Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem. Todd Outcalt

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      ADVENT

       Day 6

       Looking for Signs

      A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

      and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

      The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,

      the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

      the spirit of counsel and might,

      the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

      His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

      —ISAIAH 11:1-3

      A few years ago, I made a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago—the historic pilgrimage that millions of Christians and others have made over the centuries through northern Spain on the way to the traditional burial place of Saint James. The Camino is marked, for hundreds of miles, by signposts containing an image of a scallop shell. Official pilgrims on the journey also wear a scallop shell as they walk to indicate their destination and yearnings.

      These signposts along the way are important markers. Often, when one encounters a fork in the trail or when walking through busy intersections of cities, it would be easy to lose one’s way without these signs along the way.

      All of us, at one time or another, have longed for signs from God. Sometimes we even pray for signs—for those clear and obvious indications that we are on the right path or that we are making the correct decision at some juncture in life. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we most commonly discover that God’s signs are not obvious. They are not like signposts on a trail. God’s signs are not lightning flashes or burning bushes. They are not miraculous interventions that pick us up or place us on another path.

      The words of Isaiah the prophet may be of some comfort to us here. Isaiah envisioned God’s sign as being embodied in one who would demonstrate the spirit of God, the delight of the Lord. Wisdom, understanding, might . . . concepts that might also help us as we journey through an Advent pilgrimage toward the one who we believe embodied these signs of God.

      Asking God for signs to direct our way is not nearly as important as following the one who is God’s sign—Jesus the Christ, the babe of Bethlehem. Like the shepherds of old, we might discover that God will direct us to the Lord when we are able to say, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place” (Luke 2:15).

      Indeed, Advent can be a time of hope and salvation. The Lord is our sign.

      Prayer: God of wonders, it seems I am always looking for the proper path through life. There are often detours and pitfalls, times I lose my way. But you continue to direct my paths as I look to Jesus—the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. I give thanks for the one who is the Way. Grant that today, I may follow him with new eyes and ears, for I know you will direct my path. Amen.