Advent Day 8: Beginning
"God loves the world.
God came into the world in the form of the people he created, the human race
(including you and me), who bear his image. God's creation of humanity in his
image gives hints of who he is, since we all are marked by his fingerprints.
But as flawed
humans, we give only a vague hint of God. Our broken reflection of God's image
is easily drowned out by our broken humanity. then, two thousand years ago, God
came in fullness. He came to all of us in Jesus. "
― Michael Spencer, Mere Churchianity
Looking a lot to the Beginning of Christmas
There are incredibly beautiful things in this world and, joyously, this is the season for many of my favorites:
...things like Christmas lights and peppermint mochas. winter scarves and boots. Gingerbread cookies and candles (these are not to be confused—don’t eat them both). The smell of spruce and/or cinnamon. Hot apple cider. Time with family. Even purple is in season (my favorite color happens to also be the liturgical color for Advent).
But all of these wonderful things happened after Christmas began. They happened long, loooong after God created the world. Long after people managed to mess it up with brokenness and sin and after God repeatedly offered words of comfort and forgiveness. When Isaiah said “the people who walk in darkness have seen a great light,” I doubt he meant the giant tree in Ocala’s downtown square. Likewise, the ancient biblical prophets who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah—they never tasted a Chestnut Praline latte or worried about which wrapping paper to buy. These things weren’t there in the beginning (which means they’re additions to and not the basic foundation and purpose of the season).
If we want the foundation, we need to go back to the beginning and, in the beginning, Christmas was a worship service—a time to celebrate and remember the beginning of Jesus’ life here on earth.
...And even in that beginning, there were many (like Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, poor shepherds and rich men) who marveled and rejoiced that this birth was an answer to thousand-year-old prophecies in the Old Testament; prophecies that proclaimed restoration, hope, salvation, healing, and connection with God.
...and those prophecies were in response to brokenness and injustice in the world. And these conditions happened because the world was experiencing separation from God (divorce from God’s intent)...separation which happened because of human sin and a failure to live rightly.
So—really—the beginning of Christmas isn’t in all the favorite things. The heart of Christmas is rooted in our deep need for God’s grace. We don’t like to think about it because candy canes and elf hats are more cute, but we need to face it—because it’s the truth.
...but the celebration is that God refuses to leave us in our darkness. God steps into it. In the beginning, God’s first act of creation was to separate the light from the darkness. And so, too, in Advent does God speak into our own dark places and bring us back to the beginning. Back to our created worth and purpose. God calls us back to the right relationship intended from the very beginning!
So, yes. this is a season of shiny celebration—but these things should reflect the true Light, not eclipse it from our attention. Let us remember that every good and perfect gift is from above—coming from the Father of lights. (James 1:17). So come, let us adore Christ our Lord. It’s the perfect season to begin.
If we want the foundation, we need to go back to the beginning and, in the beginning, Christmas was a worship service—a time to celebrate and remember the beginning of Jesus’ life here on earth.
...And even in that beginning, there were many (like Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, poor shepherds and rich men) who marveled and rejoiced that this birth was an answer to thousand-year-old prophecies in the Old Testament; prophecies that proclaimed restoration, hope, salvation, healing, and connection with God.
...and those prophecies were in response to brokenness and injustice in the world. And these conditions happened because the world was experiencing separation from God (divorce from God’s intent)...separation which happened because of human sin and a failure to live rightly.
So—really—the beginning of Christmas isn’t in all the favorite things. The heart of Christmas is rooted in our deep need for God’s grace. We don’t like to think about it because candy canes and elf hats are more cute, but we need to face it—because it’s the truth.
...but the celebration is that God refuses to leave us in our darkness. God steps into it. In the beginning, God’s first act of creation was to separate the light from the darkness. And so, too, in Advent does God speak into our own dark places and bring us back to the beginning. Back to our created worth and purpose. God calls us back to the right relationship intended from the very beginning!
So, yes. this is a season of shiny celebration—but these things should reflect the true Light, not eclipse it from our attention. Let us remember that every good and perfect gift is from above—coming from the Father of lights. (James 1:17). So come, let us adore Christ our Lord. It’s the perfect season to begin.
"Advent of Our God (All Glory)" by Ben Grace & Michael Coia
Track #1
Tomorrow’s word: The Word →
Track #1
The advent of our
God
Our prayers must now
employ,
And we must meet him
on his road
With hymns of holy
joy.
The everlasting Son
Incarnate stoops to
be,
Himself a servant's
form puts on
To set His people
free.
...To the Son who comes
to set us free.
To the Spirit all in
harmony
Through all
eternity.
Tomorrow’s word: The Word →
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