Honest Advent

But the rub of revelation is that it’s a transformation you’re not in charge of.

It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would

there is no fulfillment of enough.

In any divine annunciation, you receive revelation as a gift, yet at the same time you receive notice that all that you had planned is ending. It’s all over. Everything will change—most of all you.

But if in the telling of that genesis tale there is no struggle, hardship, doubt, failing and trying again, then we won’t believe it. Because to attempt to create anything in this world is to take a risk. All creating is an expression of vulnerability.

It’s the burden of perfection morally, spiritually, humanly, and it inevitably destroys our souls because

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. LUKE 2:6–7

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. JOHN 1:4–5 NLT

It’s easy to come to this conclusion, because this is our learned experience through relational failures throughout our lives.