December 2020
O
y! What a year we’ve
had! Didn’t see it
coming, glad to see it
going, still not knowing what 2021 will bring…. Perhaps
the phrase “it came to pass” carries
new meaning and urgency for us
now – the year came and now
would it please pass!
It is a transitory time. The political
season has passed, not without its
attending and seemingly unending
drama, as we await some final outcomes with speculation and pondering even yet. Most of the leaves
have fallen, signaling the passing of
autumn to winter. We have hope
and anticipation that soon a vaccine
to battle Covid-19 will be finalized
and rushed into production and
then distribution. We move from
the day-to-day existence of the calendar year into the season of holidays, with a proclamation of
“Happy Holidays!” Decorations
stored away come out and, splashed
with greenery and color, lights and
candles announce the season of
lights in the midst of the deepening
darkness of the calendar year.
One of the phrases that stands out
from scripture for me this time of
year, and maybe more particularly
this year, is “It came to pass…” (Luke 2:1 “In those
days…” the New Revised Standard
Version of the Bible uses just this
phrase as it simply skips over the
Greek “it came to pass...” The New
King James Version includes the
thought, saying, “And it came to
pass in those days…”). The phrase
often indicates that what is happening is the result of a course of
events. The first chapter of Luke’s
gospel tells the story of preparations
for the coming of the Child: Zacharias hears of the impending birth to
his barren wife of their son, John,
who will be the Baptist; the angel
Gabriel appears to Mary to announce her rather awkward pregnancy; Mary visits Elizabeth and sings her wonderful Magnificat;
John the Baptist is born and Zacharias sings his praises of God. And
then, “it came to pass…” another
way of saying, “…and so it happened!” The stage is set. Preparations have been made.
May I remind you
that the coming of
the Messiah, the
Advent of the Savior, when it finally
“…came to pass,”
was a five century
course of events
from the time of
the last prophecies of the Old Testament until its fulfillment? We, on the other hand,
rush through Advent, this year in 26
days. Often we miss it entirely, busy
with our own preparations for the
season. You see, Advent is really a
time of waiting, even longing for
the fulfillment of the promise of the
Coming One. We might hearken
back to the final weeks of the season of Pentecost, when all the texts
point to the as-yet-unfulfilled Second Coming of Christ for a comparison. Is that coming something
we anticipate, wait for, even long
for? Maybe this year more than ever
before? Wouldn’t this be a good
time for the Lord to return?
Advent is about remembering promises kept and promises yet to be fulfilled. So I would beseech you not to rush through it. Slow the train down! Along with all the decorating, planning, shopping, baking, and whatever else the season beckons you to do, hasten to step on the brakes and prepare your hearts and minds for the One who longs to come into our lives ever more deeply, even right now.
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
Power to you! Pastor Pat
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Pastor Pat's Bio here
Learn more about Pastor Pat's Christian Philosophy here
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