Advent 2020 – Closing the Gap
2020 has been a different year, to say the least. As we have experienced life through social distancing ourselves from one another, we’ve developed this “gap” in our relationships. And though we’ve tried to close that gap, it is still there. Something isn’t right. The close personal touch with others has been broken. The facial expressions and emotions are lost behind a mask.
With that in mind these Advent readings for Christmas are written. Advent is a time to reflect on the greatest gap in our human existence being restored by God. He made the first move. He chose to put Himself in a human form and close the great distance between us and Him. As you read and reflect during this Christmas season may you be drawn closer to the God who loved us too much to leave this brokenness in our relationship with Him. He had to provide a means of healing to restore what was broken.
Let’s walk together back into the real Christmas and reflect on God’s amazing love for us.
Week One – The “REAL” Christmas
Where is the real Christmas found? Let’s begin with “What’s Missing”.
There’s a Distance. A Separation. A Broken Relationship. Man & God are “at a distance” from each other. There is a “great divide” from one another. A deep chasm that has no connection, no bridge, and no ability to “fix it”.
We like Christmas to be festive: lights, decorations, gifts, snow, special foods, plus Christmas music & movies. But the real Christmas is not that. It’s heaven shattering. It’s God making a game-changing move. Closing the gap. Removing the distance between mankind and Himself.
As we begin celebrating advent (an arrival of a notable person) let’s envision the great distance that was spanned to bring about God’s arrival. Let’s see ourselves in the scene, being there in person to witness firsthand the great Advent. Let’s set aside the Christmas trappings and strip down the white noise of this celebration to rediscover its core. Let’s allow our hearts and minds to be enchanted with the “Advent” of the One who “Closed the Gap” between us and God.
God was at work in Mary & Joseph’s everyday life, preparing the way to close the gap. Pause today and sit in the quiet as you read the following biblical account from the Gospel of Luke. Put yourself into the scene and reflect on how you would have experienced it. Ask God to help you believe that He is at work even today. Close the gap between you and your heavenly Father by recognizing His presence.
Luke 2:4-7 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Scott Jackson
Co-Founder, CEO
Thrive Leadership Foundation
Scott@Thrivelead.life
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