and put on during this season of Advent to prepare for the Christ to come, to return.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Laura