Talking Points with Pastor Lucas - Anticipation!
Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting. The church year keeps us focused on the life of Jesus. Advent, the first season of the church year, brings us to the beginning of Jesus’ life, where He becomes incarnate—where He came into the flesh—to be born of a virgin, set in a manger, and reared in a family.
It is no small thing that the Creator of the world became part of creation to redeem all of creation. How the Lord of the universe became a zygote, implanted in a uterus, nurtured by a placenta, fed by an umbilical cord, and housed in the womb of his mother, the virgin Mary, is both miracle and mystery rolled into one. Yet, that is what it means that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That’s where the incarnation began. Because Jesus entered the world as a baby, every pregnancy and every birth are reminders to us of the life of our Lord and the love of our Lord. They are precious parts of our creation, a creation He authored and a creation He entered. He came into the flesh to redeem us because He loves us the people He creates.
Focusing on the life of Christ throughout Advent, we also keep in mind the developing Christ child who was nurtured and grew in the womb of his beloved mother. Like all mothers who endure the nine months of expectant waiting, Advent captures our expectant mood as we focus upon the coming of our Lord. It prepares our hearts and minds as the season patiently leads us to the celebration of His Christmas birth.
Yet, as we anticipate the celebration of His first coming, we do so with expectant hearts that also await his second coming. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us did so that His flesh and blood might be given for our redemption. How the Lord of the universe willingly became as a criminal to be beaten and scourged, nailed to a cross, die and be housed in a tomb for three days, is another mystery. But it is one that ends in the miracle of His resurrection where He once for all, once and for all, paid for our sins, defeated Satan, and destroyed the power of death. That is the Easter joy behind our Christmas celebration. It is how the church year keeps us ever tied to the life of our Lord.
Therefore, the church carries on, year after year, season after season, marking our life by the life of our Lord. As we do, we expectantly await His return, like a mother waiting for the arrival of her baby, trusting that He gives to us the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
A very blessed Advent and Christmas to you all!
Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President
Minnesota South District, LCMS
