Advent is about disciplined waiting. It should be at least. It is about expectancy. It needs to be at least. It is about hope. It has to be. A few years ago in an endeavour to be trendy and “environmentally friendly” I gave two relatives a present of a goat. Not one goat, you understand, but two goats, and not in person (that would be so 2006 !) but in virtual form through a charity which places goats with people, virtually – you know the kind. Despite the pleasantries and thanks, the facial expressions said it all – “what do i do with a goat?”. It was as though this unexpected gift threw the default of normality, upset the usual. I want to be upset during advent – not emotionally – although that might happen – but in my thinking and activities. Will I be open enough to let God do the unusual, the unexpected? Imagine the Jewish theologians looking at the stable with faces that said “what will we do with a baby?” We are not so far removed from that view today……………..
So, I can’t tell if you’ll be offended or not – but your blog came up as a related link to mine. It’s purely in humor and good fun, and I promise I’m not usually that crude, but I have a topic called “The Goat Question” on my site. Perhaps it will give you a laugh.
In any case, I think it’s absolutely amazing that you gave someone two goats. That’s the single most unique present I’ve heard of in this day and age. It sure beats the heck out of giving someone a shower curtain.