December 9, 2012: The Past Informs the Present – Michael Hidalgo

When we think about little baby Jesus there is a temptation to think of a cute little baby, and sing about him in a way that is about all the cuddly, swaddling clothes he was wrapped in. This is reflected in nearly all Christmas hymns. They are sentimental and vanilla enough to evoke the spirit of Christmas – but not the underpinnings of Advent. 

Advent is a time of longing, hope and desperation. This is why Advent hymns reflect on the prophets and the story of Israel. They reflect a deep thirst to see God’s justice and rule and reign be a present reality in our world today. Unless we look back from the manger we will never see what Christmas meant on that day Jesus was born. Too often we are caught standing in our world and looking back at the manger.