Preparing For Christmas

According to Greek mythology, King Augeus owned a stable with 3,000 oxen. Their stalls had not been cleaned out for 30 years—hence our English word Augean, which refers to something exceedingly filthy.

Hercules, the mythical strong man, was commanded to clean the Augean stable in a single day. When He first saw the stable, he was dismayed by its size, filthiness, and steaming stench.

As he thought about how he would undertake such a task, he noticed that the stable was located between two great rivers, the Alpheus and the Peneus. So Hercules applied his great strength and worked throughout the day, diverting the rivers so that they flowed through the great building. And within a short time the rushing waters flushed the stable clean.

The story is a myth, of course, but myths by their very nature preserve the yearnings of the cultures that embrace and perpetuate them. I believe the story is reflective of our own longing to have the accumulated waste and filth washed from our lives.

At this time, when we are moving from the darkness at the beginning of Advent, to the light of Christ’s birth, we are reminded of the powerful river of forgiveness that flows from the cross. Nothing - no defilement whatsoever, can withstand the cleansing and healing flow that comes from our relationship with the living Christ within us.

As we once again prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, perhaps it’s time to first cleanse ourselves. By lightening that load we’re carrying, perhaps we’ll gain a greater perspective on what we really should value on Christmas day.

Loving Father, give me courage to confess, to bare my heart to You. Forgive my transgressions, Oh Lord, that I may use my renewed life to serve You and be a living image of Your word. Amen

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