Advent Reflection: The Anticipation of a Savior
“The Anticipation of a Savior”
by Amy Velarde
This Sunday of Advent, we are looking at the “Anticipation of a Savior.” As I was writing the reflection for today, I came across a piece of art that impacted me. It’s called, “Census at Bethlehem” by Pieter Bruegel. Take a look at it with me. It’s not your typical nativity scene, but rather the artist’s interpretation of what the events surrounding the birth of Jesus may have looked like in the time and place where the artist lived. Can you spot Mary and Joseph?
“The Census at Bethlehem” (1566) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
They are present in the painting [towards the bottom of the painting Mary is riding the donkey as Joseph pulls them along] however, they are not the focus. They are among the chaos of the village during the census – children playing, preparations for the winter, paying taxes, registering for the census, people busying themselves, preoccupied with their circumstances and matters that feel urgent at the moment. The artist depicts the miraculous among the mundane. The Son of God is about to take on flesh and yet, most of those that were in town during his birth, were too busy with other things to realize that heaven had come to earth, 400 years of silence had been broken, and Love Himself, had come down to rescue us for good.
But there were some who lived intentionally and noticed what was happening in their midst.
“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So, when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:25-35
Simeon, though an old man, had the faith and eager anticipation of a child. Perhaps it was his childlike faith that allowed him to find the promised Messiah in the face of a baby. Simeon’s focus was on God - what He was doing and where He was working. He moved slower and more intentionally. And because Simeon was eagerly awaiting and walking with the Spirit, it allowed him know where to go that day – to the Temple Courts, where his heart’s deepest desire to see the Messiah, the Word made flesh, would be fulfilled. There at the Temple, he was able to look into the tender eyes of the One who saw him in his mother’s womb. He touched the head that would wear a crown of thorns and held the hands that would eventually bear the scars of our sins. The Savior was here to finally rescue us!
As I reflected on all this, I saw all the ways I often focus on all there is to get done, especially during the craziness of the Christmas season with a never-ending task list, a full calendar, end of year work deadlines, and don’t get me started on all the school holiday themed “spirit” days, as if parents don’t have enough to do without helping their kids dress up in a green grinch outfit. I confess that I have been too busy with the concerns of daily life to make space for wonder and enchantment. I stop noticing the beauty that is happening all around me. I am too distracted to be awestruck at the gospel of Jesus and what He actually did for me through His death and resurrection.
G.K. Chesterton wrote,
“Most sensible people say that adults cannot be expected to appreciate Christmas as much as children appreciate it. But I am not sure that even sensible people are always right; and this has been my principal reason for deciding to be silly - a decision that is now irrevocable. It may be because I am silly, but I rather think that, relatively to the rest of the year, I enjoy Christmas more than I did when I was a child.” (The Illustrated London News, 1913)
Ryan Whitaker Smith goes on to say that,
“Chesterton touches on a great irony at the heart of the gospel. How can one reach maturity while maintaining childlikeness? How can one grow tall in grace while short in cynicism? How can one ‘put away childish things’ and yet retain the faith of a child?” (Winter Fire; Christmas with G.K. Chesterton by Ryan Whitaker Smith)
It’s true, the world is heavy, there is pain, suffering, loss. It’s important to sit in the pain, give yourself time to grieve, I’m not denying that. However, it is easy to allow the brokenness of this world to make us jaded. It’s no wonder that some of the words of the year for 2025 include “rage bait” and “slop.” We are angry, anxious, distracted, disassociated, and cynical. We pride ourselves on being informed, well-read; we carefully curate posts and responses to the latest news headlines, but were we ever meant to know and carry this much?
In Matthew 18:1-4, it says,
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
We have much to learn and be reminded of from children. Ray has recently been reminding me of how to embrace the fun and silliness rather than what may be practical and sensible. We’ve been sledding at 6:30 in the morning and 8:00 at night. We marvel at the stars outside. He’s been telling us jokes from a joke book he got. We’ve been drinking loads of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. He’s been praying at dinnertime, thanking God for His Spirit. When making his Christmas wishlist, he said what he wanted most of all was Jesus. He shows me how to behold both the silly and the sacred.
So, this Christmas, may we allow ourselves to get lost in the wonder of His love. May we belt out Christmas carols with those we love. Laugh freely. Put our phones down. Go sledding. Eat Christmas cookies with extra sprinkles. Go for a walk and enjoy the Christmas lights. Take treats to our neighbors. Allow Him to carry your burdens and walk lighter this season. Look for Jesus and where He is working even in our ordinary days and tasks. And maybe, like Ray, what we could wish for the most this Christmas, is Jesus. Because He has come. He is with us. And He is coming again. Let us eagerly anticipate His second coming with the faith and expectancy of a child. May we once again experience what it’s like to have a truly Merry Christmas – with a twinkle in our eyes, a smile on our faces, and joy in our hearts.