Here we are, already, beginning the third week of Advent, a rhythm that gently pulls us out of the fray, inviting us to behold and to remember, God With Us.

As I write, I am in Orlando at Starbucks enjoying a freshly brewed pour-over. This Starbucks, close to the airport, is a very familiar location but has always felt more nondescript than most. Maybe because, clustered together with countless hotel and fast-food chains, it serves mostly temporary travelers who are just passing through. Everything along this stretch of road provides something blandly familiar between here and there.

Advent—the anticipation of the birth of Jesus—calls us to look back in history and to remember that the baby Jesus, clothed in human flesh similar to our own, was born into this world, our world, with a beating heart, a steady breath, a mouth to taste bread and wine, ears to hear every sound, and eyes that pierce our very souls.

The prophet Isaiah, foretelling the coming of Immanuel, first, describes in grim detail the pre-exilic distress and gloom that hung over Israel and Judah. God, due to their idolatrous rebellion, had thrust them into a deep darkness.

So, as is the prophet’s job, Isaiah stands between here and there and acknowledges their current reality. Yes, in the former time God brought contempt, but in the latter time God will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, and Galilee of the nations (Isa 8:11–9:1).

       The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shown.You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

      For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire (Isa 9:2–5).

Isaiah describes the place between here and there as a place of misery and desolation, that is, until God’s Pure Light finally illuminates the darkness and reveals what has been promised all along—security and peace, joy and gladness, and, at long last, freedom from bondage and oppression.

  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6–7)

From all outward appearances, Jesus was just another baby boy, a carpenter’s son, who grew up to be a good-for-nothing Nazarene, only to then die a cursed death. But his resurrection, his ultimate triumph over sin and death, sets him apart. Jesus, the firstborn of all creation and the firstborn from the dead, rules from the throne of David and over God’s kingdom. He upholds his government with justice, righteousness, and endless peace (Col 1:15, 18; Isa 9:7).

Advent, observed between here and there, helps us hold on.

Although there will be no peace in Bethlehem or Gaza or Ukraine or the borderlands or most anywhere tonight, Advent beckons us to stop for a minute, between right now and Christmas Day, between decking the halls, shopping, baking, wrapping, and the big reveal, to shield our eyes and look beyond the horizon and to hang tight.

Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…already reigns and he is coming again.