Advent: 13.6.09 “Revelation as Gift”
Do you like to shake the presents? Take some educated guesses on the Christmas loot based on shape, size, and sound? For some of us it’s hard to wait a month for a gift. Imagine waiting a lifetime (like Simeon – Lk 2). How about a few 1000 years (like the Jews for Messiah). Waiting is hard to do. We burn with the desire to see the mystery revealed – Jesus Messiah, Christ amongst us (and even in us), the hope of glory!
As we celebrate Advent we embrace the idea of Revelation. God showing up at our doorstep and introducing Himself. Theologians call it Epiphany. I call it clear communication. As Jesus said – If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. It’s going from Word (abstract idea / formula) to freshly brewed Flesh (the present stimulating reality). You can’t just read about Jesus, you gotta taste and see that He is good!
Revelation, the Word made Flesh, is a gift. It cost something. It cost Him something. Jesus was the ultimate minimalist. Less was more. God became a Man. He stripped away His divinity, His control over life, His supremacy of will. Why? So he could be born into this world as a weak, dependant, crying baby. He wasn’t born into a rich family, or into position, or influence. No, he was born into a poor family and took up a common occupation in land under foreign occupation. But that God who became a Man, would end up a Hero.
Why? What was the point? Sometimes we have to give to get. Jesus let go of everything to get one thing – YOU! You are His perfect Christmas gift. Let’s reflect upon that this Advent season. As the world around us rushes head-over-heels in materialism, riding the wave of the next big fad, and fulfilling the lust of our eyes – STOP. Take time to smell the coffee. Pause. Breathe. Reflect. Consider- what was given that you might get? Remember, less is sometimes more & revelation is a gift.
CityLight Church 
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