THROUGH NEW EYES

EVERYONE NEEDS TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH A PRE-SCHOOL CHILD during the Advent season. Their wide-eyed wonder, coupled with their easy belief in the mystery unfolding before them and their simple faith expressed in prayers and wishes, can open a cynical and crusty heart to the joy and wonder of the season. 

     I believe that at this time of the year the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy that, “a little child shall lead them,” comes alive with new meaning. (Isaiah 11:6) Even our Lord, Jesus Christ, told His followers, that unless we become like little children in regards to faith and trust, we cannot see the Kingdom of God. (Mark 10:13-14; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:16)

     In my own journey of faith in walking with Christ, I have benefited often by seeing things through eyes and understanding of others. Those who were raised in a culture different than my own, or have lived a life harsher than my own, have provided for me the deeper understanding of the grace and love of God. I have learned from the old and the young. I have learned from those who have walked with Jesus for scores of years and from those who have just commenced the journey of faith in Jesus Christ.  Seeing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through the eyes and experiences of others has deeply enriched my own life and I pray that my faith-story has enriched theirs as well.

     During this Advent season, as we look back to the birth of the Savoir, I encourage you to seek to see it with new eyes.  That may come in the form of sitting down with someone older or younger than you, (physically or spiritually). It might come through encountering the Advent story through those of another culture than your own. It could even be as simple as reading the Gospel accounts of the birth of the Christ-Child in a different Bible translation.

     To help you see things through fresh eyes this Advent season I will be presenting four first-person dramatic monologues. I invite you to join us as we see the birth of God’s Son through the eyes of the angel Gabriel, Joseph the carpenter, Saul the innkeeper and David the shepherd. My prayer is that during this time of joy and laughter, hustle and bustle, family and friends gathered, you will also experience the reality of Emmanuel, God with us, in a deeper way. I pray, along with the Apostle Paul that, “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Related articles

• Stuck in the Middle With You (ponderingpastor.blogspot.com)
• A Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent 2011 (godspace.wordpress.com)