By Pastor Don Schatz

Just Watch

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

The expression, ‘A Dog’s Life’ is meant to conjure an image of a sleeping dog, a lazy dog, an oversize dog who thinks he is a lap dog draped across your lap.  My sister’s little dog lies on the lap of the front passenger, and sleeps while his chin rests on the sloping dashboard!

But do not be fooled!  Dog’s may look like they are sleeping, dead to the world, but their ears are always alert.

From resting comfortably in a chair to up and barking, looking out the window can seemingly take only milli-seconds.

“I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior…”
Micah 7:7. New International Version

This time of year finds us in the season of Advent.  Waiting and watching are important themes.  It is a time of spiritual review of God’s promise of a Savior.  It is a time of spiritual renewal and preparation for the Christmas celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming to save us.  A dog might not be the most obvious choice of a model for such spiritual waiting, but I’m using it today!

How do you prepare yourself spiritually for Christmas?   How do you make time for devotion and prayer, means of staying ‘alert’ to the Coming Christ?  It is possible to do all the house-decorating, present-buying, menu-planning, cookie making, and a myriad other holiday traditions and still be alert to the real reason for the season.  Our watching and waiting senses are tuned to the gift of the Christ Child, the wonder of God’s love shared with us in this way; the blessing of family, friends and the Christian community that surrounds us.

It is a holy life we lead.  A watching-and-waiting life.  A Christ-gifted life.  An Advent-and-Christmas-Blessed life.  Just watch.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado