Are you ready for the coming?

Psalm 33:20-22 (TNIV)

²⁰ We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

²² May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Matthew 25:1-13 (TNIV)

¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ ” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

—

The holidays can bring for many of us extra stress instead of extra joy. Much of this is no doubt in response to not being ready for the holidays. We seem to fill our hours with every THING that comes along and find our hearts anxious. We delay the preparation for what truly matters. The gifts under the tree can accumulate, yet we stumble in the dark as the true light approaches.

The lectionary reading in Matthew is the parable about the ten bridesmaids: five wise and five foolish. The five wise bridesmaids are ready. They will not be distraught if the bridegroom is delayed. They will have peace knowing that their lamps have enough oil. The foolish bridesmaids’ lamps will not last the night because they were not ready for the unexpected.

As we prepare our lists of “to do’s,” is there preparation for what will truly make a difference in the world? Will we radiate the light when it seems most unlikely?

Christ comes to us much unexpected. Those who are wise will be waiting on the Lord (Psalm 33:20). Their lamps will be ready and will last the night if needed. They will offer peace on earth and glad tidings as the unexpected happens. We must not allow the foolishness of the world to distract us from our true purpose of being light bearers.

Remember that truly being ready is about the heart. Are you prepared for the unexpected Christ? Surprise is good.

— Rev. Karen Lampe

Oh God, thank you for the gift of the unexpected. Allow us to remember your purposes in coming and help us be prepared for what truly matters. Allow our lights to shine for you in a world filled with darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.