Advertised Advevt
Scripture reading: Isaiah 42:1-4. Text: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.
Every household, especially in the Advent season, receives plenty of advertisements, a.k.a. junk mail. In many cases, some of them provide valuable information about a sale, but most of them will eventually be discarded. The merchants are eager to sell; this is their aim and business. At this, the customers feel some advertisements are misleading. How can the merchants get in touch with prospective buyers and inform them about a great deal if there is no advertisement through the mail, newspaper, radio or television? A business owner told me that they do about 30 percent of their business right before Christmas. Who gains when merchandise is sold — the seller or the buyer? Would we be able to finish our Christmas shopping if the stores did not offer a great selection?
WAS ADVENT, THAT IS THE ARRIVING OF JESUS, “ADVERTISED” OR PREDICTED?
In the Old Testament, we find several references about the arrival of a Messiah:
– “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17/a.
– “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1. See also our text.
– “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
In the New Testament, Matthew 1:18-24 tells us just before Jesus’ birth, Joseph was warned in a dream. Also in Luke 1:26-35 an angel named Gabriel visited Mary and informed her about her son to be born. The three wise men followed the star (Matthew 2:1-2), and the shepherds heard the angelic proclamation in Luke 2:8-12. John the Baptist preached clearly about the imminent arrival of the Messiah in Matthew 3:1-3.
SHOULD GOD BE EXPECTED TO REVEAL SPECIAL SIGNS OR SEND AN ANGEL WITH A HEAVENLY MESSAGE YEAR AFTER YEAR THAT JESUS’ BIRTHDAY IS COMING SO PEOPLE CAN GET READY?
We have no right to expect new divine information about the coming of Jesus’ birthday celebration. We have been told, reminded and asked for many years to welcome our Savior who was born in Bethlehem. This is the story we all have heard. Have we been accustomed to hearing it so often that the “good news” has lost its impact?
Please do some soul-searching and take a spiritual inventory of the last 12 months. What do you find? Were you able to perceive the rose among the thorns, the sunshine after a stormy night, a healing after an illness, a reconciliation after a misunderstanding, the completion of a long project (earning a diploma), being gainfully employed, marrying your sweetheart, receiving a new baby into the family, buying what you always wanted, moving into a new home and finally happily retiring after working hard for decades. Nobody wishes to take away the credit you deserve; you have studied, worked and served faithfully and earned a good reputation.
If the year of 2011 was successful (or just survivable) for you — remember we celebrated Thanksgiving Day three weeks ago — can you discern God’s providence and blessing among the events you left behind? The blessing could have been a minor occurrence, or “a narrow escape” or an unexpected pleasant surprise or just a happy day when you really enjoyed every moment.
This is a good time for us to ask ourselves the following questions:
– How important is my spiritual life for me?
– Am I concerned about my redemption?
– How much time do I still have to spend here on earth?
– Are not love, hope, forgiveness and salvation great gifts?
Christ was born for a definite purpose: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10/b, and, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23/b. Do we need more reminder or “advertisement?”
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.