East

In this second week, we remember the seeds of promise that came, long before the birth of Christ. This birth, this gift, was clearly Gods intention from long, long before that first Christmas. And it was for all people.

Our advent celebrations are often very “western”. Life is still preoccupied with busy work, school and social diaries. Christmas shopping dominates and chocolates enjoyed each morning with the opening of “another window”!

All very western.

Recently I came across this clip on Instagram. The music is eastern. It has depth and power. It is brooding. It could well be played over the earliest of scripture, “Darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit hovered over the waters”. Birth, creation, was yet to come.

It feels “eastern”, and it reminds me that part of the Advent story, came from the east. Matthew 2:1-2. After Jesus was born, during the time of Herod, Magi came from the east”. We are told they had been following his star.

The sense of promise, also came, outside the community of Israel.

I wonder how long these Magi had been travelling. Possibly months! How long had they been searching for signs, talking around campfires, hoping. How deeply was this sense of hope, entrenched into their communities. Over thousands of years, generations had searched.

The Magi would have started their journey, long before Mary and Joseph started theirs. It reminds us of this. That the promise of God, stretches back to the beginning of time, and to all points on the compass. Jesus is a worldwide gift. Salvation is for all. For God so loved the world, that He gave His son.

Prayer

Listen to the music again

Lord, thank you. That your love extends to all your creation.

Imagine everyone that you will meet with today. Pray for them. Offer thanks, that Gods love extends to them also.