I am newly fascinated with this word "wake." It's one of those words we use and never stop to think about it's many meanings. Wake - stay awake, watch over. Wake from your sleep. We're going to Matt O'Reilly's wake. Look, he's jumped the wake. Following in the wake of the storm. It's really quite cool, isn't it?
In Advent we are reminded that people were awaiting a time when the Messiah would arrive. They got so tired of waiting, they sort of spiritually "fell asleep." Scripture would remind them to stay awake and keep watch, for for the Lord is coming.
The tradition of a wake for the dead is rooted in more than one faith tradition, but it has traditionally been a time to gather and watch over the deceased before they are buried. It's now more of a gathering of loved one's to remember the deceased with tributes, song and even dance.
A wake is created in water by the turbulence of the boat moving forward and a water skier follows in the path, or hollow of the wake.
The common denominator of these three definitions, to me, is the action of going forward - forward movement.
Wake from your sleep and see what is possible. Be ready. Be alert and listen for the still small voice of God. Hold a wake by the side of your loved who is transitioning to a better place. Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray.
And follow in the wake of the One who goes before you. He has made the pathway clear.
Make your waking time of Advent be a place of watchful anticipation. Do not be lured into the exhausting chaos of the commercialism. Wake from the slumber of of Christmas apathy and be ready to rejoice. Do not be a follower of wordly goods, rather follow the star of joy and truth and love.
For, the Lord is coming...
In Advent we are reminded that people were awaiting a time when the Messiah would arrive. They got so tired of waiting, they sort of spiritually "fell asleep." Scripture would remind them to stay awake and keep watch, for for the Lord is coming.
The tradition of a wake for the dead is rooted in more than one faith tradition, but it has traditionally been a time to gather and watch over the deceased before they are buried. It's now more of a gathering of loved one's to remember the deceased with tributes, song and even dance.
A wake is created in water by the turbulence of the boat moving forward and a water skier follows in the path, or hollow of the wake.
The common denominator of these three definitions, to me, is the action of going forward - forward movement.
Wake from your sleep and see what is possible. Be ready. Be alert and listen for the still small voice of God. Hold a wake by the side of your loved who is transitioning to a better place. Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray.
And follow in the wake of the One who goes before you. He has made the pathway clear.
Make your waking time of Advent be a place of watchful anticipation. Do not be lured into the exhausting chaos of the commercialism. Wake from the slumber of of Christmas apathy and be ready to rejoice. Do not be a follower of wordly goods, rather follow the star of joy and truth and love.
For, the Lord is coming...
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