h2odevos eots 121111 Job Description (encore)

December 11, 2011 Third Sunday in Advent Job Description    "Break out the lights shine them bright Hang them from tree and from rafter Let them burn all through the night Light up your hearts with the laughter" Ring Out The Bells by Peter Mayer

This is an Encore Devo, first published on December 11, 2005 Okay, Christmas Day is just two weeks from today. While that thought might bring a sense of anxiousness to some people, the very good news for our world is that Christmas comes whether we are ready or not! The holiday is not dependent on our state of readiness or preparedness. Fortunately, the promises of God are being fulfilled while stars are positioned in the sky and angelic choirs are on alert in the heavenly realms all set to sing "Gloria in excelsis Deo." The other day I heard someone ask in a rather frustrated voice, "What in God's name are you doing?" This question was not (in my humble opinion) intended to evoke a vocational assessment on behalf of the hearer, but was intentionally spoken as a critique of another person's behavior. It was an evaluation of current state. And while the words were spoken in an exasperated tone, I'd like to re-frame them or position them to suggest that all of us have job descriptions given to us by God. Today we hear the following words from the prophet Isaiah. They are a job description posted years ago which Jesus aligned himself with in the course of his ministry. "The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion -- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory."(Isaiah 61:1-4) Like Peter sings, break, hang, let, light." Today you might have the opportunity to give a garland instead of ashes, Spritz some oil of gladness instead of mourning, To wrap someone with a scarf (cashmere of course) of praise instead of deflating their hopes and dreams. 'Tis the season & Jesus is the Reason! RTG