STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU

TODAY USHERS IN THE SEASON OF ADVENT. It is that time of year when we recall the birth of the Christ Child. It is a time of year when candles are lit, carols are sung and stories retold of the One who entered into our world as Emmanuel.

     The Old Testament points to the Messiah’s first advent (Isaiah 9:1-7; Isaiah 53:1-12) and the New Testament points to His second advent. (Revelation 22:12-21.) It is an advent that is still to come. That leaves us stuck in the middle. But, that is not a bad place to be stuck.

     It is here and now that we can recount the events of Christ’s first arrival. It is now that we can celebrate the reality that God became a man and dwelt among us for the sole purpose of bringing the gracious gift of God; the redemption from our sins and the restoration of our relationship with our Creator. (Philippians 2:5-11)

     It is here and now that we can not only point to the Baby in the manger, but also to the Savior upon the cross and the coming Lord of glory. It is here and now in this place that we can stand together to proclaim the greatness of our God and Savior, Jesus, the Messiah, the One who came as the Light of the world. (John 1:1-5; John 1:14; John 8:12) We may be in the middle of the two advents but we are not in the middle alone and without hope. We are here today as the church, the Body of Christ, to declare His glory and to rest in His hope, the hope that does not disappoint. (Romans 5:1-5)

     Therefore, let us celebrate being stuck in the middle and in doing so let us proclaim Him who is the “Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13)