Pockets of Peace ~ An Advent Reading

The magic of the season, the sugarplum fairies of which we dream, are these healthy desires?

Or are they marketing schemes developed to encourage us to engage in the ongoing belief that something in our lives is lacking; to create a constant sense of unrest, an infinite and exponential hunger for more? But “more” in the sense of economic commodities isn’t what brought joy from fear, fatigue, confusion, and shock, to any of the characters present in the first Christmas scene.

All of these emotional extremes; from the depths of grief to overwhelming joy, it is all encapsulated in this unique historical event. The shepherds were “terrified” in Luke 2:9, but after visiting the child they, “went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen (vs. 20).”

The wise men traveled from afar and were likely quite road weary. Even the heights of enthusiasm are beat out of me after just 13 hours of travel. So while their wonder propelled them to take action and pursue a visit with this King, I’m certain they were exhausted by the time they arrived. Yet the only physical characteristics significant enough to be mentioned in this passage are that they were “overjoyed,” then “bowed down and worshiped,” and finally “opened their treasures and presented their gifts.”

Then there was Mary, sweet Mary. Shunned by her family. Likely disowned because of her condition. When she originally received the news in Luke 1:29 she was “confused and disturbed.” Yet within just a few verses she chose to accept God’s plan. And then, just a few days later, she was singing a song of praise in verses 46-55 that began with these words, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” After the arrival of the baby, and after all of His visitors have come and gone, the scriptures tell us in Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

And finally Joseph, the leading man who over the shock of these circumstances was ready to relinquish his role. But instead, this “righteous man” (vs. 19) believed the angel that appeared telling him to not fear and to proceed with taking Mary as his wife. Did Joseph experience joy during this season? I can’t tell from scripture. What I can tell is that he was obedient to take her and even carried her at a very sensitive time (nearing the end of her pregnancy) with him on a long journey. Perhaps because no one else would care for her? Perhaps because he felt he was best qualified to do so? Regardless, he was faithful to care for a woman in a precarious situation both physically and socially. I often find that I am most filled with joy and peace when I’m nobly carrying out a duty I confidently know is mine alone to complete. And so I would like to believe that in doing so, Joseph, too, was rewarded with these divine gifts.

Each of those encountering the Christ-child left with a gift in their heart; joy. They had found a pocket of peace in the midst of certain chaos. A peace from His presence that will exist not in pockets but for all time when we are one day allowed to remain in His presence for eternity.

I am especially curious as to what perhaps were God’s emotions during this first Christmas? Did He also experience these extremes? I shared with you on 12-21-16 that God has emotions and that we are made in His image. So I think it is reasonable to believe He most certainly did. He loved humanity and wanted to restore a right relationship with us. But to do so cost Him dearly; it cost him sending His only Son away and ultimately then a brief 33 years later seeing the Son sacrificed to accomplish this very purpose. Love, hope, sorrow, grief & despair, all of these even inhabited the spiritual space of that first Christmas and these continue to be the same extremes you and I experience during this season every year.

Have you pondered that perhaps this season is full of emotional extremes for a highly significant purpose? That to try and rid the season of them is an exercise in futility? That we should enjoy the pockets of peace the season offers, but ultimately remember, Christmas is truly about a radical rescue operation the sights of which are set on a much higher plan; an eternal plan. An eternal kingdom.

Perhaps God uses the extremes each and every year to highlight for us the extreme measures He was willing to take to bring us back into His family for eternity. If this is so, then hiding from these emotions rapes the season of its completeness. Of His all sufficiency. For even, especially, in the midst of all of these burgeoning emotions, His final answer is forth coming. And through that baby, we will be able to experience His final answer with all of creation redeemed. And we will call it eternity. Emmanuel. God forever with us. And us forever with God. And THAT, my friends, will finally be peace everlasting.

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galatians 4:4-6