Now What?

This is the season of Advent in the church calendar, from the Latin for “to come to.” We have come to prepare for the birth of Christ. Yet preparation is the starting point; the word itself suggests that something comes after that preparation—the “Now What?” Proverbs 1:7 proclaims that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” What knowledge are we to gain from celebrating Advent?

Mary was preparing for the birth of her first child and motherhood. How many questions she must have had, especially considering the unique nature of her pregnancy. Yet she had found favor with the Lord and trusted in His will for whatever was next. Her cousin Elizabeth recognized something special about this pregnancy when the child she was carrying “leaped for joy” at Mary’s approach (Lk. 1:44). Mary recorded all that she experienced in her memory (Lk 2:19). Her “now what” centered on her faith that God was at work in her life, as Elizabeth confirmed when she said to Mary, “…blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled (Lk. 1:45). even as she must have been surprised, even puzzled at times, at the actions of her son Jesus. From his birth, she pondered all these amazing events in her heart. Did she fit the pieces together as she gazed at her son from the foot of the cross; did his resurrection raise more questions, or were her ponderings satisfied? Now what?

Wise men from the East began a journey, relying on the appearance of a star which was much different from other stars. They were not sure of their destination; yet they discerned something unusual and important about this star, so much so that they brought with them expensive items with which to honor whoever was at the end of their travels. Imagine their amazement when they were led to an abode for animals to see a newborn baby, vulnerable, seemingly insignificant, maybe even squalling in his mother’s arms. Still, they presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They understood that somehow this birth was the beginning of a shift in the history of the world. What became of this beginning of knowledge for them when they returned to their homelands? What did they tell others? How did the event change them? Their beginning--how did it end? Now what?

Shepherds were gathered on a hillside on a dark night, vigilant in keeping a check on their flock of sheep, their ordinary task. No wonder they were afraid when the sky lit up with bright, heavenly angels bringing what must have been a cryptic announcement to these simple men. The angel proclaimed a Savior, Christ the Lord had been born. How long the Jews had been waiting for this news. But wait! This baby would be found in a manger? In swaddling clothes? Curiosity taking over, they decided to see for themselves, “this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us” (Lk 2:15). The shepherds’ understanding began with their realizing that this message was from the Lord; then they told others, who were astonished at their words. Did they begin to doubt that this baby was the Savior, the Christ? They received a message they discerned as from the Lord. Did they hear more about this child as the years passed? Now what?

As Advent begins for us, what do we expect? Like Mary, are we surprised at being chosen for some task God has set before us? Are we obedient to the calling? Like the Wise Men, do we honor Jesus with our gifts? Are we willing to make a long journey for him, even to our life’s end? At times are we surprised, even fearful, at a message God sends us, as the shepherds were? Do we act on that message? Do we tell others about it? Does it change our lives?

The angels went away, and the shepherds resumed their task of tending sheep. The Wise Men returned to their homeland. Mary assumed the role of a mother and all that motherhood involves. We will enter a new year with the same jobs, routines, problems, and celebrations as before December 25. But we have the rest of the story! Now what?