Middle Advent Dystocia

Advent is the season leading up to the celebration of Christmas. I will confess that this has been a difficult season for most of my adult life and I’m not sure why. This week, as I began to prepare the Bible study lesson on HOPE, I realized that there are really three Advents to consider here.


The first Advent is the obvious one during which Christians prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I get this one. The ancient Hebrew prophets had predicted that a messiah would come for the salvation and restoration of the nation of Israel. There would be a turning of the people back toward God. From this we get the familiar stories of the census, the Nativity, the shepherds, the star, and the Magi.


I also think that I have a pretty good grasp on the second Advent. As believers, we look forward to the return of the messiah at the end of the age. Then, all things will be set right, made anew and restored to perfection. The reality of the second Advent is the only reason that the first Advent has any importance. Otherwise, the Nativity would be just a cute, heart-warming story.


Here’s where I get stuck. Middle Advent. Right now. I celebrate the first Advent and I look forward to the second Advent, but why can’t I get into the Christmas spirit in 2009? Then I saw an article by Barry Howard, a pastor friend, who was lamenting the rush to Christmas without the necessary devotional journey. He said, “I love a festive and joyful celebration of Christmas. However, to begin celebrating Christmas in October, November, or even early December, is like a parent trying to skip labor and delivery to go straight to the nursery.”*


Suddenly I had the diagnosis. I suffer from Middle Advent Dystocia. Dystocia is a medical term referring to difficult labor and delivery. The causes may be maternal, such as failure of uterine contractions, or the causes may be fetal, such as a stuck shoulder. Successful treatment might include methods “from above” such as oxytocin, a medication to stimulate contractions. Or, dystocia might be treated “from below” with forceps or other methods to grasp the baby to facilitate delivery.


(As many of you know, I am a gastroenterologist. Aren’t you glad I opted for an obstetrical metaphor?)


Middle Advent Dystocia, or “MAD,” I think, can likewise be treated both “from above” and “from below.” From above, God gives us his Holy Spirit to tide us over with enough hope to get through these in-between times. Paul writes, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:22-23, NIV)


It seems that Middle Advent Dystocia can also be treated with some human measures. Pastor Howard goes on to say, “For a Christian, Advent is our progressive, devotional journey that culminates in grateful celebration when the Christ candle is lighted and the Christmas Star shines over the manger in Bethlehem.”* There you have it: a progressive, devotional journey. I guess that means that I need to spend some time this season dwelling on something besides bills, receipts, schedules and decorations. I will endeavor to focus on prayer, meditation and Bible study. I will let my Christian brothers and sisters be my Advent obstetricians as they pull me along the devotional journey toward Christmas 2009.


I wish you all Hope and Peace and Joy this season.

* It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Advent by Barry Howard