Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Advent I: Kingdom

The Kingdom of God came,
eternal King of endless realm
an embryo in a virgin's womb,
a baby laid in an animal's crib,
angel-announced Savior
adored by shepherds,
worshiped by wise men seeking the King of the Jews,
hunted by a wicked king fearing a coup.

The King came
preaching the good news of His Kingdom,
healing broken bodies and souls,
breaking bread to feed multitudes,
blessing, breaking, giving Himself for our sins.

Pilate asked Him, was He a king?
He said without saying, He was.

The King came
on a cross,
thieves His courtiers,
a placard bearing His only crime:
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

The Kingdom of God comes
in the risen, ascended Jesus
sitting at the right hand of the Father;
pouring His Spirit into those who trust Him,
worship Him, follow Him;
in His power in their weakness;
in His light radiant in their brokenness;
in healing some wounds, redeeming all.

The Kingdom of God is coming
when the restoration of all things arrives,
the King on a white horse in salvation-soaked robes:
Faithful and True,
Word of God,
King of kings and Lord of lords;
death, last enemy, defeated;
His palace a forever, tearless, deathless, darkless tabernacle:
no brokenness there,
no loneliness,
only light, life, healing, glory.

Come to the King, O broken one.
Enter His Kingdom through the cruciform gate.
There is yet time.

Let the people of the Kingdom pray,
"Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done."
Come, Lord Jesus.
We wait for You.

Linking today with Jen and Michelle (better late than never) and tomorrow with Ann:
(And celebrating 200th published post! Thanks be to God.)








19 comments:

  1. Oh so wonderful! I will share this with my family:) They will love it too, I know. 200th?! Thanks for the many blessings you've shared with your readers. May the blessings come back upon you many times over, friend.

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  2. Thank you, thank you. The Kingdom is a wonderful, wondrous truth, isn't it? *You *are a blessing, friend!

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  3. Lovely! Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper. Blessings!

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  4. The Lord bless you as well. Thanks for your visit.

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  5. Thank you for this. Thank you for pointing our focus where it needs pointing during this time of too many distractions. A blessing.

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  6. Thank *you, *friend. I prayed for you this morning.

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  7. Oh, an even bigger thanks, for praying. I have been praying for you, too! What heart-warming reciprocal blessing!

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  8. You're welcome, and thank you again. I cherish those prayers.

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  9. such lovely, grace-filled words... many blessings, this waiting season....

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  10. Amen... Come Lord Jesus Come

    Come to the King, O broken one.
    Enter His Kingdom through the cross-shaped gate.
    There is yet time.

    Love this!

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  11. Thank you. Many blessings to you as well.

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  12. Yes, amen and amen. Some years that "come" pulls harder than others. This is one. Grace to you, fisherlady, in Jesus.

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  13. Amen!!! And congratulations on 200 posts! WooHoo!!!! :)

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  14. Thank you, Anne. You probably passed that marker a long time ago. Y'all feeling better yet? I hope yes.

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  15. Hahahaha! Yes, I usually have LOTS to say! :)

    Kregg and I are well. Youngest came down with it last night. :( Hopefully she will be the last one. Thank you, dear!

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  16. Silly lady, that's not what I meant. I just thought you had a head start on me in blogging, plus higher post frequency. :)

    I'm sorry the youngest (hmmm, Rebecca?) is ill but glad the caregivers are well. Yes, may God grant that the germs stop with her. You're welcome.

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  17. Hahahaha! I know that's not what you meant. :) I'm just teasin' you!!

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  18. This? Beautiful. These lines in particular have grabbed me tight:

    "His palace a forever, tearless, deathless, darkless tabernacle:
    no brokenness there,
    no loneliness,
    only light, life, healing, glory."

    Yes. Yes. What hope we have in the One Who heals all our brokenness and has already redeemed and purposed us for an eternity of wholeness.

    I've just been catching up on your posts from the last few weeks, and though I've no great words of wisdom at the moment I just wanted to say thank you for writing. I'm listening even when I've got no words to offer back. May the days of Advent be full of Grace and Hope for you, but mostly full of Him in the most surprising and fulfilling ways. Love to you, Friend.

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  19. Thank you, kind friend. You were in my heart as those words came together. Your prayer itself is wise and generous, but I don't ask wisdom, just you. Grace, hope, good surprises, and love to you as well, dear Courtney.

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.