December 21
Micah 5.2-4
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
When I read the different prophetic texts used in Advent and Christmas, including those used by the Gospels and the Apostles in their letters, I find that the larger context has this harshness along with the hope that is there. Here we see the statement of abandonment that precedes the coming of the Messiah. Each text has its own circumstances that contain the pain and struggle of life in it.
I think it is when we embrace the pain and struggle of the texts that we can do the same with the pain and struggle of life. We see that the hope and joy of this season comes in the midst of the pain and struggles of this same season. Watching pastors and churches trying to worship in Advent in the Gaza strip. Seeing others looking for hope, peace, joy and love as they live alone, in poverty, on the streets, in addictions or abusive relationships.
Advent and Christmas don’t make things suddenly change into roses and champagne. That is the movie version we can watch on TV or in the theatre. Real life says that we celebrate in the midst of our own pains. Whether it be our aging, declining health, uncertain future, searching for employment, or many other things that cause us some type of pain.
Even as Israel waited for centuries, under the rule of other nations, they knew God was faithful and sending the promised Messiah. We know that the one for whom they waited; he will come again and restore things to the way they were meant to be. It may be a struggle for a time. But God is faithful and will keep that promise of full restoration, bringing true love, joy, peace and hope to us all.
Song – He Shall Feed His Flock
Prayer
O King of nations, your reign spreads through all the lands, you defend the cause of the poor and plead for the wretched of the earth. Fashion us into an obedient people, that we may spread the good news of your reign of perfect peace and justice, until all creation will finally rejoice in your perfect will, until all bend the knee to the King of kings and Lord of lords, in whose name we pray, even Jesus Christ, your Son and our Saviour. Amen.