Before participating in our Advent content, consider reading Isaiah 11:1-10 to prepare your heart for Todd’s message.
Advent is more than just a wreath with candles lit each Sunday in December. Although I’m a huge fan, it is more than the calendar full of chocolates. Advent originates in the 5th-century church, with the term Advent deriving from the Latin “Adventus,” which means “coming; arrival.” Advent is a time the church created to celebrate the anticipation of the coming of Christ to earth.
I don’t know about you, but as a technical artist in the local church, I tend to anticipate the end of Christmas more than Christmas itself and what it stands for. I’m generally not anticipating Christ’s entrance in a manger. I’m expecting when I can take the nap of a lifetime after our last Christmas service.
As a way to recenter myself, I’ve been thinking about ways to be more aware of the Advent season amidst the craziness of the usual Christmas prep season. So, we will explore the Advent season over the next four weeks and what it means to us technical artists in the local church.
The prophet Isaiah talks about the coming Messiah, who it will be, and what he will be like. In chapter 11, Isaiah lists some of the coming Messiah’s characteristics; as a tech person, verse 3 stood out to me.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
This sounds like the person I wish would visit the booth from time to time instead of everyone with an opinion on my mix! More than that, it is a great reminder that you and I aren’t defined by what we do or how well we do it. The Messiah that Isaiah talks about will see past the lights, the mix, and the color grade on that exceptional Christmas video and look upon our hearts.
As you work hard this Christmas season, remember that you are more than what you do or how well you do it. When Isaiah wrote this, the idea that someone would come and judge humanity differently from how it had historically been judged probably seemed like a revelation. For those people hearing Isaiah’s words, I can imagine the longing for someone who would create a world where:
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
In our world, maybe we don’t find ourselves in a situation where we are putting our hands into a snake’s nest, but there are plenty of situations I can think of where it would be nice for people on opposing sides to work together harmoniously. Tech people and worship leaders, I’m talking to you!
We have the chance to take part in a life with Christ, which is something that Isaiah’s contemporaries could only long for.
As we enter this first week of Advent, contemplate what life would look like if we anticipated Christ transforming our lives in the ways Isaiah describes.
For us today, the beauty of waiting for Christ is that we don’t have to.
Need some community and prayer during this time? Reach out to us and let us know how we can pray for you, your family, your team, and your church this holiday season!
