Open Doors -- Day 5

I’m really into Advent Calendars this year – particularly the ones where you open little doors to see what’s inside. Steve and I even made a big one to use in Advent worship this year. Here is a picture of it being placed for Hanging of the Greens.

There’s something about the idea of opening doors that seems appropriate for Advent. There are so many “openings” in the stories leading up to the birth of Jesus that helped make that miracle happen: Mary and Elizabeth open their wombs, Joseph opens his heart, the innkeepers open their stable.

An open door suggests invitation, welcome, and openness to the new thing or stranger that may come through that door. An open door means the wall in front of us is not a barrier – there is a way in.  And opening a door suggests a willingness to be delighted with whatever surprises await us behind it. Open doors let in the light.

Closed doors can shut us out, or shut out the world. Closed doors are barriers to connection. Closed doors make us wonder if they are locked, and so will never open. Closed doors turn thresholds into walls. Closed doors can make us feel safe, but can also imprison. 

If Mary, or Joseph, or Elizabeth, or the innkeeper had not invited or welcomed in the divine when it appeared at their "doors," if they had remained closed -- would there have even been a Christmas?

As we open the little doors of our Advent calendars – literally or metaphorically – perhaps we should consider: What doors in our lives need to be opened? Are we opening doors or building walls?  Do we approach each day with gratitude and hopefulness, trusting God to see us safely across each threshold on our life journey, or do we shut and lock our doors in anger or fear?

Prayer:  God of the open door, help me to open the doors of my heart and my life to see the light of Your grace shining in. Amen.