The First Advent Comes to Life

I leave the market and wind my way through narrow alleys, heading toward the main road where I’ll catch a ride home.

I pass a mosque and hear the jumbled chorus of young voices reciting passages from the Quran.

Just past the mosque, bearded young men stand chatting outside their carpentry shop. I breathe in the aroma of wood being worked by hand as they step aside respectfully to let me pass.

I wonder what it would be like if the Holy One came into the family of one of these pious young carpenters.

The prospect of a childless existence is so shameful in her culture that she can hardly speak through the pain.

On another day, I sit on the floor with my head covered, crying with a newly married friend and praying for a miracle. She’s facing a medical emergency—and with it, the possibility of never being able to bear children. The prospect of a childless existence is so shameful in her culture that she can hardly speak through the pain.

Her husband is kind. But he may soon face social pressure to find himself a new wife who can give him a child.

I think about Zechariah who stayed with his wife, Elizabeth, for so many childless years, despite the social pressure he must have faced.

I wonder—what if God did the impossible and gave my friend a child who helps usher in the Kingdom in this land?

I think about Zechariah who stayed with his wife, Elizabeth, for so many childless years.

On a journey between cities, my teammates and I stop for a picnic under a lone tree by the side of the road in the middle of the arid landscape.

A young nomadic shepherd appears, leading his goats to the shade where they’ll rest through the heat of the afternoon.

His people live difficult, transitory lives. Still, the young man shares some goat milk with us. We thank him for his kindness and invite him to eat with us.

I wonder—would God reveal His plan to save all peoples to a humble young nomad like him?

Would God reveal His plan to save all peoples to a humble young nomad like him?

A local friend tells me that her brother’s employer hasn’t paid him in months. All he can do is leave his wages behind and find a new job. Meanwhile the family is trying to buy more time with the landlord who has come to collect the rent.

My friend and I talk about how God acts on our behalf when the world around us doesn’t.

I wonder what it will look like for the King to come and bring justice to powerless men, women, and children.

My friend and I talk about how God acts on our behalf when the world around us doesn’t.

As I pass an older man on the street, I think of Simeon, a devout and righteous man who waited with desperation to see God’s promise fulfilled. Simeon embraced Jesus and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace… for my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29–30).

I wonder—what if God anointed this older man and revealed Christ to him?

God did, He can, He will, and He does.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. — Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)

• This Advent, please join in praying that Muslims will encounter Christ and embrace Him as the light of revelation to all peoples (Luke 2:31–32).
• Pray for Frontiers workers to experience Jesus with fresh wonder this Christmas season, and ask God to help them share the message of the Gospel with power.
• Pray for God’s Kingdom to come in Muslim communities around the world.