"An Extraordinary Arrival" | Bobby McGraw
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
As we enter into week 2 of the Advent season, this is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. I can't help but to think about the old song, "O Come, All Ye Faithful." This song, a staple of Christmas carols, resonates deeply during this time. It's a call to worship and an invitation to experience the profound mystery of faith, hope, and love.
It's a season that mirrors our own stories of searching, finding, and sometimes stumbling upon grace in the most unanticipated places. When I sing this carol, I think about the faithful ones making their way to Bethlehem. What were their thoughts? Were they filled with hope? Anxiety? A sense of wonder?
This song speaks to the heart of the journey - an invitation to come and adore. It's about moving toward something greater than ourselves, a call to be part of a bigger story. The chorus, "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord," reminds us that at the center of this season is a simple yet profound act of adoration.
Adoration isn't just praise; it's a recognition of something wondrous. In our lives, filled with slammed schedules and scary deadlines, adoration is a pause, a moment of awe in the face of the divine mystery. As we sing these words, we're invited to step out of our hectic routine and into a space of reverence and wonder.
In thinking about this, I'm reminded of the shepherds in the Christmas story. They were ordinary people, going about their daily lives, when suddenly they were invited to witness something extraordinary. Their response? They went. They saw. They adored. Their journey wasn't just physical; it was a transformation of the heart.
This Advent, as we sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful," let's think about our faithfulness. Are we, like the shepherds, ready to drop everything and embrace the mystery of God's love? Are we willing to journey, not just to a physical place, but deeper into our own hearts?
The song also speaks of joy and triumph. "Joyful and triumphant," we sing, but do we feel it? The joy of Advent isn't the fleeting happiness of the everyday; it's a deeper joy born of knowing that we are part of something miraculous. It's a joy that comes from the realization that, in the midst of our broken world, there is hope, there is light, and there is love.
But let's not forget that this journey isn't always easy. There are moments of doubt, of feeling lost, of wondering if we've heard the call at all. Yet, the song beckons, "O come, ye, O come ye to Bethlehem." It's a reminder that the journey of faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about moving forward, step by step, towards the place where heaven meets earth.
In these days of Advent, as we prepare our hearts and homes, let's also prepare our spirits. Let's be faithful in our journey, not just in the sense of devotion, but in being full of faith – faith in the unseen, in the promise of something greater, in the love that came down at Christmas.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect. Think about your own journey. Where are you on this path of faith? Are you eagerly moving forward, or are you hesitant, unsure of the next step? Remember, the call of Advent is not to the perfect, but to the willing. It's an invitation to all of us, the faithful, the seeking, the wondering, to come and adore.
In the words of the hymn, let us echo that call: "O come, let us adore Him." Let this be our focus, our prayer, our hope as we journey through this Advent season. For in the act of adoration, we find ourselves part of a greater story, a story of love, hope, and redemption. And isn't that the most beautiful journey of all?
Prayer:
"Dear God, In this Advent season, help us find quiet moments to feel the joy and wonder of Your love. Guide us through our doubts and busy days, reminding us that it's okay not to have all the answers. As we prepare for Christmas, let our hearts be open and ready to receive and share Your love and light. Amen."
Helpful? Would you consider sharing these devotions on your social media sites this week?
