The Coming of a King
As we journey through the season of Advent, we have four weeks of opportunities to spiritually prepare ourselves for the joyful news of the arrival of God’s Son, the Messiah. For most of us, having the self-discipline to concentrate on reading the prophecies of the Old Testament and studying their meaning, is something of a challenge. After all, we live in a society that absolutely loves all things Christmas, and delights in celebrating early and enthusiastically with every song, story, legend, and tradition that it can possibly come up with.
As everyday 21st century people, study, meditation, thoughtful prayer and contemplation are, unfortunately, not usually part of our everyday lives. We do give it a try, of course, and our intentions are sincere, even if the result is not all that inspirational. Worship on the Sundays of Advent provides us with an opportunity to reflect, and if we quietly absorb that hour, sharing in word and sacrament, singing and hearing the music, our hearts can become ready for the message of our Savior’s birth.
However, our lessons and hymns during Advent are not solely focused on quiet preparation and prayer. The prophecies of the Old Testament are in many ways more of a call to arms than to prayer. God’s people were promised a king, and a king was one who conquered those who opposed his rule, who had an army ready to go to war, and who would reign with justice and mercy over his people. This description of God’s Messiah made sense to the people to whom the prophets were speaking. The physical, earthly power bestowed by God upon their savior king would give them lives of peace, prosperity, and harmony. No other nations would attack or interfere with them, and they and their descendants would be able to live by God’s laws.
After what seems like endless waiting, hoping, and clinging to the promise, we find ourselves turning to the Gospels, and almost out of the blue, events begin to occur bringing the prophecy into sharp focus.
We hear the account of the quiet, nearly anonymous arrival of an infant, and the unusual events that occurred at the time. All seemed quiet for a time, and then that child, grown to adulthood, embarked on a ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing, and turned the idea of the expected Savior King upside down. He was not dressed in fine clothing, he certainly had no army, and he did not come as one who could conquer all enemies. Rather, he came as the one who brought a message of love and forgiveness, opening the doors of God’s kingdom to all. And this, then, is how the Creator God chose to enter human existence, to live among us, to teach us how to live with one another, and to lead us into a relationship with him.
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers