Of course, it only takes one quick glance at the headlines to see the "not yet" part of the equation. The Kingdom of God may be already - but it is not yet complete. The beginning of the Advent season showers us with reminders to "prepare the way" not just to remember the baby in a manger but prepare the way for the KING of Kings to return, that there is more work to be done.
We begin our church year in Advent with this clear remind of the "already" AND the "not yet."
Life in the church - in any church - is full of "not yet" moments! Because we are human, it cannot be helped. There will always be moments when we shake our heads at something someone said or did, at a news headline, during a church meeting and say, "nope...I just don't see the Kingdom of God in THIS."
In a way, that makes Messy Church truthful advertising. We are a Messy Church - but we are also a messy church. We cannot help ourselves any more than any other church, any other community, any other family. Life together in the "not yet" will always be a bit messy. And so at least with Messy Church, we claim that title for what it is - truth.
However, even when the "not yet" seems to completely overwhelm us - the "ALREADY" is truly present with us. We just have to look for it! For every reminder of the "not yet," we have plenty of reminders of the "already," reminders of the Emmanuel, God With Us. We see it in the leadership of our youth. We hear it in the honest responses of our children (One dad asked his kids "what is a disciple?" Leave it to the kids to nail it = a friend of Jesus.) We feel the "already" in the excitement of the season.
Don't get so caught up in the "not yet" moments that you cannot see the "already" moments! That is the challenge of Advent, and the challenge of any disciple of Jesus the Christ. The world is messy, the church is messy - but we can live with the mess as long as we can see the beauty in the "already."
Take time this Advent season to prepare - for yourself and your family. Watch for those "already" moments - look, and you WILL see, God With Us.

Also, we hope you will join us for a Messy Christmas on Sunday, December 21 at 4pm. Activities begin at 4pm; worship is at 5pm and please join us for dinner following the service.
Happy Advent!!
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