The What and When of the Christ Christ Child

Psalm 25:1-5

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

__________

Introduction

One of my favorite parts about the holiday season is "breaking out" (or streaming) a classic movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Based on Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol, the Muppets' rendition captures the evolution of Ebenezer Scrooge, who learns about the meaning of Christmas. Through revealing the past and future (things to come), the spectral visitors teach Scrooge the truth about what is and isn't essential. Starting as a shrewd and greedy man, Scrooge's heart becomes soft and empathetic to the plight of those around him who are suffering. Scrooge learned the meaning of Christmas and changed the outcome of what could be if he kept on the same course. 

We find ourselves in a similar position this Advent season. As Walter Brueggemann writes, "We live in that awkward place amid those who know too much and those who expect nothing." (37) We are also people who know the "what" of Advent / Christmas but aren't sure of "when" it is going to happen. And if we aren't careful and paying attention, we will lose sight of what we are looking for this Advent / Christmas season, and we may need a reminder from some spooky mentors. The "what" and "when" of the Christ child will reveal the joy and life that is to be found in this world if we understand and look. 

The What

The psalmist gives us an insight into the "what" we are waiting for and what we are preparing for during this time of Advent. "Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation." You know the Christ child, the one we are waiting for, would teach us the "what" of Advent as he taught us to pray, "May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God's will and God's kingdom are at the heart of what we are waiting for and what we are readying for as we navigate this in-between time. 

It is not the glitz nor the glamor or fame for ourselves, but it is God's will and God's kingdom for which we wait and prepare. I believe a part of us knows the "what," why else would we be here? We believe that there is more to life than material gains and the accumulation of prestige. Because if we find that we have everything we could ever want, it does not erase the destructive power of greed, hate, selfishness, and fear. This is where God's generous joy and mercy breaks into our world to wipe away our tears and empowers our prayers that lift up the weary-hearted and downtrodden. 

The When

I've mentioned before my obsession with time. If I know there is an upcoming appointment; I plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early. Ironically, when it comes to the mundane or tasks I don't want to do, I keep putting them off, justifying my procrastination until I say, "I'll just do it tomorrow." I know I'm not the only one who does this, and I mention it to highlight our strange relationship with time (especially regarding the arrival of God's kingdom). We do not know the "when," but there are those who rush with unbridled zeal, thinking that tomorrow could be the day, and there are others who procrastinate or are apathetic because tomorrow is as good as today.

It is the balance of now, but not yet. The psalmist even acknowledges this tension when they write, "for you I wait all day long." It highlights the importance of honing the spiritual practices that enable us to run the long race. We may not know when God's promises will be fulfilled, but that doesn't mean we will be deterred from trying our best to make it real right now. And all this depends on our ability to trust in the Lord, as the psalmist reminds us. Trust in the Lord, who will keep us safe from our enemies; trust in the Lord, who will guard us against shame. Now, but not yet, that is the balancing act we maintain as followers of God who commit ourselves to the Advent journey. 

The Why

The "what" and "when" of the Christ-child reminds us that our Advent journey will take us into the next year and beyond. It also touches on the joy that we find in life when we open ourselves to deep prayer and worship that builds up our sure foundation. I have joy, down in my heart, to stay. And I hope that you do as well. If you aren't sure what your joy is, talk it out, journal, create something, or try a new activity. 

At our core, we find joy that takes a different shape and form. There may be some similarities, but they certainly aren't all the same. It is what magnifies our souls, gives us focus and inspiration, and points us towards our God who instilled within us. Some of us may take longer to discover what it is that gives us strength and courage, and some of us may find that we resonate with the joy when we find strength in our trust in God. As we discover these things, let us also draw close to the source of all joy, knowing that there we will find what our souls long to stay with us.

What's vital is that we keep spreading the joy of God's way of life so that when the time comes, God will find that we have been faithful in our love for God and love of our neighbors and creation. 

Conclusion

A holy joy lies underneath our waiting and our wandering. And that is that God will burst into the picture whether we know it or not. As the psalmist once said, "Joy cometh in the morning." And let me tell you, joy does come in the morning. For those who wander in the in-between time of now but not yet, God will see that joy arrives. What is it we are waiting for this Advent season? Is it joy? If so, we can work on making joy manifest right now. And we do so every time we feed our souls through prayer, through outreach, and through fellowship with one another. 

And if we think we can wait for Christ to return, we've got things mixed up. So, this Advent season, let us not take today for granted. Likewise, let us not take our yesterdays and tomorrows for granted, as we do not know the time when Christ will return. Let the joy of this Advent season make its way into your heart. Pray deeply, love deeply, and serve deeply so that the spirit of Advent / Christmas may be with you throughout all your days so that it may bring joy that springs forth. Do not let go of the joy we find in our God that sustains us as we prepare and wait with anticipation.