Dictionary Word of the Day: Sentinal

sentinel \SEN-tuhn-uhl\, noun, verb:
1. to stand guard and watch

noun:
1. a person stationed to keep watch and guard

At first glance this word wouldn't seem like an Advent-y sort of word, does it? But I think it perfectly describes the intent of our observation of the Advent season.

If this word had popped up in March or July, my thoughts would certainly not have turned to Advent. I probably would have thought about an old made-for-TV movie I saw a long time ago with Burgess Meredith.

But it's not March or July--it's December and so my thoughts are turned to the coming of Christ; to the promises made to Israel that God would send a Messiah, the wonders and the implications of the Incarnation, in the present presence of the Spirit and in and the promise of Christ's return for His people.

Israel waited for her Messiah--the Consolation of Isreal. There were those who were watching and waiting and recognized Christ's first advent with Joy:

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30for my eyes have seen your salvation
31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Like them, we wait and watch with hope. Like sentinals, we wait for the coming of Christ but now we await the Second Coming in the  "light of revelation to the Gentiles"--Emmanuel, God with us.