Jesus —Born For Connection
John 3:16 NLT, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
I love an advent calendar as much as the next person. I love chocolate, swag, giveaways and freebies. Advent, however, has a much deeper meaning than all of that. I’m going to suggest that you do your own research into the meaning of Advent, however, it was a time of prayer, fasting, celebration and anticipation. In celebration, we remember the earnest expectations and fervent prayers of faithful saints of old who longed for the coming of their Messiah to rescue them from sin and all its cronies. Humanity called upon the name of the Lord, and God answered. He arrived living and breathing and walking among us. Advent is a way to experience their joy as we put their ancient, Spirit-inspired words on our lips as a community.
I want to ask you to reflect on your participation in the anticipation of Advent. Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Encountering God is not only possible this Christmas season, Jesus said it’s a matter of opening the door. The anticipation is the expectancy of encountering God. God asks for our participation in that expectancy. What happens if we never open the door to Him? What happens if you choose not to participate in encountering God?
I want to pause here for some definitions:
anticipation - realization in advance
participation - a sharing
connection - association with something observed
In our participation in Advent, we connect to God and the gift of His son that He has given to us. Did you realize that God created us for connection? Do you want to know why so many have struggled during this time of isolation, separation and quarantining? No, this is not a political post. We’ve struggled (mentally, emotionally, etc.) because we were created in the image of God and God is all about connection. God created humans for connection. God wanted connection with us so much so that when Adam sinned, and forced disconnection, what did God do? He created a way for reconciliation of that connection. Our reconciliation to connection with God is our acceptance (participation) of the gift of Jesus being born. Jesus came to the earth to die on our behalf so connection could be restored. That is how important connection is to God.
So what does participation in the anticipation of Advent even mean? Well Advent is the anticipation of the coming of Jesus. When was the last time you shared that anticipation with someone? The story of Jesus coming as a baby to die for us in order to reconcile us back to the Father. The good news of the gospel. The joy, hope, faith and love that is this season of Advent. What is your response to Jesus being born? I hope your response is connection, whether it’s reconciliation because that connection has lapsed or it’s the first time you’ve ever responded to Jesus' gift of connection.
Then I hope you take time this season to connect with others. Share the gift of connection to those around you. We often ask at CCCoG - What are you hearing from God? And what are you going to do about it? Will you participate in Advent by a) accepting this gift of connection from God and b) by sharing it with others?
Call to Action
Pray, read and reflect on the following scriptures this week:
John 3:16
Revelation 3:20
Romans 12:5
Ephesians 4:16
Colossians 1:17
Reflection
Have you ever thought of your salvation (or relationship with God) as connection? What does that mean for you?
During these weeks of Advent, I encourage you to reflect on connection. What does this look like for you?
Connecting to God.
Connecting to family, friends, neighbors or community.
Connecting to others.
What is your response to God sending HIs only son in order to bring about reconciliation between humans and God?
