advent
Many people expect that “push the button instant pop” experience in our culture today. We get frantic when things don’t tick the way we tock. There’s panic if the internet goes down, our phones need charging and we can’t find the cord kind of panic. We want the “drive thru menu” without waiting patiently for the roast to finish cooking in the oven. Instant Gratification. When we go on a diet, we want the pounds to drop immediately. We’re at the stop light and it takes forever for the green to show so we can speed along. We tap our feet in line ups, drum our fingers on tabletops when we get impatient. We’re late! Get moving. Now!
Some may notice that for thousands of years Mother Earth lies in silence never worrying about her pace. Oh, yes, she occasionally shows her displeasure with a wild storm, flashes of lightning, an earthquake or spewing lava, but she graciously beckons each season and patiently watches as either buds and blossoms show their array of colors or sits mezmoraized by the white snowflakes dancing across the prairie grasses. She is in no hurry. We on the other hand, are anxiously defined by time as we wait for spring to arrive or welcome snow for Christmas Day.
And yet, the first 5 books of the bible (Pentateuch) reveal much about patience and waiting for Jesus, the coming Messiah who came to destroy Satan and deliver salvation to mankind. The Israelites had to wait thousands of years. God’s plan of redemption seemed to occur in small steps spread out over long lengths of time, but God is not restricted by time and Paul writes that Jesus came “at the appointed time” (Galatians 4:4). And so, as we begin the “countdown” to Christmas, light the first Advent candle, expectanty waiting and preparing for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, let us also be patient as we wait for his return.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7