Waiting for a Home

The fourth Sunday in Advent continues the theme of "waiting", but this time for a home. The text comes from II Samuel 7:1-16, where David the King, now at peace with all his neighbors and enjoying much prosperity, desires to build a proper Temple for God, after 500 years of worship in a tabernacle (read: tent). But God tells the prophet Nathan to reject the King's offer of an up-grade. God says that he builds the houses for his people, eternally lasting houses.
The rough and rude creche on the altar stands in high contrast to the beauty of the sanctuary, as it should. God continues to refuse being "housed" and, instead, houses us his way.