ADVENT IV
December 24, 2023
“Anticipation . . . And . . . Arrival!”
It was Christmas Eve, and the church was bright and busy, as musicians were heading for their places, those arriving hung up coats, greeted one another, found their seats, and settled in to enjoy the beautiful prelude. The sanctuary was warm and light, and soon many chairs and pews were occupied. The music concluded, the lights dimmed, and a peaceful quiet came over the room. Into the hush the delicate carillon notes of “Carol of the Bells” poured out like liquid silver, and my heart filled with its beauty. When the bells stopped, a moment of silent anticipation again hung in the air. The lights blazed into brightness and the organ burst forth with “O Come, All Ye Faithful” as we rose to greet the arrival of the newborn king with praise and adoration.
There are times when a worship experience carries exceptional meaning, and that Christmas at St. Andrew is still a warm, beautiful memory. The glorious music, the opportunity to hear the familiar, forever-new story, and worshipping with those we love came together to create a joyful experience. These four weeks of Advent have flown by, probably in part because of the everyday distractions of life, and to some extent, because we aren’t always sure what involves an Advent observance. So let’s wrap up the season with a look back by listening to the prophecies of the Old Testament, and God’s promise to his people that the time would come when they would be released from the bondage of sin and the demands of the law,
As we turn to the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke describes the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The first chapter tells us of the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, announcing to her that she has been chosen to be the mother of God’s Son, followed by an account of the late-in-life pregnancy of Mary’s relative, Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah. When Mary visits, Elizabeth exclaims, “And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” This is probably the first testimony that Mary’s child-to-be is the Messiah. And remember, Elizabeth’s child, John, baptized Jesus, testifying that he was God’s Son.
The anticipation continues, with an account of the Roman rulers conducting a census, requiring Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. The journey is exhausting and difficult, and there is nowhere for them to stay, except in a little barn or stable, so they try to get comfortable, and then the baby is on the way!
And like babies throughout the generations, there are only moments between anticipation and arrival — the child is expected and then he’s here! God comes to us in human form, a baby who is crying and fussing and hungry, and then who also is sleepy and quiet and soft and cuddly, and so very real. We still have a little time to prepare and to enjoy the anticipation, and then, the angel appears, saying, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:12) And the world was changed.
Loving every moment of these days,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers