The weeks leading up to the Christmas celebration can often seem daunting. Preparations need to be made for gatherings, presents purchased, meals planned, cookies baked, toys assembled, and on and on. Or, maybe there’s none of that in your life, and the season can seem bereft of any hope, peace, joy, or love as the world swirls on around you.
The season of Advent – where we prepare to honor the coming of the King, and hope with eager anticipation for His return – asks us to pause and consider the magnitude of what we’re celebrating.
The Creator of the universe humbled himself to be born a man. To walk amongst men, to teach, and to ultimately sacrifice Himself for you. You.
When the world first learned of this plan it wasn’t announced through a press conference or an influencer video. It was met with a glorious song of praise…
And Mary said (Luke 1: 46-55):
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
The wonder of this moment seems beyond words. As poet Dana Gioia said, “Prose cannot express the extent of Mary’s wonder, joy, and gratitude. Plain statement will not evoke the unique miracle of God’s becoming man. The Incarnation requires an ode, not an email.”
On the eve of His birth, an angel announced His coming, along with a great company of the heavenly host singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven!”
And within this miracle of the Creator God who exists outside of time and space becoming man is the inescapable fact that He came for you. He came for you.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
P.A. Tennant – Advent, 2025
Soli Deo Gloria
Photo: P.A. Tennant
Copyright 2025 Paul A. Tennant
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