Ready or not, here it comes. Christmas will be here as this week ends. The same could be said about the various visitors to the manger – ready or not Jesus is here.
Mary and Joseph approached the advent of Jesus with a sense of preparation. They had known for 9 months that a baby would be arriving and he was to be named Jesus. Granted, though Jesus arrived in a place they hadn’t anticipated, they were waiting in expectation.
The innkeeper was not prepared or anticipating anything special. Yet, out of compassion for a couple in need, the innkeeper created space for Mary and Joseph. In so doing, the manger was consecrated as ground zero for the Incarnation.
To the shepherds, the birth of Jesus came as a surprise. They were not expecting anything of significance on that special night. They were simply doing their work as they always had done. Yet, Jesus came and they were invited to witness the miraculous event of God coming to planet earth as a child.
The Magi were searching. Signs had pointed to a momentous event. Though they did not exactly know when and where, they set forth on a quest to discover a wondrous event. In the end, they discovered not only a new king, but the Messiah.
Once informed by the Magi, Herod approached the arrival of Jesus with dread. Recognizing that a new king meant a new reign. Herod did not want to relinquish the old order which kept him and his system in power. Yet, Jesus came. Jesus came to overthrow the ways of coercion and power and offered the kingdom of God.
One important point of the liturgical calendar is that we are reminded annually that Christmas comes. Jesus comes. God arrives in person on planet earth.
Whatever the posture of your spirit is: ready or not, here Christ comes. Jesus comes to those who are prepared and awaiting his birth in their lives. Christ surprisingly shows up to those who offer compassionate space. He comes unexpectedly to persons who have no idea of the need in their lives. He comes to people who are diligently searching for something wonderful to show up in their situations. Jesus comes even to those who might fear that their old way of living may be overturned.
I pray that as the season of Advent becomes Christmas tied, that the God who comes in Jesus will also enter into your lives.
Ready or not, here Jesus comes! The arrival is imminent.