COME, LORD JESUS!”

“If we are unfaithful. He remains faithful” (II Tim 2:13

During this holy season, we also commemorate the waiting of the people of God for the Saviour.
They waited over centuries.
In the beginning, when God created man and woman, it was paradise! In this paradise it was a delightful life with God, with each other, and close to the beauty and abundance of the earth. When man and woman chose to rebel

WHEN MAN AND WOMAN CHOSE TO REBEL AGAINST GOD, EVERYTHING WENT HAYWIRE. SATAN OFFERED THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT, AND THE HUMANS CHOSE REBELLION, TO FASHION A PARADISE WITHOUT GOD

against God, everything went haywire. Satan offered the forbidden fruit, and the humans chose rebellion, to fashion a paradise without God. That decision was disastrous. Human relationship between husband and wife became strained. This gave way to the great tragedy of jealousy, anger and hatred. The first brothers, one killed the other. Innocent blood flowed on the earth, and the earth became cursed. “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength” (Gen 4:11,12).
There was a distance between humans and God. Yet God did not abandon man. He promised a Saviour, the seed of a woman, who will be born into this world to save humankind from its deathly error. For centuries, God prepared humankind to receive its Saviour. This preparation we commemorate during this holy season of Advent.

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord” (Jer 17:7)

God chooses Abraham, promising that he will be a blessing. “I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing… in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12;2,3). Abraham accepted God’s choice, and took up the uncertain pilgrimage God called him to. “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Gen 12:1).
Adam and Eve did not trust in God’s love. The earth was cursed, and so were human relationships, and the connection with God was strained. Abraham trusted God and he became a blessing. With him starts the flow of blessings to everyone who would turn to God. The prophets down the centuries, from Moses to John the Baptist, had but one goal and message to turn the hearts of the people to God. As the prophet Joel cried out, “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful” (Joel 2:12,13).
The prophet Isaiah exhorts, “They who wait for theLord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint” (Is 40:31). This is the vision of the fullness of life that awaits those who wait on God with trust.
Something significant in the Gospels is that all the key players in the Christ event, chosen by God in a clear, definite way are all symbols of waiting for the Lord..
Simeon, received the Infant Jesus

THE PROPHETS DOWN THE CENTURIES, FROM MOSES TO JOHN THE BAPTIST, HAD BUT ONE GOAL AND MESSAGE TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE TO GOD. THIS IS THE VISION OF THE FULLNESS OF LIFE THAT AWAITS THOSE WHO WAIT ON GOD WITH TRUST

at the Temple and prophesied. He is described as “righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25). There was Anna, an elderly woman, “who never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day” (v. 37). She “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38).

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Ps 56:3)

Most importantly, Joseph and Mary, are the two people specially chosen by the Lord to play a crucial role in the birth of salvation. Their preparation for the Saviour, involved an intense trustful waiting and the complete offering of their lives to God.
Joseph enters into salvation history with a bang, with a wound, from a terrible experience. He was a carpenter in the village of Nazareth. He learned the trade in order to make a living, and to support a family. He dreamt of a delightful life with Mary, a girl from the same village. That’s when calamity happens. Mary, who is now betrothed to him, is found to be expecting a child. There could not have been more terrible a disaster for the young man. His entire vision for the future came crumbling down.
How did he respond in this crisis situation? The easiest thing should have been to inform the synagogue authority. It should have also been the most natural reaction. With all the anger, shock and grief of perceived betrayal, he could have vented his frustrations, “I love her. I am waiting for her. Why did Mary prefer another man?” This should have led him to a firm decision, ‘I will not take it lying down. I will inform this to the synagogue, and let the Mosaic Law take its course’. Once this was publicly announced, Mary would be called unfaithful and adulterous, and would be stoned to death. Joseph would have been honoured, and He would have been able to realize his dream of a grand family life.
This was not the way Joseph chose. In the midst of all terrible feelings, he waited in the dark. Nothing was clear. There was not even a ray of light. Joseph decided that Mary must live. He would have to disappear to a foreign country. In those times, when there were no passports and visas, a foreigner could be stoned to death. There was a saying among the Jews, “If you see a dog and a foreigner, hit the foreigner first.” The outsider was

counted dangerous. Being a man without any address, people feared he could do anything. Joseph, however, was ready to face what was to come; clear that Mary must not suffer. That night he slept. This we know because we are told he had a dream. To have a dream one must be sleeping very deep. Such was the peace the man of faith experiences even in the face of great trial. In this dream the message was communicated by the angel, “For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her. She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Mt 1:20-21). As Joseph had waited in the dark hour for God, the light of the Holy Spirit shone upon him. He realised that Mary being chosen by God, cannot be his wife. Joseph made
his fiat: “Here am I, your servant.” In fact, Joseph does not say a word in the gospels. He waits for God’s word, and obeys always making the space for God to have His way, and His word to mould his life. Joseph could have been a terrible instrument of destruction, thwarting God’s plan for the salvation of the humankind. Because of his waiting and praying, his obedience to God’s word, he became the most crucial partner of God in the mystery of salvation.
Mary was herself “greatly troubled”(Lk 1:29). She is told by the angel of God that she would conceive and bear the Son of the Most High God. She did not know how, and what it all meant. She is assured “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:35). From that moment, she waits and prays, accepting God’s plan. She submits herself with great trust and love, waiting for the Saviour. Trust is the greatest characteristic of love. She trusted in God, and offered her life for the Saviour.
These two great persons God chose for the salvation of the humankind that we may see what it truly means to accept the Lord, and wait on Him

“Blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Is 30:18)

