Advent is Upon US!

It is the time of year beautifully placed between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Through her rich bluish clouds and highlighted purples, light eagerly builds on the edges, piercing through in some places. There is an ever-developing anticipation that occurs upon the first candle lite on the round wreath made of spruce and holly. This is the liturgical season of Advent. The season in which the days grow short and the darkness comes early. Yet it is no ordinary, nor is it a frightening darkness, rather it is one filled with the opulence of the divine.

The days are filled with the lovely fragrance of the Tea Olive plant, as the Camilla’s bud at the first touch of cooler weather. There is more than just a charge in the air there is an eagerness and hopefulness that rides on the winds. Something in the very center of the cosmos has stirred and awoke. From the heart of the divine, expectancy drapes a sheer translucent shroud of fine linin lightly laced over the world.

Can you feel the overwhelming sense of joy that is anxiously building, ready to explode across God’s creation? Mary says, “yes” to the angel. The Christ Child will soon be born as Angels visit both Mary and Elizabeth. The one who is to point the way of the Lord kicks inside the pregnant Elizabeth at his first encounter with his cousin Jesus, carried within the holy womb of Mary. Life has changed in the world, but as of yet no one realizes the sheer magnitude of transformation that is about to be released in the cosmos. Yet there is an excitement in the air. Perhaps the winds of change are stirring bringing a long lost and forgotten hope to God’s people. The prophecy of Isaiah rings with truth, a Messiah is to be born of a Virgin.

A voice of one crying out in he wilderness is heard like thunder in the desert. The waters of Baptism are alive and the sins of the penitent lie stagnant upon the surface of the Jordan. All the while the anticipation grows. The Baptist points to who it is to come, one whose sandal thongs he is not even worthy to tie.

Advent is such an important season, yet we in the Christian faith often overlook. We miss the stories, and the anticipation and joy of the season. It is too easy to jump right into Christmas, but we are not there yet! ‘O Come o Come Emmanuel’ rings in our ears and hearts. ‘Lo he Comes with Clouds Descending,’ resounds throughout the creation. The magnificent Second Coming of Christ is anticipated as well, swollen with all the train of saints behind him.

Christ in his glory is upon us breeching the clouds and parting the heavens. Down rains his majesty and magnificence. A real sense of wonder fills the chilly air. Our Savior is coming and is yet to come. Sing Halleluiah! “The Redeemer of the nations, come; reveal yourself in virgin birth, the birth which ages all adore, a wondrous birth, befitting God.” (Hymn #55 vs.1).