Adventus

In Advent we celebrate, day by day, the eager anticipation and preparation for the arrival of Jesus on earth. Advent season is full of preparations. We prepare delicious dishes for holiday get-togethers with family, friends, and coworkers. Holiday decor is pulled down from the attic, up from the basement, and strewn about the house, workplace, and church to prepare for visitors. We may bake sweet treats for our friends "just because," and we raid the local malls to find just the right gifts for everyone. At church, we light candles and sing familiar hymns as we prepare for the culminating day that celebrates the coming of the Light of the World. The growing list of preparations can become a spiritless to-do list and rob us of the Advent joy God intended for us. But when we pause from preparations and acknowledge the broken places we need Jesus to enter into, who can resist reaching out for all the life and hope God intends for us in this season?

This year, my heart has resonated strongly with the Advent cry for Jesus to come. Like those living in the 400 empty years between the last Old Testament prophet and the arrival of the Christchild, I am hopefully waiting for a word, a sign from God, anything to hear from Him and know His presence. Like Abraham and Sarah waited for a child, David waited to become king, and Jacob waited for Rachel, I too am waiting and looking for the daily fulfillment of the promises made me: His peace, strength, wisdom, justice, counsel, power, and rest, to name a few.

This Advent season, I am desperate for Jesus' coming. I am desperate for Him to come into my heart and transform the disbelief I have found there. I long for him to come and direct my mind's thinking as I contemplate next steps after Brussels. I yearn for him to come and captivate my entire being to such an extent that every step I make here is one of submissive, worshipful obedience. I want Him to come into the Arab church and create committed disciples out of our congregation. I can't wait for Him to become the center of the families represented at church. I eagerly look for Him to come and reveal Himself as loving Father and irresistible Savior to my Muslim friends here. I've never yearned for Jesus to come like I have here.

We need Jesus to come. We need Him to come and dwell in our hearts and relationships just as He came and physically dwelt among people in the dusty Middle East years ago. Our families, communities, and churches desperately need the full and abundant life His coming offers.

Jesus wants to. He longs to teach and transform us as we ask for and await His coming. For me and for you, the question is whether we are ready for Him to come. Are we ready for Him to come into the hidden, disgraceful parts of us and set up camp there? Do we expect Him to come and take control of our relationships so they more fully display His love?

Have you been anticipating His arrival? Have we prepared a place to welcome Him in?