Advent Week Two

Advent Week Two is all about Preparation. I keep thinking of the Parable of the Ten Virgins:

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

Matthew 25:1-13, NLT

We must “keep watch” and “be prepared.” But what does that mean? The ten virgins represent the attendants of the Bridegroom (Jesus). These attendants must wait for Him until He returns, and then they will wait upon Him.  The wise virgins are prepared, having plenty of oil. The foolish virgins are found unprepared, lacking the necessary oil. Matthew Henry says the oil represents the “principle within…Grace is the oil which we must have in this vessel.” The oil burns within the vessel and provides light. “Our light must shine before men in good works, but this cannot be, or not long, unless there be a fixed active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren.”

Here we are, in Advent Week Two, the week of preparation, the week that celebrates the peace we have in Jesus, let’s ask ourselves if we have peace: with God? with our “brethren”? with ourselves? If the answer is no, then we need to pray for grace. I want to shine brightly, but often my light is too dim.  I don’t know about you, but I am praying for more grace—more oil for my lantern. I am thankful that God is a good giver.

Tell me—are you like me—do you find yourself a quart low sometimes? Are you abiding in peace? Do you feel like your heart is prepared to receive Christ daily, or when He returns in glory?

Here’s a bit more about this week’s theme: It’s The Amy & Britta Show! I am having so much fun with Amy.  I hope you do, too! If you are reading this via email, you will have to click through to the website to watch the video. If the video doesn’t appear right away, please refresh your browser!