Dear friends, Advent begins today and will end on December 24.  At least we know when that will end!  One of the themes of Advent is waiting, and if there was ever a year when we can learn something about waiting, it's this one.  Many people thought the year 2000 might be the end of the world, but few thought it would be the end of common sense.  May God bring us a speedy conclusion to the wait for our next president.

          All this waiting reminds me of William Miller, protestant pastor and founder of the modern millennial movement.  After 14 years of studying the Bible, he became convinced that Christ would return in 1843.  When Miller announced April 3, 1843, as the day the world would end, some of his disciples went to mountaintops, hoping for a head start to heaven.  Others sat in graveyards, planning to ascend in reunion with their departed loved ones.  Some Philadelphia society women clustered together outside town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common people.  When the day passed and the next day dawned as usual, the Millerites were disillusioned, but soon they took heart.  Their leader had predicted more dates for Christ's return, "just in case," as he said.  They learned they still had until March 21, 1844, so his devout followers continued to make ready.  But again they were disappointed.  A third date, October 22, 1844, was set, but it obviously also passed, because the end never came.  Yet many today still wonder, when is the end ever going to come?  It almost sounds like this presidential election!

          If you've ever waited long for something to happen, and it dragged on and on, you know how hard it is to remain hopeful.  Married couples wanting to have a child know how long the wait can be.  For some couples it never ends.  Such seemed the case with Zechariah and Elizabeth in today's Gospel Lesson.  They were in good company with the likes of Abraham and Sarah who had remained childless and hopeful for decades.

          God had promised them a child.  But Sarah was unwilling to wait, so she took matters into her own hands and persuaded Abraham to have a child by her handmaid Hagar.  If Hagar would give birth to Abraham's child while sitting on Sarah's knees, then the child would legally be theirs.  It all sounded reasonable, but was avoiding God's plan, and they discovered that if you mess with God's plan, problems result!  We all know of the bitterness that has ensued;  Jew and Arab cousins, all from the same grandfather, have never gotten along and today seem bent on killing each other.  Is this what's in store for our Democratic and Republican cousins?

          This Advent we'll be reading the Gospel Lesson from Luke chapter one.  In today's reading, old Zechariah was offering up the yearly special sacrifice in the Holy of Holies when the Angel Gabriel appeared.  He said they would soon be having a baby.  One of God's little surprises was on the way!  "Do not be afraid, Zechariah;  your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord."

          Zechariah and Elizabeth hadn't needed a gynecologist to tell them the obvious:  she was too old to have children.  This was an especially cruel blow, since having a child was integral to their identity and purpose of being married.  This is something many couples today have a hard time understanding.  While the primary purpose of marriage is companionship, having children is a close second.

          Contrary to the population alarmists, our world does need children, especially godly children.  As Christians we know each generation must share the Gospel with the next.  If we don't teach our children in God's Word and ways, how will the Gospel be known?  Do we want to hand over our world to a generation that knows nothing of God except what Hollywood tells it?  That would be a disaster!  Our world does need godly children.

          Last week I called a couple I've known for years and they excitedly told me of God's little surprise to them.  This was an athletic, active and driven couple, and I really never thought they'd have kids.  But you should have heard their excitement now!  Their adopted Chinese daughter is the light of their lives.  Another couple I know adopted two two-year-olds from Russia - at the same time.  Zechariah and Elizabeth would have given everything for that!  They wanted that sheer joy of having a little one run to Daddy or Momma with a hug and a squeal.  But it all seemed so impossible, that is, until God pulled one of His little "surprises."

          I was one of those little surprises.  My Mom thought her first four would be all, but at age 45 there was one more to come.  She and Dad were happy with the news.  That's not always the case.  A woman once told me how she cried bitterly when she learned she was pregnant again at age 41.  But later on her little daughter became the joy of her life!  God's little surprises are for our benefit, though we often don't recognize it at the time.

