Advent Devotional by Charles Smith

Luke 13: 31-35

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 13:34-35)

I have never been a “hugging person.” Being extremely huggable (get in line Care Bears), I’ve had to hold the masses at bay. Or, more honestly, I’ve had to fend off the constantly desired embraces of one person: my mother. Early in life I came to the realization that hugs were, in fact, icky. My protestations against her so called “love squeezes” knew no limits.

Then my children were born, and I immediately switched sides. Why could I not see it before? Hugs are a healing balm, a show of pride and support, a maker of peace and a bringer of comfort. They are embodied joy.

My betrayal, however, begat my next opponent, quite literally. My son Finn has sided with ickiness. I now know the unrequited desire of the hugger and the aversion of the hugee. I have a brood who refuses to be winged.

So I can relate when Jesus laments our own unwillingness. I feel his mourning; I sense his longing. Yet in his words there is a sign of hope. I hear him say, “How often have I desired.” How often. Jesus has tried, again and again, to bring us into his fold. And he is not yet finished trying.

A few months ago, during baseball season, Finn hit a game-winning triple. He was elated, his face shone, and when I knelt to congratulate him, he spread his arms wide and wrapped me in a bear hug so tight my eyes watered. Or perhaps they watered for a different reason. In that hug I felt the true expression of joy, unspoken and unbound.

Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for the coming of God’s son, the blessed one, who comes in the name of the Lord. But Jesus also waits. He waits for us to turn toward him, open our arms, and embrace him. Child to parent, body to body, connecting our hearts in pure and unrelenting joy.

Charles Smith