Advent 4th December

"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.” Numbers 24:17

Readings:

Numbers 24:17,  
Psalm 118:19-29
Revelation 1:1-8

Reflection

“I see Him but not now… I behold Him but not near”. We truly live in the ‘Now and the Not Yet’… What do you look for and hunger for? We are living now but we long for what is to come. The kingdom is here—now– amongst and within us. And yet, we wait, we long for that time when this kingdom will be fulfilled in the glorious light of eternity. the star.

We approach again the Christmas story and it appears without fail and guides us to the familiar place, moving us step by step through the familiar story. The angels, shepherds, hills and manger, all remain the same but we have changed this year – events, situations and circumstances this year have changed us and we are different. Into this difference the angels speak and into our lives the Christ Child comes.

May we make room in our minds and our hearts for Christ this year.  The coming of the Lord was a coming of the Light in the midst of darkness.  And the coming of the Lord always makes us aware of the darkness, because the light dispels the darkness.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel…God is with us but we wait eagerly for his return…shall come to thee, O Israel.

Prayer 

Thank you Creator God for the gift of this day.
From the blazing sunrise through a cloudy winter sky to the setting sunset thank you for your faithfulness.
May I have your sight and insight this day to be aware of your grace lighting up my life. As I wait and watch in silence for your coming may I be filled with a sense of your presence in my life. Amen