For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope – the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13
For us, the birth of Jesus Christ is famous, but in real time no one noticed. Jesus would end his life publicly, be raised to life, then ascend and send us an Advocate to help us live in advent. We have been sandwiched in between the first appearance and the due-to-come appearance where we are to live self-controlled, godly, and righteous lives while simultaneously dealing with unwanted and unwelcomed circumstances.
Hope is present, yet we need Hope. That is where we find ourselves living in advent. We live our lives in smaller tensions inside this larger tension that trains us for endurance. Hope made an appearance when Jesus Christ was born. And Hope disappeared through clouds (Acts 1:9) leaving us for now to see through a glass, darkly. (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV) The advent life is hard.
Advent in its basic definition is the coming of a special person or event. Advent leading to Christmas allows us to practice year after year for a holiday that is coming. No one in the New Testament waited to die, they were waiting on the return of Christ. I love how the King James Version translates how we should live – looking for that that Blessed Hope. Christmas is seen in Titus 2:11, we live in Titus 2:12 and our blessed hope is defined in Titus 2:13.
I leave chocolate candy bars in my fridge for my granddaughter. If anyone eats her candy (since we’re King James today): thy shall experience thy wrath of her grandmother. I have saved it for her coming. Really, though I have extra hidden in the event someone eats it because I don’t want to be found lacking. I want her to feel she has space here. She is longed for. She is wanted. She is welcome. I never know when she’s coming, but I know she’s coming. And when she arrives she will find I have waited and prepared for her.
Advent should be lived leaning and watching through a darkly lit window for the One you are expecting to arrive. As you prepare for Christmas this year may you do so in practice for the arrival of our Blessed Hope. This year as you plug in those Christmas lights – pause and calmly think of your coming Blessed Hope – and remind him you’re leaving the lights on for Him.
We’ll see you soon, Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Jodi Barnes
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