“I am with you.”

Advent Reflections, 2007

Friday, December 14 – Scripture Readings:
Psalm 31; Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39

As the readings thus far in Advent have offered many prophetic voices – all articulating God’s displeasure and sadness over the people’s turning away – it becomes a bit depressing and as I’ve stated in earlier posts, it also creates the climate of longing and anticipation by which Advent is defined. Today we switch from Amos to Haggai and the story doesn’t get that much better. Haggai is the prophet through whom God’s voice is spoken and he basically tells them that their experiences of lack or loss are because they haven’t rebuilt God’s house, the temple.

“You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it…You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.” (6, 9)

When I first read through these verses, my mind immediately went to the messages of advertisers by which we are bombarded this time of year (and all year, really): your life is really not all that satisfying and what you need is to buy more – particular products that will make you feel full, warm, secure, and loved. Doesn’t work, does it? Why, though? Maybe for the very same reason as in Haggai’s day: our emphasis is in the wrong place – on things of this earth instead of the kingdom of God.

This isn’t, however, what I’m most compelled by in today’s reading(s). It’s this: Haggai has delivered the message to the rulers of Judah – all doom and gloom, really, and then verse 13 says this:

Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.

Isn’t that beautiful? Bursting into the midst of a people who had lost their way God gently, kindly says, “I am with you.”

Sounds familiar? Hundreds of years later, Jesus is born. He shall be called Emmanuel – God-with-us. I’m caught up in the wonder of a God whose words, and presence are consistent throughout all of history; whose deepest desire is, and always has been, to be with us.

In the midst of a season (and all year, really) when I can feel like what I have, what my life consists of, and even who I am just isn’t enough, I am loved by a God who bursts into the midst and gently, kindly says, “I am with you.”

Amen.

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