It's Advent and although I am home now and jumping into making it a beautiful season for my family and I to celebrate, my spirit is still stirred by my time in Ireland. I continue to think of the island's history and what it must be like to live in an occupied land. What that must feel like and how that changes one's view of well, everything. Of course Ireland has been free for some time now and I am sure I can look at more recent occupied countries to dwell on but we don't always get to choose where our inspiration comes from.
When I think of when Jesus arrived on the scene I am keenly aware that the landscape of this world was as different from my world as it gets. Jesus was born to a man and a woman who were not free. Their country was being occupied the powerful empire of Rome and in their own home they had so little. Working their land for other's wealth, having no voice, being denied the ability to worship without ridicule, punishment and death having to be endured at the hands of these outsiders who trample on all that is sacred to that land. This does not look like my world. I have about every freedom I can ever dream of here in this land.No one is telling me I can't speak my own language, school my kids how I want, worship in hiding. No one is taking the majority of my money and leaving me with pennies to survive on. I don't live in an occupied world. I am free. So, when I visit a country like Ireland who did endure being occupied by outsiders the good news of Jesus becomes brighter and stronger and truer.
I am able to see how here in our American Christian culture we think we have mastered this gospel but there are elements that will always be a bit less tangible for us as a land who has not been occupied. So much of the language of the gospel is lost to us because we haven't had to live under the tyrannical rule of man. Of course we are able to identify with the spiritual chains that bind us and yes some have experienced their own personal hell of living in a place of oppression but as a whole- it's a stretch.
You can see why Jesus was so controversial. (He still is but I wonder if it's for the same reasons.) He shows up on the scene, gathers a following and instead of preaching a message of overthrowing the occupying government He preaches on loving others and drawing near to God. He speaks of being free no matter what the situation is around you. He speaks of being children of a loving and powerful King. He speaks of being powerful by serving and of being great by being the least. He doesn't conquer evil by lording over a people but by giving His life for all people. This wasn't the message they expected and many could not accept it but those that did, experienced a freedom that could never be taken from them.
This Advent as I anticipate the celebration of the King's birth I will be dwelling on the circumstances of the world in which Father God chose to send the Rescuer as much as I will be focusing on what it means to worship this King. I will realize that I have it good and where life is not so good I can endure it without needing to overthrow it. My Rescuer has already set me free so there is no need to wrestle or fight or rise up.
Hope He has brought, Peace has been given, Joy is mine and Love is for all!
