Advent 2022: His Peace

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we finish our Advent reflections by thinking on the peace that comes from Jesus.

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Sometimes the carols from our youth hold a message for today. I feel that way about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

You may not know that the poem which is now set to music was written by Longfellow on Christmas Day 1863, two years after his wife had died, in the depths of the Civil War, while nursing his soldier son. Longfellow was an abolitionist and was deeply depressed following his wife’s horrific death, but somehow the church bells that Christmas morning reminded him of a deeper truth, a truth that was stronger than his depression and pain.

One of the verses begins, “In despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; ‘for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men.’” 

That’s often how I feel. Peace and good-will are platitudes that are thrown around, but people don’t have the courage, or perhaps the example to follow, to make that a reality.  How can we?  It is not human nature to offer good-will to others, especially when they are outside our group, outside our understanding.  But it is in God’s nature to do so. He is the one who sent His son from heaven to earth to show us a way of peace. The song continues, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.’”

This verse is a lyrical hint of God’s redemption described in Jesus’ own words in John 16:33,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus has overcome the world!

As we come to this last week—this last day—of Advent, on Christmas Eve and are once again confronted with the unbelievable accounts of Jesus’ birth—His coming—let us not make it a puzzle to be somehow cleverly solved but rather take a moment to peacefully ponder(1) all that was, all that is, and all that is to come, proclaiming again, with great confidence that Jesus is our peace.

(1.      Dr. Natasha Duquette, Vice-President Academic and Professor of Literature, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2022/#day-nov-29 )

Reflection:

1. Write in a journal some things that cause you stress, that take away your rest.  Then in a prayer, say “Jesus, ______________ is taking away my peace.  But I know that you are greater than this. It does not surprise you. It does not overwhelm you like it does me. I am claiming your peace, knowing you have already overcome this. Help me to rest in you.”

2. Find a bell, not a jingle bell, but something louder, deeper. If you can’t find a bell, make one. Fill a metal container with some water and strike it. Ring it and remember that God is not dead. He does not sleep.  Read aloud Psalm 121. If you can’t find or make a bell, go for a walk and listen for the carillon of a local church to remind you of the truths of Psalm 121.

3. Invite your family to sit and experience the quiet.  Pause with your eyes closed. Say “Jesus” and then let yourself lean into the silence for 60 seconds. Open your eyes and do a silent group hug. This may be the only quiet you get in a chaotic, celebratory week.  Enjoy it!

Advent 2022: His Perfection

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his perfection.

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One of my sons has inherited his mother’s unfortunate tendency towards perfectionism. When he tries but fails to master some new concept in school or in play perfectly, the frustration, shame, or defensiveness—or some combination of feelings—threatens to pull him down. But just as I know he will never be perfect, our heavenly Father knows he, nor I, nor any one of us, will ever be perfect. In fact, that inability to measure up to a 100%-perfection-all-the-time-every-time standard is the very reason Jesus came.

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20

Prior to Jesus, the Israelites measured their right-standing with God through adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Law had many purposes, such as to set the nation of Israel apart from other nations, but chief among them was to reveal to God’s chosen people who he is and who they were— people who fell short of his standard of perfection, and were, therefore, in need of saving. For the people of the Law, that saving came through prescribed sacrifices, which needed to be regularly offered to the Lord.   

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoptions as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Immanuel came down to a broken world full of imperfect people, the spotless lamb. He faced earthly temptations, experienced the realities of this world, knew the exacting nature of high standards, and yet he remained without sin. His perfection covers our imperfection. And even more mind-blowing is that the driver behind this greatest act of all time, as identified for us in John 3:16, is God’s love for us. Timothy Keller famously says,

“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

From one recovering perfectionist to anyone else out there that struggles under the weight of something that is impossible, nor was ever meant to be attained, let us give endless praise to the One who has always been, is always, will forever be Perfect.

This Advent season, let us push off the weight of guilt and shame set by impossibly high standards, not as an excuse to continue in sin, but to fall headlong into his arms of grace. He came. Jesus came. Immanuel came.

Reflection:

1. Do you tend to hold yourself up to an impossible standard or do you use grace as an excuse to continue in sin?

2. Spend some time reflecting on who Christ is and the fact that Immanuel, the Son of God, was both without sin and came to cover us with his righteousness.

Advent 2022: His Pursuit

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his pursuit.

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“There is a crack in everything, it’s how the light gets in.” ~ Leonard Cohen

Another season of Advent is here—a season of hope, peace, joy, and love—the most wonderful time of the year. And yet, with each passing year, it seems easier to focus on all the cracks and brokenness that permeate this busted up world. 

A former student of ours, Sarah, a young wife and mother, passed away the day after Thanksgiving. We prayed for healing. We prayed for a miracle. But that healing came in a different way than we had prayed for. My mind drifts to the passage in Luke 24 when some of the disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them, though they do not recognize him. They talk about all the events of the crucifixion and the events leading up to it, when they say these three words, ”We had hoped...” So much of the sentiment of those words resonate with my heart and maybe yours as well.

We had hoped... you would heal Sarah.

