Like you, I associate many things with the Advent Season. Theologically, I associate Advent with the doctrine of the incarnation – the Son of God being, as the hymn puts it, “garbed in flesh.” Doctrines like the Trinity, the Covenant of Grace, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy come to mind as well. Culturally, I think of such things as buying presents and family and friends, Christmas cards, family visits, getting out the ladder and decorating the house…
But there is another word that we should at least associate with the original advent of Christ: inconvenience. Lost in the pastoral serenity of our porcelain crèche scenes, the actual events surrounding Christ’s birth must have been anything but convenient!
A man and his nine-month pregnant betrothed have just finished a long road trip. They are unable to find decent accommodations. They are in a stable. The town of Bethlehem is packed with people who have been forcibly reminded of their subjugation – they are required to comply with a census mandated by the Roman government. They have left homes, fields, and businesses in order to report to their hometowns in compliance with Quirinius’ decree. Who can say what the mood is?
And then we come to our beloved ‘silent night, holy night.’ Most assuredly it was holy. But silent? It is amazing to me that in every creche scene all of the animals have their mouths shut! Having been in the room when four babies were born, I recall quite a bit of noise and commotion! And a multitude of the heavenly host declaring God’s glory and his people’s blessedness!
And then the shepherds. All brand-new, first-time parents love it when a group of strange men, arguably of ill-repute, push their way into the delivery room to get a peek at the new baby! After the trials of travel and then childbirth, I wonder if Mary and Joseph were relieved when the shepherds left. But then the shepherds descended upon Bethlehem! “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…” until a group of shepherds start sharing with everyone what the angels had told them – in the middle of the night! And then, that bit of inconvenience accomplished, they return to the new family.
From the human perspective, the birth of the Messiah appears to have been a bit of a scratch job. We would have wanted it planned a bit more carefully: hotel reservations made in advance, perhaps a spa day for Mary, visiting hours for well-wishers, a tastefully worded text message informing us of any relevant news that we could access in the morning…
I have often wondered how many of those census-stressed residents of Bethlehem heard the shepherd’s news as an instance of Proverbs 27:14 – “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.”
There is a lesson here for God’s people – and for those who would know him. The arrival of Christ in a life is and must be a terribly inconvenient thing. If the Bible has it right when it describes our fallen human nature, it must be the case that the apple carts of our values and priorities will be overturned the minute he makes an appearance. The changes his arrival brings are too often radical and sometimes uncomfortable. And walking with Christ for many years, we will continue to have such visitations in which new convictions and greater discernment require new changes and greater devotion.
Embrace the inconvenience of living on God’s time! And as you hustle and bustle your way through the commercialized aspects of our cultural festivities, let all of the little inconveniences and frustrations point you to this greater truth – by the grace of God, Christ has entered your life in order to change you and grow you; and growth and change are rarely convenient.
Your Pastor,
Bob Bjerkaas
Thank-you for that good word. Helpful these days in my life. Deep peace (as in peace of mind) can be experienced even in the midst of chaotic situations. God calls us to obedience, and when we obey, that deep peace reigns.