December 2, 2018
First Sunday of Advent
LISTEN WELL…
“Then Isaiah said, “Listen well…All right then, the LORD Himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’.)” Isaiah 7:13, 14
Listen to the sounds of the season, and the voices singing the song of Christmas, songs of remembrance, with eager anticipation…and great expectation!
During this season of celebration, many of us hear the sounds of the season, the sounds of love, and the voices singing the Song of Christmas. Others, hear only the traffic, the roar of crowds, and the frustration of grumbling and mumbling in the long shopping lines. And for others, the sound of a hollow silence seems to echo in their hearts and their lives, perpetuating itself and its presence. While brief silence is often a reprieve…silence for some is lonely, even ominous.
When God was Silent…
During the 400 years between the Old and the New Testament, there were no recorded words from God, after the final words of Malachi. He was silent in the midst of the culture and the chaos of the times which produced political and religious changes. And, I suspect God’s people must have listened and listened…striving to hear a voice speaking God’s message. I sometimes wonder…did they grow tired, of listening? Did the silence become hollow, perhaps ominous for them?
He was Preparing, Teaching…Waiting…
We can stand totally assured that God’s silence does not indicate His absence. God’s Silence occurs when He is Preparing and Teaching in this time…waiting for His perfect timing. During this time, while the Jewish people waited, while the world waited…God was at work, preparing every detail of His Son’s birth…the birth of the Messiah, the Savior, the One who would Come to dwell with His people, with you and me, at the perfect time!
And God Came Down…
God came down in the flesh, as a baby in an imperfect world, in a manger bed, surrounded by stable animals…two loving parents…and the stars…the stars of God’s Heaven! Yes, God, Immanuel came down to dwell with us! God with us…And, yes we celebrate!
Listen Well…The Song of Christmas
Today, we step into the season of Advent, the First Sunday of Advent. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word, meaning ‘coming’…Advent is the time when we, as God’s people prepare to celebrate the Coming of the Messiah with remembrance of His birth. And, Advent is also the time of listening, looking, learning…and waiting. With expectation and anticipation, we as God’s people await The Return…The Second Coming of the Messiah… One day, He will return from heaven, (Acts 1:10-11) to reign as the King of all kings. (Rev. 19:16) And, we wait on the One we love and we listen!
Oh my dear, precious friends, I pray that we listen to the sounds of the season, the language of love, and the voices of our loved ones; that we would listen and hear them. I pray that we listen to voices singing the Song of Christmas, of remembrance, with eager anticipation…and great expectation!
This week, may we open our hearts to listen and to wait on Him as we celebrate. May we sing the Song of Christmas with our words, our actions and our lives. May we love others, as we stand in the long lines and listen to people share their stories and their silence… and then, may we tell them His Story-so they will know the Song of Christmas and they too will sing it…Yes, we will listen!
Listen Well…Hear, and Be Blessed…The King is Coming!
“Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
Luke 11:28
Love you in Jesus,
