Advent is a time of preparation and expectant waiting; a time for us to look back on our history and to see God and His never-failing goodness to us with fresh eyes and to welcome Him ever-more fully into our hearts at Christmas. The Church during this season highlights the times when God seemed to be absent to us, but with perspective and eyes of faith reveal how God was always present and always at work to bring us closer to Himself.
This past Thursday’s Advent Lessons and Carols service brought us on a scriptural and musical journey through salvation history; we heard how humanity distanced itself from God through original sin, how God promised Redemption to Israel’s prophets, and how those promises were ultimately fulfilled through the birth of the Christ Child. For that evening’s final carol, the choirs and congregation triumphantly sang the final verse of “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”: “Born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.” Jesus’ humble birth brought those hope-filled promises to fulfilment for us! Glory indeed to the newborn king!
Likewise, today’s readings highlight a promise made by the Lord to the people of Israel which Christ brings to fulfillment. The Prophet Isaiah writes about the Lord being gracious and attentive to the Israelites by taking care of their every need.
“He will give rain for the seed
that you sow in the ground,
And the wheat that the soil produces
will be rich and abundant.
On that day your flock will be given pasture
and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows;”
Pastoral imagery like this calls us to relate to God as the animals humans have tended and domesticated relate to us—with complete dependence and trust. One of my favorite pieces of music is Johann Sebastian Bach’s aria “Schafe können sicher weiden”/“Sheep may safely graze” which has become a popular instrumental piece for weddings and other events, but today’s readings called to mind the text of this aria:
“Sheep may safely graze and pasture
In a watchful Shepherd’s sight.”
Not only would we as God’s flock be provided for with a lush pasture, but He would lovingly watch us and ensure no harm comes to us. This was God’s promise to Israel.
Today’s Good News is that Christ, our Lord Emmanuel, brings this promise to fulfillment! Christ looked upon the crowds “with pity...because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” This loving Shepherd saw the need and sent out the Twelve disciples to be the Shepherd’s eyes to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Two-thousand years later, Jesus continues to watch over and be with you and me through the clergy and those He sends into our lives.
Lord Jesus, our loving Shepherd,
thank you for your constant presence to us
and providing for our every need.
May we during this Advent Season see with eyes of faith
the ways you have tended to us so that on Christmas
we can be ever-joyful and ever-grateful for your birth
which made these blessings possible.
Amen.