Expecting someone?

My friend Deb Welsh (yes, that sound you heard was a celebrity name being dropped) posted on facebook acouple of days ago:

"Hmmm. You know the book of Esther doesn't mention God, but the context makes it understood. I wonder if that can happen other places as well ;)"

Deb says stuff like that when she already knows the answer.

During the LSU-Arkansas game the TV guys were talking about the unexpected death of Garrett Uekman, an Arkansas player, just a few days before the game. I did not hear who they were quoting, but whoever it was said something like:

"It is one thing when you have 'something' to play for, but it is an entirely different thing when you have 'someone' to play for."

That was kinda like the Book of Esther to me. Didn't mention God, but it seemed God might be mentioning something through it.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent for many western Christian denominations. Advent is a period of time, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, to reflect upon the anticipation and expectation of the coming of Christ. It ends on Christmas Day.

It is clear that the world around us is getting ready for something. Neighborhoods are awash in Griswoldian luminescence. Christmas trees are trimmed. Stockings are hung. Snow men and grinches are inflated. Plywood cutout reindeer stand rampant along city streets. Gift lists are in a state of flux but almost done. Malls and stores stay open late with warm lights on and cinnamon scented air welcoming you in with strains of "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" . . .(oops, I mean Christmas. Sorry Al, some would say your lyrics need an update, though it seems you actually wrote the song about Thanksgiving).

Yes it's beginning to look, sound and smell a lot like Christmas.

Really?

At the time of the birth of Jesus, the world in which he was to be born was a dark place. The Roman government, the latest in oppressive foreign powers to rule over the Jews, was increasingly oppressive. Poverty was prevalent as the gap between rich and poor was great and heavy Roman taxation was unforgiving. There was strife even among the Jews. Hope was in short supply.

And in Bethlehem? The only light in the cave/cattle stall may have been a fire or oil lamp, if Joseph and Mary had money for oil. There were plenty of sounds. A woman in labor. The cry of a new-born. The breathing, lowing, and stomping of hoofs of the cattle. The quiet, joyful weeping of a new mother. The pacing of a father made heavy with what seemed like the weight of the world on his shoulders . And the smell?

It was a cattle stall.

So, when we sing, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, what Christmas are we talking about? What Christmas are we getting ready for?

Are we doing what we do for something?

Or for SomeOne . . .

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