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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:
What are the “cracks” in your life?
Where do you see, amidst the cracks, the Lord’s pursuit of you this holiday season?