The Build Up

A Reflection on the First Reading for December 15th, 2019:
​Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 35.1-6

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

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We are about to enter the third week of Advent. Week three! We’re almost there! This time of year brings with it a sense of anticipation. There’s something we’re getting ready for. Something big. There is lots to do and little time to do it, so it seems. But do we really know what we are getting ready for? Who we are getting ready for? 

As I sit in a busy coffee shop writing, I look at the people around me and wonder: Does anyone have any idea who is coming? How many people stop in the busyness of the season and recall that not only is Christmas coming, but CHRIST is coming! It’s probably not the first thing the majority of the people in this place right now are thinking about. And if I’m honest, I too am trying not to be overwhelmed by the things I “have” to do before Christmas.  
 
In this reading, Isaiah gives me some perspective. He reminds me of what is to come, for whom I am preparing, and what it is that I am anticipating. Isaiah’s words build up a grand sense of excitement, rejoicing, and joy. One word in particular struck me. The word “shall” was used over and over. Eleven times to be exact. That’s a lot for this short passage. Eleven times the word evokes a sense of the future and does so with strong intention. Isaiah means business because something GOOD is coming. We know it is Christ who is coming. And He’s not just coming for a visit or random drop in. He’s coming to change our world. And that’s what I need to be ready for. The parties, the family time, the decorating, the baking, the gifts, the moments of quiet amid the movements of crazy are all good. They are all a part of this life that God has given me. But so too is our “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9.6). God wants to be so much a part of my life that He sent His only Son into the world to be with me. And you. And all whom we love, have yet to love, and even those we don’t yet know how to love. All this because He loves. 

"God wants to be so much a part of my life that He sent His only Son into the world to be with me. And you."

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The Son of God may have come 2000 years ago, but we celebrate His coming every year because He keeps coming — in and through us to bring about change. That’s part of the deal I make every time I receive Him in the Eucharist. I am saying yes to witnessing that same love so that He can continue to change this world through me. When I think such thoughts as I sit in a coffee shop on a sunny, winter morning — it just blows my mind! I think that’s what the waiting of Advent is for: to build up joyful anticipation and give me the time to prepare to have my mind blown. ​


Aurea Sadi

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

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