December 22 Advent thoughts

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

I read once that Lee Strobel, author of ‘Case for Christ’ was asked, after years of research, just how much evidence did he need, or would there ever be enough? This thought came to me as I was working a jigsaw puzzle, an activity I enjoy this time of year. That led me to wondering about the idea of why so many Jews-especially of the Priestly line daily in the temple at the time completely missed the Messiah, given the 300-odd prophesies pointing to His coming? Was it a case of wanting even MORE evidence? 300 seems like a goodly amount, but math isn’t my strong suit. Maybe it was like a jigsaw puzzle-everything is there, but it is overwhelming when first dumped out. You have to do some work, after all-turn all the pieces over, get the border, etc. etc. But as the puzzle goes on, it gets easier and easier. As one piece joins another, and then another, soon the picture begins to appear and then it goes faster and faster. But you first have to open the box and actually look for the pieces. And as our Advent season approaches the apex, that really needs to be our challenge. To open the package. Get out the pieces. Begin to sort through them and we do we will slowly begin to see-then faster and faster-the true Christ, not just he babe in the manger, but the whole Christ-baby, King, Lord.

 Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour

When the Man God came down to us 

To erase the original stain

And of His Father to stop the wrath

The whole world trembles with hope.

In this night which gives a Savior

People on your knees, await your deliverance!

Noel! Noel! Here is the Redeemer

-O Holy Night, original French translation, adapted from the poem ‘Midnight, Christians’ written by Adolphe Adam, 1847