Month: December 2016

Royal Watching

For my generation, Charles and Diana’s was the wedding of the century.

I admit to being a royal watcher. It may be partly due to my Canadian heritage (Canadians remain loyal to the Crown) or just that little girl princess dream.  I love the royal wedding spectacles, the births and christenings, the outfits (but the hats?), and maybe someday, we’ll have a coronation!

Royalty is significant. For most royals, there is excessive wealth complete with lavish lifestyles, palaces and estates, and priceless jewels.  There is royal protocol with unique privileges.  There is popularity, or banishment.  We use expressions like “royal treatment” and “fit for a queen.”

Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas address will be aired at 3 pm on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom. The royal family traditionally spends Christmas at their country estate, Sandringham House.  They attend Christmas Day worship services at St. Mary Magdalene, a nearby church dating back to the 1600’s. The Brits await these two events to mark the start of their own celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth followed by Prince Philip at Christmas services in 2015.

 

It is the Eve of a royal birth! Jesus was and is a royal.  His birth was announced centuries before his arrival. An angel chorus and a brilliant star broadcast his birth.  Locals and royalty paid tribute to him as a newborn and in the months following.  His version of a christening led the temple staff to break out in holy salutations and consecrated blessings.  Jesus is here and we should be thrilled and amazed.

I’ve been pondering royal preparation. Royal events are spectacles, full of pomp and glory.  No detail is left undone and protocol reigns.  This is also true for American presidents and the White House.  The Bible says a lot about preparing for King Jesus.  The prophet Isaiah wrote of the coming Prince of Peace and preparing the way for Him.  That preparation referred to road improvements that preceded the passing of a royal entourage.  The Old Testament also foretold of a messenger that would herald the King’s arrival.  Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was that herald, preparing the crowds for Himself.

So how prepared am I for the coming royal? Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation.  I’ve prepared many things lately but most of it, honestly, has been the trappings of Christmas.  It’s time to “prepare Him room in my heart,” as the carol goes.  At Christmas, I want to be star-gazed for a glimpse of the King:  the world’s greatest royal who gave away all His privilege for my sake, and yours.

Footnote: These Scriptures were referred to:  Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 40:3-4; Malachi 3:1; Luke 2; Matthew 11:10 and Luke 7:27.

Get Active

My work has an exercise initiative for the holidays and winter season. The program is called “Get Active.”  Signing up is optional, but many of us join it for the friendly competition and incentive to move, since the winter weather and seasonal mood aren’t motivating.  There’s plenty of banter in hallways and at meetings about our “number of steps” and tracking our virtual destinations!  As I was getting ready for the day recently, I saw a note I had posted to myself:  Keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).  It reminded me that taking steps and being active is healthy and fun, but being correctly “in step” spiritually is important too.

What does keeping “in step with the Spirit” mean? In another passage, Scripture tells us to be filled with God’s Spirit as opposed to being filled with wine (Ephesians 5:18).  Alcohol has the effect of altering behavior to the point where you lose control over your actions and are numbed to reality.  Letting the God’s Spirit take control protects us from errors and waywardness, comforts us in daily life, and guides us in decision-making and over attitudes. There is guaranteed safety and companionship as we keep pace with God’s Spirit.  As I count my daily steps and stay active, I must also purposefully pursue the One with whom I walk.

These colorful sneakers may be on someone's Christmas wishlist.
These colorful sneakers may be on someone’s Christmas wishlist.