Advent Transformation



By Rev. Tim Gray

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. -- Romans 12:2


As we move ever forward closer towards Christmas, it can be overwhelming - the cookies, the gifts, the shopping, the gatherings, the decorating… one might find themselves lost in the preparation. And getting lost in the preparation can make it easy to forget the reason for that preparation. I was recently given a “Christmas Program” written by Carolyn Breck’s mother; a Christmas devotion written in 1963. Much has changed since then, what entertains us, what is invested in, but what hasn’t changed is how we haven’t stopped wrestling with this season. The dichotomies between consumerism and spirituality, traditions versus discerned faith, societal values versus what we think of as Christian values, all of these continue to swirl around conversations and worries in this season today, just as they did almost 60 years ago. And so many years ago, Carolyn’s mother hit upon an important aspect of Christmas - Transformation. She says: “Christmas--Real Christmas is a state of mind transformed to deeds.” The deeds we choose can be a reflection of that state of mind: will it be a mind transformed by stuff, twinkly lights, and warm drinks? Or a state of mind transformed by Grace that is unending? 

I might suggest, just as it was suggested so many years ago, that our decorations, gifting, buying, and gathering would reflect the Grace we hope for in Christ. And that when we reflect on that Grace, we put our energy, our hope, our needs into God’s love that is unending, even after the stuff falls apart, the lights burn out and the cups run empty. Be transformed by God’s Grace this year, this month, this day, this moment, because when we choose Grace over materialism, we invest in forever, not just this one year. 


Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your mother’s words - it is a reminder that we wrestle with faith alongside generations of fellow Christians. You can find Carolyn Breck’s Mother’s devotion here.

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