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Although Advent is not formally observed by every Christian church, we all do things to prepare for Christmas. Yes, I definitely decorate my house the weekend after Thanksgiving! But this is just physical preparation. Many of us read special devotionals or studies for advent as well, spiritually preparing for the coming of Christ. But why? Why do we need to prepare ourselves for the birth of a baby?
I used to say that Easter is what makes Christmas significant, that only because of the passion of Christ is the birth of Christ important. For a time this belief gave context and meaning to my increasingly sacred celebration of the season; but God is faithful to reveal more of Himself as we move closer to Him. As questions lead to knowledge, knowledge leads to understanding, and worship is the byproduct with intimacy and delight in God the bonus.
As Womenary classes often do, my former belief completely toppled during our study of Christology. The truth is, Easter's impact is eternally bound to Christmas. God rending the heavens to come down to earth (see Isaiah 64:1) is as momentous as Christ rising from earth’s depths to return to heaven. Jesus IS fully man and fully God—only His advent could utterly and eternally satisfy the righteous wrath of our holy God.
Easter will come—we know it, are redeemed by it, and rejoice in it! But Christmas morning isn't just the beginning of something amazing to come. It is the end of the total darkness in which we have existed since the Fall, soon after Creation.
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
—Matthew 4:16 (ESV). See Isaiah 9:2 as well.
And so we sing treasured hymns like Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel:
“Oh come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel.”
—John Mason Neale, 1851
I invite you to spend December with me contemplating God sending Himself, passing through barrenness and darkness into the given realm of the Enemy. The King of kings and Lord of lords came in humility, simplicity, and poverty to experience the scope of human emotion, mediocrity, and suffering. He came to live as we live, in a way we could not. Stay beside the stone trough for a while, gazing at the baby Jesus. Think on the fully human infant in need of diaper changes, feeding, and daily care, who is also fully God—with God at creation, one of the Trinity, sovereign. Fully BOTH! The baby in need of protection and constant care is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, ESV).
This Miracle of miracles was promised by God from days of old:
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25, ESV).
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV).
For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place. He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth (Micah 1:3, NASB2020).
Here He comes—no less majestic than He was poor, as sovereign as He entered weak, as wise as He is innocent. Stay in the moment of knowing yet not comprehending, of believing and still questioning how it could be so, of eagerly expecting while tinges of doubt drown in the simple trust of the sovereign God of Promise.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ...For from his
fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:14,16, ESV).
Because they saw His glory in history, we can eternally. O holy night!!
“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth,
A thrill of hope—the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!”
—Placide Cappeau, 1847; translator John Sullivan Dwight, 1855
Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy has been following Christ since she was 17. Although this road has not always been straight, she has seen God’s hand in every detour. Elizabeth is blessed with and by her husband of 30 years, John, and 2 grown daughters. As an educator, she has been able to feed her insatiable desire to learn every day and share learning with others. Elizabeth became a student of Womenary in 2016. From the Bible to theology to cozy mysteries, Elizabeth is always absorbed in reading. This still leaves time for enjoying travel with her husband, walking, old movies, and time with extended family and friends. Elizabeth loves to walk alongside fellow Christ-chasers—learning and laughing through life.
