"Bethlehem Ephrath, you are one of the smallest towns in the
nation of Judah. But the LORD will choose one of your people to
rule the nation-- someone whose family goes back to ancient
times. 3The LORD will abandon Israel only until this ruler is
born, and the rest of his family returns to Israel. 4Like a
shepherd taking care of his sheep, this ruler will lead and care
for his people by the power and glorious name of the LORD his
God. His people will live securely, and the whole earth will
know his true greatness, 5because he will bring peace."
Micah 5:2-5 (Contemporary English Version)
_________________________________________________________________
Before Christmas, there is advent. Christmas marks the birth of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who was born into human
history. Jesus is the Word of God who “became flesh and dwelt
among us” (John 1:14). We all know before a child is born that
there is a time of waiting in expectation. For the church, this
waiting season is called advent.
Advent comprises the four Sundays before Christmas morning. If
advent is the preparation for Christmas morning, one might say
that department stores and other shopping venues really get into
this season of preparation. Many of them begin preparing in
JULY! This kind of preparation is not exactly the heart of
advent. Preparing for Christmas is more than shopping for
Christmas presents and having parties; it is about preparing our
hearts to receive Christ anew. During the advent season the
church sings songs such as “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.”
Many churches light a candle on an advent wreath every week,
leaving the last, center candle, the Christ candle, to be lit on
Christmas Eve symbolizing that the light in our dark world has
come.
“Advent” has its roots in the Latin word adventus, or coming.
Why do we continue to celebrate the coming of a birth that has
already taken place? As Christians we live betwixed and between.
Our savior has already come years ago in Bethlehem, but we wait
for Jesus to come again and bring the fullness of God’s kingdom
here on earth. In other words, we live in the “already, and not
yet.” In our preparations, we do not merely remember Jesus
coming to us in Bethlehem, but we also prepare for his final
coming when God’s kingdom shall be complete.
Advent is a chance to start over. Many of us think of the new
year, beginning January 1, as a chance to make things right. We
make resolutions that we vow to follow in the year ahead. Rarely
do we think of advent as that opportunity. Advent marks the new
year in the Christian calendar. It is a prime opportunity to
have Christ born anew in our hearts. Jesus was light born into a
dark world. He led people out of darkness into light. What dark
places abide in you? Where do you need to experience light and
hope?
Prayer: Come, thou, long expected Jesus, born to set me free;
from my fears and sins release me, let me find my rest in thee.
Amen.
-
“Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley, 1744
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Leigh S. Martin
Reinhardt College Chaplain
