adventing ..

it's christmas, whatever that means for you

there is (has been for some time) a movement within christendom that looks to be original and groundbreaking by deconstructing the scriptures, removing the non-scientific (miracles, including the virgin birth), questioning the authenticity of the texts, relegating to 'fable' many of the stories - basically undoing the divine nature of the bible, leaving it solely a human-constructed effort

i choose not to
although my thinking has changed radically from what it was up to a decade ago, i still retain a reasonably 'high' view of scripture, albeit not nearly as literalistic

i do not shrink at God's becoming human, and God's choosing of how that would come about
God is still God, and could have done it any way God wanted, really

and so, when i think of the advent of the Jewish Messiah, i am pleased to think of God leaving what God was to become human and associate with us at the most intimate level
that rocks me still, sends chills through my soul, even after all this time

and i am yet to find an explanation for the inexplicable tone of friendliness that permeates the atmosphere among all people around this time, christian or not
and no, i don't think it has to do with holidays and gifts and parties and food and such
people who have existed in mortal-enemy status all year are wont to be at least civil, even if they revert later

so here comes my favourite time of year
filled with memories of family gathering, food - endless food, gifts, giving, laziness and such
and progressively filled with the simple awe that accompanies the birth of the long-awaited Jewish Messiah who would set on course the liberation of all humanity from its bondage to the fear of death, resetting the consequences of the Fall, inscribing hope in the human heart, radically displaying the very love-nature of God in his life and ultimately in his death
he set us free, and if the Son sets free, that is indeed freedom

to whom shall we go ?
we shall go to God in due time, as God comes to us in due time
as God has come to us in human form
and when we do, we shall embrace a human, Jesus, king of kings and lord of lords who loved us and gave himself for us all

those barebones words elicit all sorts of exciting chills and emotions and thoughts
and expectation

that's advent
anticipation
a longing for the long-awaited one
from God to us
with love
all boxed and wrapped and bowed
and given
Israel's Promise
overflowing to all the world, just like God promised to Abraham, father of all of faith ..

go there

peace


O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.