          Zechariah couldn't believe it.  "Are you sure?" he asked, a natural question under the circumstances.  But such a response was questioning God, so Gabriel told old Zack he'd be mute - unable to utter a sound - until the baby was born.  That's an especially cruel blow for a man with news to share!  How can an old guy brag about something like that if he can't talk?  And when people noticed Elizabeth was showing, how could he explain it?  But Gabriel, God's messenger and protector of people, needed to make a point.  Don't mess with God's plans!  He knows what's best.  Only later when Zechariah named him John did he get his speech back.  And the first thing he did wasn't to brag, but to praise God.  A good lesson for us!

          Not all God's little surprises are pleasant little children;  some are nasty events that are probably from Satan - sickness, loss, rejection, a visit from the IRS.  Maybe this election mess is one.  But don't forget - God's in the midst of each one.  He won't abandon us when bad things come knocking.  He still loves us and wants to see if our faith is really serious or a mere show.

          A Lutheran Day School class was asked to re-write the story of Adam and Eve in words they could relate to.  One story came back like this:  After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.  And the first thing He said was:  "Don't."  "Don't what?" Adam replied.  "Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.  "Forbidden fruit?  We got forbidden fruit?  Hey, Eve... we got forbidden fruit!"  "No way!" she said.  "Yes, way!"  "Now don't you eat that fruit!" said God.  "Why?"  "Because I'm your Father and I said so!"  By this time God was wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants.  A few minutes later God saw his kids having an apple break and was He angry!!  "Didn't I tell you not to eat that?" He asked.  "Uh huh," Adam replied.  "Then why did you?"  "I dunno," Eve answered.  "She started it!" said Adam, pointing his finger.  "Did not!"  "Did too!"  "DID NOT!!"  "DID TOO!!!!"

          Having had it with the two of them, God slammed the door on Eden.  Their punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.  Thus, the pattern was set and has never changed.  Rebellious children are a reminder of what we all are.  But there is reassurance in this story.  If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give your kids wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be too hard on yourself.  If God had trouble handling His kids, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

          Sometimes a wonderful surprise turns into an ugly rebellion.  Sometimes Mr. Right becomes Mr. Nightmare.  Sometimes our friends are meaner to us than our enemies.  Sometimes our fellow Christians let us down.  Such times don't mean God has gone on vacation.  He's still there for us and knows what's best.  His will and ways are often mysterious, but He never leaves us.

          You see, we're the rebels.  We're the fighting kids.  We want things our way.  Then when we get it, we get bored.  How can God love us rebellious children?  What can He do to bring us back?

          An old man out for a walk one day noticed a boy carrying a rusty old bird cage.  "What have you got there, son?"  "Just some old birds," he said.  "What are you gonna do with them?"  "Take 'em home and have fun with 'em.  Maybe tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight.  I'm gonna have a real good time."  "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later.  What will you do then?"  "Oh, I got me some cats.  They like birds."  The man thought a moment, then asked, "How much do you want for those birds?"  "Awe, you don't want them birds, mister.  They're just sparrows.  They don't even sing."  "How much?" he asked.  The boy sized him up as if he was crazy and said, "Ten bucks."  He gave him a $10 bill, and in a flash the boy was gone.  The old man carried the cage to an alley with a tree and some grass, opened the door, and set the birds free.

          One day Jesus met Satan who was carrying a trap and boasting.  "What do you have there, you old trickster?"  "I just caught a world full of people.  Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist, and got 'em all!"  "What will you do with them now?" Jesus asked.  "Oh, I'm gonna have fun!  I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to make war and bombs and kill each other.  I'm gonna have me some fun!"  "Then what will you do?" asked Jesus.  "I'll kill 'em," said Satan.  "How much do you want for them?"  "Oh, you don't want them.  They're no good.  They'll just hate you, spit on you, curse you, maybe even kill you.  You don't want those people!"  "How much?" said Jesus.  Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "I want all your tears and all your blood.  In other words, I want your life!"  And Jesus paid the price.  And later on He picked up the cage, and opened the door and set His people free!

          Dear friends, at those times when we are the nasty little surprises, God still cares.  He will not leave us.  He loves us no matter what, and wants the best for us.  Don't turn your back on the best thing you can ever have.  Take the gift of Christ's love and let Him set you free.  Amen

Copyright © 2000 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.