In a recent issue of Wired magazine, an article was featured that explored attempts by individuals to disappear. By disappear, I do not mean in the magic sense, but rather in the identity sense. From fake drowings, to fake airplane crashes, men and women have reacted to the pain of marital distress, financial fear and personal despair by running away, vanishing – disappearing.
In this Season of Advent, we celebrate the God who does the opposite. In the face of great pain, difficulty and the overall brokeness of the human condition, we worship the God who appears, runs toward the pain, and physically enters the scene. The Advent of Christ into the world brings us again to the central vision of the Gospel – that Emmanuel, God With Us, is in the business of appearing… at just the right time.