Traveling the Advent Journey: Changing Directions

       Our Advent journey nears its end. We long to reach our destination. Detours and delays at this point seem like more than mere annoyances. Nothing must stop us from reaching our journey’s end on schedule and according to plan.
       Joseph had a plan in mind also, didn’t he?
       Being a righteous man who was unwilling to expose his pregnant fiancée to public disgrace, Joseph planned to dismiss her quietly. This was not a harsh or malicious plan. In fact, considering the circumstances, Joseph’s plan was quite noble.
       But just as Joseph mapped out the final steps of his plan, God introduced a change of direction.

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       Although it may not involve a dream or an angel, what if God asks us to change directions?
       What if God says to us, “Put away your plans, and follow me”? Or, “Don’t worry about reaching your anticipated destination; trust my guidance instead”?
       Will we travel our Advent journey as Joseph traveled his—willing to change directions, willing to give up our own plans?
       As we near the coming of the Christ, may we listen for God’s voice. And, when we hear that voice, may we have the courage to follow its guidance—even if that means stepping out in a new direction.
       For it’s in listening for and following God that we find our way to a destination that exceeds anything we could have planned—a place where we indeed will meet the Christ who is to come.
                                                                     Matthew 1:18-25
O God, who speaks to us in so many ways, help us to listen to your voice above all the voices that compete for our attention during this season. And upon hearing your voice, may we follow the truth that it reveals. Fill us with hope now as we await the coming of your son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
                                                                                                        KP