​16th Day of Advent, December 17, 2018

Advent occupies a special place in our own family life. Christmas has a prominent seat at the table of our human experience, taking us from the sweet, yet powerful story of an angelic presence, with its incredible assertions, including the calling of Mary to be the “handmaiden of the Lord” to be the mother of Jesus, and of the subsequent virgin birth, a miraculous event tumbling over miraculous event.  

So much of the Christmas story is poured out as a recitation of the works of a God who will not be denied in His plan to restore His original program for all the people of His creation, a God bent upon salvation for all His  creation, determined to restore the sweetness of an Eden lost to human  folly and error and yet redeemed for all time in this one great gift of the birth and life and death and resurrection of Jesus, and of the incredible story unfolding.

A very young girl is chosen, and in the amazing words of the angel, Gabriel, invited to be the bearer of the Christ child. Jesus will not be conceived in the normal human manner, but instead she will be covered by the Holy Spirit. The Advent story begins with her acceptance of her role: “Let it be as the Lord wills.” 

And the story is set into motion, the high drama unfolds, we are drawn in to the mystery with both feet, and as we follow the Advent story, we relive these moments that lead inexorably to our own Salvation moments. 

Think about the whole story unfolding: 


And then ... 
O come let us adore Him!
Christ, the Lord!

Jon Elvrum