We had hoped...you would restore that relationship.

We had hoped... for different test results.

We had hoped... you would give us a child to love.

We had hoped... for my family member to finally be free of addiction.

We had hoped... for a time together with family without another blowup.

“We had hoped He was the Messiah, who had come to rescue Israel.” Luke 24:21.

His very own disciples and closest friends doubted who Jesus was. And yet, I think about how even in the midst of their grief, disappointment, cynicism, or doubts, He walks with them. He listens. He reminds them of all that was promised to them. He is WITH them.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? God sends love down, putting on flesh, to pursue and get up close and personal with His prodigal people. Our cynicism doesn’t phase him. Our bitterness doesn’t deter him. Our doubts don’t scare him. He gives us the freedom to choose our own way over His perfect ways, and His love for us remains steadfast and limitless. But far too often we chase the fleeting pleasures of this world when “it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32). And His vast love and pursuit goes far beyond saving us to actually wanting to adopt us as His dearly beloved children, to share His inheritance with us, to experience eternal life and His kingdom now.

My grief and doubts may still sometimes blind me from recognizing Him in the moment, but as I look back on my life, I can still see His pursuit of me, his unending love, his goodness and faithfulness to me. For when His hope and my heart burned within me, I can see how He was with me all the way (Luke 24:32).

So yes, there are still cracks in everything, but I pray this Christmas, and always, that we would allow the light and love of Jesus to permeate those cracks of our broken hearts so that hope, joy, and peace would shine through us. And rather than continuing to say “We had hoped,” we can now proclaim with confidence, “We have hope” — in Jesus, our Messiah, and He has really come to rescue us. Amen.

Reflection:

1. What are the “cracks” in your life?

2. Where do you see, amidst the cracks, the Lord’s pursuit of you this holiday season?

Advent 2022: His Presence

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Editor’s Note: The theme for this year’s Advent reflections is Immanuel, Jesus has Come Here. God has always been present in the world, but with the coming of Jesus as an infant, he is also made present with his people. Our sin separates us from God, but through a baby, Immanuel, he draws us close.

This week, as we explore the blessings of Immanuel, God with us, we reflect on Jesus coming here and the gift of his presence.

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Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

Name him—Immanuel. It means God is with us.

Have you ever noted that sometimes it’s not the pain or seriousness of an injury that matters in the end? I have more traumatic memories from my childhood of splinters and scrapes than the concussion I sustained from gymnastics. And my first sickness, a cold, as a freshman in college was worse than the flu I had had at home with my parents in high school. The difference between each scenario was that I was alone with the lighter, seemingly easier afflictions, but held and comforted by my parents with the more serious maladies.

It is curious that Immanuel is the name God chooses for His Son in this passage. He could have named himself “Chesed,” (grace), “Shalom,” (peace), or “Hesed,” (love). God is in fact all of these things. Other places in the Bible God calls Him these exact beautiful words and more!  But when His Son was to be born, it’s almost as if God just didn’t want us (and Israel, the original recipients of this sign) to miss it. “I have come near. I am here. I am with you. You are not alone.”

During Christmas time there is both a beauty and magic about the celebration of Jesus’ arrival. Yet, there can also be sadness and grief. Perhaps you feel the loss of someone you love to sickness, or you have a wayward child, or a much desired expectation wasn’t met in your life.

The name God gives His Son tells us you are never by yourself in both these delights of the season—lights, gifts, food, friends—nor the strange heartache. He is with you. He is near.

Jeremiah 23: 23-24 “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “And not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places, So I do not see him?” Declares the Lord, “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” Declares the LORD.

Psalm 139: 7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.”

When the God of the Bible draws near, it is to be like a balm to cracked skin. When Moses asked God to go with them as they travelled through the desert, it was to be a strong protection over the Israelites. And when Jesus came near as a baby who grew into a man who willingly died for people who would reject Him, it was to bring healing to our broken, rebellious and hurting souls. When God sends His Son to be “with” us, it is a very very good thing.

So when you feel alone…

•    When you have met yourself as a new Mom for the first time and are bone tired

•    When you have your grown children living outside your home for the first time.

•    When you are working with your difficult child NOT for the first time.

•    When you are up late studying for that impossible test and you’re running out of time

•    Or up late working on a budget that just won’t stretch any more

•    Or even up late flirting with temptation to sin and you just can’t walk away and you already feel the shame that inevitably comes when we choose sin.

In those times this season, let the beauty of the lights, the music, the unique tastes of this season remind you that the presence of our gentle, kind, forgiving, powerful, perfect Savior is with you. Though your feelings may try to convince you otherwise,  your prayers are not just hitting the ceiling. You are talking to your Savior. You are crying with your Savior. You are fighting the good fight against sin with Your Savior. When it seems no one else cares about the strange heartache of things that didn’t materialize, or things that did, remember and believe that Jesus came to show us just how near He wants to be with us.

Immanuel.

Reflection:

1. Can you remember a time that someone’s presence with you in a hard time brought comfort or peace?

2. In what situation you are currently facing do you need to remember that Jesus came to be with you on this earth?