The Beauty of Advent

It is early morning

Fog rises over Devils Lake just as the sun rises over the horizon. 

The world, snuggling under two blankets- one of snow and one of mist- begins to twinkle in the muffled light. Instead of dispelling the fog, the sunlight shows that the fog has frozen on every branch and fence post, every tree and string of barbed wire. 

Suddenly, even on a misty day, the air fills with light as the ice reflects it, and even naked trees are clothed again with beautiful, white dresses of frost.

This beauty will not last. It will fade as soon as the sun warms it. However, the memory of the beauty will feed my soul even after it has faded.

Advent and Christmas are beautiful. The lights, the food, the family time, the beautiful clothing people wear to church, the cozy Nativity scenes, and the grace and truth of the infant Christ fill our senses with love, joy, and peace. 

Then, January hits like a Monday, sun melting sparkling frost, and it feels like everything turns to mud. However, the memory of beauty can last. It feeds our souls with the reminder that the same Christ from the manger always lives to make intercession for us- even on a Monday in January.

That is the beauty of Advent: the Incarnation never ends. Jesus became a man, a servant, lived and died a man, and resurrected to be the glorified Son of God and Son of Man. The season comes and goes, but Jesus came and stayed. He is truly Immanuel, God with us, no matter the season.

Perhaps, like so many, your holiday memories are dark, cold, and lonely. You had no beauty in Advent, and you feel as if you have no beauty now. You are a tree, alone on a hill in the darkness of winter, with no leaves, no companions, no shelter from life’s storms.

The Baby born in Bethlehem was born for you too. He died for you, and He lives for you. As His sun rises, frosty mist clings to your branches, coating you with thick ice. His light reflects off of you. He has made you beautiful in His time. His is a beauty without boundaries. A beauty without limitations. A beauty that lasts.

I recently watched a little girl admire our church’s Christmas tree. She clasped her hands under her chin as she moved from one sparkling ornament to another, admiring each glittering shape. Her dark eyes sparkled the reflection of the lights. She turned to me.

“I love Christmas!” she said. Beauty had done its work in her heart and had produced the goodness of love.

“I love Jesus,” I told her. 

She smiled and nodded. “Yes!” 

When we love the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it accomplishes God’s work in our hearts and produces the fruit of goodness. His beauty is everlasting, just like His love. May it warm you even after the beauty of Advent has faded away.