by Gary Talbert

Ever since God first declared to Eve in the garden that one of her offspring would one day “crush the head” of the serpent, creation has waited for its redemption, the eradication of sin and death. The entire Old Testament tells the story of this waiting through the eyes and lives of the Israelites, the people of God’s Covenant. For it was through this people that the longed-for Christ would come,
the One through whom all creation would be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

The Old Testament story concludes with the promise of the prophet Malachi that the day of the Lord is coming with “healing in its wings” and that Israel’s wait will soon be over.

Some four hundred years later the New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was named Jesus (“God Saves”) but also known as Emmanuel (“God With Us”) and Messiah (“God’s Anointed”).

His eventual death and resurrection secured salvation for all who put their trust in Him. But the final consummation of God’s word to Eve will not take place until Jesus’ second coming, the time when He will descend from the right hand of God the Father to reign as King, passing final judgment on sin and death. The New Testament, like the Old, concludes with the promise that the Lord’s Day is coming and the waiting will soon be over…. we are still waiting.

In the season of Advent (“to come”), we not only remember Israel’s wait for its hope and consolation, but we also anticipate Jesus’ imminent return.

One of the ways in which we remember and anticipate is through the singing of carols. Advent carols or hymns speak of waiting for Christ’s birth, His second coming, or His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (for this, too, was an anticipated Advent of Christ the King.) These hymns express our hope and longing as we eagerly await our Lord.

One hymn that deeply echoes my own yearning for His coming is Charles Wesley’s, Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending, written in 1758. Whenever I sing this hymn (especially to the tunes of Helmsley or Bryn Calfaria) my heart nearly bursts with affirmation.

Lo, he comes with clouds descending,
once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand, thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train;
Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign.
 
Yea, Amen! Let all adore thee,
high on thy eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
claim the Kingdom for thine own;
O, come quickly! Everlasting God, come down!

On the first Sunday evening of Advent (Nov. 27, 5 pm), the congregation is invited to join the choir in a special worship service featuring traditional Advent carols and readings along with a seasonal meditation. Come remember and anticipate with us the Lord’s coming as we enter the season of waiting.