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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Evangelion: A Meditation for Advent

A Peruvian Nativity
Come.
Please God, come to us.
We are enslaved in darkness, full of mourning in a world that suffers. We are helpless captives until you come to save us.

"Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." Isaiah 9:2

Little village of Bethlehem, while you sleep under a starry sky, a light shines into your darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. In you, Bethlehem, the hope and fear of every century meet tonight.

This starry night is set apart from every other, for this is the night when God comes to save us. Long has this world yearned for an end to our dark estrangement, and now He appears, born to rescue us.
Suddenly Lord, we understand how deeply you value us.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..." Isaiah 9:6

We are filled with hope, and even the rocks cry out in thanksgiving. A new, glorious day is dawning and the world will never be the same.  Fall on your knees and worship with the angels, for this is a Holy night! This is the night when your Savior is born.

Who is this child, lying asleep in Mary's lap? Angels have burst open the sky to usher you in, telling lowly shepherds to guard you. Why are you born in such a humble place, where cattle come to feed? You have emptied yourself totally, positioning yourself on the bottom so that you may lift every soul.

"He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Isaiah 53:2

Listen! The silent Word is pleading for us to come to Him. He will be pierced by nails and spear. His blood will be shed so that we may live. Worship the Word made flesh, this baby born to Mary.

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53: 4-5

Your body is laid in a dark tomb, the Light of the world slain by darkness. But death cannot hold you, and bursting forth on Glory day, you defeat the grave to set us free. In your victory, sin has lost it's grip on us, for you have bought us with your blood.

"When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul, he shall see light and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53: 10-11

In truth, You teach us to love one another. Your law is love and your message is peace. You will break every chain and set the captives free. Where You are lifted up in spirit and in truth, all oppression must end.

"The government will be upon his shoulder,  and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!" Isaiah 9:4-7

Let us raise our voices to sing for joy. Let us praise his name with all our hearts. Christ is the Lord! Proclaim his power and glory forevermore!
Where humble hearts receive him, He will still enter in. O come, let us adore Him!

"But to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12-13

"In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

O Holy Night. 

This night changes everything.

 Evangelion.

(the good news)

Based on: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
"O Holy Night"
"What Child is This?"
"In Christ Alone"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"