Advent Unfolding – Day 2

 

 

 

 

Week 1 – Revelation

      Day 2: Discover

 

 

Discover:  find (something or someone) unexpectedly

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:1-3

One of my favorite things to do as a small child was to look at the clouds and try to discover shapes or images in them. (I still like to do this with my own children) Discovering  new things brings such an excitement and joy to our hearts, and when shared with someone else the discovery is even more fulfilling.  Like the time one of my daughters discovered, that the tree across the street was in the shape of a heart.  I do not know how many times I looked out my front  window, while sitting on my couch in the living room, and never noticed this.  Perhaps my mind was focused on loftier things.  It took the eyes of a child to  point out this beautiful, amazing hand print of God. This simple discovery is now a daily reminder of His love for us.  Jesus reminded us that we needed to become like little children to fully enter the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps that is why He came as a baby – God entering his created world as a child to bridge the gap from heaven and earth. Those who looked through worldly eyes for the Messiah where expecting to find a Military Leader. But the ones who looked through the eyes of simplicity discovered something, someone unexpected – a baby, a child – a future Savior.

May we have the eyes of a child this Christmas Season.

Advent Unfolding – Day 1

 

During this Advent Season, I will be participating in   Advent Unfolding -  a place where we are invited  to share our advent journey creatively. This is the list of words and themes for the weeks and days of advent. We are encouraged to share photos, poems, posts, scriptures, sketches or other mediums. This creative journey is meant to draw us closer to the origin and expression of Christmas.

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Day 1: Clarion - Announcement

The shofar was a ritual musical instrument, made from the horn of a ram or other animal, used on important Jewish public and religious occasions. In biblical times the shofar sounded the Sabbath, announced the New Moon, and proclaimed the anointing of a new king.

In various places in the Bible the Shofar is conceived as an instrument, used by God himself:

“Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet…” (Zechariah 9:14).

Shofar is a Hebrew word that comes from a root meaning beauty. To me giving birth is one of the most humbling, beautiful experiences. Yes, it is painful and messy but the child held in your arms at the end of all that is a miracle, a thing of beauty.

I find it amazing and yet appropriate that God choose to sound His trumpet…

to announce to  His creation - “Emmanuel” - God with Us , in that same humble way, with the birth of His son -

the new born King - Jesus.