Advent contribution

Prayer:  God, our Father, You are the one who lifts us above the mundane to live in newness of life.  Refresh me with Your presence this day.

Recently members of the Philadelphia Opera implemented a random act of culture.  On an October Saturday shoppers in Macy’s department store suddenly were interrupted with the voices of passers-by – 650 voices strong – singing the well-known Hallelujah Chorus.

            Supported by a pipe organ moved to the store for the occasion the choir’s rich harmony soon filled the multi-story atrium with Handel’s uplifting composition.  Nearly all present ceased their activities, some joined spontaneously in singing, while others paused merely to capture the moment on their cell phone’s video application.

            Other such outbursts of refined artistic expression are occurring throughout the fall in eight major cities in the USA.  The cities’ public spaces are invaded at unpredictable moments by musical offerings of a classical nature.  What a delightful idea – better than quarreling over a Black Friday bargain.

            Two thousand years ago it was no casual or arbitrary act of the living God to interrupt human history by announcing the arrival of His Prince.  One would suppose that if the Creator truly visited His handiwork in person, there would have been a huge orchestra, an accomplished choir, a laser light show splashing color across the skies of each of earth’s villages and cities, or… well, no and yes.  In fact, the announcement came in stages.  The circumstances surrounding the early messages would seem trivial to most today, and the recipients insignificant: an aging priest, an unmarried female teen, a single man and common laborer, and migrant workers dreaming of a better life.  Light did figure in, so too did a great company of angels, but Jesus’ entry into our world was comparatively quiet while confined to one inconsequential corner of earth’s population.

            The Christmas season is a way that we remember with awe that God showed up, but in more than a mere random act of culture!  On the contrary, purposefully and lovingly the LORD interrupted history’s bent toward self-destruction by implementing His supreme act of rescue. He inserted Jesus into the realm of human existence with penultimate purpose and perfect timing:

            “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a

woman… to give himself for our sins and rescue us from the

present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to

whom be glory for ever and ever.” (Galatians 4:4 and 1:3-4)

            And while we were not present for that climactic breakthrough, in God’s economy His Spirit continues to appear and invites us to join the choir of the ages, “brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God” (Hebrews 12:29, The Message).

Prayer:  Spirit of God, the season is busy; I feel harried, yet hopeful of meeting you afresh.  Give me and your people eyes to see Your magnificent majesty in Jesus.