Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened – I will give you rest. This is what Jesus tells us today as our message in the middle of our Advent
journey, in this time of preparation and waiting. This message is to bring us comfort in the midst of this journey as we prepare
for the coming of Savior’s birth into the world. We all know people who are burdened with a lot of things in their lives – with
guilt or anger or resentment - with so many things that are weighing them
down. Yet, Jesus goes on to say that we should take his yoke upon our shoulders. When I think of a yoke, I think of that
wooden crosspiece that is fastened around the neck of an ox or another animal
that allows it to pull a wagon or a plow. I don’t see a yoke as something that is comfortable or something that we would
willingly assume in our lives. But, Jesus is telling us that his yoke is different, that it reflects the
humility and meekness of his heart. Through Christ’s yoke, we will find rest.
It is hard to give up our burdens because we become accustomed to them, we get
used to carrying them around with us. Even though they are burdens, it is difficult to shed them, to get rid of them. Yet, we need to take that first step in releasing them and in assuming Christ’s
yoke in our lives. This is not an easy thing to do, that is for sure. Yet, Christ will show us the way. We can just sit back and complain about the way we see things, about all that
is burdening us and weighing us down. But what can we do that is proactive? What can we do to get Jesus to become integrated more fully into our lives during
this season of Advent, to help us to develop and grow?
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