Waiting…

As we draw closer to Christmas, I would like to challenge us to embrace the season we are in and celebrate it.  It is Advent.  A time of waiting, a time of reflection and a time of preparation.  

For God’s chosen people, their lives were filled with waiting.  Waiting on their Savior, the Messiah, was steeped deeply in Israel’s heart.  A longing for what the prophets had proclaimed was met with more waiting in silence.  Had God forgotten His children?

Without any advertisement or any great celebration, the silence was broken.   In an almost heartbreakingly humble way, God stepped out of heaven and into His broken creation.  Very few folks knew what was happening and they could hardly grasp the greatness of the moment.  

In a remote corner of Palestine under control of the great Roman Empire, the answer to the brokenness of humanity walked among us.  God on earth.  The Savior of the world walking, breathing and living like you and me.  

For thirty three years Jesus lived, worked, taught, and healed; yet very few knew Him and even fewer believed in Him.  Betrayed.  Abandon.  Killed.  Buried.  A sad little tale of a teacher with so much promise seemed to come to an end. 

Over 1500 years ago, the unstoppable and unbeatable Roman Empire came to a screeching halt.  Today this empire is no more than a pile of artifacts and chapters in history books.  

But that humble man, born into almost beggarly circumstance, is alive!  Out of the silence, with a thunderous clap, heaven came to earth.  Sin was defeated. 

Today that man, a man no one today has seen, commands the allegiance of millions.  From every corner of the globe men and women call Him friend and companion, and follow Him with a zeal and passion words cannot explain!

Paul described it beautifully, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters.”  (Galatians 4:4-5)

We are not celebrating a story, folklore or customs.  We are celebrating Jesus walking among us.  Living like us.  Salvation in our midst.