The Point of a Spear

“We, with our modern democratic and arithmetical presuppositions would so have liked and expected all men to start equal in their search for God. One has the picture of great centripetal roads coming from all directions, with well-disposed people, all meaning the same thing, and getting closer and closer together. How shockingly opposite to that is the Christian story! One people picked out of the whole earth; that people purged and proved again and again. Some are lost in the desert before they reach Palestine; some stay in Babylon; some becoming indifferent. The whole thing narrows and narrows, until at last it comes down to a little point, small as the point of a spear—a Jewish girl at her prayers. That is what the whole of human nature has narrowed down to before the Incarnation takes place. Very unlike what we expected, but, of course, not in the least unlike what seems, in general, as shown by nature, to be God's way of working.” ―C.S. Lewis, “The Grand Miracle”

Little Town of Bethlehem

²     “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

     Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

     Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

     The One to be Ruler in Israel,

     Whose goings forth are from of old,

     From everlasting.”

³    Therefore He shall give them up,

     Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;

     Then the remnant of His brethren

     Shall return to the children of Israel.

⁴    And He shall stand and feed His flock

     In the strength of the Lord,

     In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;

     And they shall abide,

     For now He shall be great

     To the ends of the earth;

⁵    And this One shall be peace. ―Micah 5

Prayer

O Lord, our God, we acknowledge that You alone are the initiator and worker of our salvation; we cannot save ourselves, nor can we assist You in saving us. We are the blessed objects of Your mercy and grace. Clearly, Christ demonstrated His love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, He died for us. While we were enemies, You reconciled us to Yourself through Your Son. Amen.

Advent Action

Initiate a conversation with a stranger, showing an interest in them, their family, their career, etc. Don’t forget to pray for them.