[ Today's Readings ]
What do we look for in the Advent and Christmas seasons? Do we look for fine and luxurious garments? Do we look mostly for sumptuous living and feasting? Or do we seek, above all, the prophetic voice pointing us toward our Savior?
Then what did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom Scripture says:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.
The celebrations are fine, of course. But not if they prevent us from recognizing the one who is coming to us. He comes with none of the trappings of luxury. The humbleness of his birth is repugnant to modern sensibilities. We can scarcely imagine what the Holy Family lays aside to follow God's will. The risk to us is that if we focus too much on the trappings of the season we will be too distracted to see the poor and humble birth in a manger.
We do get distracted. But the LORD is calling us back.
Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
called God of all the earth.
The LORD calls you back
We need to focus on the prophetic voice even amidst the noise and haste. The circumstances may be much more humble than our elaborate parties and feasts. But what we find is ultimately so much more than anything the world can give.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great tenderness I will take you back.
In an outburst of wrath, for a moment
I hid my face from you;
But with enduring love I take pity on you,
says the LORD, your redeemer.
We feel abandoned at times. We begin to fend for ourselves. We aren't interested in laying aside even more of what the world offers to focus on God. Not when we already feel deprived. But this is the only way to find the one thing that truly satisfies. This is the only way to hear the voice of the LORD welcoming us back.
“Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.”
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
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