The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive the blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Psalm 24: 1-6
Through the days of Advent preparation, the gift of God’s grace to our world and to us is one freely given. We, too, have a gift for God. The Psalmist draws a picture of the preparation: the gift of clean hands and of pure hearts, of honesty and truth. When we buy the five-pound bag of flour or the five-pound bag of sugar, do we not expect full measure? When the recipe calls for a tablespoon of seasoning, do we not find that a teaspoon leaves something to be desired? Honesty before God is our gift to him in these Advent days.
