It is November 26th. Thanksgiving has passed. I have my feet propped up, I’m all cozy in our living room, sipping a cup of hot tea listening to my favorite advent album, “Behold the Lamb of God,” by Andrew Peterson. Most of the calendar year passes and I try not to listen to it. But, as the air becomes crisp and December approaches, I just can’t help it.
I confess to you that this year has been more arduous for me emotionally than I planned; long before autumn gave way to cooler temperatures, rough winds of life battered my heart. I found a longing brewing, even swelling in my soul. There was a need, and I couldn’t deny it.
I’ve been trying to remember what makes Advent special. Why is Christmastime so necessary? And I’m not talking about a special present that was given to me, or the joy of giving to others or any of those wonder-filled things. What is it about the birth of Christ that I need?
That’s the miracle I’ve been searching for, the warmth that comes at advent. I remember what it feels like. I do. But those harsh, cold winds blew out any embers that had been burning. So, I’m snuggled up, listening to music of advent, reflecting on His arrival, waiting for hope to fill this heart of mine…
And I realize… Its not just a warmth. I need the ache …
I wonder what it was like to hope for His arrival? to hope for this Son of God, Son of man to be born?
I think my situation is mild in comparison to the children of Israel who waited for their Messiah so long ago. If I’m anxious to revive my heart, oh what they must have felt. I have history to rehearse…They were waiting to make history. The ache that must have burned in their hearts while they were awaiting the arrival of their Savior, The Promise! How they must have shed tears begging for prophecy to be fulfilled!
O Come, O Come Emmanuel…
Their longing must have been intense, their wait terribly long. But they knew the future of nations depended on it. Prophets had foretold HE was coming and the people had believed it… Did the cold winds blow out their embers of hope? When He arrived, were their hearts barely glowing?
These cries of the Israelites are not so far off from what I feel in my own heart and spirit at this time of year. Even as they, so long ago awaited the birth of the Savior, today we wait. I’m a believer who has been given new life in Christ, and still at this time of year I sense the need to ache. I want to feel that fiery intensity; longing and hoping for Him to fulfill prophecy again, just as He did all of those years ago.
Come, O Redeemer Come!
As I sit here a little longer and let the warm music run over my soul, I feel my heart ignite at the wonder of His arrival all of those years ago. God incarnate; He chose to come and dwell on the earth, here with us. My heart begins to glow with new fervor as I remember this: our God is a covenant keeping God. Knowing He came then, there is newly lit hope with the belief that He will come again to redeem this broken world!
This is the beauty of Advent that I need… the warmth that comes from remembering and knowing He fulfilled His promise the first time, but also the ache of waiting and hoping for Him to return to make this world new.
Blessed Redeemer, We long for your return. O come, O come Emanuel. Make our hearts ready for your arrival. amen.
daily portion 