Waiting for the Coming of Christ

The expectation of Jesus is always the Christian hope through the ages

This is the season of advent–when we wait for the coming of Christ. Such waiting for the arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is often a challenge– given what surrounds us. This Advent, however, provides us with a depth of circumstances that make such waiting extremely hard. How do we await the coming of Christ, and the teachings of Jesus when they seem so lost even in the churches? The new political order that will soon be upon us in America relies on the rhetoric of a Christian nationalism and is totally contrary to the gospel teachings of Jesus. Unresolved conflicts around the world, causing continual brutal human suffering, seem without realistic hopes for peace.

And yet, the expectation of Jesus is always the Christian hope through the ages. Perhaps especially when least expected. Those times may be the most important times for that expectation to be lifted up and, most importantly, the life of Christ being lived out among us and in the world by faithful believers. And that hope often precedes the changing of history.

In one of my daily devotions the Song of Mary, often called “Mary’s Magnificat,” came up one morning this week. And it struck me again how the mother of Jesus, a humble and ordinary woman, somehow understood the meaning of Jesus’ coming, perhaps more than anyone else in the Christmas story.

The consequences of our upcoming politics, and the untold continuous suffering of so many around the world, put the people at the bottom of our societies last. And yet, Mary sees the coming of the one in her womb as putting the hungry and most vulnerable first, and the most wealthy who now rule are literally sent away. The belief in that “promise” of Mary will always be the spark of imagination that can turn things around.

Instead of offering more commentary on this remarkable passage from Luke, I want to just offer it to you this week as an Advent meditation. Sit down someplace quiet and take some deep breaths. Then read Mary’s words slowly, and perhaps several times. Then maybe go for a walk thinking about what the coming of Christ was promised to mean for history. And about what they might mean right now, for you, and for all of us who would be followers of Jesus.

Keep these words with you this season. Take some time away with family and friends– we all need that this Christmas. I will be taking my column off for next week.

I pray for you all a very blessed Christmas, getting ready to expect Jesus in the new year.

Mary’s “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55)

46'My soul magnifies the Lord,
47And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48For he has looked on the humble state of his bondmaid.
Behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is his name.

50His mercy is for those who fear him
From generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52He has brought down the mighty from their thrones;
And exalted those of a humble state.

53He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy,
55As he promised our fathers,
Abraham and his offspring, forever.'