During Advent, we focus on our season of preparation: quieting our hearts, our busy lives and the space around us; clearing away the things that cloud our vision or distract us from seeing God’s presence ; hearing the words of the prophets and the apostles proclaiming His coming and the Love that our Father has for us—But have you thought about the preparing that God is doing?  God Himself is also preparing for the birth of His and His second coming.

Through these past weeks, you may have noticed the nativities of the church going up in pieces and stages, beginning with parts of the main nativity by the altar, then the addition of the nativities from St Joseph the Worker, St. Ann and St. Cyril parishes.  Each of the nativities were not put up all at once.  This was not simply because it takes time to put up so many pieces and work loads dictated the staggered approach.  It was done deliberately and with intention.

The first to arrive were the animals that already would have been present, living their normal life in or near the stable.  Then Mary and Joseph (a candelabra was placed in the spot where Jesus would be laid as a sign of the seven-fold light that was to come).  Then the other figures, one or two at a time gathered in anticipation for what was to come.  The wisemen started out in the niches next to the front doors of the church (for the main nativity) and were slowly moved a little closer.  This is meant to be a sign of God’s own action, preparing the world to receive His Son.  

Can you imagine if at the birth of Jesus, it was just happenstance that whoever was present just happened to be at the right place at the right time, as if it were a lottery of sorts?God drew the shepherds into the fields to hear the announcement of the Angel.  He set the star for the wisemen to follow and made it rise at the time necessary so they would show up at the right time.

God calls us and brings His people to where He needs them to be.  As He was preparing the world to physically and spiritually receive His Son, so He continues to be at work in all things for the world to receive His Word, whether in Christ’s second coming or as He comes to the hearts of people to receive them in their own life.  Even when it seems that He is slow in working, we recall that His movements are gradual and deliberate, well discerned and with the End that As described by the Prophet Amos: 

The one who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn, and darkens day into night; Who summons the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth;

He has been at work from the beginning, is preparing now and will be unto the ages of ages.