Advent Hope

The 10:45 worship service at City Church in San Francisco yesterday had both Greg and I teared up at different points. It was about Advent longing and about how the fulfillment of that longing can never come from what we posses. We have done such harm to others and ourselves believing that. Our fulfillment comes from a person, Immanuel, God with us. My heart resonated with these two verses from the song, Savior of The Nations,Come.

Savior of the nations, come,
Show yourself, the virgin's son.
Marvel heaven, wonder earth,
That our God chose such a birth.

Christ in glory intercede
For your creatures' suffering need.
Let your resurrection power
Soon complete the victory hour.

The first Advent candle was lit, reminding us that it is Jesus who comes into the darkness of our world to bring renewal, life, and hope.

After the service I thought a lot about God wearing our flesh. He was vulnerable, touchable, even huggable. I thought about this because not a single person greeted us after the worship service. Not a hello, a handshake, or even a nod. After a while I decided to approach someone. Turned out to be a great decision. His name was Max, which could only help endear him to us. Greg and I had a long, relaxed, wonderfully edifying conversation with Max. To us, it moved what we had just experienced in worship, into a deeper place in our hearts. In other words, our spirits were nourished and became more hopeful as we experienced the presence of God in this human encounter. We parted ways after we all hugged, feeling like we were leaving a long-time friendship.
A taste of advent hope.
Thank you, Jesus.
Thank you, Max.