In some traditions over the days before Christmas, the Advent antiphons are prayed. All begin with the exclamation “O come…” and today’s is “O come, Emmanuel.”
Ian Black, who is Dean of the cathedral in Newport, South Wales, offers us this prayer:
O Emmanuel,
long expected and looked for,
be present among us.
In the darkness let your light shine,
bringing hope to the despairing,
encouragement to those in danger of losing heart,
and life to all who walk through the shadow of death.
Come to our salvation
Come, Lord Jesus.
(From 'Intercessions for the Calendar of Saints and Holy Days', Ian Black, SPCK 2005)
To say we cannot come to something isn’t easy. Turning down invitations especially at the moment when we would love to go, is painful. I’m remembering those who have altered plans for the next few days and aren’t coming to people or family who’ve long been expected them. I guess we should be used to changes of plans by now.
What if God said he isn’t coming? I don’t like hearing parents tell children if they are naughty Father Christmas won’t come. But what if God looked at the world and said “they are too wayward and sinful, what’s the point, I can’t be bothered so I’m not coming despite all the promises I will.”
The good news of incarnation is that despite the world, and despite us and our sin, God will come. It’s called grace. The letter to the Hebrews says talking about faith that “he who is coming will come, he will not delay.”
Two days before Christmas, whatever you face, know that God will come, even if you’ve been naughty, or feel miserable because life is kicking you hard. God will come as a child, vulnerable, into chaos, truly one of us… God will come.
I remember when I was minister in Newton Aycliffe, we always knew when our MP was about to visit because they would paint and tidy up the town centre. Newton Aycliffe was on the edge of the Sedgefield constitutency, and back then our MP was one Tony Blair, the Prime Minister. God takes us as he finds us you know, he can cope with the mess which is just as well seeing the state of my study tonight! God will come, just where we need him.
So tonight in our prayers let’s join perhaps with a tradition unfamiliar to us, and pray earnestly and with confidence, o come, Emmanuel… come.
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