Preparation

Well, I suppose it had to happen eventually. I have a cold, the first one since before the pandemic. That's well over five years. Not a bad run. We have been out and about more than usual, and at a time of year when there are "bugs" out there. But you know, there is always a silver lining. This is the first real trial of my my new immune system, which is working. 

Although I awoke with a sore throat this morning and a bit of coughing, some hot drinks and a few tissues later, I am feeling better; better than I did yesterday, which seemed to be the nadir of this affliction. Jill ran out this morning and picked up some Dayquil for me (and some Nyquil for tonight). Is she the sweetest thing on the planet? The medicines will help, but I can tell by the feel of things that my body is fighting this bug, just as it has done with my original immune system. 

One of the things that is of concern for a bone marrow transplant recipient is that challenges to the new immune system can bring on graft versus host disease (GVHD). For me it usually presents as a skin rash, but some people have much more serious symptoms. It is easy to take care of mine with a little corticosteroid creme. But to my delight, this cold has not precipitated any GVHD! None, zip, nada!! I am very pleased, because some people have GVHD chronically. I am fortunate to be living up to the moniker Dr. Brow and others have hung on me: Poster Boy! 

At this time of year, there is much to do in preparation for Christmas. Not only are there gifts to hunt down for our loved ones, but decorating the house and trying not to overindulge in holiday treats. Jill has forbidden me to touch anything with my "germ ridden" hands. So, the cold is a bit of an irritant. 

The most important preparation for me at this time of year is preparing my heart for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. To that end, I usually spend time each day of the Advent Season meditating on what my little devotional book calls "The Grand Miracle." Today's entry resonated with the feelings that I and many others experience, as the to do list grows and the time slips away. I have copied it below. May we all have our priorities properly aligned in this Christmas season.

It is not what God can give us, but God that we want.

--George MacDonald, Wilfred Cumbermede

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ (John 6:32-33, NRSV)

George MacDonald was a seasoned old soul; what was true for him may have been more of an ideal for other pilgrims on the journey. The rest of us may feel more inclined to say, “Father, forgive us, for we know not what we want.”

We seek a gilded afterlife when we could have Eternal Life. We seek breadcrumbs of earthly pleasure when we could join a heavenly banquet. We avoid pain when we could embrace joy. We plead for words of comfort and light, but our darkness does not comprehend the Word.

Help us, Lord. We ask for a roadmap to heaven when the Way, the Truth, the Life stands right before us. We want the crown without the cross, and we fix our gaze on the crown more than on the King. We look to Glory, but others do not see the glory when they look at us.

We do not ask too much in prayer, but too little. We follow the one who multiplied the loaves and do not see the bread of life. We want to quench the thirst of this moment, but do not ask for living water, the cup of heaven.

The Everlasting took human form so that we might lift our eyes from the gifts to the Giver. He emptied himself so that from his fullness we might receive grace upon grace. The baby lay in a feeding trough so we might not be forever hungry. The child spoke in the Father’s house, so we might put away childish things. The man told us that we must die to live, that sorrow would turn to joy, that those who seek will find. He rose that we might rise. He came to be with us for a time so that we might be with him forever.

Lord, teach us to know what we want, to want what you want, to want you. Amen.

By David C. Downing, codirector, with his wife Crystal, of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, Illinois. He is the author of numerous works, including, The Most Reluctant Convert and Planets in Peril, both on C. S. Lewis.

This devotional reading appears in The Grand Miracle: Daily Reflections for the Season of Advent, copyright (c) 2019, Christian History Institute, ISBN 978-1563649011

Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone!