...standing tall and proud, towering over all the baristas and myself, beckoning me, calling me closer, inviting me to fill them with frothy milk and pumpkin spice.
This truly is one of my favorite days of the entire year. I'm not quite sure what it is. I mean, I'm sure there are some superficial reasons attached to my adoration of the red cups...like gingerbread lattes and twinkle lights and permission to watch Home Alone everyday and letters to the North Pole and visions of sugar plums dancing in my head...but for me, I feel as though it is representative of something much more. Much bigger. Much deeper.
Growing up in a liturgical church, one thing I have really appreciated has been the observance of the 'seasons of the church' that help guide us through periods of time leading up to significant moments in history, particularly in relation to the life of Jesus. I believe in observing the Liturgical calendar because it so often helps posture me for what's coming. Advent has always been my favorite season in the church - and I always find myself ready to celebrate it before the church says it is time to. Advent is widely known as a season when we sing about silent nights and snowmen and boughs of holly...but why? It is also known in most churches as a season of expectation and preparation...but for what? The word 'advent' derives from the Latin word 'adventus' which means 'coming.' And 'adventus' was translated from the Greek word 'parousia' which was commonly used in reference to the second coming of the Christ. So, while much of the focus of Advent is on a manger, a star, a baby in swaddling cloths, and nasty chocolates that we pull out of cardboard calendars, the excitement that builds in me is the reality of the destiny of that little babe, the Christ child. He would lead a perfect life, die for you and me, come back for you and me and reconcile us to the Father. And He will also come again...and He will come in GLORY for me and for you - His bride. 'He's not like any other man' is what we've been singing a lot at the place where I worship...and it's true...there's no one else like Him. I keep getting glimpses of Him that usher in even more truth to this reality.
So - all of that just from the arrival of the red cups. But I encourage you to go to Starbucks, order a triple grande, non-fat, no whip pumpkin spice latte, go sit under a tree and ponder on the truth of the promises we live under when we are in Christ Jesus - and see what it does to your heart.
O Come, O Come, EMMANUEL.
