ADVENTUS
“The Coming”
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the
clans of Judah, from you shall come
forth for Me One who is to be ruler in
Israel, whose coming forth is from
of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2 ESV
In the book, Extreme Devotion, Aristar tells the Christmas story to his fellow inmates in the Romanian prison of Tirgul-Ocna.1 Cold winter air seeped through the prison walls around the captives who lacked food, clothing and blankets. As Christmas approached, each prisoner felt the pain of missing their loved ones and dreamt of going home to celebrate the birth of the Saviour.
“The light of the star must have been brighter than the moon,” Aristar mused. “It may have shone through the stable’s doorway and made the rooster crow, announcing Christ’s birth.” No moonlight or celestial star shone into their cells that night. But, as the prisoners listened to Aristar, they were transported to another place, in a distant land, kneeling beside the cradle of the newborn King.
Many wept as they listened, and then began to silently pray for their loved ones. At that moment, someone who was deeply touched by the profound reality of God’s love began to sing. The melodious sound of the prisoner’s voice brought a glimmer of beauty and hope into the dimness of those darkened cells, lifting the spirits of all who heard.
Just as in Aristar’s case, Christians today are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Christmastime, though it is a joyous occasion, can be fraught with uncertainty and fear for many such believers around the world. Their persecutors, who are averse to the Gospel message, often use this time to attack God’s people as they gather to worship. For followers of Jesus, the freedom to publicly celebrate His birth without religious and communal opposition is not guaranteed. Despite the restraints, the Christmas story continues to be told with boldness and passion. The Gospel message resounds in villages and cities across these hostile lands as God’s people proclaim: “Come, Lord Jesus! Come and set Your people free.”
For Western Christians, Advent is an essential time of heart preparation that sets the stage for Christ’s coming. While it is undoubtedly a festive season, it also challenges us to acknowledge the brokenness of our world. Additionally, Advent reminds us that we are not to lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the season but rather actively engage in our culture by presenting the powerful hope of the Christmas message – the indescribable gift of God’s Son Jesus. By centering our thoughts and actions on Christ, our sure foundation, we will enrich our experiences – as well as those of others – creating a deeper connection to the true meaning of the season.
Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, a bishop and theologian in the early 1700s, declared: “It is a custom with many Christians to anticipate the arrival of Christmas a considerable time beforehand by fitting up in their homes a crib to represent the birth of Jesus Christ. But few think of preparing their hearts in order that the infant Jesus may be born in them, and there find His repose." 2
Aristar’s message shifted the focus of his fellow prisoners from the despair of their present situation to the hope of the One who bears their sorrows and grief. In the same way, Christians enduring persecution for their faith today boldly proclaim the arrival of the Messiah, inviting all who will listen to prepare their hearts for the coming King. In Canada and other Western nations, Christians rise above secular political correctness – extending the hope, joy and merriment of the Christmas season to their neighbours. In fact, the transformative power of the Christmas message will assuredly bring hope and upliftment to all who readily hear it.
The message of Christmas brings into focus the foundations of the Christian worldview as well. In the beginning of all time, God created the world and the vast cosmos surrounding it. He also created man and woman in His image and told them to be fruitful and multiply. While Adam and Eve were commissioned to subdue and steward the earth, they instead disobeyed God. As a result, the relationship between our Creator God and His once perfect creation was broken.
The damage had been irreparable until Jesus, God's one and only Son, came down in the form of an innocent infant child to redeem and restore all that was broken. He did this by living a sinless life and dying on the cross for all the sins of the world. Jesus triumphantly defeated the curse of sin and death by rising to resurrected life, and then He gloriously ascended into heaven with the promise of returning to bring His people home. Until that day comes, we wait with eager expectation, but do so with the mission of making the real story of Jesus known.
As we approach this Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on this narrative and consider how you can prepare your heart – and the hearts of others – for the celebration of our blessed Redeemer’s birth. “Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!”3
May you be enraptured by His presence as you worship Him this season and always….
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
Endnotes:
1 Extreme Devotion is available for purchase on VOMC’s online bookstore: Store.VOMCanada.org/purchase/extreme-devotion.
2 Elliot Ritzema, ed., 300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas, Pastorum Series (Lexham Press, 2013).
3 Frances (Fanny) J. Crosby, Blessed Assurance hymn lyrics (1873).
