"He shall defend the afflicted among the people,save the children of the poor." - Ps 72:4
As a teacher, I've spent so much of Advent awaiting the break. It is truly amazing how a season that lasts little more than four weeks can seem so long! The readings up to this point have been building up. It turns in to a journey up a mountain. Matthew's Gospel accounts the generations which have passed in order for this event to happen. The Jews awaiting the coming Messiah. The Baptist is crying out in the desert, "Prepare the way of the Lord!" We, as Christians, are caught in suspense much like the Hebrews. We have been awaiting the return of Christ, embodied by the celebration of Christmas. The journey is not meant to be easy, no journey ever is. But, your ability to traverse life is a matter of preparation. How are you preparing for the coming of the Anointed One?
The Hebrews had over 300 years of silence from the last of the Old Testament Prophets until John. At this stage in our travels through Advent John is dead, the last of the Prophets is gone, and we are left in disarray. Disillusioned, abandoned, and saddened by the God we thought had lead us through the generations. Can you feel the Evil Spirit moving? But this is merely the calm before the storm that God has planned in our lives. We may be dry now, but the source of Eternal Springs has been promised. Just as the Hebrews were promised so long ago, we await the Christ. We find ourselves crying out "O come o come, Emmanuel!"
What is it that you are looking for from God in this season?
What about in your life?
Does the waiting, the dryness, make the season more difficult, or does it make the end all the more tantalizing?
Let us ask God is this time to send down one who will provide a light while we await in the darkness.
"O come o come, Emmanuel!
And ransom captive Israel that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee Oh Israel!"
reflected by Matthew Keppel
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