We remember—or experience afresh through the eyes of our children or grandchildren— that
passionate longing for Christmas morning. I like to think of this longing as a little shadow
that should point us to a greater anticipation. In today’s Epistle reading the Apostle Paul calls
us a state of tip-toe reaching, breath-holding, hope-laden expectation: “the hour has already
come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when
we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Rom. 13:11-12). Our
salvation—an unspeakably precious gift is almost, almost ours in full.
Do you remember the ferocious anticipation that came along with an Advent calendar? Every
December day (and cheap chocolate) one tiny step closer to the marvels of Christmas
morning. I am afraid I wasn’t very good at patience (as the pile of wrapping paper and
scattering of toys at 5am on my sixth Christmas morning could readily attest…) but I
certainly overflowed with anticipation wherever Christmas was concerned.
And yet, this expectation also comes with a summons. Our salvation is certain and very, very
near, but we still have a battle to fight in between. Here Paul’s not talking about a battle that
we fight externally. It’s a battle happening on the field of our own hearts. Our old sinful self
(“the flesh”) keeps on itching for one last fling— one more nursed hatred, one last lustful
indulgence, one final swamp of jealousy, and on and on it would lead us until the day comes,
the cover of darkness is stripped, and we’re left hopeless and exposed. It is a grim picture.
How could this then be a day we should long for? How do we escape the grasping itching of
this old, sinful self? There is only one way. Christ offers his very own self to us as clothing,
as armour for the fight. He gives us his spotless life as a covering for our stains. He gives his
perfect purity as protection against the attacks of darkness.
It is then, and only then—clothed in Christ himself—that we can lift our eyes with
unspeakable joy and long for the day to arrive.
Reflection by Laura on Romans 13:11-12