Advent Day 26: Christ the Messiah

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” from the album Ultimate Joy. Performed by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, composed by Johannes Sebastian Bach.

Poetry:

“Christmas”
by John Betjeman

The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge
And round the Manor House the yew
Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,
The altar, font and arch and pew,
So that the villagers can say
'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze,
Corporation tramcars clang,
On lighted tenements I gaze,
Where paper decorations hang,
And bunting in the red Town Hall
Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.

And London shops on Christmas Eve
Are strung with silver bells and flowers
As hurrying clerks the City leave
To pigeon-haunted classic towers,
And marbled clouds go scudding by
The many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children's hearts are glad.
And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare —
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.

Christ the Messiah

I was surprised, when I watched this morning’s video for the first time, to find tears stinging my eyes. A sweet sort of pang hit me with each new image of Christ as if I was seeing pictures of a loved one I longed for: like seeing photographs that don’t fully capture them but remind me how much I cannot wait until they get off the plane or walk through the door again.

What I found within my heart was this:

Lord, I don’t want all these images. I don’t want all these words. I just want YOU.

The man I love.
The God I love.

This blessed day, Christmas Day, is the day set aside to remember that the God of Love has answered me. He has answered us all. He answered us with Jesus: The Word. The Beginning and the End. King of Glory. God Almighty. Good Shepherd. Counselor. Teacher. Healer. Advocate. Servant. Light of the World. Bread of Life. Cornerstone. Stumbling Block. Promised One…Messiah.

These are some of the names of Christ appearing in this year’s Advent meditations as we have prepared our hearts for Christmas Day. Which of these names resonates with you this morning?

Perhaps it is one you have always loved. Perhaps it is not the one you expected. Whatever the case, I encourage you to take a few minutes at some point today and present it in the presence of Jesus, the Living God. Ask Him what He wants you to know about the name that stood out to you. What invitation might He have for you in it?

When I read these names myself, I noticed a burden of weariness in trying to understand them––to unravel them with my mind––so I presented this weariness to God.

In reply, God reminded me of something a dear friend of His once said to me: “You know, Grace, the more I come to know how good He really is, the less I want to understand. The less I even want to be understood. I just want Him.”

Don’t get me wrong; I am someone who thrives on understanding. I also experience love when I am understood. One of Christ’s most sacred names to me is “Teacher.” Yet, something the Teacher has been teaching me is that the kind of knowledge of Him which matters most is a kind of knowing-by-heart. This kind of heart-knowledge allows me to recognize Him the way I recognize a beloved friend: His countenance (no fear), the look in His eyes (deep, sturdy kindness), His presence (sure), His touch (gentle, healing), His embrace (strong). When He speaks, I know His voice because… it’s Him.

Knowing God like this became possible when Jesus the Messiah was born in Bethlehem, and praise Him, the wait is over.

He is here. Come. Know and be known by Him. Merry Christmas!

Prayer:
Jesus, know me.
Teach my heart to know you.
Praise God you came.

Grace Shaw
Alumna, Talbot Institute for Spiritual Formation
Executive Assistant
Office of the President
Biola University

For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, please visit our website via the link in our bio.