Advent Thoughts

Breathless anticipation. The world waited for the promised seed of the woman--the One who would crush the head of the serpent and redeem Adam's fallen children for good. Prophet after prophet foretold what was coming: The Messiah would be born of a virgin, in Bethlehem. He would sit on David's throne. He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The world waited; creation groaned, and then, in the fullness of time -- The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

As a result, every boy in that town under the age of two was murdered.

Wait - what? This story is supposed to be nice and sweet, meek and mild. What is that doing there? And what is going on after that? This child grows up and is stalked by Satan; his family opposes his mission; his friends die; other friends desert him while one betrays him unto death. He suffers the most horrible death imaginable, but worse - undergoes the full wrath of God for sins he didn't even commit.

He rose again. He ascended to heaven. He is coming again to judge the living and the dead and take his sheep to eternal pastures he has prepared for them.

Oh, but in the meantime babies are still getting murdered. My friends are suffering. My heart is often in turmoil. My sin seems to rule me so that what I do is not the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Whatever happens, whatever you see,
Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me--
This is not, not the end.
I am making all things new again.

(This song--and video--are really worth your time)