We live in a world in which “bigger and better” define our expectations for much of life. We have become so enamored by super-size, super-stars, and high-definition that we tend to overlook small things and their potential. But throughout the Scriptures, we find God usually works with small beginnings and impossible situations.
Most of the Biblical heroes are frail and imperfect:
- Abraham, the coward who cannot believe the promise;
- Jacob, the cheat who struggles with everybody;
- Joseph, the immature and arrogant teen;
- Moses, the impatient murderer who cannot wait for God;
- Gideon, the cowardly Baal-worshiper;
- Samson, the womanizing drunk;
- David, the power-abusing adulterer;
- Solomon, the unwise wise man;
- Hezekiah, the reforming king who could not quite go far enough;
- A very young Jewish girl from a small village in a remote corner of a great empire.
Listen to young children, recite the words of Handel’s Messiah, look to the leaves falling in
the crisp morning light – this is the wonder of Advent. While many today talk
about the death of Jesus and the atonement of sins, the early Church celebrated
the Resurrection and the hope it embodied. Advent is a time of expectation for
the Incarnation and Christ’s return in glory – a past and future orientation
filled with hope!
Those who have suffered and still hope understand more about
God and about life than those who have no suffered. Maybe that is what hope is
about: a way to live, not just to survive, and to live authentically amidst all
life’s problems with a faith that continues to see possibility simply because
God is God.
May our Advent be filled with wonder and hope.
From The Anglican Digest, Winter 2012
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