A Meditation: First Sunday of Advent

How long must we wait for God’s kindness?

Advent spans the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival.’ The Christian’s current period of waiting, of course, is for the coming of Jesus to the world.

When my children were young, our small church annually invited four families to “perform” the Advent readings on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. To be chosen to do this was both special and nerve-wracking. Not for me, but the rest of the bunch in my house, oh yes. Lighting the correct candles in the correct order, what a worry it was! That was velvet dresses and tears time. We survived and grew from the experience.

Well, I grew spiritually from it. Having not grown up in a denomination that observed the formal liturgical calendar, I was an adult before I had the opportunity to observe the Advent period. I love this period of waiting — for me, I understand I’m waiting for something special. And, no, it’s not Santa Claus.

It’s too easy to get caught up in the glitter and gifts of Christmas.

But the slow spiritual slide to Christmas that Advent affords keeps this believer’s heart ready and focused on the true reason for the season.

We can all agree this has been a difficult year. Besides the pandemic, many of us have been tested in unbelievable ways — financially, spiritually, physically. We likely have been tempted to ask God the same things the Psalmist asked:

Shepherd of Israel, listen to us. You lead the people of Joseph like a flock. You sit on your throne between the gold creatures with wings. Show your greatness to the people of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Use your strength, and come to save us. God, take us back. Show us your kindness so we can be saved. Lord God All-Powerful, how long will you be angry at the prayers of your people? You have fed your people with tears; you have made them drink many tears. You made those around us fight over us, and our enemies make fun of us. God All-Powerful, take us back. Show us your kindness so we can be saved. (Psalm 80:1–7, NCV)

Salt and salvation

Have you had to drink tears this year? I have — too many, I should say. But did you know that salt is good for the body? It helps with digestion and is good for the heart, to name just two salty benefits. Salt is essential and it is salvation to the physical body.

Notice that the Psalmist asks God for many things, but in verse 7, he asks for the God to show His kindness. So we can be saved.

It is the hope of salvation that keeps the believer on course, ready, and eternally faithful. His kindness is coming. His kindness is here.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, NCV)