F is for Foretelling (Advent Series)

[kurt_messick]

Foresight and foretelling is at the heart of Advent. What is about to happen? Do we know?

The Magi had foresight, in knowing what the star was, and what they would find at the end of their journey. They did not have sufficient foresight to see what Herod would do when he heard the news, from them. They were so focussed on the journey of their own, that they neglected the wider picture.

This is an important lesson. Particularly at this time in our world's history, there are many pundits available with foresight for sale. But will it be accurate? Stock analysts and sports followers also have foresight and forecasts, but are often no more accurate than the weather reporter.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah —the king of Assyria.
- Isaiah 7:14-17

Prophets have foresight. Their 'job', their purpose is to foretell what will happen. Prophets were respected variously throughout the ancient world, but being prophetic did not give one particular gifts for foresight. The Hebrew scriptures are full of examples where cadres of prophets were defeated by a single wise one.

See, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me,
and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.
The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight —
indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
- Malachi 3:1

Messiahs were proclaimed far and wide. For hundreds of years prior to Jesus, messiahs came and went. For at least a hundred years after, messiahs were still being proclaimed. The same Herod mentioned above as the one who reacted badly to the Magi had a grandson, also born in Bethlehem, who proclaimed himself the messiah (shortly before dying a horrible death).

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, 'Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?' He replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come....' Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
- Matthew 17:10-13

Even Jesus foretold things about his own life, his own purpose.

What can you foretell about your own life? What can you foretell about the coming holiday? What can you foretell about tomorrow? Something useful to ponder during Advent...

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I shall post a brief meditation each day, following an acrostic method (A for the first day, B for the second, and so forth) for each day of Advent. I hope you'll join me as I work through various feelings and thoughts this Advent season.