Preparing for What's to Come

I had an interesting experience this morning.  Since there is a storm system blowing into the area predicted to bring 6-12 inches of snow our way, I went to the store at 7:30 AM to get a snow shovel.  We have one, but it’s not the best and it is straight handled.  I wanted one of those ergonomically shaped handles on MY snow shovel.  The problem is, I was too late.
    I went to three stores, and they were all sold out.  When I asked where their snow shovels were, I received some interesting responses.  One person said, “Sorry.  We're sold out.”  Another laughed at me, and one person simply looked at me as if I had asked them if they could give me a million dollars!
    Yes, I should have checked on the shovel situation when I first heard of the storm, but the need didn’t hit me until this morning early.  I should have thought of it when my wife called from Walmart yesterday sharing with me what a madhouse it was with everyone buying staple food items.  I didn’t.
    I was fortunate enough on my way out of Lowe’s, however, to speak with one of the employees.  I made a comment about how I had come in to purchase a shovel but that they were sold out. She said, “Well at 8:15 (it was then 7:55), a shipment is coming in with shovels on it.”  I went home, ate breakfast, gathered my things for work, and returned in time to make my purchase.”  I bought two shovels...one for each of my sons!
  
    As I watch the news, observe the excitement of my children, and take note of the heightened anticipation of this snow, I can’t help but find it quite ironic and pleasing that this comes right now.  Right before Christmas, during this season of Advent.  After all, Advent is a season of anticipation, watching, and waiting with baited breath for the Coming of Christ.
    Right now, as we await for the Coming of the Christ, the world awaits the coming of the snow, and there is indeed an excitement and wonder in the air.  The world is abuzz, wondering what this snow will be like, how bad will it be, even whether the kids be able to play until they are on the verge of frostbite!
    At the same time, once the news broke people headed out to stores in droves.  They had to be prepared (another major theme of Advent) for what is to come.  They bought the things they needed, and once they have them, they are ready.  Sounds about right for this Advent time.

    Who knows whether or not we’ll have church on Sunday.  I hope so for many reasons.  Just in case I'm still writing the sermon.  In fact, I’ll send it out via e-mail to my parishioners, but maybe the most appropriate sermon...lesson...given to us during this time, is being written by God. 
    Maybe God will use the anticipation of the coming snow as a way of reminding us of the kind of anticipation we’re invited to have as we prepare for Christmas.  Maybe the Word is being written on our hearts through the excitement of what’s to come through nature, so that we might remember the excitement that comes as we anticipate the One who comes to change the world.  Maybe we are being called to spend just as much time (if not more) preparing for the coming of the Christ, as we do for the coming snow.


    It takes intentionality to prepare.  How intentional have you been in preparing for the coming Christ?  After all, his beauty far outshines the snow.