The shepherds were patiently waiting, as scripture presents them as “keeping watch” (Lk 2:8). They were keeping watch not just over the flock. They were simple men waiting for the consolation of Israel. The shepherd symbolizes the ‘Anawim Yahweh’, a Hebrew word that refers to the poor of the Lord. This did not only mean material poverty, but a dependence on God. The declaration means that, “God is my fullness.” As they were keeping watch, heaven descended on them. The angelsdeclared the good news. Immediately, it is said, they went with haste, and they found the Saviour born for them.
The Magi were not Jews. They were men from the East, known for their wisdom. They were wise because they were waiting for the Saviour, the new born king of the Jews. Not only the Jewish nation, but all of humankind was waiting. In fact, as Scripture reveals all of creation is in travail (Rom 8:22). The star arises in the sky as a pointer for the Magi. A lot of people saw the star. It was there, up in the sky for all to see. Many would have appreciated its beauty and gone to sleep without understanding the sign. These wise men awaiting the Saviour arose to follow the star. They took up that long, hazardous journey. They were led to the manger of Bethlehem. “They were overwhelmed with joy” (Mt 2:10). They had the great delight and blessedness to behold the divine face of the Saviour. This holy season of Advent, we will learn to make our life “a waiting and praying.” There are moments in life when we become upset, frustrated, and slip into anger and despair. Unwelcome things happen to us. We helplessly witness an unexpected turn of events. At such instances, we must be watchful to recognise which is the path to salvation.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely” (Prov 3:5)

A certain man had come for retreat. He was distressed, and confused. He spoke of having problems with his wife. He recounted how one morning after an argument, his wife ignored him. When he left for the office, she instead of bidding him goodbye went inside the room. He was very upset the whole day. That’s when a lady colleague dropped by
and enquired if he was well. She seemed very concerned and kind. He did not share anything with her that first time.
A week later, there was another argument at home. Again his wife turned away from him. He was very upset and again this lady colleague insistently sat by him, offering consolation. That was when he began sharing what was happening in the home. Over the months, their friendship became warmer. He began spontaneously confiding in his colleague. He began to look forward to their times together. He then turned and said, “Honestly speaking, I am happier when I’m with her than when I’m with my wife and child. I feel so disconnected from my family and restless at home. I have nothing to speak with my wife. In fact, we regularly have arguments and don’t speak to each other. It has been a few weeks since I spoke to her.”
This man did not feel the need to reconcile and heal the relationship with his wife, precisely because he was counting on the affection, understanding and closeness with the other woman. This caused the deep confusion and distress. With this state of mind he came for the retreat.
I explained to him that his failure was that he did not wait for the Lord. When a problem arose in the marriage, leading to a strain in the relationship, he realised that he was not in control of the situation. That was the time; he should have turned to the Lord and waited for God’s wisdom. By waiting in prayer, he would have opened the door for the Lord to enter and pitch His tent in the strained relationship. God’s healing love would have made the marriage more blessed. Instead, by following his personal instinct, he permitted Satan to sowing the seeds of separation. No wonder, the anger and frustration that distanced him from his

THE LORD SEES OUR DISTRESS. HE KNOWS THAT THE DECEPTION OF SATAN ONLY LEADS TO DESTRUCTION. I EXPLAINED TO HIM, “YOUR MARRIAGE WAS ALMOST SLIPPING INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT JESUS. IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE DOMAIN OF SALVATION. WAIT FOR THE LORD.” HE CONTINUED TO WAIT AND PRAY. HE WENT BACK HOME AND ASKED PARDON FROM HIS WIFE. THEY CAME TOGETHER AGAIN FOR THE RETREAT. THAT FAMILY ENTERED INTO THE DOMAIN OF SALVATION EXPERIENCE OF THE LORD. THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND LOVE WAS SECURED IN GOD’S GRACE.

wife. The danger here was the paradise event being repeated. Satan who destroyed the first relationship between man and woman was at work here. This brought the curse upon the whole earth and separated humankind from God. This drama keeps repeating in life if you fail to wait for the Lord.
I asked the man to pray and seek to know what the Lord was revealing to him about his life. A few days into the retreat, he came to meet me. He was in tears. He said, “The Lord is telling me to go to my wife. She has been given to me by God Himself for me to bless her, and be blessed by her. This lady colleague is offered to me by Satan. IfI take the accept Satan’s offers I will lose what is truly my own my family, my wife, my child. My future without God will be destroyed.” I praised God for this insight he received. I told him that Jesus wants to be the Saviour. The Lord sees our distress. He knows that the deception of Satan only leads to destruction. I explained to him, “Your marriage was almost slipping into a relationship without Jesus. It was outside of the domain of salvation. Wait for the Lord.” He continued to wait and pray. He went back home and asked pardon from his wife. She was waiting for that reconciliation. They came together again for the retreat. That family entered into the domain of salvation experience of the Lord. Their relationship and love was secured in God’s grace.
God comes to be with us, Emmanuel. We do not wish to live outside of His presence. Therefore in this season of grace, may we consider every moment and decision we made without waiting for God. Let us turn to wait on the Lord with the prayer, “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” We shall hear the Lord’s promise, “Yes, I am coming soon.” This holy season will draw us into the domain of salvation, and our lives will truly be blessed. Our families and this world will be blessed by us.

Prayer
Jesus, you are my Saviour, and the Saviour of my family. Come into our home and declare your word of salvation, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Lk 19:9). Lord, teach me not to harden my heart. May your Spirit stir me to heed your voice. Give me the courage to recognise where I have slipped away from your salvation. Jesus, I shall wait for you to be born in my life, and in my home. Come Lord Jesus!