For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
“Who among all the humans would know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? All we can know is that they’re hidden in the wealth of Christ’s heavenly folds and concealed in the poverty of His fleshly folds…
When He came to assume mortality and consume death, He looked like one of us. That’s to say, considering all the articles in His heavenly haberdashery, He stood in tatters. No matter, He said; such riches as I have aren’t lost forever; they’ve merely been put into a blind trust.
The Psalmist’d know what He was talking about. For those who are genuinely afraid of Him, He’s put away millions in the bank. However, of those who’re converting their fear into hope, the payback has already begun. How sweet it is (VUL 30:20; NRSV 31:19).
Paul put it this way in his first letter to the Corinthians. “We know only part of the story now, and we won’t know the rest until He comes again.” (13:9). This is why we have to upgrade our readiness.”
Augustine (354-430) bishop of Hippo in Sermons to the People: Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, Epiphany, ed. William Griffin (New York: Random House, 2002) 117-118.
Our fear is converted into hope during the Advent season because of the generosity of God toward humankind. The child wrapped in rags, whose birth we celebrate, is all we have ever needed, all we currently need, and all we will ever need.
Let’s “upgrade our readiness” by re-reading Isaiah’s words (above). Take five minute and reflect on one or more of the names ascribed to Jesus and consider the implications for you and for those with whom you are journeying through Advent.