"A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes...and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"While fulfilling these sacred obligations at the temple, they encountered a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a just an pious man, anticipating the liberation for Israel from her troubles. He was a man in touch with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Liberating King. The Spirit had led him to the temple that day, and there he saw the child Jesus in the arms of His parents, who were fulfilling their sacred obligations..." - Luke 2: 25-28, The Voice
“Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience.” Handel Brown
I don't know when God told Simeon he would see the Christ. In my imaginings I feel it might have been in his youth. Simeon a young man full of expectations & dreams, striving to follow God's heart. In his eagerness I wonder if he caught glimpses only to be disappointed when it wasn't what God had promised. I wonder if he ever just completely gave up all hope of that promise becoming an actuality.
The struggles of my faith have often left me staggering from shattered dreams, heartbreaks, unexpected turmoil. The chere magnitude of this fallen world can often open up & swallow you hole. In the midst of the the blackness & pain it is hard to find the light. The pitch turns us in circles, clawing for a bright moment.
In these moments of deep pain is where I meet God. He comes seeking me in these times because He knows I will have an open heart, eyes to see & ears to hear, to what He has for me. I am so eternally thankful for the thousand broken dreams, heartaches, and misfortunes that come my way. Do I sometimes wish this road wasn't so painful...yes! But, in the end if it wasn't for the pain I could not feel His restoration, His plan, & His love for me!
As He promised Simeon that He would see the Christ, so God has given me a clear vision of the horizon. The beautiful cascading sunset of rich amber, purple, & gold has not lost its magic for me. I've lost sight of it from time to time in the forest of my own self-pity, but it is an amazing thing...this hope He sets in our hearts. He NEVER gives up on us. The shere thought of the God of the Universe losing his Deity, of His own free will, to come as a helpless baby can leave you breathless. What manner of love is this?
Throughout the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, you see people praising God. The angels, Mary, Elizabeth...the glory goes back to Him every time!
"Now, Lord and King, You can let me, Your humble servant, die in peace. You promised me that I would see with my own eyes what I'm seeing now: Your liberation, Raised up in the presence of all peoples. He is the light who reveals Your message to the other nations, and He is the shining glory of your covenant people, Israel." - Luke 2: 29-32, The Voice
I love the resolution in this proclamation that Simeon gives. It is like a deep intake of breath. A sigh, a comfort, that God does what He says He is going to do.
The past two years I have just barely begun scratching the surface of the Advent season. I feel like a baby who has taken her first bite of solid food. It is exhilarating & a little scary. Uncertain if I know how to work my mouth around this new substance, quite certain I will choke on its magnitude.
The lighting of a candle is such a holy experience. You can see why the Catholic faith allows you to light a candle for someone. This tiny little flame will illumine an entire room, casting the darkness to the far corners. The closer you get to the flame the clearer you can see the things around it. You can also feel the precious heat coming from its amber glow. If you pick it up and carry it with you the shadows & darkness will flee where you tread. In the presence of this tiny flame your heart slows, your mind is more reflective. There is a quietness in the moment that cannot be found anywhere else.
HOPE...the first candle lit...the hope that Jesus came as a baby, he healed the sick & comforted the hurting, He died on the cross & rose again, & one glorious day He is coming again.
LOVE...the second candle lit...what manner of love is this that would forsake all to come as a Lamb for slaughter to rescue his beloved.
PEACE...the third candle lit...what delicious peace we find in the love of Christ. We are settled in our faith, assured of our future in His abundant care!
JOY...the fourth candle lit...JOY TO THE WORLD!!!! What a wonderful celebration...He is here, He is risen, He abides with us...the living breathing, literal Immanuel, God with US!
JESUS...the final candle lit...White as He made us...saving us from sin, loving us, giving us a hope!
Happy Birthday Jesus...oh incarnate one...holy, lowly, & divine! Oh find favor in this humble heart of mine, be reborn in me this night!
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