Advent past and to come.
Advent Past
When we tear away the wrapping paper, pull back the tinsel, turn off the fairy lights, forget the TV ads that sell dreams of Santa Clause and wonderlands, what is left? Presents, material gifts and toys that fill the imagination of children to bursting and the minds of many parents to despair, as they wrestle meagre budgets in the struggle to make ends meet. Seeking ways to provide somethings, and at the same time explain why Santa couldn’t bring as much this year as last. Trying in vain to stem the flow of tears from dashed dreams in tender hearts. But resting and buried deep underneath the marketing blurb and lights of Xmas, where Christ has been far removed, resides the birthplace of the one true gift, which birthed our very tradition of gift giving.
A truth from long ago that is deliberately being erased from our collective memory by many. The story of a borrowed stable in Bethlehem, where we find the greatest gift, the world has ever received. A perfect gift of love given by the Almighty, which who was the Messiah, our saviour. Sent from heaven to save his people Israel, and also the world. Emmanuel, God with us, he stepped into our fallen world of darkness in the form of the helpless baby Jesus, bringing the joy and hope of salvation to the whole world.
In Church we call this season “Advent”, meaning coming or arrival. It’s a time when we remember the first coming of Jesus. The light of the world who left the realms of heaven and entered into our world of darkness as the lamb of God to save us from our sins. We celebrate his birth in the bleak mid-winter, when the days are shortest in length, symbolising the darkness of our fallen world and the light of Christ entering in.
As we look back to the first coming of Jesus, we see the unfolding of the entire story as we remember Gods promise in OT scripture. The promise of the coming saviour that was foretold by the prophet Isaiah in Chp 7:14 when God said that he would give the people a sign
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel
Then a few chapters later we read in Isaiah 9:6 that the prophet foretold that our saviour, this baby boy, would be none other than God himself
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Moving forward to the NT we see the fulfilment of the prophecy and God’s promise, recorded in Matthew Chp 2 and Luke Chp 4. Here we read the story of the virgin Mary, Joseph, and the birth of the baby Jesus. The nativity of our Saviour, who was born in a stable in Bethlehem, because there was no room left in the Inn.
One thing that strikes me as I read the nativity accounts, and perhaps something you may also have wondered, is why was our Messiah, the Son of God born in such modest and humble surroundings, and not in a palace that was more fitting for a king?
As I considered this, thoughts came to me about the things that I have created and about how pleased I was with them.
Have you ever made anything? Perhaps you’ve built a table from wood, or knit a jumper, even cooked a fine Christmas meal. Something that someone else has complimented you on. Compliments such as; that’s well made, it so warm and soft, or that was delicious. Instantly when we receive such praise we are filled with a glow of self-achievement. Gratitude and compliments fill us with delight, and to some extent pride, am I right? Yeah.
Now, think back to the book of Genesis, where we read that after God created this universe and everything in it, he rested from his work and reflected upon his creation. We’re told that after each day he saw that it was good and on the final day that it was very good.
It then occurred to me, if the humblest of locations was suitable for God’s Son? especially since God deemed it sufficient and “very good” then why wouldn't it be sufficient for all of us. When God chose to send his son into our fallen world, he fittingly chose the humblest of location and family for his Son to be born into. If God had chosen a palace surrounded by the temporal things that humanity considers statements of wealth, surely this would be contrary to what God deems as real wealth, which is love and relationship. Instead, God saw that a borrowed stable, in the company of animals was “very good” and suitable company for His Son. Simply because here there is no falseness, no glitter, no glam and no pride. That’s the world that God created, and it is very good.
Again, if it’s good enough for the Son of God, our Saviour, Emmanuel, then it’s more than good enough for us. Born into the humblest of families, he didn’t abhor the virgin womb or the environment of a humble stable; because it was part of the world that He had created.
But here’s a thought, if the humble stable is readily acceptable for God, then why are we, created beings, shocked at its sparsity and humility? Perhaps as we figure out the answer, we find within it some insights that reveal the very things that God places value upon. We know that in God there is no sin, no sin of pride, or none of the arrogance that resides in mortal hearts. Perhaps when we look at the stable with fresh eyes, then we see what was “very good” and acceptable for the Son of God.
Advent awaited
And so having looked back to Jesus’s first coming, we now look forward to his second coming. It’s been approximately 2000 years since his first coming. Shortly after which the world rejected him, crucifying him on a cross. He gave himself as a pascal lamb, carrying our sins on the cross as he died in our place. But three days later God raised him from the dead, defeating the very power of death itself. He appeared many times and was seen by hundreds before ascending into heaven, leaving us with the Holy Spirit until he returns gain. Thankfully before ascending, he promised to return at the eschaton, the end of the world, for a second and final time. Today we patiently await this second coming. Knowing that this time he will return not as a sacrificial Lamb, but as the Lion of Judah accompanied by heaven’s Angel armies to claim his Church and pass judgment on the nations of the world.
We don’t know the exact date and time of his return. Matthew writes in Chp 24:36 that even Jesus himself doesn’t know when he will return.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.
Thankfully he did tell us that there are signs to watch out for that will indicate that his return is near. Jesus spoke about all types of natural disasters and wars to watch out for, that will increase in frequency as the time gets nearer to his return. He described these as birthing pains.
But there is a key indicator that is far more revealing than any number of wars and disasters that we should watch out for. Jesus told the Jewish religious leaders, and he was speaking directly to them when he gave this prophecy; we find it in Matthew 39:37-39
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Today the people of Israel are beginning to realise that Jesus was who he said he was, the Messiah that was promised by the Almighty. Today the remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel is being called and gathered just like “a hen gathers her chicks under her wings’ ready for his final return. So keep your eyes on Israel and you will now when the time is near!
Finally, this Christmas as we look back to the first advent, remembering the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us; may all of our hearts offer him a place to stay this Christmas. May all humanity finally welcome him in, finding him while he still stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. And may all of us be found ready, looking forward to his second coming with hearts full of love and joy as we, God's people, cry out as God's people, “Maranatha”, which means “come Lord Jesus”.
“Maranatha, come Lord Jesus”, and Merry Christmas,
God bless,
Trev.